Missing pieces (puzzles especially) drive me nuts.

Ripped books just make me sad.

Yep!

Yes, I check toys often and these things bother the crap out of me.

16:43 here

"family friendly restaurants" (not "areas").

Yeah. Drives me crazy enough that in play areas in our local family friendly areas, I'll scan the boxes for broken toys and throw them out discreetly in the restroom.

I do it partly because I have a little one who likes to put EVERYTHING in her mouth. But, honestly, I'd do it even with just my 4yo, because the broken crap drives me bonkers.

I have only one word for you: LEGO. Just wait till your kid gets obsessed with these...you will find them everywhere, and whatever set your child is most interested in at that particular moment will be missing one desperately needed set. It makes me totally crazy.

I gave up trying to keep all the Imaginext and Little People sets together so all the pieces/parts go in one bin to be dug through if the kids want to play with one or the other.

As far as ripped books, ugh, don't get me started. That's why I buy used books.

Yes! Also missing puzzle pieces and dried out play dough. I only have one kid who plays with toys (younger DD is an infant), and before she started having friends over we could pretty much keep a handle on toys. Our biggest problem was that she likes to play "cooking" all the time and use puzzle pieces, crayons, alphabet magnets, and play dough pieces as ingredients. Now that she's having friends (and friends' little siblings) over, it seems to get out of control, though, especially as they usually come over during the day when I'm not home and the nanny is in charge. Our nanny is great in so many ways that I hate to make a big deal about a few broken or lost toys. I've started laying down some rules, though. I now store the toys/games/puzzles I really don't want damaged or lost on a high shelf and only allow DD to play with them when an adult is around.

Yes! I have two boys -- ages 3 and 1. So I imagine I am in for a LOT of aggravation in the next few years.

I do too. I also hate it when the parts of one toy get separated and scattered. It seems like a minor thing but over time it makes the toys worthless if you lose pieces and also leads to a very cluttered, disorganized play area. Every time we clean up, the toys go back into the places designated for them and all pieces go together.

Depending on the age of your kids, you may be in for a lot of aggravation.

Ripped books too. These are my peeves, I don't even mind a messy room as long as the toys are intact.