Kids own toys jointly

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

My suggestion is for families with young children. I would like to suggest that in the interest of keeping toy-overload to a minimum, in the interest of learning sharing, and in the interest of not overspending on toys that you consider this: Buy some of their toys with the understanding that they will be owned jointly, not by just one child. Whether holiday gifts or occasional treats, toys can be given to two or more kids jointly. There are few that really need to be owned by just one child at a time.

If you have the habit of buying one child a toy and then buying one for each of the others to be fair, joint ownership might help. But it is best if you start this early in your family life. Let your children grow up with the understanding that some things belong to all. Even small, inexpensive toys can be co-owned. It doesn't have to apply only to the big things that you buy only one of because that is all you can afford.

I think this also has the benefit of making the things they own individually more special, more appreciated.

[tgavin71]

Re: Kids own toys jointly

I totally agree. I know of one family in particular who when one of the boys gets a gift (for a birthday for example) they will go out and buy the other two a similar priced item just so they don't feel left out.
A lot of our kids toys are shared. Mainly the more expensive ones. I would rather spend $300 on a swing set than buy a whole lot of smaller toys for the same money.

[getforfree]

Re: Kids own toys jointly

My kids own all their toy jointly. I bought some baby-dolls for my daughter, my son plays more with them than she does. DD plays with the cars sometimes too. So, I guess there is no difference for the boys and girls toys. They share everything. But they do fight about the toys sometimes.

[zoe]

Re: Kids own toys jointly

tgavin71 I have a friend that does this too, but she buys them exactly the same thing, spending around $600 (australian, which would be more in US $) per birthday!!

[tgavin71]

Re: Kids own toys jointly

Nice to see another Aussie. There are a few of us lurking around here. Which state is your friend in. Might be the same person! LOL!

[PrincessPerky]

Re: Kids own toys jointly

Heh, all toys in the house are ownbed by one person....ME! that way I am the best example of sharing (and new toys slowly drift over to being mine, call it their part of the rent.

I try to make one christmas gift (out of two plus the stocking) something that can be shared easily. (so they both get a kick out of oppening it) but I don't do a joint gift usually.

[cicy33]

Re: Kids own toys jointly

Each of the kids get their own toys at xmas but all toys in the house are to be shared whether they like it or not! now, at birthdays, the birthday child gets a toy the other 3 do not. it is not their birthday. and I feel that you can take this opportunity to teach them that they do not get something just because someone else did. Sometimes it is someone else's day. I am assuming that you mean instead of buying each child 6 toys buy only 6 toys and use them as joint owned. (just a # example) But I don't feel that it is possible to buy joint toys for 4 kids, they each have their own personality and likes and dislikes.

[shelbylovesmelby]

Re: Kids own toys jointly

I"m trying to cue family when they guy toys for the kids to be suitable for both! As I have an aunt who thinks getting a set of Jacks is wonderful for my 3.5 yr old, but since she doesn't pick up afterherself I either put stuff like that away, give away, or toss. Why do I want to keep a choking hazzard around for???

JMHO! So we're trying to stick to fisher price little people, but the sets are plenty expensive & not found often @ rummage sales either

[PrincessPerky]

Re: Kids own toys jointly

at 3.5 she should be cleaning up after herself..not totally alone, but she aught to be able to handle a couple jacks....

[Bluezy]

Re: Kids own toys jointly

At 2 1/2, CJ does fairly well. He learns sharing through his school since he is a one and only. But even with a one and only, I still like keeping toy overload to a minimum. CJ's got to learn to appreciate what he has.

[tgavin71]

Re: Kids own toys jointly

I don't make my children share any of their toys apart from the ones that are jointly owned. When ever we have visiting children at our house I tell my children to bring out the toys that they are willing to play with with the visitors. I would never demand that they share a toy with someone else.
As an adult I would hate it if I was forced to share a prized possesion with someone so I can't see why it is ok for children to be made to share.

[cschin4]

Re: Kids own toys jointly

I think there are some things that belong to the family such as board games, etc. But, if one of my kids get things for their birthday or Christmas it is their stuff. But, I take no responsibility for their stuff and am not going to keep track of who owns the toy. If they leave it laying on the floor in the playroom, then one of the other siblings is free to play with it. If it is special to them, they can keep it in their room and bring it out when they want to play with it.

[shelbylovesmelby]

Re: Kids own toys jointly

at 3.5 she should be cleaning up after herself..not totally alone, but she aught to be able to handle a couple jacks....

You'd think that! But she ignores such requests as well as even if you do it with her or do the "clean up clean up every body every where...." song she ignores it. It's not what she wants to do so she won't til I tell her that It's going in the trash if I don't get any help.

[cicy33]

Re: Kids own toys jointly

I don't make my children share any of their toys apart from the ones that are jointly owned. When ever we have visiting children at our house I tell my children to bring out the toys that they are willing to play with with the visitors. I would never demand that they share a toy with someone else.
As an adult I would hate it if I was forced to share a prized possesion with someone so I can't see why it is ok for children to be made to share.

I feel that by not teaching our children to share our toys we are creating an atmosphere where they will think that it is not their problem to help others in life. Sharing (in my opinion only!) is the first step to teaching our children to care about others and show compassion and fairness. Don't get me wrong if the toy belongs to the child and they are playing with it I don't demand they give it up. But if they are not playing with it, why not share with siblings? I am not talking about strangers that enter the house. You don't know how they will take care of stuff. But within the household I feel that sharing is a necessity. again, this is my opinion only. With having four children sometimes we purchase things that they all like individually. It would be financially impossible for me to say buy each child the same game. So if I give the youngest (which I did) all the harry potter play station games for xmas, by your theory he can refuse to allow the other children to share those. and vice versus. I just can't afford to buy each child all the same stuff just so that they don't have to share. Now, granted as they get older if they receive a gift like an Ipod or something that is a personal gift and not necessarily a shared gift. There will always be exceptions.