To Thrift or Not to Thrift: Toys that make noise
Filed under: Kids and Money, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Shopping
I have a bin in my basement. It's filled with brightly-colored plastic toys, each with dozens of buttons and a little plastic grate inside which is housed an electronic speaker. They've come from various sources -- a well-meaning aunt or uncle, a thrift store, a great sale at the supermarket -- and they've all ended in the same place. Banishment.If someone else can't stand the noise, do you think you're going to be able to? Having been in this parent business for going-on-six years, I can personally vouchsafe for the typical parental behavior when faced with a Toy That Drives One Crazy. First step: Hide the toy. Second step: When the child finds the toy, again driving you crazy, you find a better hiding place, usually a garbage bag on the back porch or in your car trunk. Third step: Deliver bag stuffed with equally annoying toys to the nearest Goodwill or thrift store. Fourth step: Drive away fast, don't look back.
Chances are, that toy that's so alluring to your child in the thrift shop was victim to the four-step crazy-making toy program. You should definitely leave toys that make noise at the thrift store, where they can annoy the staff. After all, they're paid for this!
This post was written as part of a series on how to thrift shop smarter. Read more on what to buy, and not to buy, at thrift stores.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
1-24-2008 @ 9:53AM
Linda said...
Wouldn't you would rather hear the sound of your child's mind at work... whirrrr whirrr, or listen to his questions about animals or trucks or how things work, or watch his imagination soar? Then, I would suggest that you dash on over to your nearest independent children's bookstore! They can introduces you to some amazing books that will entertain and educate your little one. Books will open "worlds of wonder" for your child to explore. In our busy world a book offers a cozy place where Mom (or Dad) and child can share a moment together. Instead of the brightly colored squeekers and bonkers in the basement, your child will have a "headfull" of information and memories that he will have with him for always! Call Jabberwocky Children's Books (540)371-5684. We are a small independent store in Fredericksburg, VA.
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1-24-2008 @ 1:29PM
Jack said...
Wow, great way to solicit Linda. I apologize if you're really trying to be helpful though. I mean the internet always has a soliciting tone to me.
Anyway, I'm only 21 but my girlfriend (we don't believe in marriage) and I have a whole list of things we're not going to allow our children to get into and another list of things we don't want our families doing to our children. This is one of them. NO TOYS THAT MAKE NOISE.
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1-25-2008 @ 4:09PM
Gus Jenkins said...
Removing the batteries also helps.
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