Anyone who has ever been involved with someone who is about to have a child or who has one themselves will undoubtedly recite how they didn't have to buy anything for their child for nearly the first year of their baby's life. Still manufacturers have made an art form out of clever advertising praying on the fears of parents who simply want the best for their children.
Gone are the days when a simple block set was enough to entertain a child for hours on end. By the time many children have even turned three the vast majority of them within western countries have at one time or another played with a video games consol. Baby's rooms are inundated with hundreds of toys before they have even been born. Of course you want what is best for your baby so very few people hesitate to or think twice about the costs of making their children's rooms a miniature version of Walt Disney's theme park.
How Much is too Much?
However the costs are higher then what is written on the price tag. Babies, let alone children don't actually require the high priced gadgets that parents are bestowing upon them. Too often it is taken for granted that the bulk of your baby's formative years are learned not from Fisher Price or Mattel toys but rather from observing you, the parent. Everything that you do is under continuous observation and more often then not many a new toy have been discarded in favour for a cuddle or even a tickle from you!
The idea that babies and children require toys to help them grow is embedded into parents much in the same way that parents themselves unintentionally embed this cultural idea into their children's lives. This is not to say that certain toys do have intrinsic value and are appropriate for your children's development. However it is safe to say that many of these toys are often the least expensive ones and often more times then not require parent supervision if not participation itself.
However it goes without saying that the best toy your baby or child could ever have is you! By taking the time each day to spend even just fifteen minutes playing with your baby or child is enough to not only form a stronger relationship between your child and you but just as importantly, it will help increase your baby's or child's self-confidence.
The Human Factor
Not unlike other animals, many offspring need the interaction between their parents and themselves in order to navigate the world they have just been brought into. Whether its just lying on the floor and allowing your baby to climb on top of you or having a game of 'tickles' or tag with your child the benefits of this one on one time helps boost your child's confidence more then any toy ever could.
How many times have you not wondered why your baby has more interest in your television remote control instead of the brand new toy you just bought them? Most children much rather prefer to play with the very adult things that often they are usually not allowed to touch. They are desperate to learn everything that they can from you and in every way just want to be like you!
Furthermore it must be said that too much is not always a good thing. Children need to learn how to appreciate their toys much in the same way that adults have to learn to appreciate quality time with their families. Spending less on materialistic things and more on outings together not only help your kids look forward to playing with their favorite toys but also give everyone something to look forward to doing as a family.
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