Do You Refuse to Buy Toys Your Kids Ask for but Won't Play With?

Updated on February 25, 2009
N.W. asks from Buffalo Grove, IL
6 answers

This is just out of curiosity.

My stepdaughter was really into Webkinz. She started collecting them a year ago and between her mom's house and ours she had about 17. (For those that don't know Webkinz are stuffed animals that include an online code so you can have a pet to play with on their site as well.) She played on the website maybe one or two times a week. She played with the stuffed animals maybe once a week.

For Christmas she asked for lots of Webkinz. I knew she hardly ever played with the stuffed animals or the online site, so I refused to buy her any for Christmas and bought her craft stuff instead (which she plays with all the time). She screamed and made a big deal at Christmas over opening the Webkinz (she wasn't excited about the craft stuff) but they have sat IN A BAG shoved in her closet since Christmas. She logged them all in but hasn't asked to play on the site.

She keep asking for MORE Webkinz. I refuse to buy her any because she has a bagful she never plays with. Her aunt likes to buy her Webkinz when she gets to see her because that's what gets her all excited, but I know they will sit in her closet. She never wants craft stuff when we go to the store but I know that's all she likes to do, make things with paint, glitter, glue, stickers and paper.

Are you the same way? Do you refuse to buy your kids what they ask for because you KNOW they won't play with it?

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C.P.

answers from Chicago on

Hmm.. That's a tough one. We also have a 3.5 year old, but unlike your daughter, the toys he asks for are things he plays with ALL DAY long. So we don't mind buying more and more Thomas the train, for example, or his latest obsession is with Star Wars... Because he's home all day and plays with his toys all the time. I think I agree with you... if she's not playing with the WEbkinz, why buy them?
I think if I were in your shoes, I'd try introducing her to something new. Crafts are great, but she also should be playing with things that will allow her to act out stories and pretend play... Does she have a kitchen? Does she play with dolls? I'm not sure what girls this age are into, but I bet if you put up a new post, you'll get loads of good suggestions.

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T.D.

answers from Chicago on

The only time I buy my daughter toys are for holidays that gifts are usually given. I do not waste my money on things that won't get played with unless it doesn't cost a lot. My daughter and all of her friends are obsessed with owning webkinz and don't play with them. They aren't expensive so I don't see why I would deny her one when it makes her sooooo happy. I think kids should get a few gifts that they really really want and then some that are more practical to what they will actually make use of. Think back to when you were a kid, didn't you ever just "have to have something"? So I think that the cost of the item comes into play for your question.

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D.N.

answers from Chicago on

I try to let my kids have that one thing they really want even though I am pretty sure they will not play with, at least for very long. But they are stuck to holidays and birthdays, nothing in between. if they want something, they have to pay for it. As for denying, one of my girls loves any stuffed animals, including Webkinz. She has a few and tons of regular stuffed animals. I refuse to buy her more simply because they are everywhere and played with only once in a while. Let the aunt buy them and you can get the craft stuff.

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J.

answers from Chicago on

My 8yo can use his own money to buy webkinz in between gifting occasions. I've had him do the math: x webkinz = x dollars = some cool toy you can't buy because you spent all the money on webkinz.

He doesn't get an allowance, but he earns money for things like snow shoveling and yard work and gets money for his birthday. Being able to say "spend your own money" has really helped with the asking - even if it takes him forever to save up.

He does play with his Webkinz, actually, and all his stuffed animals - it's just, there's a limit to how many stuffed animals the house can hold. He got one from us for xmas, and that was it!

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M.B.

answers from Springfield on

Hi Nicole,
I 100% refuse to buy something when I know the kids (boys, 10 & 8) will not play with it! When we have birthdays and family ask I tell them not to buy XYZ because they will waste their money. If they choose to buy then I don't feel bad. We do have Webkinz (4 each kid - all gifts) and the stuffed animals have been ignored to the point that I have now given them to the little sister (older kids hate when I give their stuff away) with the explaination of since you don't play with this anymore. I also tell them that if they have more then the "money they earn" will not goes as far becuase they have more to take care of.
I think because I have been honest with the boys that money is tight they are starting to understand. That or when I started giving things that aren't being played with away they started taking me serious!....lol
Good Luck and Here is to standing your ground!

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C.C.

answers from Chicago on

In most cases, I do the exact same thing. Everything looks exciting on tv and she wants it all, but I know her well enough to know she won't play with it. We went through the same thing last year. My daughter wanted nothing but puppies (stuffed, of course). She got nearly 15 different puppies. She played with them alot early on, then stopped. This year, she says "I want more puppies." I told her Santa would not be bringing them because she hardly plays with hers now.

Here's where I caved: she asked for that Learn to Swim Puppy for months. The reviews were horrible, parents didn't like it, but their kids liked it. I was skeptical, but being the one consistent gift she really wanted, I said, we have to get it for her. She's used it twice and it's currently on her closet floor! Moral-I'm sticking to buying what I'm pretty certain she will play with. I don't blame you at all for not buying anymore. Maybe have her start earning an allowance and if she wants to use her own hard earned cash for it, then let her do it.

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