Go and play but not WITH THAT TOY!

by KATE HUNTER

Just what every family needs – an ATM for the rumpus room.

I was shocked and felt a twinge of outrage when I realised these existed.

‘Do our kids really need to be worrying about cashing up before kindy?’

But then I thought about it – I had a toy cash register when I was five and loved it. We played shops, and I mimicked the lady who served Mum at the shops (it was always a lady). Kids are still mimicking their parents and a trip to the shops these days often involves swinging by the ATM. Toys are tools for playing pretend.

So I guess it’s not that bad – as long as the kid doesn’t say, ‘Holy f*#ck. WHERE DOES ALL THE MONEY GO?’ when she looks at the receipt. If that happens, we may have a problem.

What toys do you think are inappropriate for kids? Are any toys banned at your place? Did your parents have a, ‘No toy guns’ policy, or zero tolerance for Barbie?