Hi, I have a 10 month old boy, still a wee baby of course. My problem is my mother buys him age non-appropriate toys and when I tell her about it, she says 'Well, just save it for later'. She saw a good price and got him a hard plastic dump truck with sharp edges - so that's in the closet for much later.
She got him teddy bears for an older child with ribbons and sewn in plastic/glass eyes, so those are being saved for later too.
For his birthday in 2 months, shes told me many times she wants to get him a BRIO train set. I told her I saw the recommended age of 3-7 yrs. on those sets. She said 'well I want him to have it just in case I die, he'll know it's a big gift from grandma'...She's not dying anytime soon: she always says things like this, so you know.
What do I do? I don't want to clog up my closets and house with toys that are far off for him to use. And I don't want to be mean about it. I've tried explaining it to her too. I've heard bad stories of kids using toys that are too old for them (Magnetix) and swallowing pieces..
thanks!
2007-05-10 10:20:02 · 12 answers · asked by green27 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
Live with the drain on space. I know it's inconvenient but you can't tell them not to buy stuff or what to buy. Let them do their thing. Just control when your child plays with these toys. I've got 3 under two right now and know how frustrating and irritating having yet another thing to find a place for and deal with but, they're doing something nice for your child. Sometimes being quiet and dealing with it is the kindest best solution, especially when it comes to family.
2007-05-10 10:33:03 · answer #1 · answered by ? 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
try telling her that the toys are great but they will be outdated and not the NEWEST/MOST POPULAR toy out there by the time he can play with them and that you know she only wants him to have the best so it would be better to get the great toys now that he can play with and leave the older age toys till he gets there. That way he always whatever is in the current trend of toys....and if she is worried about the future...savings can be a great way to put money aside and he can buy his own things when he get older if she has passed on or if not then they can go shopping together...great way to stay close
2007-05-10 10:34:42 · answer #2 · answered by Sheila O 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have the same situation. My mother in law buys my one year old son puzzles with tiny peices, Tonka trucks, and other things for big kids. I would hate having to store a train set, though. Those things are huge! Maybe you could ask her to put these toys in her attic until he's old enough to use them. She may understand things better if she had to give up her own storage space holding toys you can buy later in the future.
2007-05-10 10:24:51 · answer #3 · answered by Graciela, RIRS 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My mom used to do the same thing. She didnt give them to her right away though but saved them for later. When we moved to a new place (my husband, daughter, and I) we had almost no extra storage space so now all those toys are being stored at my moms house. She buys age appropriate things now.
2007-05-10 10:30:04 · answer #4 · answered by Amanda 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What about going shopping together? Come up with some excuse and take her to the toy store and inconspicuously point out more appropriate toys.
2007-05-10 10:23:47 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Some of the ages on those toys aren't quite accurate...if you are sitting there and watching him play its fine...why can't he have a plastic dump truck at 1 yr old...it won't hurt him
2007-05-10 10:56:25 · answer #6 · answered by mommy_2_liam 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Simple, return the toys for age appropriate ones. Tell her that you will be doing this, and give her some recommendations of toys that are appropriate and you would like him to have. Then, follow through!
2007-05-10 10:24:58 · answer #7 · answered by Pichi 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Tell her that you don't have enough room in your closet and he is still too young, so she can keep the toys in her house and just give them to him later.
2007-05-10 10:29:12 · answer #8 · answered by Just_Me 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
perhaps you don't give her enough time with the child??or take her tips/hints seriously?it sounds like she doesn't want to be forgotten,doesn't it?maybe you could focus on that and see what happens before you have a big confrontation on the toys
2007-05-10 10:27:43 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
My grandmother does the same thing to my two year old sister. It is normal almost all grandmas do that. You just have to accept that. If you do put it away thats okay! You never know maybe he will never get to know his grandmother!
2007-05-10 10:24:46 · answer #10 · answered by Emily Answers 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋