Kids want to keep the toy kitchen

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ugh, is this my future?

I have unsuccessfully tried to remove it by suggesting replacing it with with something more age appropriate, but mine will then reject whatever I want to replace it with. For instance I said if we got rid of the toy kitchen, we'd have space to get a high quality keyboard. My kids love music and have asked for a piano so I thought this would be an easy trade. Nope, they have since told me they no longer want a piano.

My DD asked for a wardrobe for her room (it doesn't have a closet so she just has a dresser). I said that's a great idea, but then we'll need to move the dresser to another room (not going to get rid of the dresser, which is really nice) -- perhaps we could put it where the play kitchen is and use it to store linens? Nope, now DD doesn't want a wardrobe anymore.

These didn't work for me but maybe you'd have more luck. Is there anything they'd really enjoy that could replace the kitchen? A foosball table? Somewhere to store/display legos?

Why do kids get so attached to play kitchens, more so than other toys?

You sound kind of mean.

Let the kids be kids. Maybe you should throw away your dresser that nobody wants or your “beautiful decor” instead of focusing on trashing the things that are important to your children.

I'm not going to get rid of a perfectly functional dresser that could be used for decades in favor of a plastic play kitchen that my kids will 100% stop playing with at some point. My kids are old enough to cook actual food in an actual kitchen, they are just struggling with letting go of a toy they really don't use much at all anymore.

But fine, I'm mean. Sometimes being a parent means letting people call you mean simply for speaking reason.

They have not 100% stopped playing with it yet, because they're still wanting to be kids for a little big longer. They aren't struggling to let go of it, you are trying to force them prematurely to let go of it.

Yes, it takes up space to have both the kids' stuff and the teens' stuff. This period won't last long.

--Empty nester

FR. OP, in 5 years your first will be moved out and your second will hardly spend any time with you. Then you will have the rest of your life to be in your house by yourself decorating it however you want. What's the rush?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ugh, is this my future?

I have unsuccessfully tried to remove it by suggesting replacing it with with something more age appropriate, but mine will then reject whatever I want to replace it with. For instance I said if we got rid of the toy kitchen, we'd have space to get a high quality keyboard. My kids love music and have asked for a piano so I thought this would be an easy trade. Nope, they have since told me they no longer want a piano.

My DD asked for a wardrobe for her room (it doesn't have a closet so she just has a dresser). I said that's a great idea, but then we'll need to move the dresser to another room (not going to get rid of the dresser, which is really nice) -- perhaps we could put it where the play kitchen is and use it to store linens? Nope, now DD doesn't want a wardrobe anymore.

These didn't work for me but maybe you'd have more luck. Is there anything they'd really enjoy that could replace the kitchen? A foosball table? Somewhere to store/display legos?

Why do kids get so attached to play kitchens, more so than other toys?

You sound kind of mean.

Let the kids be kids. Maybe you should throw away your dresser that nobody wants or your “beautiful decor” instead of focusing on trashing the things that are important to your children.

I'm not going to get rid of a perfectly functional dresser that could be used for decades in favor of a plastic play kitchen that my kids will 100% stop playing with at some point. My kids are old enough to cook actual food in an actual kitchen, they are just struggling with letting go of a toy they really don't use much at all anymore.

But fine, I'm mean. Sometimes being a parent means letting people call you mean simply for speaking reason.

Actually, being a parent has nothing to do with being mean to kids.

What’s the lesson here?
This toy was given to your children but you want them to have zero ownership of their things. Is this the goal? “Your mom is sick of your childish toys, why can’t you start acting more like a teen? “

When your kids start doing what you want them to, you’ll be back here whining that your daughter has a boyfriend and is sneaking out to go to parties and your son is hanging out with the wrong crowd.

[Anonymous]

I think I’d leave it if they still use it.

On the other hand, I have a 13 year old and it’s just hard to imagine him playing with a toy kitchen, he cooks meals in our real kitchen. Do your kids know how to cook? Maybe involve them in the real kitchen and they will loose interest in the toy kitchen naturally?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think I’d leave it if they still use it.

On the other hand, I have a 13 year old and it’s just hard to imagine him playing with a toy kitchen, he cooks meals in our real kitchen. Do your kids know how to cook? Maybe involve them in the real kitchen and they will loose interest in the toy kitchen naturally?

OP here. It's one of the few times that my kids play together. They play cafe and bring my husband and I stuff. My 13 yr old can cook basic stuff and does for his sister on occasion. My 10 yr old can cook with m e but I don't want her cooking with DS. That's been going on for awhile.

I"m happy to keep it for another year. I really can't imagine her playing with it in two years. Her friends already outmature her so maybe this too will fall away naturally soon.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would rather my kids hang on to the play kitchen than ask for more screen time. Think about your priorities, OP. Is decluttering worth it?

Totally this.
Enjoy pretend play as long as it lasts.
Work more in the kitchen in real cooking with your kids, but another year or so of play kitchen is great.

[Anonymous]

Oh let them. I used mine for a long time too. Kids should stay kids for as long as they can. I think more kids back in the day did as well.

[Anonymous]

If they do legit play with it I’d let them keep it for now.
Try again in 6 months….

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think I’d leave it if they still use it.

On the other hand, I have a 13 year old and it’s just hard to imagine him playing with a toy kitchen, he cooks meals in our real kitchen. Do your kids know how to cook? Maybe involve them in the real kitchen and they will loose interest in the toy kitchen naturally?

That's not why they want to keep the toy kitchen.

[Anonymous]

What harm is this causing you and how much space is this really taking up that it is that serious for you to remove an item that your children play together with? Sounds controlling

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ugh, is this my future?

I have unsuccessfully tried to remove it by suggesting replacing it with with something more age appropriate, but mine will then reject whatever I want to replace it with. For instance I said if we got rid of the toy kitchen, we'd have space to get a high quality keyboard. My kids love music and have asked for a piano so I thought this would be an easy trade. Nope, they have since told me they no longer want a piano.

My DD asked for a wardrobe for her room (it doesn't have a closet so she just has a dresser). I said that's a great idea, but then we'll need to move the dresser to another room (not going to get rid of the dresser, which is really nice) -- perhaps we could put it where the play kitchen is and use it to store linens? Nope, now DD doesn't want a wardrobe anymore.

These didn't work for me but maybe you'd have more luck. Is there anything they'd really enjoy that could replace the kitchen? A foosball table? Somewhere to store/display legos?

Why do kids get so attached to play kitchens, more so than other toys?

You sound kind of mean.

Let the kids be kids. Maybe you should throw away your dresser that nobody wants or your “beautiful decor” instead of focusing on trashing the things that are important to your children.

I'm not going to get rid of a perfectly functional dresser that could be used for decades in favor of a plastic play kitchen that my kids will 100% stop playing with at some point. My kids are old enough to cook actual food in an actual kitchen, they are just struggling with letting go of a toy they really don't use much at all anymore.

But fine, I'm mean. Sometimes being a parent means letting people call you mean simply for speaking reason.

They have not 100% stopped playing with it yet, because they're still wanting to be kids for a little big longer. They aren't struggling to let go of it, you are trying to force them prematurely to let go of it.

Yes, it takes up space to have both the kids' stuff and the teens' stuff. This period won't last long.

--Empty nester

This was my take on it too. It's sweet that they have this toy that they love and that they play with friends and family members, and it will be one of their best memories of childhood. I am all for decluttering things that are no longer used or wanted. But the kids have clearly identified this as something to keep for just a little while longer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think I’d leave it if they still use it.

On the other hand, I have a 13 year old and it’s just hard to imagine him playing with a toy kitchen, he cooks meals in our real kitchen. Do your kids know how to cook? Maybe involve them in the real kitchen and they will loose interest in the toy kitchen naturally?

OP here. It's one of the few times that my kids play together. They play cafe and bring my husband and I stuff. My 13 yr old can cook basic stuff and does for his sister on occasion. My 10 yr old can cook with m e but I don't want her cooking with DS. That's been going on for awhile.

I"m happy to keep it for another year. I really can't imagine her playing with it in two years. Her friends already outmature her so maybe this too will fall away naturally soon.

Oh man op please keep it! If they still play with it like this they need those little bits of play, let them have that time. I totally get it but it’s worth it for a little longer. It won’t be long now..

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What harm is this causing you and how much space is this really taking up that it is that serious for you to remove an item that your children play together with? Sounds controlling

I can’t imagine getting rid of something my kids still play with to declutter. What in the world.

[Anonymous]

This is such a sad post.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Aww, OP, this is sweet. Hold onto that glimpse of childhood before they are 100% surly teens!

Plus 100

[Anonymous]

Why get rid of something they are actually playing with? Decluttering is getting rid of things no one actually uses.