Love that! You’re so right – we have to teach them reasoning skills so they understand and can think for themselves. Sounds like you’ve done a great job with your daughter!

The e-mail is a great idea! Instead of focusing on what not to get, you might want to give great ideas of what to get and why. For example, I got our little one (due this summer) finger puppets for Christmas. I made a big deal about how the whole family can help with storytelling once he/she is born. I’ll be encouraging books, puppets, art supplies, dramatic play items, musical instruments, building materials, even homemade sensory toys. The in-laws were super excited and said they would start collecting finger puppets at their house, too. By constantly giving ideas of the toys you want for your child, the family can keep their eyes open as they are out and about, instead of feeling trapped when they stand in an aisle the week before Christmas!

If only play, nature, and childhood had their own marketing teams!

I relate it to foods that I don’t want people feeding my kids – donuts, Captain Crunch, that kind of thing. . ., especially without asking me first. If you’re going to feed my kid (and this includes the school they attend,) it needs to be healthy –not unhealthy food. I’d do the same for your children. But, people don’t always understand my point here either. Maybe I need a different example?

I also think it’s important to remember that most people aren’t buying things because they think its right or good for the child but its because the manufacturing and ad companies have convinced them its what they should give. Unfortunately the fight is pretty big!!

My bigger fight is against people saying things about my son playing with “girl things “. He’s a year and half and has a big sister!!