5 tips to trick your kid into leaving their toys at home

Eventually, you collapse in a heap, red in the face, having lost the battle of prying your little one’s favourite toy from his hands. You might think it an impossible feat, but one super smart mummy shares her simple 3-step tip with us.

1. Personalise the object

Personify it, praise it, assign it a name, an age, a character. "Teddy is a sweetheart, isn't he? I'm sure he likes playing with you." For children, especially girls, referring to the object as a baby is a definite go.

2. Give a reason

State your reason for the object or toy having to stay at home. ("Teddy loves to play, darling, but he's tired now, he needs to get some rest.") If this proves ineffective, another option is to assign the object a role in the house. "Batty needs to take care of the house. Or Batty needs to guard the car while we're gone."

3. Involve your child

Involve your child in saying goodbye to the object. ("Tuck Teddy in, now, give him a kiss! Goodnight Teddy! / Put Batty down there, so he can get a nice view of the car. Now say bye to Batty, we'll see him when we get back!)

4. Comfort your child

There you have it! Leaving your child's toy at home with minimal fuss, refusal, and tantrums and tears. This method usually works flawlessly, especially since kids seem to feel better when they've said goodbye to their object before leaving them at home – it gives them a sense of comfort in knowing their toy will be and is waiting for them.

5. Counter their arguments

If your child is smart enough to call you out and says, "But Mummy/Daddy, Teddy is afraid to stay at home! Or Batty gets sick when he's left outside!" Counter this by telling them Teddy told you he wanted to stay home that day. Remember, children feel their toys are as real as they are. Respect this belief, they will become less and less attached.

Written by

Miss Vanda

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