Posted Nov. 5, 2023

Halloween is over. The ads for this year’s best toys for under the Christmas tree are already in full swing. Forget Thanksgiving – it’s not a big moneymaker. The kids are making their list and checking it twice. The begging has already started. If your kids are creative, they’ll be asking you if you think Santa will fulfill their ultimate toy list.

We're going to take a 4 step approach to this yearly pressure.

1) PROPOGANDA – Explore with your kids how advertisers create the buying frenzy by glamorizing everything. Give your kids a pencil, frying pan, spoon or whatever. Challenge each to “SELL” their item by creating their own commercial about why you should buy this product. Let them make props and even background sets. The older kids might even want to make their own video commercial. By creating an ad and trying to convince someone else to “buy”, they are seeing how advertising can make you “want” even if you don't “need”.

After dinner, each kid gives their presentation. This exercise helps them see through the marketing hype. You might want to do this exercise several times, especially if they start falling prey to another marketing blitz.

2) CHEAP TOYS – When China entered the US market, inexpensive plastic toys flooded the shelves. Many had bright colors, flashing lights and sound effects (great for battery makers). But now kids have so many toys in their bedroom that there is little room to even play with them. Mom tells them to clean up their room, but it is a daunting and overwhelming task that often leads to melt downs. I still remember the day I was given such an ultimatum. I tried, really tried. But after hours of trying to figure out where to put everything, I gave up. Part of the problem was I started playing with the toys instead of cleaning – not my strong skill. Finally, I just scooped everything up and threw it in the closet. Not exactly what mom intended.

So, here is a time proven way to reduce the “toy” issue. Get a box and a trash bag. If the toy is broken or has missing parts, put it in the trash. Then have your child pick out their favorite 6 toys (negotiable). Put the rest in a box. Yes, there will be protests. Think of the box as a toy lending library. Put the box on a high shelf – not in their room. When they get bored with or outgrow a toy, they can exchange it for one in the lending library box.

The problem is that when there are too many toys, a child will spend a few minutes with one of them, then on to the next and the next, never really focusing on one experience. They are flitting, never able to focus. But watch what happens. With fewer choices, they can more easily pick one and focus on true “play” and let their imagination take over. That is what play is about.

This technique also applies to books. Let them pick their favorites, get the rest out of the room. When they have finally mastered a certain book, exchange it with another in the library box. Same with clothes (especially girls clothes). Choose only six outfits. When they have worn the limited variety in every conceivable combination or they are outgrowing them or just wearing them out, they can choose something out of the library clothes box.

If they can't decide what to wear each morning, then make it a part of the bedtime routine to layout the exact outfit for the next morning. It's a quieting activity that settles their mind down as they prepare for sleep. It will also greatly reduce the next mornings stress.

3) Alternatives to toys and how to deal with grandparents and relatives.... next week.

That’s what good play is all about.

No directions, nobody telling you that
“you can’t do it that way”.

It’s pure discovery!