Comments on: It’s Time to Fall Out of Love With Cheap

By: Mama’s Two Cents on the Big Gulp Issue: Embracing “No”

Mama’s Two Cents on the Big Gulp Issue: Embracing “No” — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 17:42:15 +0000

[...] so completely twitterpated that I simply have to post instead of comment. I’m Tippi Hedren once again, swatting a swarm of birds flying around my head, but the one that’s gripped my shoulder and [...]

By: Specifying Gifts: Party Invite Faux Pas, or Conscious Parent Protocol?

Specifying Gifts: Party Invite Faux Pas, or Conscious Parent Protocol? — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 20:43:47 +0000

[...] reader, commentor and Red Pill Parent) brought up a really interesting point after reading my It’s Time to Fall Out of Love With Cheap post. She [...]

By: Jenny L

Jenny L — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 14:30:48 +0000

I am not against all plastic. Plastic makes a lot of things possible. However I do search out more ways to have the kids play creatively. I am an elementary educator and for me the key is not only about the product but how the product is displayed and offered for sale.

When I was little my mom would bring me to Industrial Plastics on Canal Street. I was allowed to get a small plexi box and then reach my hand into this large bin full of animals, letters, shapes cut out of thicker plexi. I would go home with my treasure box and find different ways to play or use the contents. Many of them found their way into huge puddles of Elmer’s glue on the collage du jour.

So now that I am a parent I recall those types of activities. I try to replciate them.

I also try to purchase locally made items – etsy.com has a variety of local (or at least USA based) toy makers.

By: Anastasia

Anastasia — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 23:32:41 +0000

I look forward to the post!

By: redpillmama

redpillmama — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 16:37:39 +0000

Yes, Anastasia, it IS tough! But I agree, well worth it in the end if you stand firm. And you bring up a very good point, about gifts for your children that don’t quite meet your own ‘criteria.’ I have struggled with this with my own kids’ birthday parties, thought about putting conditions on gifts, or asking for no gifts, but have always, finally, just given up (not wanting to offend anyone) and then cringed as they opened all those packages! Yet when I talk to other moms about this, they think I should just say what I need to say on the invitation to stick to my own standards. I will do a post about this — I have some ideas, and I’d love to know what other people think … thanks for bringing it up!

By: Anastasia

Anastasia — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 12:50:56 +0000

I’m with you here–I make a great effort to stay away from “cheap plastic and made in sweatshop” goods, but it’s tough. I’ve really taken a stand with my kids’ toys. The wooden ones are so much more expensive–but well worth it in the end! They last longer, and are generally less about bells and whistles and more about imaginative play.

It’s difficult to control children’s possessions when well-meaning family and friends give gifts that you wouldn’t buy for your children (ie, cheap plastic).