google-site-verification: google25a08fc65649193e.html Living in Mommywood: Outside Influences

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Outside Influences

Read an article some time ago by Alanna Petroff in the CNN Money section. It touched on the effect fewer smiling faces on LEGO figures may have on our children.

It made me stop and think, how many parents relay on outside influences to help raise their children?
I am all for having a variety of tools at my disposal to take information from.  I am also aware that in the end, my home, my teachings, my own example is and should be the first guide.

My home was always filled with a variety of toys, dolls, video games, building sets, car sets, train tracks, science lab sets. You name it at some point it was in my home. It is all about moderation and teaching.

The Holiday season is upon us; I already received my Toys R Us catalog. Filled with lots of dolls, action figures, video games, stuffed animals you name it. Some looked sweet, some were gentle, some were scary and some were a bit on the violent and graphic side. Many options, lots of labels they are there as a guide, use them.

In the case of the LEGO toys showing our children negative faces and how it may impact how they play, yes that could be a possibility but it can also be a teaching moment. Life is not all laughs, movies don’t all have happy endings, all stories aren't fairy tales and all toys are not nice.  While engaging in these activities, let’s talk with our children.  Just because a toy has a sad face or mean face or whatever face we shouldn't be so quick to judge and label it a “bad” thing. It’s an option. Just because a video game has violence doesn't mean that your teen shouldn't play it. Communication… that should be your influence.

Should something as simple as a toy, really affect our children’s view on life?


12 comments:

  1. We are the example! I have a serious face, and most people say that it is intimidating or makes it hard to approach me, but inside I'm soft as a pillow, you are right. In todays close minded world everyone is so quick to judge the cover without ever tring to read the book. I love this post!

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    1. Neisha thanks for visit and comment, love your name btw :) Yes never judge a book by its cover I say. Hope to see you here again soon :)

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  2. Moderation is key. I totally agree with you on that Mari. Too many people rely on teachers, TV, etc. to raise their kids. That is our job. I am with you on communication. Use those sad lego faces as a teachable moment :)!

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    1. Candace hello again! Thank you for visit and comments, always wonderful to get your support :)

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  3. I agree. Life is not all laughs and play. Our kids will encounter different emotions, because that's what life is about. They will see their playmate look sad when he scrapes his knee, they will see the neighbor look angry when they accidentally step on his flowers. Parents can use these different kinds of lego to teach them about these different emotions in a playful manner.

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  4. Tessa, thank you for your visit and comment. Teachable moments are around us everyday for sure and scrapped knees a plenty so it is very wise to use those Lego faces indeed :)

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  5. So true and as they get older and are around others they will begin to learn the differences, that is if they are open to learning about others.

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    1. Antionette, hello mama thanks for visit. Life is beautiful because we are all different that is what I say:) and thanks for that Oxtail share xo

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  6. Unless the doll or toy was scary, I don't know how much attention I paid to a doll's facial expression. My imagination would make it happy or sad. Unfortunately, many people want these toys to be the primary influence in their children's lives. Thanks for linking up with Turn it Up Tuesdays.

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    1. April, thanks for visit and comments. Love me some Tuesday, chat again soon :)

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  7. You are oh so right! We will be keeping overly simple this year. But I also don't over monitor my kids' toys, though I know what they all are and we have major lines of communication open with one another, also! Thanks so much for sharing!

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    1. Stacey, thank you for visit and comment :), hope to catch again soon.

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