I recently received yet another call from a family member inquiring about what toys my kids are currently interested in. After a moment of silence, I finally managed to respond, “Honestly, my kids don’t really play with toys.”
Inside, I was panicking, pleading silently, “Please, for the love of all that is good, don’t buy any more toys.” My home resembles a scene from a toy hoarding reality show, and I can’t fathom where to put one more stuffed animal or plastic gadget. The thought of tripping over yet another decapitated action figure makes me want to scream.
The truth is, my kids—aged 10, 8, and 5—rarely engage with their toy collection. We have a few beloved items like Legos, light sabers, and cars, but they typically prefer screen time, jumping on the trampoline, or hanging out with friends outside.
So, I kindly ask you: please stop buying my kids toys. I genuinely mean it.
I spend countless hours sifting through toy boxes, donating items that my children never even notice are gone. They might protest briefly, but I’ve never heard them lament, “I really miss that green dinosaur from 2012.” It seems that the older generation holds onto the belief that kids need toys more than they truly do. It’s like thinking I need a trip to the grocery store on a Saturday with my three kids—spoiler alert: I don’t.
I remember my mom holding onto our childhood toys, hoping we would cherish them one day. Do I feel nostalgic about my old toys? Occasionally, when I stumble upon a Buzzfeed article showcasing retro toys. But do I wish I had them back? Not really.
I sometimes worry my kids will resent me for donating the massive toy truck they once begged for while I was trying to shop for clothes. For an entire week, my then 4-year-old couldn’t stop talking about it. I purchased it and stashed it away for Christmas, and now I find myself cursing that very toy as it collects dust in the corner of the room.
When I hear, “I’m bored,” I suggest some of those toys they once claimed to adore. “Why don’t you play with your fire truck?” I might say, only to be met with blank stares. “You know, the one from Santa?” Still nothing. “The one with the moving ladder?” A glimmer of recognition finally appears, but then I hear, “No, I don’t like that anymore.”
It’s frustrating, but it’s not their fault. They’re just being conditioned by the adults around them to believe that accumulating toys is the ultimate goal. I’m tired of perpetuating this myth, and I’m equally tired of living in a house that resembles a toy landfill.
It’s not a magical scene when the kids go to bed. It’s more like a horror movie filled with broken toys and forgotten dolls.
So please, spare my children from yet another toy. No matter how amazing you think it is, they won’t treasure it the way you hope. They’re kids, and they already have too much stuff to even remember who gifted them that particular item.
Instead, I encourage you to spend quality time with them. Take them for ice cream, or treat them to a trip to the zoo or the local park. Those experiences will create lasting memories far beyond any toy could.
If you still want to give a tangible gift, consider a book from your childhood. Write a cherished memory in the front cover and read it to them after they unwrap it. You can never have too many books.
Invest in experiences rather than material goods. My kids adore visiting the zoo and museums, and they love engaging in community classes and music lessons. Support their interests and help them explore the world, rather than contributing to the clutter in our home. And if you join them for these activities, even better! But if not, I’ll certainly remind them of your thoughtful gift.
Ultimately, we all have enough “stuff.” There are certainly people who need more, but my kids aren’t among them. I’m working to teach them about gratitude and being fortunate, but it’s challenging when they’re inundated with toys from well-meaning relatives.
So please, stop spoiling my kids with the latest gadgets or toys, thinking it will strengthen your bond with them. It won’t. I assure you, if you choose to spend time with them instead, you will build a genuine connection. Take a moment to watch them play outside or enroll them in an art class—because I refuse to buy a bigger house just to accommodate one more forgotten toy.
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In summary, rather than filling their lives with toys, let’s focus on creating experiences and memories that truly matter.
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