Went to Toys R Us today. I don’t think I will ever complain about going to a toy store and now that I have a daughter I still get a kick out forwardly-thinking what toys we’ll get her in the future for her birthdays and Christmases. But today I went to return something from the Babies R Us side of the store but made it a point to venture over to the TRU side to check what they got. Without going too much into a confession but I still from time to time buy toys for myself. I don’t play with toys, they are mostly for show as collectors items so to speak. I grew up a huge Star Wars fan so I always check out the latest action figures and if the mood and luck is right I’ll pick up a new Boba Fett “collectors item.” What can I say I’m still a kid at heart. Which is why, I cannot wait until Maddie actually plays with toys and dolls instead what she does now which is basically observe them and throw them. I will play toys with her I know it in my soul. Even if it’s Barbie I will play along if she wants me to. Hell I was excited a few years back when a very close friend of mine had his first son and he like me was a huge Star Wars fan and for the kid’s first birthday I bought him like 4 action figures; all non-age appropriate. My friend was nothing but pleased and grateful. I had a ball buying those figures in the store especially without the added guilt that I’m now buying them for a real kid other than the one still caged in my heart.
Now I’m sure Maddie will not be a huge Star Wars or Spiderman fan as me so I fully understand and expect she’ll play with other toys more topical to her generation and gender related but I’d be lying if I didn’t out hope that she will like the stuff I like as well. I’m not going to push it (although for her first Christmas I did buy her a Boba Fett and R2-D2 figures, in time she’ll appreciate why) because I feel what a child gets into or likes should come naturally but seeing my hobby room with all these action figures, movie posters and other collectibles she may get curious enough. When she makes the honor roll and I take her to pick out a new toy I may pick one out for myself as well.
So I’m wondering if I’m going to the toy store more for her or for me? I sometimes have to stop myself from getting her all these new toys. Not so much to not spoil her or that she isn’t old enough for some of these toys but I want to get her new toys so I can play with them, to stimulate me while I watch her day-in, day-out. While she may be happy with her blocks or Melissa & Doug puzzles I need something to build or create. She recently got Mega Bloks and that is a step in the right direction. I was a Lego Maniac and I’m the one now building the towers for her to destroy. She also got Play-Doh but isn’t into that right now. But I look at the toys in the store at stuff I would want to play with or play with her with I should say.
I don’t think women think like this at all. I would hate to sound sexist but from my experience and own observations I never saw a girl be into toys as much as my boy peers growing up. It didn’t help that most girl toys were lame and hardly what I call role-playable. How exactly do you play with a My Little Pony? He-Man had swords and guns and could do battle with a legion of interesting villains but Strawberry Shortcake had delicious-smelling friends. It’s a shame to me really because I would want Maddie to be stimulated and creative with her toys not just dress them up and brush their hair. But back to my point which is a SAHD is the perfect playtime companion when it comes to toys. My aforementioned friend was grateful for the action figures I bought for his son because he too was going to play with them with his young boy. I’m not the only 30-something man still buying toys and action figures. Most of my friends still get collectibles or memorabilia which bother their wives. You ladies don’t get it and probably never will.
So I may not be playing with Star Wars or the Incredible Hulk with Maddie but there will be something she and I will play with together. It’s a fact. And I will have fun too!
February 14, 2011
Poppa Penguin 
March 3rd, 2011 at 7:47 PM
I feel the same way about the toy store. My first is a girl – and yeah, I don’t know what to do with a pony. Brush its hair. Done, now what? My youngest is a boy, and like you I can’t wait for toys X, Y and Z. He’s coming up on two years now and today was the first day that the Hot Wheels Santa put in the stocking really clicked for him. We played a good hour with them. Have fun – glad someone else is enjoying the toys, as well!
March 27th, 2011 at 3:09 PM
Hey There:
Many apologies for the lateness of this reply. I read your comment the day you wrote it but I’ve “been away from my desk” so-to-speak since my last post. I’m amazed at your blog and how much you keep up posts. This is my first blog and I guess I’m still working out the main focus other than writing/venting about being a SAHD. I wish I had better discipline in keeping up with posts. But I’m glad there’s other people out there reading my drivel other than my friends and mother especially other SAHDs like yourself.
Thanks again for taking time out to read my stuff and I look forward to your new posts. Keep up with your new hobby woodworking but more importantly in finding the new meaning to yourself. I struggle still with being the guy who watches his daughter and watches Nick Jr. all day. The question I ask myself everyday is basically: what/who/where will I be in 5-7 years? Sometimes its scary but oftentimes its liberating. Depends on the mess I cleaned up that day I suppose.
Read ya soon.