We have a small landing in our loft. When our loft was built we were told this space would become stuff storage. "No!" I protested, "It will be a cute corner for the kids! Or a craft corner! or a well organised adventure space!
That space in January 2024:
And at the end of the project it looked like this:
Isaac was very excited for his new office and noted how clean it is. Great that my five year old takes note of clean spaces.
In other kid news, while at the charity shop Lilah decided she wanted a toy. She wanted all the big toys. I was hoping she would get a puzzle or a small toy. She asked for the most giant plastic rubbish. Finally she chose a tiny mermaid, and so I let her buy it because it was small (and cost 20p).
When we got home I got a chance to look at the mermaid. It is one of the most disturbing toys I have ever seen:
Lilah has asked where mermaid is a couple of times and we both said "I don't know, where do you think it could be?" which probably makes is terrible parents. Can I just throw it in the bin? Do I need to let my daughter have this horrible toy? What if she remembers forever that she once had a "beautiful mermaid" that got lost? If you have kids, have you encountered this before and what did you do?
Even looking at the photo of the mermaid is creeping me out here.
Maybe I should have let her buy the 4 foot tall stuffed bear instead.
Oh, I'd go on Amazon and order a not-so-horrendous mermaid that you could sneak in her room and let her think was her mermaid! Because FOR SURE that will the toy she will nag about FOREVER if you don't. And I would NOT want to every look at that creepy mermaid again! He he....
ReplyDeleteYes I was thinking of getting a less awful mermaid, but I don't know that she will like a less awful one. This one is a very good size and has a nice pivot to the tail. But the face and body... I just can't.
DeleteI'm so torn on this...on the one hand yes it is absolutely OK if the mermaid "swims" to the trash can and never comes out. On the other hand...I'm kind of morbidly curious to see what will happen if you give it back to her and let nature take its course. I wonder if she will she just play with it for a few days and then forget about it or if it will become her most beloved toy and something that she keeps into adulthood?
ReplyDeleteL is very stubborn and I'm worried it will be the latter! Especially now that she's had a few days of separation. If this wasn't my kid or my house or my "mermaid" I would definitely be keen to see what happens... but for me even taking a photo of said mermaid was one mermaid encounter too many.
DeleteThat IS creepy. In my experience, they will forget about these things quickly. I'd likely let my child have it since it was something they had liked and then in a week or so, remove it to a "holding" zone. I STILL do this with my kids. I'll put things in a box in our basement and if they don't ask for it in a month or two, I donate the item. This has saved me many, many times. I have covertly "rescued" things from this holding zone before and they are none-the-wiser, but most of the time they forget about the item and no ones feelings are hurt.
ReplyDeleteThen again, she could bond with it and you could be STUCK WITH IT FOREVER.
I also do this with art projects! If they haven't asked for it in a month, it can go in the bin!
Art projects go in the bin weekly when the cleaner comes, unless it's something really special or they've put it in their art box. We do have a donation bin but I haven't donated many of their toys... mostly because I usually have another kid about to age into playing with said toy. We also send some toys to grandmas house... but I don't think that will work with mermaid (even Grandma has limits here).
DeleteI think the risk-reward for the forever bond is too high. I know she will probably lose interest. But what if she doesn't. What if I have to see that mermaid face every day for the next year or two. I just... can't.
Art projects go in the bin weekly when the cleaner comes, unless it's something really special or they've put it in their art box. We do have a donation bin but I haven't donated many of their toys... mostly because I usually have another kid about to age into playing with said toy. We also send some toys to grandmas house... but I don't think that will work with mermaid (even Grandma has limits here).
DeleteI think the risk-reward for the forever bond is too high. I know she will probably lose interest. But what if she doesn't. What if I have to see that mermaid face every day for the next year or two. I just... can't.
Fair enough. That face is...a lot.
DeleteThat IS pretty creepy but... The beauty is in the eye of a beholder...
ReplyDeleteWhat is even with that mermaid? Like...was the head intended for a different doll?
ReplyDelete