If you are convinced that you are a terrible mom because you didn’t buy the hottest new toys for your baby this season, then you need to check into a 12 step program for moms.  We have been so conditioned by advertising and society that we feel terrible about not buying the best and newest for our children.  Add to this the social pressure to be the best and have the best, and your baby will come out of his or her first Christmas loaded with gifts. 

Our son was born in September, and although he came home with loads of gifts from his grandparents and aunties, his neglectful parents didn’t buy him anything.  Nope, not a single thing. In fact, at 8 months old we still haven’t bought him any toys or clothes thanks, in part, to the seemingly endless supply from relatives who feel the need to spoil him. 

That isn’t to say that our son lacks for entertainment or stimulation, either.  After we donated most of the noisy, colorful, and space consuming toys (I’m sorry, and I do feel guilty, but our house in tiny), we started offering him the rest.  My son and I stared in perplexed hypnotism at the television during the Baby Einstein video, made toy animals sing in foreign languages, and spun a steering wheel to hear the alphabet song.  His interest wavered quickly, and we both lost interest.   The things that have really held my son’s interest are the things that he can explore on his own terms.  Sure, the singing steering wheel was cool, but when he got a hold of a magazine, he spent a good hour turning pages, drooling on the paper, and enjoying the sound of the paper ripping.  I now share magazines and newspapers that I am done with, and he adores the colors and textures. 

My son also loves the set of mistake keys that we got for free at Home Depot, and the pen that I gave him when he kept going after mine (I glued the cap on to keep the ink well hidden and safe).  That’s not to say that the hot new toys have no value, but there are plenty of things for your child to love right in your own home, no credit card required.

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