Isn't today Thursday? My opinion is we need more opinions

[swarley]

It's 1 of 2 threads I look forward to
This one is for you thiscoffeechick!

[jacks15]

Apr 13, 2017 10:40:08 GMT -5 @traceyos said:

Hash browns are the best thing on the chic fil a menu.

PS. The other stuff is delicious but these are the best and they should be served all day.

No. Too salty.

[Deleted]

But my Little Mermaid T-shirt is super adorbs you guys.

[girlmom]

Send all your character stuff my way, I can't get enough. Especially Frozen and Hello Kitty. (Said I would never, but I was wrong!)

[ashiscute]

Apr 13, 2017 10:13:43 GMT -5 @mamabear02 said:

I (with a few exceptions*) dislike character themed clothes and parties (and most items).

*I don't mind super heroes, tmnt, or star wars for some reason.

Most items? Like toys?

This is not something I can even make an effort to care about. My kid wants to wear it and it fits and is weather appropriate? Fine with me.

Signed the mom of a 4 year old who is wearing the same superman shirt for the 3rd straight day.

[catladymeow]

E has never seen Disney movies and the like and I don't buy her licensed apparel. At the park there was a Frozen themed bucket in the sandbox and to my horror she ran over to it and yelled ELSA (I have no idea how she knew the character's name). But I am also NAF of character clothes since I 100% choose her clothes. When she's old enough to care I'll let her decide (but I will grit my teeth about it).

[Deleted]

I bought my kid light up Ninja Turtle shoes because they are effing awesome.

The regrets, I do not haz them.

[EmMilAlly]

These unusually themed birthday parties I've been seeing lately are a little much. In the past few weeks I've seen stories on social media about personal injury attorney themed, Costco themed, and poop themed birthday parties for little kids. Maybe it's what the kid really wants but my guess is that the parents love being quirky and are hoping to go viral. If one of my boys ever requests a poop themed party that would be a HARD no. You get a birthday themed party.

I don't really have an opinion about character clothing because I assume it's for the kids to like, not the adults. I don't think many parents really think omg this Thomas the train shirt is so amazing!!!

[Deleted]

lawandorder it's so cute how obsessed Nick is with the green lights on them. He can't get enough and runs and prances around when he has them on in the cutest way. So worth it!!!

[kristhegirl]

I avoid buying character stuff because it's expensive. Elena doesn't know who anyone is except Daniel Tiger, anyway.

But she's totally getting a Daniel Tiger birthday party and I'm excited about it.

[lovemyirishtwins]

I swore no character stuff when I was pregnant with ds. Then I said fine but only undies and pjs. But when ds and dd1 started asking for things I gave up. If they can tell me what they want through actions or words than what is the problem. Now they have a way to express themselves.

We have nice clothes for church or such and everyday clothes.

Ds has Star Wars crocs.

[Deleted]

Apr 13, 2017 12:16:24 GMT -5 lawandorder said:

Apr 13, 2017 11:35:25 GMT -5 sharebear05 said:

98% of licensed merchandise, including clothes and toys, in our house were purchased by MIL. It is just so not my thing. My parents had a hardline on purchasing licensed apparel and toys for us growing up and I hated it. I wanted Disney stuff soooo bad. But in retrospect, maybe it wasn't so bad? Maybe it forced me to use more open ended toys? Maybe they just had a ton of kids and didn't want to have to buy new toys based on whatever character is popular that month? Non-character clothes are easier to pass down kid-kid, especially if there's an age gap? Unsure.

Someone ask me how I'm doing on this in another year or two when the kiddo is watching something other than Sesame Street and the Twenty Trucks YouTube channel. Maybe our whole house will be Disneyfied.

Wait, so Disney toys can't be open ended? 

Please advise.

I think it's more Disney stuff has a built-in story line, whereas a generic doll might be Belle, but might be someone else.  Now Belle might go meet Batman and have a hot fling, but she comes with a story.  I thought that was where sharebear05 was going.  

[amch8]

I literally could not care less about character vs. non-character items. If JR will play with it or wear it happily, I'm cool.

[kristhegirl]

If you can't park your big stupid truck in ONE SPACE, you should not drive a big stupid truck.

This extends to all vehicles, really, but I'm salty about school pickup right now.

[ashiscute]

Apr 13, 2017 15:32:38 GMT -5 sharebear05 said:

lawandorder @officedronette covered the preexisting story line thing.

But my opinions can be changed with data So throw some good data my way demonstrating that toys with licensed characters provide the same, or better, effects on child development as their unlicensed counterparts and I'll reconsider. I'd probably be interested in looking at figurines (dolls, plush, plastic, etc), puzzles (some of which are intrinsically closed toys already), and imaginative play sets (aforementioned tea set, dress up costumes, etc). Anyone want to Google Scholar for me? My cursory search just came up with papers related to marketing and advertising vs child development.

My problem with the preexisting storyline is that is an adult POV. And kids think differently and play differently than adults. A preschooler is not going to care that batman and belle exist in different worlds. They can do any number of adventures together! Just like a generic girl and boy doll could.

I also think it's helpful for kids who struggle with imaginative play. It gives them a starting point instead of blank slate. Some kids do not do well with that blank slate.

[mrsbeachcat]

I love that Bill loves his Dodger cap and that he gets excited when he sees other people wearing Dodger gear.

To me, a cartoon character isn't that much different from a sports team, so I guess I'm team, wear whatever you want.

Still never going to wear one of those BeBe shirts though...

[Deleted]

I find licensed stuff bothersome from a design/aesthetic point of view, not a developmental one. I just think most of it is uglier than a well-designed non-licensed toy and I'd rather look at the non-licensed stuff.

There are exceptions to my general rule - I want to buy every overpriced item in Hanna's Winnie-the-Pooh collection. And like others, my kid's delight often outweighs my own aesthetic preferences.

[lonegalathome]

I'm in the kids Dress themselves and I do not care what they wear. I even gave up church clothes. I want church to be a place they want to go and not have an immediate negative reaction because they are in uncomfortable clothes they hate (I still dress up).

Ds2 wears his Michigan pants and shirt at least 4 days a week for months. And ds1 minion shirt is worn whenever it is washed. And since most clothes were hand me downs beggars can't be choosers. They do have superhero clothes though and they never wear them and have never been in to superheroes.

And currently licensed and unlicensed toys are being used to be supports for a bridge of a Thomas train track that is apparently filled with robbers who have to save the gold.

Yesterday ds2 was building with blocks and when I asked what he was building I got "the leaning tower of Pisa" as my answer.....

[ashiscute]

Since we're talking characters and Disney I'm going to say I didn't like the new Beauty and the Beast movie. I didn't like Emma Watson as Belle at all and didn't feel like any of the things added really added to the story. And I hated the ending. The guy who played Gaston was great. Other than that i just kind of wished I was watching the animated version.

[Deleted]

Apr 13, 2017 15:16:22 GMT -5 kristhegirl said:

If you can't park your big stupid truck in ONE SPACE, you should not drive a big stupid truck.

This extends to all vehicles, really, but I'm salty about school pickup right now.

I encounter this so much and feel instant rage.

[catladymeow]

My main objection to licensed stuff is that I'm a hippie socialist and don't want to give Disney et al my money. But I buy mostly secondhand clothes so I guess that's not a very good reason.

Basically I'm a curmudgeon.

[beepers]

Apr 13, 2017 15:16:22 GMT -5 kristhegirl said:

If you can't park your big stupid truck in ONE SPACE, you should not drive a big stupid truck.

This extends to all vehicles, really, but I'm salty about school pickup right now.

Agreed but in places like Tx they make the parking spaces big enough to fit the trucks. Not so much in GA.

[beepers]

Apr 13, 2017 17:14:57 GMT -5 sharebear05 said:

Apr 13, 2017 17:13:15 GMT -5 @mamabear02 said:

At least he has good taste 😀

Nope nope nope. Big nope to approving Michigan gear

I see you too lovemyirishtwins

[wineandcake]

Apr 13, 2017 18:15:15 GMT -5 beepers said:

Apr 13, 2017 15:16:22 GMT -5 kristhegirl said:

If you can't park your big stupid truck in ONE SPACE, you should not drive a big stupid truck.

This extends to all vehicles, really, but I'm salty about school pickup right now.

Agreed but in places like Tx they make the parking spaces big enough to fit the trucks. Not so much in GA.

Spots are regular size up here, but I think I'm pretty skilled at parking our giant truck. The back up camera has really helped improve my parking abilities in that thing. Majority of my town drives giant trucks, fortunately for the most part they are good at parking. It's the people in tiny cars that seem to be the worst.

[wineandcake]

My kid only likes to get dressed if he's wearing a ninja turtle or Paw Patrol shirt. I just go with it now. Hunter is starting to follow his lead and wants to wear the same things. They're dressed, that's what matters to me.

[lovemyirishtwins]

sharebear05 but how do you feel about toddlers in a frozen bike with a princess helmet?

www.amazon.com/photos/share/XyziDJFUjvoxGTCYSPktXFAhgaA3zgqvRraUyZFw0Rr

[italianmommy]

Apr 13, 2017 17:10:53 GMT -5 ashiscute said:

Since we're talking characters and Disney I'm going to say I didn't like the new Beauty and the Beast movie. I didn't like Emma Watson as Belle at all and didn't feel like any of the things added really added to the story. And I hated the ending. The guy who played Gaston was great. Other than that i just kind of wished I was watching the animated version.

I agree on many things here! I thought all the men did a terrific job (beast, gaston, lafou). Belle was totally underwhelming in my opinion. I don't feel like Emma really brought her to life. However, I did really enjoy the movie as a whole!

[lovemyirishtwins]

Apr 13, 2017 19:54:47 GMT -5 italianmommy said:

Apr 13, 2017 17:10:53 GMT -5 ashiscute said:

Since we're talking characters and Disney I'm going to say I didn't like the new Beauty and the Beast movie. I didn't like Emma Watson as Belle at all and didn't feel like any of the things added really added to the story. And I hated the ending. The guy who played Gaston was great. Other than that i just kind of wished I was watching the animated version.

I agree on many things here! I thought all the men did a terrific job (beast, gaston, lafou). Belle was totally underwhelming in my opinion. I don't feel like Emma really brought her to life. However, I did really enjoy the movie as a whole!

I mainly missed Angela Lansbury. No one else can do Mrs Potts like her.

[italianmommy]

@lovemyirishtwins agree! Angela is an OG and I worship her.

[wells2010]

I don't mind licensed toys and apparel. I don't like the Walmart- type cheap shirts that are overpriced. MIL loves buying these outfits for DD1. P has always loved wearing clothes with her favorite characters. She also was given just about every Disney princess dress. She has played with them almost daily since her third birthday. She doesn't know who the dresses all belong too, but just wants to pretend to be a princess. She has licensed toys, but plays with them all together. Her imagination is wild. She told me the other day that her Ariel doll is her pretend mom.

For shoes I try to get ones that are more practical and of higher quality.

Hailey likes Mickey and the gang, but definitely doesn't care what she wears. Sometimes it's hard to get your kids dressed when their older and the characters help them to get excited for getting dressed.