Category: Let's talk
While talking to a friend on skype a few days ago, the conversation got me thinking. She told me that in her family, children are made to give up their toys at age eight. I was surprised to hear this and a little taken aback. I could see being encouraged to give some if not all of them up at age twelve, but eight was too soon in my opinion. Regardless of this, it got me thinking of my own life and experiences with the toys I played with when I was younger.
Growing up, I only played with Disney dolls. Ariel and Jasmine to be exact. But as I got older, I stopped playing with my dolls so much and instead treated them as friends. This was because I didn’t have many people to talk to growing up.
I especially didn’t have anyone to talk to around my house. This was because my mother would rather do drugs and drink than spend any time with me.
I talked to Ariel and Jasmine and told them my problems. Ariel was the main one I talked to. I’ve always felt a strong connection with her, ever since I saw TLM back when I was five-years-old.
Anyway, like I’ve stated before, Ariel brought me hope when I was younger and she was the first person to ever tell me I was worth anything. I think that’s why I felt a bond with her and would treat her like a best friend, even in doll form.
While I wasn’t made to give up my toys at any age, I did feel myself growing out of certain things by age twelve or so. As a result, I gave those toys away to kids I knew could use them. I also sold them at garage sales. The only toys that never got sold were my Ariel doll, my Jasmine doll and Fizzy and Firefly from MLP, along with a few other ponies.
I honestly don’t believe that making kids give up their toys before their ready is a good thing. I’m grateful that through all the abuse my mother put me through, she never made me give up my Ariel doll or Fizzy or Firefly. They were the ones who really helped me during my child hood. They hold a special place in my heart till this day.
With that said, I want to see what all of you out there in LJ-land think by taking a little survey I came up with. Be completely honest here. Just replace my answers with your own.
Toy Survey
1. What was the first doll or toy you received as a child?
My first doll I received was Princess Ariel! I still have her till this day and I love her just as much now as I did then.
As for toys in general, my Dad gave me a plush unicorn the day I was born. I still have it till this day. And even though it’s a little old, I wouldn’t give it up for anything. I think that’s what started my love of unicorns, hence my love for MLP’s Fizzy!
2. At what age did you stop playing with toys? I think I was about eleven or twelve. I was more into reading and writing by then. But that didn’t mean I didn’t brush Firefly and Fizzy’s manes from time to time or braid Ariel’s hair while thinking about things. I just didn’t play with them as often as I did when I was younger.
3. Did your parents ever make you give your toys up at a certain age? If so and if you feel comfortable sharing, what was their reason or reasons? Nope! I was very blessed in that way.
4. At what age do you think children should start giving their toys away or at least donate the ones they aren’t playing with to charity?
I think children should decide for themselves when to start giving their toys away to kids in need. The experience is very rewarding and I think once a child experiences the joy of giving to others, he or she won’t be so upset about the initial action of giving their toys away. But if I had to pick an age, I’d say twelve or thirteen. At the same time, there’s nothing wrong with holding onto that special toy or doll that holds great significance for you in your life.
5. If you have children, will you make them give their toys up at a certain age?
Nasai, no! Definitely not! I’ll talk to my girls about giving to others throughout their early years and encourage them to donate the toys they aren’t playing with to a hospital or charity as they get older, but I won’t insist they give them up or stop playing with them. I think that should be their choice.
6. Do you believe children should have to give their toys up at all? No way! I think they hold special memories that children will cherish as they get older and for years to come.
7. How did your parents feel about toys when you were growing up?
Fortunately, my parents never made me give up any of my toys when I was growing up. Since it was my father and relatives who bought me things most of the time, they didn’t mind the toys I played with. They knew what I liked and knew that Ariel was very special to me. They enjoyed giving me things every once in a while.
8. Do you still collect toys today?
Sometimes, but not as much as I used to. It’s like a treasure hunt for me when I do find something I like though. I’m like Ariel that way! GOL!