You know the fight when your daughter is wearing her shirt way above her belly button and her skirt is almost as high.  Your son doesn't say hello when he passes a neighbor and just forget cleaning a dish or making a bed. These are battles we all have and they begin when our children are young.  We try to put the right influences into their lives, teach them right from wrong, and have them grow up to be responsible adults.  But sometimes, the fight is too tiring, especially after a long day at work.  Or it’s just easier for us to do their chores ourselves, it’s quicker and quieter!!

But there is some help out there.  Let’s look at what influences our kid’s lives the most.  We would like it to be us…but it’s what they do everyday.  It’s the TV, their friends, the computer, and toys.  The last is where I’m going with this posting.  There are toy companies that realize just how tricky it is to instill good values in our children, so I’m sharing some of my favorite companies with you.  They will help your children learn what’s right through play….and that’s the very best way to learn.

Veggie Tales from Big Idea is a wonderful company that believes in teaching and inspiring through creativity.   Available in plush and other  toys as well as DVD’s and movies,  Bob the Tomato and Larry the Cucumber leads children on all kinds of adventures while teaching them respect, patience, and that they are all special.

Groovy girls is celebrating their 10^th anniversary with a line of RSVP dolls.  The Groovy Girl line also connects to an online world and instills in girls positive values like respect, self-expression and confidence.  I love the fashions they wear….and so do the girls…..the girls learn that their fashion statement can be their own and can be fun.  As the mother of three daughters, my appreciation here goes far.

Karito Kids is another great doll line that teaches kids how to give, and the gift of charity.  Each doll they choose is from another part of the world and like so many toys these days, has an online component.  But with Karito Kids, the more they play, the more world change they earn.  They also earn change when the dolls and accessories are purchased.  The kids then have the choice of various charities to donate to and a chance to learn about each one of them.  It’s the beginning of learning to help other financially and see how that can feed, clothe and medically provide for those that don’t have.

For our much younger set, Playskool has a great line of toys out called Noodleboro.  There’s a picnic game where the kids learn about manners and there’s a fun park game where they learn about sharing.  I love these games and they truly reinforce social skills.

Our kids learn through play….so here’s some ways to get your message across. 

The Toy Insider Mom.

www.thetoyinsider.com

thetoyinsidermom@aol.com