Just curious what everyone does when their kiddo asks for something for Christmas, birthday, etc, that you think is a bad idea. DD1 is asking for the Doc McStuffins check up center which did not get the greatest reviews and seems to be geared more towards preschoolers (DD1 is 6.5, DD2 is 4). It's pretty much the only thing she has asked for so far. If it were a $30 item it wouldn't be a big deal but $65 is a little more pricey.
Re: Kids want crappy toys for Christmas ?
I am having DD keep a running list of toys that she is interested in. I tell her every so often that Santa cannot bring her everything, so she will need to only ask for the things she really wants and will play with. I know there are other things she wants more, so I hope the mobile unit doesn't make the final cut.
Forgot to add, if that ends up being the only thing your DD asks for I would look into other play doctor things/stands that are not geared towards such young of kids and has better reviews. See if she would be interested in any of the alternatives.
LFAF Summer 2016 Awards:
We all make the final say on toys that we buy our kids and we all have different criteria on which we base our decisions. For me, I hate spending money on overpriced "junk" so I may see if there is an alternative that would make my kids happy. If not, and they really want it, then I may reluctantly buy the item I am not thrilled about buying.
DD 12.2010
Like others have said, I do a few things:
1. I tell her to put it on the list and Santa can take it into consideration - I did this with the Orbeez Spa, Stuffie and Flippeez hat she asked for last year. Lucky for me, Santa didn't bring any of those things and she hasn't asked for them again, thankfully!
2. I pass it off to Gram and Aunt J to purchase - they almost always oblige because all they really want is to get her what she wants and don't care how crappy it is. This also leaves them looking like the hero, which is fine by me!
3. I swallow hard, keep quiet and just buy it, all the while waiting until it breaks or she no longer cares about it so I can donate it - I have chosen this option every year with one of her most-asked for gifts which means I am also the hero every Christmas. It's a win-win!
It's the first week of November so I say, if she continues to oggle it at Target or on TV and/or talk about it come next month, I'd probably purchase it, just as I plan to purchase the Stomp & Chomp Grimlock she's been asking for since September. Good luck!
eclaire 9.10.06 diggy 6.2.11
One man's trash is another man's treasure. So just because you don't see value in the toy & consider it junk doesn't mean that your kids do. Shoot, there are some that are happy to get anything at all. Some kids would love the junk you turn your nose up at.
My toddler tends to love books & paints-- so score, but if she wanted a doctor play set or some other play set I might reserve a purchase like that for a birthday or Christmas.
Such a first-world issue & perhaps some perspective might really help this holiday season.
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C 7.16.2008 | L 11.12.2010 | A 3.18.2013
Lmao that you know this for sure when your oldest child is three years younger than the OPs.
C 7.16.2008 | L 11.12.2010 | A 3.18.2013
One of my favorite memories from last Christmas was taking my son, who was 3.5, to Toys R Us on a 'date.' We walked through every aisle, and he pointed out all of the toys he liked and wanted to put on his list. Yes, I could have picked out all of his gifts by myself, but the experience let me see different parts of his personality and gave me some great ideas I nver would have thought of. It also helped prevent me from buying some things I thought he would like when really he had no interest in them. He was very thoughtful about what he put on his list, and it allowed for some very teachable moments - understanding patience, in that we were not buying anything that night and he would get gifts in a few weeks, and also a good discussion about not expecting to get everything on his list. Did he ask for and get some crappy toys? Yep. He got some things I thought he would like even if they weren't on his list, he got some of the nicer toys he had picked out, and he got the piece of junk 7-11 Slurpee maker that he had been pining over. And on Christmas morning he was thrilled to get it and disappointed that it was a huge bust. We've used it as an example throughout the year whenever he has wanted something that maybe would be disappointing once he buys it.
Our Christmas list date is now a tradition for us. It doesn't mean he gets everything he wants and it doesn't mean I cave in to getting every piece of junk that will just collect dust in my house. (And I know this wouldn't work for all kids - my oldest has the personality to handle a trip to TRU like this. My younger son, maybe not). But I'm fine with my kids wishing for things and getting some of them on Christmas, whether I think they are the very best, highest quality toys or a piece of plastic junk my kids will love. I have the rest of the year to tell them no.
I think the point of giving someone a gift is giving something the OTHER person wants. It's not about what the giver wants to give. I got the things I asked Santa for as a child and I don't expect anything (on the contrary every year I tell my dh and family not to buy for me) and I appreciate what I have. That doesn't mean my kids get everything they want. Some things are too pricey or we don't have the room. I just simply explain that's too much and Santa has other kids to provide for or explain we don't have the room. That one special gift their eyes light up over, the one they talk incessantly about, that one they ask for first when sitting on santa's lap--they do get though because it's not all about me. it's about them. Then again I also give my kid a choice between a PB sandwich and a turkey sandwich because I listen to them and take their thoughts/feelings into consideration so I don't have meltdowns over lunch.
I think the point of giving someone a gift is giving something the OTHER person wants. It's not about what the giver wants to give. I got the things I asked Santa for as a child and I don't expect anything (on the contrary every year I tell my dh and family not to buy for me) and I appreciate what I have. That doesn't mean my kids get everything they want. Some things are too pricey or we don't have the room. I just simply explain that's too much and Santa has other kids to provide for or explain we don't have the room. That one special gift their eyes light up over, the one they talk incessantly about, that one they ask for first when sitting on santa's lap--they do get though because it's not all about me. it's about them. Then again I also give my kid a choice between a PB sandwich and a turkey sandwich because I listen to them and take their thoughts/feelings into consideration so I don't have meltdowns over lunch.
Right?! I can't imagine acting as controlling as @caranichole is claiming to be. While there is a time for "you get what you get" I can't imagine treating my kids like they don't have preferences or their own taste. At what point are you going to "allow" them to have their own opinion?
C 7.16.2008 | L 11.12.2010 | A 3.18.2013
It's so not about you.
My kids and husbands don't make lists because I know them so well-not only controlling but also mean. I would hate to be is a marriage that my husband doesn't listen to what I want because he "knows" me. My kids are amazing little humans it would be obnoxious to think I know them so well that they don't need or deserve lists.
I do think it's mean not to buy your kids some,thing just to teach them they don't always get what they want. Can you imagine how it would go down with adults? DH I know you want that movie for Christmas but I bought you a book because you should read more and I am trying to make a point. How freaking obnoxious! It's not okay to treat other adults like that or kids. If you can't afford something or don't have the room that is one thing, but not to buy it just because it is plastic and you don't want to is ridiculous.
It has nothing to do with values. It has to do with the purpose of giving. If people don't want to do Christmas presents and want to spend their Christmas Day volunteering at a soup kitchen more power to them. It's a dick move to celebrate Christmas, have your kid sit on santas lap and spill their heart out only to buy them whatever you feel like getting them.
Yep. I love how people turn acting like and asshole into values. NO LIST, BUY YOU WHATEVER IIIIIII WANT because values. Not so much.
Terrific, but that doesn't apply to the situation we are all discussing here.
C 7.16.2008 | L 11.12.2010 | A 3.18.2013
Because obviously they need to know that the parents are the boss! Authoritative parenting for the win.
Yep!!!!! You know it.
I make a budget and say I will spend $x on DD for Christmas. If she wants a present that I think is crap, I will buy it if it is within the budget. Why not? Because it's not the best toy? Who cares, if it's what your kid wants. If you have these control issues now, I hope you're gearing up for a lifetime of stupid power struggles with your kid.
Wouldn't it seem that if a mom knows her kids so well she doesn't asked them what they want for Christmas, she would know them well enough not to make the fucking sandwich in the first place?