How do you tell people (family) that you only want "green" toys for DS

[buliej]

I am really trying to limit the things DS plays with to those that are BPA/PVC free and not made in China. I am not 100% successful, but I'm trying - and since I wasn't focused on this initially, many of my initial purchases don't meet my "new self-imposed rules".

My concern is, what do I tell well meaning friends and family who buy gifts that I really don't want to use (esp. as DS is entering the phase where everything goes into his mouth). I could accept the gifts but then not use them but this seems silly as it's such a waste.

Any suggestions?

[LizLemon]

It's a hard one isn't it. I don't share the same ideals (for want of a better word!) but I certainly try to limit the amount of c**p that enters my house but well meaning but clueless people who buy stuff that I can tell is never going to be used.

Can you work into conversations with people about how you've been reading up on "green" toys and kicking yourself for buying things that don't fit in with what you are trying to do - ie make it just lighthearted conversation about what you are trying to do, and hope that they take it in and factor it in next time they buy something?

And then if that doesn't work, maybe gentle requests to the people that regularly buy gifts - I know if I'm buying something for a child I'd much rather spend the money on something that will be used/loved than put away and never used.

[Loula]

I am really trying to limit the things DS plays with to those that are BPA/PVC free and not made in China. I am not 100% successful, but I'm trying - and since I wasn't focused on this initially, many of my initial purchases don't meet my "new self-imposed rules".

My concern is, what do I tell well meaning friends and family who buy gifts that I really don't want to use (esp. as DS is entering the phase where everything goes into his mouth). I could accept the gifts but then not use them but this seems silly as it's such a waste.

Any suggestions?

Interested to find the sites you are buying from?.......pm me please hun

[buliej]

Bug's Mom - that's a good idea - but I forgot another part of my dilemma (if you can call it that) - usually "green" toys (that's what I'll call them for ease) are more expensive which is an added burden for those who are being generous in the first place by buying gifts...for example, just today, my inlaws said "oh - we need to get some toys for [DS] so he has things to play with when he comes over" - so nice of them, really, but I know the toys will be plastic and not ones that fit my idea of what DS should have - meaning they will have chemicals etc in them that I want to limit his exposure to. I guess I could beat them to the punch and buy toys to leave there but I know it also makes them happy to buy things for DS.

Loula - I can post or PM the brands I've come across and some other info - need to pull it together though. Some of the sites with information are under "likes" on my FB page though.

[~ Zarava Flutterby ~]

Can you tell people you want old school wooden toys, suggest things you possibly had as a child?

There are great sites like Eco toys with sales pages, I'd just be upfront, make suggestions but in the long run there will always be 1 or 2 junky pieces no matter how well you get the msg through, all you can do is own YOUR decisions in what you buy, let ppl know what your looking at but let them make the final choice.




Sent from my iPhone, more than likely while I should be doing something else!

[Gigi]

if cost is an issue, wooden pegs are cheap at Coles. old saucepans at any opshop. dressups. Green Toys don't have to be new. Part of the green toys concept, is recycling toys, and things that babies are amused by. Tools for the sandpit that aren't brand new and plastic - e.g metal utensils, wooden spoons from opshops, old teapots etc.

another "green present" idea is EXPERIENCES. e.g instead of a plastic toy, to give the child a visit to the zoo, (obviously age dependant). to spend time with the child.

for families that like to each put in $20 and buy a huge plastic thing, they could instead put all those $20 together, and buy a wooden sandpit/cubby/fort/playgym type thing. something in the back yard that the child will enjoy for many years.

give the option of gift voucher, to any relative who finds it all too hard.

clothing is another area, e.g some people try to avoid franchised clothing, clothing with words, or the foam transfers (fumes) that are so popular (and seemingly everywhere). Because clothing sizes are such a pain, it's easy to blame that issue, and ask that receipts be kept, in case you need to exchange, due to sizing problem.

i chose to avoid battery operated toys, for environmental friendly reasons, and because i think they overstimulate babies (stifling imagination), often plastic toys/battery toys are all lumped together.

google "organic toys" and many options come up. you can get bamboo and organic cotton teething toys that are very safe for babies to suck on. also wooden ones.

i think buying green toys, comes down to
- shopping around
- waiting for sales
- choosing green over quantity, so your child will have less, which is not a bad thing

some relatives/friends will take your info on board, some might be offended, some might totally ignore it. but you're the parent. you get to decide what gets to stay, what gets given to the opshop, what your child actually gets exposed to each day. if you want to limit the fumes for your child's sake, that's your priority, you're the parent. It's easy to get caught up in obligation, and monetary value, but those don't help the decision you've made for your child. For the first few years, you get quite a bit of choice. That will change later, so make the most of it now!

Your child will play with what's around.

i tried to do, what you are talking about, in a half hearted way, i wish i had gone into it stronger. I look back at those early baby photos and there is so much plastic in the photos! because i didn't put my foot down strongly enough (to match my own beliefs). i was seduced into thinking quantity was better than quality. And feeling too obligated to turn away the huge amount of opshop plastic toys i was given by well meaning people (who then never visited after that, so weren't there to see if they got used or not).

and it IS true, a baby and some pegs = hours of them gurgling and being happy.
i didn't believe it until i saw it myself.

[damprye]

I didn't have quite the same problem but I did have people (one in particular) that kept giving DS toys that were dangerous for his age group. I still don't trust him with 3+ toys because he still eats everything but it never really got any easier. I used to give them away as gifts but some of them I still have stashed away for bday pressies when he is older.

[LimeSlice]

"Sorry, XYZ, wanted to let you know we won't be accepting plastic, mass-produced or Chinese made toys and gifts for our children, s please don't buy them. Take a look at Eco Toys website for some idea on what you can buy for bubs. Thanks"

Easy.

[Party-of-five]

We asked for books instead of toys for DD2 first birthday and everyone was more than happy with that