Commercialism, Children and Toys

Editor’s note: The following post was originally published on Green and Clean Mom. “Green & Clean Mom can inspire you to try a little harder, be a catalyst for change and to offer you some new tips and news on how to be the green, sexy and sassy mom…I know you are!”

I opened up my son’s backpack this morning to a book he made about emotions. He is four and this is a common theme to be taught and as a past preschool teacher, a necessary one.  I was anxious to read his book and thought he tell me it made him happy to be with mom or dad. Maybe his puppy makes him happy. Nope, his new obsession…Bionicles

Commercialism and our children, it’s probably part of my problem. Too much television perhaps? I’m not a huge advocate of no television and I don’t freak out about my children watching it because I’m in the room with them and it’s usually PBS or Max and Ruby. I do know the television is on too much, background noise. Obviously, the commercials are impacting my children and probably yours too! I’ll save you the research, data and statistics supporting this because we know deep down in our hearts as parents this is true. Do we really need research to tell us otherwise?

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I also know this, children do not need too many toys. Mine might have too many but I would not say we buy too many. We mostly have toys from older cousins that are being passed down to us.  Regardless, I’m guilty like any other mom of buying toys when I shouldn’t and giving into the requests and fits, now and again. I’ve started to really think about this and realize that yes, my kids will have some plastic toys that come in too much plastic packaging. I can’t help what others will buy for them and what they might like or dislike. I can, however, begin to make different choices and look for quality toys.

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Image: Virtual Yawn

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