Expensive toys and commercial hype  

Do you fall for wanting to buy the most expensive, well known toys for your child - with all the bells and whistles? I know, since my little one likes to help me in the kitchen and love my nieces play kitchen - I really want a Step2 kitchen for him! With all the bells and whistles and a Handy Mandy work bench.

I love the array of toys out these days they have and try to choose ones that encourage development and imagination - with the minimum of bells and whistles so he can figure out things, use his imagination - I believe its not otys but interaction/participation of parents that are most important. When they can be afforded.

I think we should remember though, before we fall for the hype (half to late for me) that we need to get these very expensive toys that drain their batteries quickly, that there were many genuises, artists and other great contributers to society born in times when toys were few or they were too poor to have them...and al the electronic toys they have nowadays were nonexistant once upon a time. I think we need to remember that encouraging imagination and using your mind doesn't take a lot of toys or expensive toys. I encourage things like Melissa and Doug toys.

For those reading this discussion who don't have a lot of money to spend on toys - don't feel discouraged - or that you're failing because you're working hard to put food on the table and can't afford a lot of toys or a selection of toys despite the asserttion of having such an important role. Providing a well balanced diet and excercise will ensure that your child's mind and body develops as it should. Proper food and excercise prepares a child for learning each day. And remember, engage your child everyday in activities that develop their mind, pretend games, going outdoors and exploring, going to the store and other public places and visiting with other children. Fun songs with participation. If you can't afford toys, you can make them as well. And most importantly -READ to your child everyday - at least once a day as this is proven to help children develop iq's and learn more efficiently later in life. Turn off the tv, get off the computer and play with your child - YOU are the most instrumental - have the most impact on a child's development not toys with all the bells and wistles. This is my view, my ideas and my suggestions. What are yours?

And yes, I still want the Step2 - anything - and covet toys I didn't have when I was young! But I know, logically its alright I can't get them for my snoogs on his birthday in November, as long as I interact with him at home, and take him outside and to the park, he'll get through just fine without the fur real animal or the big dinasaur he can ride on! I read to him every night, and spend time and give cuddles and run around no matter how I feel! And sometimes that's just as good or better...soon though...I will get him a few of those toys that engage the imagination - so that he can play for hours and hours and I can get stuff done - or come on here, instead of losing sleep!