I promised I wouldn’t get political on my next blog, and I intend to keep that promise. Although, it is becoming increasingly difficult not to vent. I wish I could fast forward to after the election….or move. Anywho….
I promised my daughter I’d write about buying her toys. So, here is a little psychology lesson for you parents out there:
Children want new toys….this shouldn’t be a shocking statement. Children do have a novelty preference, although we typically discuss this with infants, it holds true with older kids to an extent. A novelty preference is when kids prefer something new, over something they are overly familiar with. This is based on the ideas of habituation and dishabituation. Habituation refers to increased awareness or response to something new as opposed to something familiar. Dishabituation refers to a decreased response to something the more familiar we become with it. In short, we tend to get excited by new things, and ignore the things we are used to. Ring any bells neglectful adults? 
The novelty preference and ideas of habituation and dishabituation explain in some regard the travesty that is every trip to Wal-Mart with my children. Zoey believes that she needs a new toy everytime we go to the store. Ironically, there are boxes of neglected toys at the house, collecting dust, sad….lonely. I tried to explain that to Zoey. She understood she had old toys….and explained subtely the difference between old toys and new ones. It went something like this:
“Daddy, those toys are old and not for big kids. New toys are for big kids.”
I’m a big kid. Can I have an IPAD2?
I know my wife and I spoil the girls, buy them toys they don’t need, and give in a little too much….especially at Wal-Mart. I can’t help it….even when they are throwing tantrums (which seems to be frequently) they are adorable….and I fold like a lawn chair. I know that kids have a novelty preference, and new things are great….but I also know there is comfort in the familiar. Certain things can’t be replaced….like daddies.
