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I always remember being told most definitely by my 7 year old nephew that "Toys were NOT ALLOWED in the living room". I was shocked. This meant the only rooms they could have them was in their bedrooms. To me it is important that my children feel included and their needs met in all areas of the house. Consideration is expected towards the other members of the household, which includes helping to keep their toys tidy.
A pet hate I have is to see a mountainous jumble of abandoned toys in a corner or spilling half way across the room (as we all have to live here) I prefer to store most of them out of the way. A smaller selection is then stored in appropriate easy to find containers (baskets at floor level under furniture is a great solution). Toys can then be rediscovered by rotating the selection available. I also like to place an interesting toy or object at low level, to be 'found' by a small person.
Keeping track of bits of toys is a tedious business, yet I go to great lengths to keep the bits TOGETHER! I try to avoid accumulating toys like this - but impossible with two boys mad on construction. I love well thought out toys, ones they return to again and again. I'm not a fan of plastic, but toys like Lego and k-Nex are fab. I can tolerate a small quantity of quality plastic (the type that last and last) if they have good play value. Durable hand held toys of this kind, too, that can be carried around giving hours of pleasure. Cheap plastic toys that break easily annoy me intensely as I have no choice but to put them in the bin... to the landfill... and there to stay for eternity?
Generally wooden toys look and feel good, although those can be annoying too,
if they're not made well enough to withstand actually being played with
and I have to keep gluing bits back on.
The old favourites in our house are: wooden train set, sand pit, marbles, musical
instruments, books, footballs and kites. Their interest in soft toys is patchy.
The creativity and ingenuity of my 5 year old continues to amaze me! Junk is transformed into sculptures and models, cardboard boxes into dens - or easily converted into surfboards, cardboard tubes for car tracks or marble runs (or weapons). They play-fight and I leave them to it, encouraging them not to be too rough. I would discourage guns and replica weapons (not been a problem yet). They seem to manage without these, by just using their own imagination and I let them get on with it.
As my family's choice at birthdays and Christmas can be quite imaginative I try not to interfere or nag them to shop a certain way. Inevitably the chunks of plastic arrive, but I am prepared to let some toys that are really annoying or inappropriate "disappear" (rightly or wrongly of me). I realise I won't get away with this as they get older.
The abundance of toys around, generally for kids, makes my head spin. They just don't need all this stuff, less is more. For us, each birthday party more and more toys arrive. It shocks me how much other parents spend on presents - we have a £5 limit, which I feel is plenty - parties are for having fun! I also have to watch myself, too. Harmless bargain hunting at car booties, charity shops and sales - things can get out of hand. A good sort out is definitely needed from time to time and I encourage them to sort out toys they have grown out of, so we can pass them on.
As for school crazes, not been a problem so far at five and a half years old and it's a small school, so I'm hoping pressure will be minimal. I would have to consider just how important it is to either of the boys. I do want them to feel like they belong in the world they live in, not to have their confidence knocked by feeling left out. Hopefully their self-esteem is intact so they don't feel the need to have the 'toys of the moment' - we'll have to see.
Even so, I will not be pestered and I will encourage them to make wise choices
and appreciate the value of things. When the time comes for pocket money, I
will encourage them to save up and buy quality items, for themselves, of their
own choosing. We avoid large, commercial toy shops and TV - especially
channels with advertising (I think kids advertising should be banned anyway).
As with most things in parenting it's about getting a balance and doing
what suits you and your way of life.