Parenting 101 (Part 4): The Hidden Cost of Cheap Toys

When you have the means, go for the quality. It’s a common belief among parents that since the lil’ uns like to break down their toys and have sort span of attention, don’t bother buy them the expensive ones. True, the inquisitive minds of small children make their toys especially short-lived. But sometimes a better quality toy (still short-lived albeit not so much as a cheaper toy) is worth the money.

Look at this sample [Exhibit 1]. The picture was taken only 18 hours from the time I bought it. A China made toy, it’s supposed to be a Transformer robot and only cost you Rp. 50,000. At first I thought it’s a bargain considering the size and relatively complex mechanism. That should win his interest for a while. But not long after my son started to play with it (with his usual vigor) one of the legs was broken. Apparently the joints were not as sturdy, making them vulnerable under rigorous strain. He cried out of disappointment, and took time for us to calm him down.



Here’s another one [Exhibit 2]. The box says that it’s a transformable car-robot.



Here’s how it looks like in car mode [Exhibit 3].



Again price was the consideration when I purchased this toy. It still can function perfectly, but the problem lies with its design. I run into considerable difficulties explaining the thing for him.

S: What is it dad?
D: It’s a robot
S: Where is the head?
D: This is the head, can’t you see?
S: It’s not a head
D: Here look, these are the eyes. And this is, err… the mouth.
S: It’s not robot. Ugly toy.

And he threw it away, just like that. Judging from the look I guess he is right. Who would recognize this thing as a robot? Only those with extremely imaginative minds can remotely consider this thing as one. You can’t fool little kids with this stupid design.

So the merit of better quality toys to mention a few:
1) Relatively longer life span (instead of 18 hours it can last for, say, 48 hours?)
2) Save you from the trouble explaining the mechanism, function or simply what it is.

There you go, next time don’t be too stingy.


***