One of the pleasures of being a parent is being a “big kid.” You get to revisit some of your old favorites and play with cool new stuff that wasn’t around when you were a child. Children and their toys can remind us that life is at its best when we take time to relax, use our imaginations, and just have fun.
Whether you’re learning from your child about the very latest in trendy fashion dolls or enjoying a building session with good old-fashioned wooden blocks, toys can help you share your child’s world. Being able to see things from your child’s viewpoint is the foundation of good parenting decisions. Careful observation of your child’s play will help you discover how your child learns best, how he or she feels about friends and family; even give you hints about what the future holds.
Whether your toy budget is big or small, enjoying toys with your child will help you spend it wisely. More important than the cost of a toy is the time you take to create wonderful memories of time spent together. Use toys to help build connections with your children, rather than to get them out of your hair. It’s people that make toys special.