As parents, we are often inclined to give our children more than we had. There comes a point, though, when a child can have too much. I'm talking about toys. In recent weeks, I've come to realize that our son has way too many toys, more than he could ever enjoy at this age.
Many of them were purchased by family members, but we've purchased quite a few ourselves. Think of all the money that was wasted! I don't mean that your child shouldn't have toys. Of course he should. But limiting the number of toys is healthier for your child and healthier for your wallet.
Giving your child toys isn't the problem. Even the amount you spend per toy is not the problem. But if your child seems bored with a toy, the answer is not to buy another toy. Often, the problem is that your child has too many toys. They flutter from one to the next, flinging them here and there, none of them capturing her attention for more than a few minutes. Sound familiar?
Take some of those toys away. You don't have to give them away or trash them; just put them in a storage container away from your child's view. Give your child a few toys at a time to enjoy and rotate them every week or two. You'll find that your child is more creative in his play, more attentive to his toys and more resourceful when it comes to entertaining himself. You will also find that your child takes better care of his toys because they don't seem as expendable when they're limited.
Stop spending money on toys and invest in your child in other ways. Put that money toward a regular or college savings account for your child. Pay for music or art lessons. Buy some books. (While I'm a firm believer that children can have too many toys, I don't think they can have too many books.) Enjoy a day out together as a family. Whatever you do, avoid the temptation to buy your child another filler item for their toy box.
Photo courtesy of Upsilon Andromedae via Flickr.
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