| It is your toy store nightmare. Your child is throwing | | | | that you will check labels for age requirements and |
| a tantrum on the store's floor, shrieking his head off, | | | | care instructions. You also have to consider medical |
| and obnoxiously demanding for that toy. You are | | | | complications like asthma and allergies to certain toy |
| helplessly looking on, while you are receiving | | | | components. |
| judgmental glares and piteous looks from other | | | | You will also need to check on sharp points and |
| shoppers, which make you want to curl up and hide | | | | edges, small parts, loud noises, projectiles, cords and |
| in the wood toy boxes at home. | | | | strings, and electrical hazards that might pose a risk |
| Then you start thinking about stuffing your child in his | | | | to your child and to others. Indeed, you might also |
| wood toy boxes! But you cannot, so you need to | | | | have to check if the toys can be stuffed inside their |
| make plans to prevent another toy store nightmare. | | | | wood toy boxes, or should have containers of their |
| Talk It Out | | | | own. |
| If possible, you can schedule a family conference | | | | Set a Schedule |
| regarding the planned shopping excursion. You can | | | | For many children, you will need to schedule who |
| discuss which toy store to go to, what time you will | | | | buys first. With small children, you have to |
| be going there, what types of toys they are allowed, | | | | accompany them, lest they break anything. For |
| your budget, and the behavior you expect from | | | | bigger children, you can let them explore on their |
| them. | | | | own, but they should come back to a designated |
| When you include your children in planning, you give | | | | area once they have chosen their toy. This way, you |
| them a sense of worth. After all, these will be their | | | | can reduce the risk of anybody being lost in a |
| toys that will be added to their wood toy boxes, not | | | | shopping mall. |
| yours. | | | | Set Behavioral Rules |
| Set Financial Limits | | | | Talk to your children about the behavior expected of |
| Before going into the toy store, you need to set | | | | them. For older children, you can ask them to behave |
| monetary limits. First, tell your children how much you | | | | appropriately, to call your attention properly when |
| are willing to spend on how many toys. When you | | | | they see a toy they like, and to discuss its merits |
| tell them your budget and why you need to stick to | | | | with you. For smaller children, you can direct their |
| it, they will choose toys more wisely. | | | | attention to the toys you want them to see. You |
| When you set limits, you teach your children the | | | | can also ask your older children to help you explain |
| value of money and the value of their chosen toys. | | | | things to their younger siblings. Often, kids have a |
| Hopefully, your children will take better care of their | | | | language of their own! |
| toys, and you can stop wondering where all the | | | | When you have properly planned your toy outing, |
| contents of their wood toy boxes have gone to. | | | | you are better prepared to deal with toy |
| Set Safety Limits | | | | emergencies. Indeed, you will be filling in their wood |
| You need to tell your children safety requirements | | | | toy boxes with toys - and not with your body or |
| that you want followed on their toys. Tell them that | | | | your children's! |
| only age-appropriate toys are allowed, which means | | | | |