O.K. I am dating myself but when I was growing up all I wanted was a tiny tears doll. Have you looked at toys lately? I was pleased to see "Jesus Christ" the action figure doll in a store. He had no gun but his feet did light up! When we buy toys for our children, relatives, grandchildren etc. Do we think about the message we are giving them with our selections. My daughter was given a playstation 2 as a birthday gift by a friend. And we were shocked at the games, not only are they violent but they are expensive. Tell me what your thoughts are about toys, also do you have any good ideas for a toy. (Bill, there will be no Bill Dickens action figure) we all know you and you were going to post that suggestion;-)

-- Anonymous, April 11, 2002

Answers

We've had to draw a few lines in the sand on this issue, and I'd say we're a little stricter than most Christian parents in this area, and much stricter than many non-Christian parents.

We love a good computer or video game, but we don't allow anything gory or sexual. This meant my son's James Bond Nintendo game went into the trash. On the other hand, we like Mario, motocross, even air or tank combat because there's no gore. That James Bond had scantily clad women and involved face to face killing complete with blood.

This is a very subjective area, and each parent has to ask God what is ok for their family. The important thing is to obey God. My son has had GI Joe's and even has his own .22 rifle. We go shooting once a month with some of the guys from work, and he's handled a variety of firearms. Many Christians would find this objectionable, but it's ok by us.

Right now he's big into Star Wars, and has bought more of that junk than his room can handle. We've checked it out, and it's ok by us, but again I know many Christian parents might disagree. Each just has to seek the Lord and make the call. Actually, my wife and I spend more time examining the music, movies, and TV they watch than their toys.

It's important to ensure that in the midst of this they continue to receive the training they need. There will come a day when they'll be making decisions much more critical than this, probably without our help. They need to be firmly grounded.

-- Anonymous, April 14, 2002

Action figure, hmmmm.......the thought is appealing. But, who controls the royalties?? Ken (Barbies's sidekick), GI Joe and the Justice League Superheroes seem to have a monopoly grip in this market :-) My 6 year son is limited to toys which reinforces his scientific imagination (e.g. Jimmy Neutron, Star Wars, etc.) I agree with RP that action toys which project indiscriminant and random violence are not edifying to kids. You are what you eat, read, and imagine. The Holy Writ says it best in the Proverbs, "As a man thinketh, so is he." QED

-- Anonymous, April 15, 2002

GI Joe and the Justice League Superheroes seem to have a monopoly grip in this market :-)

Hmm, must be the "GI Joe with the Kung Fu Grip". :-)

We have been out of the toy market for a few years now (my youngest is 13), but when we did have them:

• Tonka Trucks - There is a sandbox in our park up the street, and this fleet of construction workhorses (and firetrucks) provided hours of entertainment and imagination for all three children. Every now and then we dig them out for visiting children.
• Board Games - This has followed the Parker Brothers marketing model: from "Candy Land" to "Go to the Head of the Class" to "Monopoly" to "Boggle", we have had hours of enjoyment as a family around a game or two. "Boggle" was particularly nice, as the whole family used to take delight in trying to find a word that I could not see. And they did!
• Building Sets I do believe we had some Lincoln Logs. One child had an Erector set equivalent. There was also a Kenner Building set equivalent. And both boys had the Radio Shack Electronics lab. (one now works for Radio Shack. Coincidence?)
• Art and Crafts - My daughter has had a number of creative arts tools: easel, paper, crayons, paints, play-dough, weaving, knitting, and chalk.
• Science "toys" - Telescope, microscope, chemistry set, biology software, space shuttle models, airplane models, etc.
• Computer Games - I agree with Rob on game scanning here. I found some quite objectionable, and wouldn't allow them in the house. But there were always a number of entertaining - as well as educational - programs in the house. The more "questionable" include F-16 Falcon, F-18 Hornet, Civiliazation, Caesar, and perhaps Bolo. The more constructive include Sim City, Sim Tower, Floor Plan, Train modeler, Star Trek Starship Creator. Mindless fun included Shanhai (a Mah-Jongg game), Bridge, and Tetris.

Other than that, I can't think of a lot of toys. I guess we spent more time active in various sports: T-Ball, Baseball, Swimming, Track, Water Polo, Cross Country, Solar Car competition (okay, maybe not quite a "sport"), and Basketball.

-- Anonymous, April 15, 2002