please explain the "no plastic toys/no batteries" school of thought

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What about musical plastic/battery operated toys? My DS (19 mo) loves music and we can't have the stereo going through the whole house all day and I can only sing so much. In addition to agreeing that all you anti-this and anti-that folks have too much time on your hands, trying to shield a child from the world he is going to grow up in is only going to frustrate you both.

Nobody is shielding their kids of anything. We're just choosing based on our beliefs. Everybody knows that at a certain point they'll grow to make their own choices and we hope they'll make the right ones.

For now, it's our job to choose what we think it's best. If you like battery and flashing lights, good for you. Go ahead with it, but what's the advantage of such toys?

Now, regarding the bolded statement... Do you allow those toys because you're lazy or don't have enough time to research better?

And...there's the bitch remark we've been waiting for. You're anti-everything, so I must be lazy or uneducated about my choices. Oh, my- how couldi have possibly overlooked the harm of a toy that allows my son to push some buttons, have a jazzy tune played for him and sends him dancing around the room?!!?? There is new technology out there- stop trying to pretend like we live in the "simpler times" that you people like to romanticize and try teaching him about what's around instead of just "hoping" he'll make the right decision.

If moms with lots of time make healthier choices, I just draw a logical discussion... the moms opting for not selecting very well are those who either don't have time or are lazy. It's just your own words. No need to get defensive. Aren't you comfortable with your choices?

Not healthier choices. More paranoid, controlling and irrational choices. Too busy with your self-righteousness, you have yet to provide a response as to why a musical toy that makes him happy and leads to dancing is detrimental.

I'm not the PP you're talking to, but dude, no one is saying that this toy that makes your child happy is detrimental. We all get to choose what toys our children play with in our own homes and some of us don't prefer the battery-powered ones. It's not as big a deal as you're trying to make it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What about musical plastic/battery operated toys? My DS (19 mo) loves music and we can't have the stereo going through the whole house all day and I can only sing so much. In addition to agreeing that all you anti-this and anti-that folks have too much time on your hands, trying to shield a child from the world he is going to grow up in is only going to frustrate you both.

Nobody is shielding their kids of anything. We're just choosing based on our beliefs. Everybody knows that at a certain point they'll grow to make their own choices and we hope they'll make the right ones.

For now, it's our job to choose what we think it's best. If you like battery and flashing lights, good for you. Go ahead with it, but what's the advantage of such toys?

Now, regarding the bolded statement... Do you allow those toys because you're lazy or don't have enough time to research better?

And...there's the bitch remark we've been waiting for. You're anti-everything, so I must be lazy or uneducated about my choices. Oh, my- how couldi have possibly overlooked the harm of a toy that allows my son to push some buttons, have a jazzy tune played for him and sends him dancing around the room?!!?? There is new technology out there- stop trying to pretend like we live in the "simpler times" that you people like to romanticize and try teaching him about what's around instead of just "hoping" he'll make the right decision.

If moms with lots of time make healthier choices, I just draw a logical discussion... the moms opting for not selecting very well are those who either don't have time or are lazy. It's just your own words. No need to get defensive. Aren't you comfortable with your choices?

Not healthier choices. More paranoid, controlling and irrational choices. Too busy with your self-righteousness, you have yet to provide a response as to why a musical toy that makes him happy and leads to dancing is detrimental.

I never said that. I don't know your child and have no interest in judging what's good for him or her. I'm talking about our personal choice for OUR family and MY children. If your child benefits from a toy that does anything at the push of a button? Great. I prefer my child to be exposed to toys that will help her exercise her creativity. To each their own.

[Anonymous]

why do you care what others do? do what you want, it is your kid.

personally I don't like a lot of battery powered toys at a young age. they are annoying to me and they are expensive. my kids like dolls and legos more anyways.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just because you expose your child to a plastic or battery-operated toy doesn't mean he's going to lose all sense of imagination. He will play with that toy however he chooses, guided by his imagination and possibly not in the way the manufacturers intended the toy to be played. Think about some of the coolest toys you had growing up... weren't many of them plastic? Who loved the Easy Bake Oven or Barbie Fashion Plates?

I always HATED barbies, never had the EBO. I loved playing outside, in the snow, in the mud, swimming... At home I shared one basket of toys with my younger brother and we did just fine. My parents could not afford much, we were close in age so it worked out pretty well. I don't think children need all this crap at all.

Just because you hated them doesn't mean we all should. And who says that someone who plays with something like an Easy Bake Oven also won't enjoy playing outside? We did everything.

[Anonymous]

If moms with lots of time make healthier choices, I just draw a logical discussion... the moms opting for not selecting very well are those who either don't have time or are lazy. It's just your own words. No need to get defensive. Aren't you comfortable with your choices?

Not healthier choices. More paranoid, controlling and irrational choices. Too busy with your self-righteousness, you have yet to provide a response as to why a musical toy that makes him happy and leads to dancing is detrimental.

I'm not the PP you're talking to, but dude, no one is saying that this toy that makes your child happy is detrimental. We all get to choose what toys our children play with in our own homes and some of us don't prefer the battery-powered ones. It's not as big a deal as you're trying to make it.

What you choose to have in your home is not a big deal to me. What is annoying is those folks, like the pp i was responding to, who think that by being contrarian to modern life, they are somehow doing a better job parenting-- and feel the need to spill that attitude out on others. I'm not being defensive here, I'm just saying that many of us think that type of person is overprotective, paranoid and annoying - not mom of the year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just because you expose your child to a plastic or battery-operated toy doesn't mean he's going to lose all sense of imagination. He will play with that toy however he chooses, guided by his imagination and possibly not in the way the manufacturers intended the toy to be played. Think about some of the coolest toys you had growing up... weren't many of them plastic? Who loved the Easy Bake Oven or Barbie Fashion Plates?

I always HATED barbies, never had the EBO. I loved playing outside, in the snow, in the mud, swimming... At home I shared one basket of toys with my younger brother and we did just fine. My parents could not afford much, we were close in age so it worked out pretty well. I don't think children need all this crap at all.

Just because you hated them doesn't mean we all should. And who says that someone who plays with something like an Easy Bake Oven also won't enjoy playing outside? We did everything.

Don't get me wrong. It's not personal. If you had fun, good for you. My point (that you missed completely) is that children don't need all the crap we give them. They're happy with very little but we tend to go overboard. Creativity is exercised with less. The more we give the less they'll work on their own.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

If moms with lots of time make healthier choices, I just draw a logical discussion... the moms opting for not selecting very well are those who either don't have time or are lazy. It's just your own words. No need to get defensive. Aren't you comfortable with your choices?

Not healthier choices. More paranoid, controlling and irrational choices. Too busy with your self-righteousness, you have yet to provide a response as to why a musical toy that makes him happy and leads to dancing is detrimental.

I'm not the PP you're talking to, but dude, no one is saying that this toy that makes your child happy is detrimental. We all get to choose what toys our children play with in our own homes and some of us don't prefer the battery-powered ones. It's not as big a deal as you're trying to make it.

What you choose to have in your home is not a big deal to me. What is annoying is those folks, like the pp i was responding to, who think that by being contrarian to modern life, they are somehow doing a better job parenting-- and feel the need to spill that attitude out on others. I'm not being defensive here, I'm just saying that many of us think that type of person is overprotective, paranoid and annoying - not mom of the year.

So now, because I know my child well and choose carefully toys she'll like better I'm paranoid and annoying? You make no sense at all.

And if you learn to quote the posts properly it will make the discussion flow much much better.

[Anonymous]

What you choose to have in your home is not a big deal to me. What is annoying is those folks, like the pp i was responding to, who think that by being contrarian to modern life, they are somehow doing a better job parenting-- and feel the need to spill that attitude out on others. I'm not being defensive here, I'm just saying that many of us think that type of person is overprotective, paranoid and annoying - not mom of the year.

I have not gotten that vibe from any of the posts on this thread at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

What you choose to have in your home is not a big deal to me. What is annoying is those folks, like the pp i was responding to, who think that by being contrarian to modern life, they are somehow doing a better job parenting-- and feel the need to spill that attitude out on others. I'm not being defensive here, I'm just saying that many of us think that type of person is overprotective, paranoid and annoying - not mom of the year.

I have not gotten that vibe from any of the posts on this thread at all.

Really? This was the one that got me- (and I need a refresher on quoting on here):

If moms with lots of time make healthier choices, I just draw a logical discussion... the moms opting for not selecting very well are those who either don't have time or are lazy. It's just your own words. No need to get defensive. Aren't you comfortable with your choices?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

If moms with lots of time make healthier choices, I just draw a logical discussion... the moms opting for not selecting very well are those who either don't have time or are lazy. It's just your own words. No need to get defensive. Aren't you comfortable with your choices?

Not healthier choices. More paranoid, controlling and irrational choices. Too busy with your self-righteousness, you have yet to provide a response as to why a musical toy that makes him happy and leads to dancing is detrimental.

I'm not the PP you're talking to, but dude, no one is saying that this toy that makes your child happy is detrimental. We all get to choose what toys our children play with in our own homes and some of us don't prefer the battery-powered ones. It's not as big a deal as you're trying to make it.

What you choose to have in your home is not a big deal to me. What is annoying is those folks, like the pp i was responding to, who think that by being contrarian to modern life, they are somehow doing a better job parenting-- and feel the need to spill that attitude out on others. I'm not being defensive here, I'm just saying that many of us think that type of person is overprotective, paranoid and annoying - not mom of the year.

So now, because I know my child well and choose carefully toys she'll like better I'm paranoid and annoying? You make no sense at all.

And if you learn to quote the posts properly it will make the discussion flow much much better.

You're not choosing what she likes better- you are choosing what you think will better stimulate her creativity. And imply that plastic and battery toys are some how anti-creative or dangerous. Are those wood blocks from sustainable wood that has no paint made in China?! If so, glad you're wealthy enough to buy on etsy.

And as for the quoting comment- maybe it's not the toy thing that makes you annoying- but you are annoying.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just because you expose your child to a plastic or battery-operated toy doesn't mean he's going to lose all sense of imagination. He will play with that toy however he chooses, guided by his imagination and possibly not in the way the manufacturers intended the toy to be played. Think about some of the coolest toys you had growing up... weren't many of them plastic? Who loved the Easy Bake Oven or Barbie Fashion Plates?

I always HATED barbies, never had the EBO. I loved playing outside, in the snow, in the mud, swimming... At home I shared one basket of toys with my younger brother and we did just fine. My parents could not afford much, we were close in age so it worked out pretty well. I don't think children need all this crap at all.

Just because you hated them doesn't mean we all should. And who says that someone who plays with something like an Easy Bake Oven also won't enjoy playing outside? We did everything.

Don't get me wrong. It's not personal. If you had fun, good for you. My point (that you missed completely) is that children don't need all the crap we give them. They're happy with very little but we tend to go overboard. Creativity is exercised with less. The more we give the less they'll work on their own.

I disagree. My kids have tons of toys (I have 3 kids) and they have no problem using their imagination. They play with everything, and they play with nothing. My son will play with his (plastic) fire truck play set, then turn around and play cops and robbers with my garlic press. My daughter will play with her (plastic) Polly Pockets, the turn around and illustrate/write a book for her best friend. Sure, she could live without her Polly Pockets, but she enjoys playing with them, so I see no problem with her having them.

[Anonymous]

You're not choosing what she likes better- you are choosing what you think will better stimulate her creativity. And imply that plastic and battery toys are some how anti-creative or dangerous. Are those wood blocks from sustainable wood that has no paint made in China?! If so, glad you're wealthy enough to buy on etsy.

So should we just let our small children pick out their own toys?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just because you expose your child to a plastic or battery-operated toy doesn't mean he's going to lose all sense of imagination. He will play with that toy however he chooses, guided by his imagination and possibly not in the way the manufacturers intended the toy to be played. Think about some of the coolest toys you had growing up... weren't many of them plastic? Who loved the Easy Bake Oven or Barbie Fashion Plates?

I always HATED barbies, never had the EBO. I loved playing outside, in the snow, in the mud, swimming... At home I shared one basket of toys with my younger brother and we did just fine. My parents could not afford much, we were close in age so it worked out pretty well. I don't think children need all this crap at all.

Just because you hated them doesn't mean we all should. And who says that someone who plays with something like an Easy Bake Oven also won't enjoy playing outside? We did everything.

Don't get me wrong. It's not personal. If you had fun, good for you. My point (that you missed completely) is that children don't need all the crap we give them. They're happy with very little but we tend to go overboard. Creativity is exercised with less. The more we give the less they'll work on their own.

We didn't have very many toys either, and I hated it. Sure, I made mud pies and played with Legos (which are plastic, by the way), but I loved going to my friends' houses because their toys were so much more fun. Honestly, I don't think I turned out any better off (in terms of resourcefulness or imagination) than my friends who had more toys.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

If moms with lots of time make healthier choices, I just draw a logical discussion... the moms opting for not selecting very well are those who either don't have time or are lazy. It's just your own words. No need to get defensive. Aren't you comfortable with your choices?

Not healthier choices. More paranoid, controlling and irrational choices. Too busy with your self-righteousness, you have yet to provide a response as to why a musical toy that makes him happy and leads to dancing is detrimental.

I'm not the PP you're talking to, but dude, no one is saying that this toy that makes your child happy is detrimental. We all get to choose what toys our children play with in our own homes and some of us don't prefer the battery-powered ones. It's not as big a deal as you're trying to make it.

What you choose to have in your home is not a big deal to me. What is annoying is those folks, like the pp i was responding to, who think that by being contrarian to modern life, they are somehow doing a better job parenting-- and feel the need to spill that attitude out on others. I'm not being defensive here, I'm just saying that many of us think that type of person is overprotective, paranoid and annoying - not mom of the year.

So now, because I know my child well and choose carefully toys she'll like better I'm paranoid and annoying? You make no sense at all.

And if you learn to quote the posts properly it will make the discussion flow much much better.

You're not choosing what she likes better- you are choosing what you think will better stimulate her creativity. And imply that plastic and battery toys are some how anti-creative or dangerous. Are those wood blocks from sustainable wood that has no paint made in China?! If so, glad you're wealthy enough to buy on etsy.

And as for the quoting comment- maybe it's not the toy thing that makes you annoying- but you are annoying.

You must be annoying as shit to your husband

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

You're not choosing what she likes better- you are choosing what you think will better stimulate her creativity. And imply that plastic and battery toys are some how anti-creative or dangerous. Are those wood blocks from sustainable wood that has no paint made in China?! If so, glad you're wealthy enough to buy on etsy.

So should we just let our small children pick out their own toys?

Not saying that- just saying it's ingenuous to claim that you/she "knows her child and picks toys she likes" when we are stocking only what we think will be good for them. My mother and other family members buy my DS stuff I don't love, but he loves them, and unlike some, I'm not going to rip it out of his hands because it doesn't accord with some lofty, scientifically baseless, values. DS doesn't get to watch TV at home because the effects of the screen on his little brain are well known. When at my mom's it's on and we get over it. Kellymom is not the NIH, and being anti- for the sake of being anti- is just annoying.