Toys for Tots?
Marketing companies are genius, and quite efficient I must add. Since bringing home Walter almost four weeks ago, our mail volume has increased dramatically with catalogues for Toys-R-Us, Babies-R-Us, Lands’ End Kid, LL Bean Kid, The Land of Nod, Pottery Barn Kids, and other direct mail pieces from companies I have never even heard of. Suddenly it seems that now we are parents, we have unlimited time and resources to shop for all things baby! While most of these catalogues get a quick glance right now and then find their way in the trash, I took a moment today to peruse the Toys-R-Us catalogue we received yesterday. As I casually flipped through the pages crowded with images of fun and exciting toys and various “centers” of learning and playing fun, I couldn’t help but notice that some of these “toys” are far more sophisticated and intricate than anything I ever played with. In fact, I had to question why some of these where even toys to begin with:
“Imaginarium Grandview House” is listed on sale for $224.99 and is four stories and taller than the toddler modeling next to the house. Not only does this wonder house showcase a two-story outdoor deck, there is also a home gym and stainless steel appliances in the kitchen. The house has a grill on the deck, a flat screen TV in the living room and a pretty sweet convertible parked in the fancy garage. (Seriously, I think this play house is nicer than my own house). And how is a toddler suppose to reach the fourth story when it’s about one foot above her head? Maybe it comes with a private jet to whisk the dolls down from the fourth floor to the more manageable second floor.
“Mindflex” is some sort of game that boasts ”Your mind controls the game!” Yikes…not sure if I want my four year old trying to master mind control. But, if that does interest you (or your child), it’s on sale for $59.99.
“Little Mommy All in One Nursery” complete with four stations for baby – feeding, sleeping, bathing and changing. Now, I’m OK with toys that are geared towards a specific gender, but again…not sure if I would want my four-year old daughter having so much “fun” playing Mommy. I mean, do I really want her to think it’s all fun and games to take care of a newborn? And do I really want her thinking this later in life, that there is no work involved with raising and taking care of a newborn? Questions to ponder if we ever have a little girl.
“Project Runway Fashion Design Projector Kit” WHAT? This games allows your child to “trace, draw, and project a unique fashion outfit on a model of your choice!” Again, it’s not that I mind gender specific toys, but seriously! Does my eight year old need to concentrate so much on fashion? And, should my eight year old even know what Project Runway is, much less watch the show?
It seems that a lot of these “toys” that caught my eye were geared for girls which I find interesting. I’m sure there are some weird toys out there for boys as well. But for now, we don’t have to worry about buying toys for young Walter just yet. I will however keep the mind control toys off every Christmas wish-list.
