Help! I’m addicted to buying my son toys…toys .. and more toys....?

Question

My soon to be 3 yr old has so many toys, he never plays with them all. Now I estimate in the last 3 weeks, I’ve spent another $900 on more toys…

There's just so many great stuff out there these days, not like when I was a kid, I just don't want him to 'miss out' on anything.

What to do?

Answer 1

Hey... It sounds like you actually have an addiction to buying these toys (you say so above, but I mean more literally.)  It may be more or less urgent to get help depending on what you can really afford to be spending on toys, but the fact that you're here asking for help and expressing some discomfort over it and that you can't control it says a lot.  I know this might sound drastic, but you could try seeing a therapist.  Ask your doctor for a recommendation, or look online or in the phonebook.  Remember, it might seem "silly", but doctors and therapists see people every day that have things they need help with.  Someone once told me that asking for help and admitting a weakness is actually a huge sign of strength.  As for your son, I understand what you mean about not wanting him to miss out on things, and there  are tons of cool books and toys and educational tools and art supplies  out there.  But, try to think of the opportunities he's missing out on with so many toys... like maybe opportunities to use his imagination or to be creative.  If you can return some of the toys, that's good, or it might be a good lesson for him (and you?) to give some of the toys (maybe one's he's outgrown) to charity, or you could sell them online.  Another piece of advice I have for not buying things is: don't shop.  I know its hard, like really really hard.  But, just don't go out to those stores.  Don't go down those aisles.  Don't go online to look at things.  Advertising makes it hard, too, so just be aware of that.  When you are watching T.V. and reading magazines and driving past billboards you are being told that you need to buy things.  Ok, I hope I haven't rambled too much, but I hope this is helpful.  The biggest thing is that you seem very self-aware, so I'm sure you'll be able to figure this out.

Answer 2

mmm,, i know the feeling!!! there toys are great these days aren't they.?

well i must admit i have stopped buying toys but now i am buying crayola pencils, textas, paints, play-do as i find my two year is more interested in these at the  moment and it keeps him very entertained.  you can pick these up when they sales are on for a great price and at least u know they will be used instead of being left in the corner of the room.

Good Luck...

Answer 3

Open a bank account for him and put the money that you spend on toys in it rather

Answer 4

My daughter has a lot of toys also, not from us, but from the grandparents.  I have noticed that the more toys she has the less she actually plays with any of them.  Maybe instead of buying him so many toys, try to buy him more books.  That way your house will not be so overwhelmed with toys and you and you son can sit down and have fun quality time together reading.  My daughter is so hyper, but when it is story time she can sit for hours.  

Answer 5

First of all you don't need to spend that much on toys...learn to buy stuff on sale! lol

Really though, I have 3 girls and it has gotten to the point where they have so much that it's hard to buy for them at Christmas or birthdays because they have everything!

They have a corner of the basement with toys still in boxes from the last few years stuff they wanted 3 months ago never got opened! I started regifting and donating things to charity. Besides if you buy too much now before he is at the age to where he can play with it, by the time he reaches that age there will be a newer version of that toy and you can't return the old stuff and get what you paid for it!

Answer 6

If you would like, you can donate the toys he doesn't play with to me!  I am looking for toys for my boy but I can assure you I can't afford to spend what you have already!

Answer 7

You need to stop. You are not giving him a chance to appreciate getting something, if he constantly does. My gues is that you work and are buying these out of guilt for not being there. Save the money, and cut back on work, spend time with him not money on toys couse you are not with him.

Answer 8

You need to stop now.  I can attest, when he gets older he will be very demanding and then disappointed when he can't have what he wants. It truly is not to early to teach him moderation and the value of a dollar. It is for his benefit, as well as yours.

Answer 9

I'm in a similar boat...They get most toys from birthdays & Christmases.  On top of that, my husband is like a big kid himself & buys them toys too!  

I've learned to put them in the garage in boxes & every now & then, bring them out.  It's like a new toy!  Also, you can swap toys with friends/neighbors.

I agree with others to save money for college, and to teach them the value of things.  My daughter is spoiled now and wants to buy something every time we go somewhere!  Now I tell her to put it on her b-day list or Christmas list, whichever comes closer.

Ever since she was 3, I started setting up a piggy bank/spending account/charity box to teach her the value of money & hopefully she'll learn something.

How about every time you have the impulse to buy something, put that amount in her piggy bank & before you know it, you'll have $900 in the piggy instead of in the store.

How about going to do stuff with them (if you don't already) instead of shopping?

Answer 10

lol i had the same problem have another kid then you wont have so much time to buy toys as long as your buying him toys that keeps him moving and not just sitting there who cares.... I bought a rainbow swing-set for the backyard and that has helped to.

Answer 11

Switch over to buying me some toys.

"The only difference between men & boys, is the size & price of their toys."

--Unknown

Answer 12

haha, im in the same shoes, but not quite so much!!  

Answer 13

But he IS missing out on these toys!!!  You stated that "he never plays with them all".  He is overwhelmed.  Donate the ones he has outgrown or just doesn't like.  Put the rest into bins.  Let him only play with a few at a time.  When he tires of them, switch them with toys from the bin!!  Stop spending the money and put it in a college fund!!

Answer 14

as you said there's just so many great stuff out there these days. So couldn't it be that your buying those toys for your own satisfaction and not your kid's? As a child I was deprived of toys as well, even though my mom buys for me my sister would keep it in the cupboard and not let me play with it. So now I buy toys for my kids which I let them play with as much as they can. And now when I buy toys it's more of what I didn't have before than what my kids want now. I get the satisfaction seeing in my kid's have what I didn't have before.

Answer 15

Just stop spending so much on toys.