Santa WWYD - intentionally damaging toys

[kaitlyns.mom]

I am so frustrated with DD (she'll be 4 in a few days). A few days ago she got a pair of dress-up Tinkerbell slippers for her birthday from a friend at school. Within two hours of having them home she had pulled off all of the sparkly threads on the pom-poms and spread it all over her room. Today she brought her brand-new Rapunzel Barbie (also a birthday gift) over. She had chewed on the hand until it was mangled! I am so mad that she does not know how to take care of her things. Right now I want to take away EVERYTHING. And what do I do when Christmas and her birthday are both this week? She asked Santa for more Disney princess Barbies and Santa was supposed to bring her some but now I am thinking they will have to go back. I do not want to throw money away on things she will just destroy. Am I being totally unrealistic here? Should I get a version of some princess dolls she can't destroy as easily and put away the Barbie types for in a few years?

[hillview]

At that age I don't think they get it. I would limit play time so that it is only played with while you can watch her. I would give her toys that she cannot easily damage at that age.

[Katigre]

It sounds to me like she would benefit from more sensory play - that is what her destruction is, sensory input, and if you give it to her in productive ways (both planned opportunities as well as access to materials) then she is less likely to take that need out on her toys.

[kaitlyns.mom]

It sounds to me like she would benefit from more sensory play - that is what her destruction is, sensory input, and if you give it to her in productive ways (both planned opportunities as well as access to materials) then she is less likely to take that need out on her toys.

This is interesting... do you have any recommendations for more reading or ideas? :)

[teresah00]

sounds like she may not be ready to play w/those types of toys alone. ditto the sensory needs, but no suggestions. I wouldn't necessarily punish for the destruction, but remove the things that need close supervision until she's older. I think they sell Disney princess baby dolls, more like a regular doll size but not something that would be destroyed as easily. I would worry about her biting a piece off or playing w/the small accessories to Barbies if she's wanting to chew on things. DD got her first barbie at 5, but didn't really start playing w/them much til now (6). I think the fine motor for dressing is hard at that age.

[Katigre]

This is interesting... do you have any recommendations for more reading or ideas? :)
Here's a great list to get you started. http://mommypoppins.com/ny-kids/99-sensory-activities-for-any-child/

All kids do well with sensory play tailored to their specific needs and it is NOT necessarily indicative of special needs or serious issues. Just part of parenting children (especially younger ones who are not as skilled at self-analysis/self-regulation).

Ex. My daughter really loved playing with liquids. She would often dump out glasses on the table and splash the puddles, making a huge and frustrating mess for me (multiple times per day!). I finally learned through trial and error that if I gave her a bath first thing in the morning and let her dump/pour/splash water in the tub for 30 minutes, she wouldn't make a big mess with liquids the rest of the day.

The dumping out on the table and sticking her hands in full glasses of water and milk was an immature way of getting what she needed - more sensory input. Once I provided that in a positive way (bath time) she stopped being 'destructive' with food items :).

[brittone2]

It sounds to me like she would benefit from more sensory play - that is what her destruction is, sensory input, and if you give it to her in productive ways (both planned opportunities as well as access to materials) then she is less likely to take that need out on her toys.
Exactly what came to my mind as well.

[kaitlyns.mom]

Here's a great list to get you started. http://mommypoppins.com/ny-kids/99-sensory-activities-for-any-child/


This is so cool - thank you!! About to do some wheelbarrow walking. :D