"Maisie loves ponies, so there are dozens of ponies of every size scattered everywhere. She also loves plushies, so there are 50 of them in her bed, and another 100 around the house. I truly love giving gifts to Maisie, but I'm struggling with what to give her that has any meaning. Anything I give her just contributes to the borderline alarming amount of toys and clutter."
"Years before I became a parent, I really prided myself on the presents I picked out for my goddaughters. But nothing I bought could possibly compete with the hours we spent reading stories and building forts and having tea parties with their stuffed animals. What's most valuable is just the time Maisie gets with you, her fun honorary aunt who loves her."
An honorary auntie describes Maisie, a 4-year-old adopted daughter, whose parents constantly buy toys, creating overwhelming clutter of ponies and plushies. The auntie is frustrated because additional presents feel meaningless and contribute to the accumulation. The recommended solution prioritizes time over objects: engaging in reading, building forts, tea parties, special outings, cooking favorite treats, and inventing games. Consistent, focused one-on-one interactions communicate love more effectively than material gifts. Shared experiences provide memorable, meaningful ways to surprise and spoil Maisie while avoiding further toy overload.
Read at Slate Magazine
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