As I attempted to tidy the 4yo’s room earlier I realised that I was suffering from a modern phenomenon – Toy Story Syndrome (insert dramatic music here).
I have unconsciously started to attribute feelings and emotions to my children’s toys. It started quite innocently with a “Don’t do that to Teddy, you’ll hurt him” and an “I’m sure Baby Annabel doesn’t enjoy having her eyes poked with a biro like that” – all part and parcel of trying to teach a child to respect their belongings and consider others (yes?!).
It’s mutated though, grown into something altogether more concerning. Alone in the room today I spoke to the toys as I put them away and, instead of stuffing them all into the childsize travel cot, I found myself arranging them neatly “so they can all see properly”. I sympathised with Woody, who had obviously been attacked with the green highlighter pen, and I attempted to extract the elastic bands from legless Barbie’s hair, to make the poor girl more comfortable in her prone position.
….and then I left the room, and waited outside, wondering if I kept really quiet they’d think I’d gone and come out for a play…
Oh how I LOVE this post. I am so so with you on this. We have a Woody and a Buzz who have pride of place, face up, sitting together in the playroom.
And have you ever tried to weed out the toys that are too young for them etc for the charity bag? I just can’t do it.
After watching Toy Story 3 I find gifting them to ‘worthy’ children much easier on my conscience!
Heh heh, I can relate to this. Doctor Who figures are always arranged so they can see what’s occurring (approaching cybermen, yanno the sort of thing). We find it just too hard to consign old toys to bin bags. Hence we now need a bigger loft.
Ah… I’m not the only one. I have a hard time with the parting of toys. I ascribe feelings and memories to each of them and hate to part with them. Luckily, my oldest son has no problem with letting go of old toys, otherwise his room would be a total jumble.
I’ve written posts from a duck & Winnie the Pooh so I know exactly where you are coming from. It is great that they keep quiet then you can have your say but I woulode love to have a little chat!
Do you know, every day when my daughter goes to school I am instructed by her to look after her ‘monkey’ teddy bear. And I do. He sits with me in my office and sometimes he joins me for lunch. Never eats much, mind.
You are mad as a hatter.
I would never do such a thing. I’d never cover Sam Dog and Simba up with a duvet to keep them warm next to my sleeping 6 year old. Nor would I EVER let Lulu come to work with me so she’s not lonely when the 4 year old is at school. That would be bonkers.
No sireeeee, not me.
Love it and good to know I’m not alone. I make sure that the babies don’t have the blankets up over their heads, so they can breath.
You guys all have an excuse – you have children! I don’t have children and yet I still remember to cover up Cow and Branston (a cow and a dog) with a duvet when I leave the house. They might get cold *blushes*
Nope. Obviously I am cruel, heartless and unfeeling, but personally the stuffed, plastic crap can stay in the cupboard as far as I am concerned!
I am less so although Missy Woo has baby Pom from the Fimbles that she attributes all kinds of stuff to. When Monkey was a baby, we had names for his toys – he had rattle in the shape of a fish called Mardy (after the tennis player), Shane the gay hippo (after Shane Warne – it was an Ashes year), and so it went on. That little tradition seems to have fallen by the wayside since Missy Woo landed – too many toys and too much tidying up!
You are all mad. 🙂
I really don’t do this (ok, maybe just a little bit) but I did call Buzz Lightyear some choice names when I stepped on him in the dark on my way to bed the other night!
Yep i agree with Kirsty, your sanity is defintely in question with this one!
I am yet to start talking to toys. I’m far too busy having 2-way conversations with myself.
M2M
I have such an affection for Woody, verging on a crush actually. I love how loyal and level headed he is, and sensible and brave. Seriously, I think he’s an outstanding role model for children (esp boys). When I pick him up from wherever he’s been flung I always give him a bit of a squeeze.
Buzz? Not so much. He’s all red hat and no knickers for my liking.
x
I have tonnes of teddies and I talk to them all the time!
So with you on this. And it gets worse when they grow out of the toys! I feel really hurt for the poor discarded dollies…
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