Toys...how often?

[SallySparrow]

Toys? Not often.

Books, on the other hand...

[pinotgrig]

We do citrus lane so really just that. My mom also buys him probably 3-5 toys a month.

[spk926]

No, books don't count for this IMO. I get DD at least 5-10 new ones a month since I have over 9,000 scholastic bonus points and I earn more for every order a parent places. I'm running out of room for her books I need to figure something else out. I just can't stop!

[degal99]

From newborn to like, 8 months, probably every other day. Now at almost 2, maybe once a month? Every 3 weeks? It's cut down considerably.

[Deleted]

Pretty much never. We do big Christmases and pretty big birthdays so we don't really buy things randomly during the year. The grandparents do from time to time though.

I buy crafts and art supplies year round as needed. And sometimes I have purchased something when there is a developmental need. For example, last winter J needed to work on stairs and using a slide so I bought one of those small plastic ones to use in the house during the winter. I also buy books or a puzzle from the dollar store here and there.

My basement is currently full of numerous toys I am saving for Christmas though

[Brie]

Rarely, except for special occasions like PT rewards.

I do tend to buy stuff for P when his PT recommends it.

[abs]

When DD was younger I bought toys whenever she outgrew something developmentally. Now it's not as often. However, her birthday is right before Christmas. I do get her just because toys as a surprise sometimes and she can also earn them through good behavior.

[elocrates]

Us: Almost never.
My inlaws: A few times per year (small toys and an outfit), seasonal holidays (Easter, Halloween, 4th of July, etc.).
My parents: A couple of seasonal holidays.

[cobber06]

I usually pick up a few things at my MOMs sale. Otherwise I buy stuff when I see a good deal.

I'm pretty sure they have more toys than I had my entire childhood, so I'm trying to scale back a bit. I just love shopping.

[ilikedonuts]

It was all the time until I forced myself to stop. Now it's once or twice s month.

[KKD]

Rarely. With three kids, we have more than enough toys as it is, and I'm not about to add any more "just because." If they ask for something, I tell them to put it on their birthday or Christmas list and usually take a picture for them.

Meanwhile I recently sent H out to pick up a specific toy for a birthday party, and he took the kids and came back with a new toy for each of them. Ugh.

[lilac05]

Sept 29, 2015 19:38:09 GMT -5 spk926 said:

No, books don't count for this IMO. I get DD at least 5-10 new ones a month since I have over 9,000 scholastic bonus points and I earn more for every order a parent places. I'm running out of room for her books I need to figure something else out. I just can't stop!

Aren't those points suppose to be used to buy stuff for the classroom? I often buy those books because I thought I was supporting the classroom...not a personal library.  If you do got extra points and no need for them in the classroom, I'm sure there are MANY organizations that would love to receive new book donations!

I typically only buy new toys before road trips and that it typically dollar spot stuff.  My H used to be really bad about it, though.

[spk926]

Sept 29, 2015 21:10:38 GMT -5 lilac05 said:

Sept 29, 2015 19:38:09 GMT -5 spk926 said:

No, books don't count for this IMO. I get DD at least 5-10 new ones a month since I have over 9,000 scholastic bonus points and I earn more for every order a parent places. I'm running out of room for her books I need to figure something else out. I just can't stop!

Aren't those points suppose to be used to buy stuff for the classroom? I often buy those books because I thought I was supporting the classroom...not a personal library.  If you do got extra points and no need for them in the classroom, I'm sure there are MANY organizations that would love to receive new book donations!

I typically only buy new toys before road trips and that it typically dollar spot stuff.  My H used to be really bad about it, though.

The points are mine to do with what I wish. They don't have to be spent any certain way. They stay with me no matter what grade, school, or district I go to, and the same is true for your child's teacher. No, the points can't be transferred. I spend TONS of them on books for my classroom library per year. I buy each child a book for their birthday, holidays and end of the school year. I also purchase things like teacher tools, tables and chairs and other items from the bonus catalog. Yep, I also use some for my child. I see zero problems in that.

[lilac05]

Sept 29, 2015 21:23:10 GMT -5 TamiTaylor said:

Sept 29, 2015 21:10:38 GMT -5 lilac05 said:

Aren't those points suppose to be used to buy stuff for the classroom? I often buy those books because I thought I was supporting the classroom...not a personal library. 

Jesus. This ridiculous. I can't even tell you the amount of money I spend out of my own pocket on my students. I furnish supplies for kids that can't afford them, buy rewards and treats, buy books and materials for my class. I also regularly buy lunches for my kids who would be forced to get a PBJ instead of regular tray because they have no one to put money into their account. I think I spend AT LEAST $50 a month on my kids. This a very conservative estimate.
So if I want to use a free $5 book coupon on my kid or use points on my own kid I'm going to do it.

Calm down.  No need to get defensive.  I'm a child of a teacher.  Personal spending on school stuff is something I am VERY aware of.  I support my child's teacher/school (it's basically a one woman show) in many ways, financial, supplies, time, etc.  My point was that I sometimes buy books simply because money goes to the classroom.  If it doesn't, I'd rather give money directly to the teacher so she can use it as she sees fit.  My $20 will go a lot farther that way.  

I don't care what you do with your money.  I just wanted clarification on the program.

[spk926]

Also lilac05 the amount of bonus points you get depend on how much your order is. There are times I'll be $10 away from moving up a bonus point level so I'll just spend my own money to make sure I get to that next level. I spend plenty of my own money on my classroom throughout the year. Way more than what I spend in bonus points.

Do you have any idea how many points we earn per order or how many points a book is typically worth???

[spk926]

Sept 29, 2015 21:31:17 GMT -5 lilac05 said:

Sept 29, 2015 21:23:10 GMT -5 TamiTaylor said:

Jesus. This ridiculous. I can't even tell you the amount of money I spend out of my own pocket on my students. I furnish supplies for kids that can't afford them, buy rewards and treats, buy books and materials for my class. I also regularly buy lunches for my kids who would be forced to get a PBJ instead of regular tray because they have no one to put money into their account. I think I spend AT LEAST $50 a month on my kids. This a very conservative estimate.
So if I want to use a free $5 book coupon on my kid or use points on my own kid I'm going to do it.

I don't care what you do with your money.  I just wanted clarification on the program.

Bull. If that's what you wanted you would've worded it very differently. Your post was nothing but accusatory towards me so don't be surprised when I (and other teachers) "fight" back.

[lilac05]

Sept 29, 2015 21:34:23 GMT -5 spk926 said:

Sept 29, 2015 21:31:17 GMT -5 lilac05 said:

I don't care what you do with your money.  I just wanted clarification on the program.

Bull. If that's what you wanted you would've worded it very differently. Your post was nothing but accusatory towards me so don't be surprised when I (and other teachers) "fight" back.

I apologize.  Truly.  It didn't come across as I apparently intended.  It was an honest question poorly worded after an awful day.  

I was was just getting ready to respond to you that if you spend all of that on stuff for your classroom and then spend some on your own child, I think that is exactly in the spirit of the program as I thought...and would have absolutely no problem with my kid's teacher doing the same. 

[lilac05]

Sept 29, 2015 21:56:58 GMT -5 TamiTaylor said:

Sept 29, 2015 21:31:17 GMT -5 lilac05 said:

Not defensive. Just irritated. Would you have even known about the bonus points if it wasn't mentioned here?

Yes, I did know about the program and bonus points.  My mom was a teacher and used the program.  I just knew that she never used it on us.  She stocked her library at school, gave books to her students, and frequently donated books (I don't know if they were brand new ones or ones cycled out of her classroom library, but that doesn't matter).

[SJ]

More often than necessary, that's for sure. I LOVE toys and books!!

[arebee]

Rarely. We bought a few summer things this year like a small slide and some sandbox toys. All her other toys were gifts.

[shell24]

When they were younger I bought a lot. Now, for about the last 2 years, they pretty much get stuff at birthdays and Christmas only. I need zero extra crap in my house.

The baby gets hand me down toys and only gets new stuff from her aunts lol.

[ssmjlm]

Mostly Christmas and Birthday. Sometimes just because.

E isn't big into toys right now. She's into coloring and dress up type play. So that factors into buying more stuff to find a place for.

[aspentosh]

Not very often at all. Just Christmas, her birthday, and maybe one time over the summer if she is bored with her toys or developing beyond them.

This does not include new art supplies like paper and glue, since I rebuy whenever she runs out.

[dulcemariamar]

We buy puzzles, books, DVDs, and art supplies throughout the year.

We never buy toys outside of Christmas/Birthday .

When we visits my in-laws/parents she might get a new toy. But we only see extended family 4-5 times a year.

[Deleted]

Well now it's related to their allowance money so pretty often. We used to go long stretches without before.

[bowies]

Now I feel kinda bad for my kid. We buy him a book every other week or so but not a lot of toys. I know we need to box up a lot of them because he's outgrown them, but it's a can I keep kicking down the road. No wonder he's bored with us.

We got a TRU coupon so guess I know what we're doing this weekend.

Looking for suggestions for a 15 month old...

[Deleted]

Sept 30, 2015 7:50:12 GMT -5 bowies said:

Now I feel kinda bad for my kid. We buy him a book every other week or so but not a lot of toys. I know we need to box up a lot of them because he's outgrown them, but it's a can I keep kicking down the road. No wonder he's bored with us.

We got a TRU coupon so guess I know what we're doing this weekend.

Looking for suggestions for a 15 month old...

LOL. Don't feel bad. Kids don't need half of their toys. Esp. when it's the MMM "half." I promise. 

We have a lot of toys but winter is cold here, we live in the sticks, we don't got a lot of places. It's nice to rotate stuff through. I also have 2 kids of opposite sex with different interests. And older cousins who love to pass on the handmedowns. 

Still, my kids would be fine with their same favorite 3 over and over. And H is really great at making "toys" out of nothing. I'm trying to take more of a lead on that. 

If you need suggestions though: My little bit older DS loves books (haha. I know.), cars/tractors, Little People, play kitchen stuff, stealing whatever his sister has, simple puzzles and playdoh lately. Those M*D waterbooks are also a fave.

[SJ]

Sept 30, 2015 7:50:12 GMT -5 bowies said:

Looking for suggestions for a 15 month old...

DD will be 15m on Friday. She is OBSESSED with books. She picks one out, plops in a lap, turns the pages (super fast so we can barely read) and gets another one. Rinse & repeat for hours.

She is also still playing with her Crawl Around Car, Laugh & Learn Kitchen, and Busytown cube. Other hits are the FP Farm, the Parum Pum Drum, and Duplos (mostly just dumping them out and putting them back in). She is able to do simple shape sorters and stacking rings on her own now, and those little pop up toys.

She is just starting to really get into simple M&D puzzles, and we are thinking of doing a play kitchen for Christmas.

[Ashley&Scott]

Oh man, we buy toys quite often. I'd say at least a few times a month, sometimes more. DH & I often play with M so we like getting new stuff as much as he does. Usually we spend in the $2-$10 range but we've been known to buy $15-$20 toys (such as train engines) occasionally too. 

Once we start buying things that are a "set" such as a Lightning McQueen hot wheel we usually end up with them all because DH really likes completing the "set". So we have all of the Cars character hot wheels, all of the Planes 2 characters, all of the Paw Patrol figurines...Thankfully these things are only $3-$5 each and they're small. (ie- easy to store)

Bigger ticket items (basically anything over $30) are reserved for holidays & birthday. 

[bowies]

SJ DS is also in a reading phase. He has books for days. Our evenings are spent with him pointing at the First Words books and asking "Dat?"

He has little interest in his Parum Pum Pum drum unless it's just putting Duplos in it. No musical talent in this family whatsoever. I think we'll try puzzles and some Little People. That other thread is timely!