Oh, Dearest Mother, Sweetest Virgin of Altagracia, our Patroness. You are our Advocate and to you we recommend our needs. You are our Teacher and like disciples we come to learn from the example of your holy life. You are our Mother, and like children, we come to offer you all of the love of our hearts. Receive, dearest Mother, our offerings and listen attentively to our supplications. Amen.



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Subject Topic: Considering "no toys in the van" rule. Post ReplyPost New Topic
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dawn2006
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Posted: Dec 11 2007 at 1:19pm | IP Logged Quote dawn2006

Does anyone have a rule like this? I can see it eliminating so many issues (particularly when we move ds#2 to the back with his brother after the baby comes) but then again, the kiddos LOVE dragging their stuff with them when we go out. TIA.

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mellyrose
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Posted: Dec 11 2007 at 1:49pm | IP Logged Quote mellyrose

I have a "what goes in must come out" rule, but I think I'd go crazy if I didn't let them have toys in the van when we're out & about. But, that's just me :)

I still have to remind them to bring their things back out when we're home again usually, but it works mostly. I went through a phase where they had to carry a bag with the things in & out, but I've let that one go.

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Michaela
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Posted: Dec 11 2007 at 2:06pm | IP Logged Quote Michaela

We don't have a toy rule, except they have to leave the toys in the car when we go to a store. It's usually a favorite action figure or doll that accompanies one of my children & they NEVER want to leave it behind.

Food is our problem. I'm still working on not letting them eat in the car.      If we plan to be out and about for a long time, I pack snacks and the ziplock bags or whatever is often left behind.

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Rachel May
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Posted: Dec 11 2007 at 2:12pm | IP Logged Quote Rachel May

I mostly say no toys in the car, and they complain as we walk out the door but that's all. If a toy is allowed in the van, it's not allowed into the store because things have been left behind. Also, it's only things I know we won't miss that are allowed in. Usually the kids are distracted enough by the radio/book on tape to not miss having a toy. Occasionally the boys will bring a book. I'm with Michaela. It's the food that's the real trouble for us.

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guitarnan
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Posted: Dec 11 2007 at 2:31pm | IP Logged Quote guitarnan

We had a "no Duplos in the car" rule after one too many Duplo disasters...this evolved to "no tiny toys in the car" and expanded to "DEFINITELY no crayons in the car."

Daycare boys' bottle-tossing led to the "no bottles or sippy cups in the car" rule.

We do have toys and food in the car, but I decide which food is OK. Dad decides which toys to ban.

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Maryan
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Posted: Dec 11 2007 at 2:51pm | IP Logged Quote Maryan

I do what Rachel does -- and echo Michaela's food troubles!

The only exception is for the baby who MAY have an object to entertain himself and for long car trips when I allow the other boys a leapster, leap pads, books.

To me, there's more fighting with toys - they each want what the other has, etc. so that's why we do it.

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aiereis
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Posted: Dec 11 2007 at 3:28pm | IP Logged Quote aiereis

My husband and I don't have a rule because my son has never even brought it up. I don't know what we will do yet if he ever wants to. My aunt has a no toys in the car rule because she has been in many car accidents and has learned that an innocent toy can become a dangerous projectile at high speeds.

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Barbara C.
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Posted: Dec 11 2007 at 4:05pm | IP Logged Quote Barbara C.

We don't usually allow toys in the car, either (exceptions include a long trip or a special stuffed animal for a doctor's visit).

We did buy each of the kids a small magnetic doodle pad to keep in the car. They were under ten dollars each. They are no mess, with no pieces to lose (since doodle pens are attached with cord), and are always easy to find in the vehicle. Even my younger daughter figured out how to clear the screen by about 20 months. It has been a real sanity saver at times.

Of course, they are usually both happy as long as we play their favorite Beatles albums continuously.

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dawn2006
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Posted: Dec 11 2007 at 5:42pm | IP Logged Quote dawn2006

Thanks everyone. The battles that would be solved by this rule are

1. no fighting over toys when ds#2 gets moved to the backseat with ds#1.
2. no lost toys and resulting upsets while driving
3. no requests for van searches at bedtime
4. less mess

I like the idea of magna doodles in the van. Thanks everyone.

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vmalott
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Posted: Dec 13 2007 at 4:18pm | IP Logged Quote vmalott


I have been thinking about this thread every time I have gotten into the van and have seen the various toy bags our 3 yo has brought with her and left behind. I need to think some more on implementing a rule. One good thing is, at least they're all in bags and not rolling around willy-nilly.

Valerie

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