The following is a guest post by my 8-year old son, Salem Becker.
Due to a winter storm, yesterday was a snow day in Vermont. As a result, I found myself challenging my 8-year old boy to write his first blog post. This is what he wrote. And while it was written by a second-grader, I was proud to see some pretty mature minimalist principles emerge. I do hope you enjoy it…
Buying an 8-year old a toy can be tough. It can be a difficult choice for them because there is a lot of new stuff in the toy stores everyday. A kid’s mind changes a lot. We like something one month but something different another month. If you don’t give away toys you don’t need or want, you’ll end up with too many toys.
And having too many toys can be a little bit of a problem. Because…
- It takes too long to pick them up.
- You forget where some of them are.
- You might not have enough room to keep them all.
- If you have too many toys, you might not have space to play with them.
If you need help finding good toys, here are some things you might like…
- Don’t buy really cheap toys. Because they just might break right away like the things that I get with tickets at Pizza Putt. Those toys usually break right away.
- Don’t always buy small toys. Because it’s really easy to lose some.
- Only buy things you really want. Just because your friends have it doesn’t mean you really want it.
- Only buy things you are interested in. For example, if you are going to get a couple of cars, you should get the cars that interest you. If you don’t like tractors, then you shouldn’t get a tractor-car.
- Buy toys that you can play with other people. If you don’t like playing by yourself, get toys that you can play with other people. If you are an only child, you can always play with your parents.
- You should probably buy some video game that you would like. Because if you are by yourself, you can play it by yourself. And if you are having a play date with other people at your house, you can play it with them. But only play it for a certain time – not too much.
Having too many toys is a problem, isn’t it? I hope you find this helpful.
I hope as well that you found his view of the world to be both enjoyable and helpful. And I’m sure he would warmly welcome any comments you might have…
***
If you were really hoping to read something written by his dad, you can check out “What I Learned From 33 Articles of Clothing” posted last week on Organizing Your Way.
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Hi Salem!
Congratulations for your first post, it’s really interesting, specially point 2: I had never thought about that, but it’s a very good reason not to buy lots of small toys :)
I would like to ask you something: have you ever bought toys to share with your friends (this probably may apply manly to videogames)?
For example: you and your friend both want toys A and B, so you buy toy A and your friend buy toy B. You play with toy A then lend it to your friend to play with. Is it something that you would do? I remember having been a very possessive and jealous child, so I don’t know if it could have worked for me…
Keep writing and being minimalist :)
Paola
No, I have never done that. But I do share and trade stuff with my friends. – Salem
Salem is a smart kid.It is so awesome to hear someone so young who is already on such a great path. I know when I was his age I was already cleaning my sister’s room and telling her she needed to put things into piles that would be kept, donated or thrown away. It is really wonderful that you are instilling your beliefs in your child I think it would be much easier to transition to adulthood if children could take more responsibility for their things at a younger age. :)
Thanks. The teachers at school think I am a good writer too. – Salem
Hi Salem, really enjoyed reading your first blog post! I especially like your thoughts about buying toys that can be played with other people – I will keep this in mind next time I am toy shopping :)
I would be interested in hearing how you find living as a minimalist – do you find that you donate your toys when you are no longer interested in them? Or do you keep them just in case you might want to play with them again one day? I just finished clearing out my parents home here in London, and the attic was FULL of mine and my brothers old toys that we kept ‘just in case’, but obviously we never used them again! They are now happily sitting at the charity shop waiting for someone to give them a new home!
Looking forward to reading more of your posts!
Clare
I usually give them to my sister. – Salem
Thank you, Salem! You did a wonderful job. I am going to have my children read this post so they can have a better understanding on why too many toys are not always a good thing.
Great post, Salem.
I have a 5 year old with a couple of birthday parties to go to in the next couple of months. These tips will come in handy as we are buying the birthday gifts. Thanks!
I hope your 5 year old has fun at the birthday parties. – Salem
Cool post, Salem! Thanks for writing it. I’m going to have my two boys read it today and maybe even have their own writing project. We talk a lot about toys and games, but you had some really great tips to share.
Thanks. – Salem
What an interesting perspective! I hope to hear more thoughts from Salem. =)
Maybe. – Salem
What a well-put post! :)
Great to see you’re on the same page as your daddy. The tips you’ve posted were awesome. I especially like the one that says ‘buy toys that can be played with other people’!
Greetings from the Netherlands :)
Salem, thanks for a great post! I’m going to have my 8 year old read it too, because you definitely had some great words of wisdom! Hope you enjoyed the snow day too (we are here in Vermont just a few minutes from you)!
Dr. Laura
I had a fun snow day. I went sledding and played Nintendo Wii at my neighbor’s house. – Salem
What a great post. Thanks, Salem, for sharing your thoughts and views with us and thanks to your dad for having you as a guest. I just became a dad about four months ago and this is very helpful as I want to make sure my daughter has the right kinds and amount of toys, but most of all, the right attitude toward them. Cheers!
Congratulations. I hope your daughter has the right attitude toward toys too. – Salem
Great post, Salem! I would love to hear more from you about being a minimalist and how it has affected you growing up. I’m constantly worrying that when my tykes are your age, they will be ostracized because our family is not typical. I want them to embrace our lifestyle and be proud of it – much like you are! What a role model you are!
Salem,
I will try to do that too.
(Typed by my 8 year old after reading they read the post)
From the mouths of babes! Great post Salem! It is so wonderful to see such strong values in a younger generation. I think you have a future blogger on your hands!
Laura’s Last Post: Random Thursday: For all my fellow nerds
What a wonderful post, Salem! I saw this through Man vs. Debt, and thouroughly enjoyed visiting your site. I plan on sending it home for my husband to read to my 7-year-old this morning. We have this discussion frequently, and I know she will like to hear another kid’s opinion on the matter. Keep up the writing–you have a talent!
Yes I do. – Salem
Thank you Salem! Such wise words many kids need to hear – great job on your first blog post!
Is Pizza Putt a real place or a “please don’t sue us” pseudonym of a large chain pizza company? Just curious.
Pizza Putt is a real place! I smiled when I read this, as I used to live where the Beckers live, and this brought back *fond* memories.
Sounds cool! If I ever get to Vermont, maybe I can visit. : )
pizza putt is an indoor mini golf/pizza/arcade hang out! they also have laser tag and i think they added an indoor carnival ride! the golf is not so good anymore and could use a MAJOR update but when i was a kid, i LOVED it!!!
I love it too. – Salem
great post, salem.
we like to buy toys that work together to make something bigger — e.g., wooden blocks and wooden train set pieces when our sons were younger and legos now that they are older. then you have enough to play with all your friends plus make something really big and complex.
Great job! I really enjoyed your post! I will have my 7 year old daughter read this. I’m sure she will enjoy it too, since we have been learning how to sort out toys we don’t play with anymore and give them to other children who are in need of toys.
Dear Salem,
This very thoughtful post is going to generate a lot of response. While other children will understand what you are saying, it is the adults, like the moms and dads who will be thinking, “Why didn’t I think of that?”
Sometimes we think that cheap toys are better because we can get more of them, or sometimes we buy something we aren’t that interested in, like a tractor-car, instead of what we really want because we don’t want to wait to find the right thing, or save more money to afford it.
You have some really great ideas and I think by posting them on your Dad’s blog, you reminded all of us that children are smart and have so much to offer the world.
Thanks for working on a snow day,
Courtney
Well put, Salem!
We have 4 kids in our family, but I have a feeling you would have a great time playing with Laytham (9) and Tate (7). We have moved a lot, and each move has been either to or from the country of Jordan. Laytham and Tate have given up their toys over and over again. And once they lost most of their toys and books in a flood. I have noticed that it has made them appreciate the toys they were able to keep and most importantly, understand that toys aren’t what is most important. The last time we moved they sold many of their toys in order to buy new toys when they returned to America. However, we have been here for for almost 7 months and they still haven’t spent their money. Your blog will be an encouragement to them, because I think they are feeling the same way.
By the way, I am sure you know that your name means “peace” in Arabic, which is the language we speak to our friends in Jordan.
High five!
It is wonderful that you have taught your children to appreciate what they have, especially after tragedy such as a flood. I know that for a lot of people, it is tragedies like a flood or fire that makes them become hoarders! They can end up wanting to keep everything for fear that it will one day just disappear. I know this from experience. Great job!!
Awesome job!
You sound pretty mature for your age, and I’m sure your post will be an encouragement for other kids. Your dad has taught you well! Keep it up!
Salem,
GREAT POST. Like many others, I will have my daughters read this. It is great reading about toys from a child’s perspective, and you bring up many good points that many of us have never thought of.
I can’t wait to read your next post. smile
Hi Salem! I enjoyed what you wrote about having too many toys and many of the things that you mentioned were exactly the confirmation (I know big word!) that I needed to hear from a boy your age! Thank you and God bless you as you learn to most effectively live for God and share what he has given to you.
I love this post Salem. You did a great job!
Salem, your post is simply wonderful!! However you did it (we writers all need proofreaders and editors to help us), your work is certainly worth publishing — and I am a publisher! I really enjoyed it!
Great post, Salem! I think a lot of us adults could follow your guidelines for buying our own “toys” too!
Salem, Love your comment that said, “just because your friends have it doesn’t really mean you want it!” Awesome observation and consideration for whether or not to buy something! You are a very smart 8 yr old!!
Thank you for this guest post, Salem, it provides a lot of insights. I especially like “If you have too many toys, you might not have space to play with them.” This was a serious problem for me when I was eight, and continued to be a problem until a couple of years ago. It’s a very important thing to remember.
Tell your dad that I am still hoping he will write a book about being a good parent. If he doesn’t, I will just have to wait until you write it someday!
I’m glad to see that dad has taught you both good values and good writing skills. This is a very interesting and useful post.
And we know about winter storms here in North Texas. We’re in the middle of one now.
Gip
Fantastic article! So insightful! This is not only a helpful toy buying guide (which I definitely always need help with) but it can be applied to so many aspects of our lives – kids and adults. Great work! Start your own blog! I’ll be one of your biggest fans!
It’s tough for kid’s nowadays to embrace the minimalist way with all the stuff they have to choose from (wow, I feel so old, I’m 22 and I’m saying “kids nowadays).
:)
Salem, Thank you for your wonderful ideas. I am teaching my 5 year old these very lessons. Some of them I have to remind myself!!
Our goal for this week is to fill a few bins for donation. Then organize the rest!
I look forward to reading more from you.
Cheers,
Elena
I’m going to let my 7-year-old read this!
Salem,
Great ideas! Sounds like you are a wise kid! My grandson thinks a lot like you! He also finds he likes to just make up games and play with his 5 younger brothers and sisters!
Would love to hear more from you in the future!
Bernice
A break from our regularly scheduled programming…
Salem – Nice job! Great way to spend a snow day. Hopefully since you wrote your dad’s post, you got to spend more time with him during his day off and your snow day. Like you, I think it is important to only have the toys that you really are going to enjoy. Love your point about getting toys you can do with other people.
As I have traveled to different places in the world were kids have few toys, I have noticed that often the kids with fewer toys are the most happy. They tend to be more creative in playing with what they have, and don’t seem to mind not having the latest toy.
Keep up the great work!
Excellent blogging!
#3 is the best reason:
“Just because your friends have it doesn’t mean you really want it.”
Every kid should understand this.
I didn’t when I was a kid and ended up “copying” my friends sometimes and ended up with a bunch of junk I didn’t really like to play with.
(Grown ups ought to learn this rule too, but its even harder for them so its good you know this stuff early.) Good job!
Very impressed with your writing skills. I am going to read your thoughts to my sons who are 5 1/2 and 7 years old. I am working hard to get them to realize the truths that you seem to already know.
Lisa
This was a terrific post. I read it to my seven year old son. He has too many toys, not enough space to play with all of them, and not enough room to store everything. We have a room dedicated to mostly his stuff. We ended up donating half his toys (with his consent) to a wonderful organization that makes toys available to kids at Christmas time so that they get something. My son felt good about having less stuff to clean up, and I think he felt good about giving to kids that don’t have as much as he does.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to read your blog post to my son.
thanks salem,
It’s useful, great thinks, great ideas..
Thank you Salem! My five year old Kieran would also agreed with your wise and knowing advise. If all kids caught on so early, then we might be in a different space with adults having so much stuff.
Also a side note that it is incredible to see in my travels throughout the world what creativity kids have to make so toys out of so little. Most classic is a wheel on a string toy that goes round and round when they run, or using bottles or jugs to make toy cars or sleds. Very fun to see what you can do with so little!
Your kid must be one of the smartest eight year old’s in existence. Especially “just because your friend has something doesn’t mean you want it.” EXACTLY. I wish my fellow high school students would take that to heart.
Salem….this is just GREAT. You had a lot of good thoughts and comments. Just as we expected from a super grandson!! Keep up the good work, we hope to see you post again. All our love……………
I completely agree.In my de cluttering job I get to see thousands of rands woth of toys thrown away ( in my case I always make sure they get passed on to charity) as there is generally little or no value in them. But more sadly, there is no invested joy and love from the children into that toy. The idea is to create your own “toy Story” where in the end, when your children go to collage, they will have a few loved toys/memories that you can save for the next generation
Great post!!! I’m definitely sharing this with my 7-year-old. =D
Hi Salem,
Great post! I wonder, what would be your list of Top Ten Toys, if you had to choose?
http://minimalistmum.blogspot.com/2011/01/top-10-toys-for-minimalist-family.html
I wrote my list myself, but I bet my boy at least is old enough to think about his own choices.
Good job Salem!
Keep them post comming!
Greetings from the Netherlands,
Rik
that was a good post!u did a good job,i am 10 and i can not even write a post like that!
Good idea, Salem. I sometimes lose toys as well. Like you said, I have plastic toys and one of them broke. You are right. I should have less toys. YAYYEAH =D
-TRENT, 7 years old
wow salem. you write better than most adults i know who blog. well done you!
Salem,
I really enjoyed your post. You are a very insightful young man. I think you should start your own blog. I would definitely read it!
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