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Rant - Coin-operated toys
I went to Crabtree today to get out of the house. Of course, a trip to the mall must include a trip to the coin-operated play area. I have stood firm in my refusal to plunk in coins into the little cars and space ships. I vividly remember my own parents who also refused to "make the cars move" as my daughter says and I turned out fine. And she still has fun climbing in and out.
And I think I'm part of the majority - because the vast number of kids were playing on cars that were not in motion.
But there is always one person who goes up to the change machine with a $5 bill and lets their kid go. And then my own daughter - and all the other kids - start whining, wondering why their cars can't go too.
Am I the only one here?
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My mother also always passed by the little coin operated rides. But I still remember longing to ride them and not understanding why I couldn't. I remember the disappointed, and sad longing. Silly, but true. What about when the teen parents give their kids $100 to blow at the NC state fair at rides each year? What then? Same idea. The decisions are the same?? Values of money and value of activities. What is worth, what. Everyone makes a different decision based on their values of what's important. I treated my kids to coin rides occasionally, but not often, and only if it were my idea that it would be a fun thing to do. Never because of the comparison to other kids, or kids whining.
I never get change for the rides, just out of principle.
Because if I do it once, they would always expect it. The whiney un-happiness that would result from all the subsequent show-downs after that, would far exceed the momentary happiness that they might experience from the ride itself.
Better off not going there.