Toy Trouble: Mom Talk

There are numbers indicating the correct size for diapers. There are colored labels for the stages of food and formula. We follow weight guidelines for car seats, bassinets and bikes.

When it comes to toys, why do we drop the ball?

On the front of every toy package is a number. It tells parents and gift-givers what age child that toy is good for. Seems like a simple enough process. Yet, so many people, including experienced moms, ignore the ages.

I admit, I have been guilty of this, too. However now, as a parent, I see the problem it causes, especially for the kids.

I first started realizing this when Liam turned one. Generous family and friends loaded and overloaded him with all kinds of goodies. At that young age, he did not understand the concept of opening presents.

Some of the gifts were for ages three and up. That was three times his development process.

This did not really bother him because he played with what he could. He pushed buttons, opened and closed.  The rest of the pieces became throw toys. He simply did not have the dexterity to assemble all the parts.

That was more annoying for Mommy than it was a problem for son.

However, I have since learned that there are hidden dangers with some of these toys. Particularly, toddlers put everything in their mouths.

When Liam got some made-in-China painted wooden toys, he immediately chewed on them. I picked hunks of pressed particle board out of his teeth.

We have wooden puzzles that look like they are the right sizes for his hands. These puzzles are so wrong because he has already chewed the colored stickers off the top.

I don't know what kind of chemicals are in toys' glues, adhesives or paints. China does not have the same regulations as the U.S. There have been dozens of Chinese toys recalled for all kinds of reasons, including harmful chemicals.

At Easter, two well-meaning family members gave Liam chunky sidewalk chalk. Seems harmless, right? Nope, right in his mouth.

Another friend gave him 40-piece Legos that make an adorable Pooh house. The box age ranges from 18 months to 4 years. Liam is now 19 months, so technically it should be fine.

However, my son is still putting things in his mouth from time to time. So he gets the joy of playing with the unopened box. He loves boxes. It is on his shelf. He takes it down, jumps on it, puts it back up. Tomorrow he will do the same. In six months, he will have a new toy.

The problems with younger children can be very serious. Still, older kids have troubles, too. 

A 12-year-old can easily have hurt feelings if the gift is too childish. Also, an older teen may be bored and insulted. At any age, a gift given then taken away is cause for a fight.

The truth is, we don't always know why toy-makers choose the ages they recommend. What I have learned is that it is usually something that we cannot see until we get into the wrapper.

Whether you trust them or not, read them or not, use them or not, we have age labels for a reason. 

Give the mom a break. Let's use them.