 I recently spent some time walking through a large chain toy store, yea... you know the one. I have three 2 1/2 yr olds a 9 month, and 6 month old, that I buy toys for. I thought as I walked the isles that I was seeing one of the biggest reasons why children struggle as much as some do. It is abundantly clear that if a child watches television cartoons or those so called children's networks whether in the day or @nite he or she can buy any of the characters they would like. Now this is a problem, (at least for me).
The problem is I have seen these shows, I have seen the values or lack of that they promote. If your children are like mine they role play what they see. With programs out there that promote rebellion, hatefulness, violence and every other nasty thing. Would it seem unwise to purchase a toy that a child would role play with in the manner that they see on television? Why does so much of what is available for kids have to follow some commercialized character? Could it be toy manufactures scratching the back of the television networks and vise versa? What ever happened to a child using his own imagination? Everything takes batteries and talks or makes sounds. What ever happened to waffle blocks, Lincoln logs and all the other toys that a child can use their own mind with and not some worldly toy designer.
 My son is totally fascinated by simple things like a plastic horse or airplane or truck. I love to spend time with him playing and teaching him what sounds the animals make and what different trucks and cars sound like. Could it be that parents who won't take the time to play with their kids are the ones who designed a lot of the toys on the market? Many of the toys out there don't need a parent to play along with the child.
I know... I'm on a soap box about all this, but hey, think about it, you know it's true. Here's how I guess you could say, "I stick it to the man", the man being the toy manufactures and television networks. I refuse to buy the junk they are making a living off of today. I do however visit second hand toy stores, yard sales, flea markets and thrift stores and buy the stuff they made a living off of years ago. Years ago before nearly everything had batteries and a programmed way to play with it or had to be endorsed by some pathetic television character. However when I buy older toys I only buy what was well cared for and looks almost new. You do want your kids to have nice stuff.
 I wanted to take the kids fishing not long ago and had to buy a kid's fishing pole that had a ridiculous sponge character on it because it's decals where going to be the easiest to remove. Huh! What ever happened to a simple child size Zebco rod and reel that looks like dads. My kids love their toys and play for hours without being indoctrinated by some television script writer's morals and values. God made us stewards over our children so it's about time to say Wise "R" Us.
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