Why I choose wooden toys

Sometimes I drive along thinking about topics for my blog and I got to thinking about wooden toys and why I choose them.   First of all I have to admit that if the majority of MDC mothers do it, I usually follow suit.  That is what got me into wood toys, from there I did my research.  Here are some reason's, off the top of my head.

1./ They are more the most part more aesthetically pleasing to look at.  I will happily set up Everly's wood toys in our living room, but a pile of plastic is just an eyesore to me.

2./ They hold up better.  When a wood toy gets used and abused it just looks antiqued... when a plastic toy gets old it looks worn out and grubby.

3./ Plastics have "plasticizer's" in them which aren't good.  Things like BPA and phthalates... yucky.  Not good for kids.

4./ The act of making a plastic toy creates a lot of pollution.  IMO it is worse than using a renewable resource like a tree.

5./ They tend to be simpler in design, which can mean more use of the imagination and less "do-dads" to distract the child.

6./ You really can't find many "junky" wooden toys... on the other hand there are so many plastic toys that are just junk.  Stuff that is a novelty for a while and will later end up in a landfill.  When you buy a wood toy you think out your purchase since they aren't cheap.

Strong Will

It seems like just when I get used to a stage, and have figured out how to avoid any meltdowns, we move into a new stage.  Pookie seems to be moving into a phase where she really wants to do what she wants to do... now!  Her fuse is short these days (for her anyways).  In past months I have had a handful of tricks to make getting dressed, leaving the house/ play centre etc.  go relatively smoothly, but now those "tricks" aren't working anymore.  

I have read quite a bit on consensual living and subscribe to a CL yahoo group.  I am definitely inspired by some of the ideas behind it, but do not aspire to be fully consensual.  As much as possible I try to allow Pookie to do what she wants to do, as long as she is not going to get hurt or hurt others.  When it is practical I try to do things in the way she would like them done, but sometimes I need her to do what I want.  For example not put her smelly damp bathing suit on.  Before I really prided myself in being able to say something to make the situation OK with Pookie, or find an acceptable alternative.  These days, if she doesn't get her way it leads to a temper tantrum.  Which always leaves me feeling like I am not being a good parent.  Rationally I know that isn't true, but I still feel that way.

I think we definitely need to shift how we interact with Pookie now and let her feel in control as much as we can.  I am hoping I figure out this phase relatively quickly!!  I am feeling pretty happy with our decision to wait on baby #2.

Getting more structured

I have never been one to impose schedules on Pookie.   It took a full year before we really started to set up routines for bedtime, and morning routines.  For a while now our Mon, Wed, Fri (tue/ thurs I work) mornings involve an outing - to the pool, indoor playground or a free play centre.  This has worked out really well!  Our afternoons have been totally unstructured, so I have decided to make sure we do a few structured activities each afternoon.   She has been enjoying doing these things.  They seem to put her in a good mood and she is happier doing her own imaginative, creative play.  I also feel good at the end of the day.

1./  Arts & Crafts - it can be simple pen drawings or more elaborate projects

2./ Circle Time - we started doing this last week and she loves it.  We lay down a rug first (she loves getting it out and putting it down), and then we sing some songs like "I'm a little teapot" "Grand old duke of york" etc... we also hop around like bunnies, stretch like cats, jump like frogs etc...  She gets so excited we have been only able to do part of each song, so the whole thing takes about 5 minutes. :P

3./ Montessori inspired activity - like playing with beans, puzzles etc.  Lately she hasn't been into this kind of thing, and has been opting for dramatic play with her dolls, kitchen etc.  I just offer it and if she isn't interested that's fine.

4./ Dancing - we throw on some tunes and dance, or just run around and jump off stuff.

5./ Playdough

I am not really into baking.  I like doing it, just not eating it.  I find if I bake muffins etc.  we just eat them all so fast and opt for them instead of healthier options.  My mom on the other hand likes to bake and has been doing it with Pooks.  I am glad she gets to do this activity.  Maybe when she gets a bit older I will be more motivated. 

Another Plastic Purge

My current interest is reading up on Waldorf Education.  I am off to the library to get "You are your child's first teacher".   Seeing all the pictures of the waldorf-esque playrooms out there, I became inspired to purge more of our plastic toys.  They are mostly gifts so I have felt bad with giving them away.  Pookie does have a few that are well used and loved.  For example she just adored her Little People Farm set, so we will keep that, but much of the other junk is doing.  I am just hoping my husband doesn't intervene.  He has a hard time parting with things... especially gifts.

I really want to clear out the basement more so that we can convert the space under the stairs into a little hideaway for Pookie.  I was hoping it would be done for her second birthday.  However first my lovely husband has to deal with his piles of junk (he gets so mad when I refer to it as that).  

Now Pookie is on the mend I am looking forward to once again getting back to our routine we had been building.  I want to create a set time we do arts & crafts on Mon, Wed & Fri, and another set time for additional reading.   I can't wait for the weather to get nice and to be able to happily go outside everyday.  I just can't get myself to do it in the winter... espcially on nasty cold, muddy, snowy days like today.

Fun at the Mall

Today we went to the mall to avoid going stir crazy.   It seemed low-key enough for Pookie.  We got her a new skirt from the Gap.  I would be happy buying all her clothes from there.  I love how everything coordinates and holds up so well.  They always have great sales too.  Anyways Pookie really only wants to wear tights for some reason, and will agree to wear a shirt.  So when I saw the cutest skirt at the Gap I couldn't resist.  She loved it so much we had to put it on right after we bought it.  She was so funny in the Gap.  She ran around and wanted everything.  It is funny how into clothes & shoes she is.  She has very particular ideas about what she wants to wear, and how she wants to wear stuff.  I love putting her in cute comfy outfits but I am really not that into fashion, so it definitely isn't from seeing me getting all dolled up. 

We were sitting on a bench having a drink and she starts saying "beeee beeee".  I wasn't sure what she was getting at so I asked her "where is the B".  She looked up at a "Bikini Bay" sign and pointed excitedly "beeee beee".   It was really weird!!  We have been doing www.starfall.com with her everyday, but we mostly do the letter E.    I try to point letters out to her all the time but "B" really hasn't been one I have been focusing on.  She is definitely starting to really notice letters, and even when she draws she will scribble and say "Eeeeee".  

Yogurt Painting

This morning we let Daddy sleep in so I decided to give yogurt painting a try.  I just put it on tin foil and added some food colouring.  It was a HUGE hit!   Pooks didn't really like getting her hands dirty so we switched to a paint brush and baster.  I showed her how you could use your finger to write in it.  We did lots of letter E's since she loves "EEEEE".   I think she stuck with it for about 20 minutes and then she was done.  We will definitely do it again. 

Playful Parenting

Last summer I read Playful Parenting.  It is a highly recommended book over at MDC.  Pookie was only just over a year so although I found the book wonderful it wasn't very useful.  Now that she is almost 2 I am finding this approach really helpful.  I actually think I need to re-read it.  One of the "playful" things I do with Pookie is use her baby to make certain things more fun.  For example at night after she uses her potty she is often reluctant to get in bed. If I take one of her babies and do a silly voice and say "mommy I am going to go put my head on the pillow" and then walk the baby over... well Pookie just LOVES this and gets all excited about getting in bed.   Overall I try to connect with Pooks on a daily basis by just having fun with her and doing really silly things.  I think that has really strengthened our bond.  My husband also naturally parents this way.

One of the authors ideas is to set aside a special time called "PlayTime", where you happily follow your child's lead.  I try to do this all the time but sometimes I do like to make suggestions.  I like the idea of setting aside this time and being really diligent about letting Pookie lead the fun... even if it might not seem so fun for me. :P 

One of our fun games... that is totally silly but Pookie loves is when I throw pillows at her.  I know it probably sounds horrible, but she loves having a big pillow come flying across the room and land on her.  The author also believes in roughhousing.  It is funny because usually it is the Dad that takes on this role but so far I am much more adventurous on this front.  Pooks loves it when we do crazy physical things.  I think she likes seeing all the different ways her body can move, or be moved.  I also think doing this type of thing will make her more confident to try new physical things, and also stronger to do those new things.