5 Things You Should Stop Giving My Kids

It seems everywhere I go, people are showering my kids with stuff. Sometimes it’s well-meaning neighbors, other times it’s friends, doctors, or family members. I appreciate the kindness, really, but there are some items that are just best left out of my children’s hands. Here are five things you really need to reconsider before passing them along:

1. Stickers

Listen, I get it; stickers make kids happy. But have you thought about the aftermath? Those cute little Dora and Batman stickers inevitably end up on my minivan. They cling on like they’re auditioning for a reality show about stubborn stains. Not to mention the ones that sneak into the laundry, somehow becoming part of my daughter’s favorite shirt. Each sticker you give my child is basically a tiny disaster waiting to happen. So, please, for the love of my sanity, stop ruining my stuff.

2. Party Favors with Cheap Toys

Oh, the joy of goody bags filled with flimsy toys! I know you think it’s adorable, but let’s face it—your themed bags usually contain junk. Remember that one time your kid got a parachuting army man that wouldn’t deploy correctly? Or that plastic kazoo that pierced through the air like an air raid siren? Why perpetuate the cycle of cheap toys that no one wants? Stop it before we all start to hate birthday parties.

3. Cheetos

I have a soft spot for Cheetos, but when my kids get their hands on them, it’s like they’ve been finger painting with orange paint. Those little cheese dusted fingers leave their mark everywhere: on the upholstery, on the car, and even on my sanity. And if they dare lick their fingers? I might as well set up a cheese-scented shrine in my living room because everything will be coated in that impossible-to-clean residue.

4. Broken Toys

I can’t stand the moment when my child falls in love with a broken toy at a friend’s house and suddenly it’s “Oh, sweetie, you can have it!” No, thank you! I have enough of my own broken toys cluttering my home. It’s like a dreadful game of parental hot potato, where we keep passing around junk that should’ve been tossed ages ago. Let’s unite and just throw this stuff away!

5. Stuffed Animals

Stuffed animals are like rabbits—they multiply and take over every corner of my home! I know you’re just trying to declutter, but I really don’t need more of your unwanted plush toys. Some of them smell downright awful, and I don’t want to find out what sticky adventure your kids had with them. Please, spare me the trouble of finding a new home for your old stuffed animals. Just toss them, okay?

I doubt many parents will disagree with this list; in fact, they’ll probably add to it. If you happen to adore stickers or stuffed animals, feel free to reach out because I might have a little package for you.

For more parenting tips, check out our other blog posts, including helpful resources on home insemination. Sites like Progyny offer great insights on parenting, while Make a Mom has authoritative information on the best at-home insemination kits.

In summary, let’s work together to create a more manageable environment for our kids by stopping the cycle of junk that makes its way into our homes.