I know. Toys would be boring to an adult. It’s not designed for us, duh.
But, we have to interact with them (and I don’t mean ‘disappearing’ that obnoxious noisy toy your well-meaning parents gave to your child). When I sit down to play with my toddler, I find myself wishing his toys could speak (yeah I may have watched Toy Story a few days ago), because gee whiz, after 5 minutes, I’m wondering why HE isn’t bored with them.
Which makes me a really bad play mate. I find my attention wandering, eyes glazing over, while my mind frantically works out a blog post to write about boring toys.
And all this time, my mouth is saying meaningless things like, wow, look at that amazing thing you built with your wooden blocks. Or, yes, let’s push your Caterpillar truck up and down the corridor for the next 20 minutes while Mama’s mind numbs over.
Completely unrelated, I find myself watching Blue’s Clues long after the toddler has lost interest (he’s over there playing with blocks, again).
And I wonder why of all the characters in Blue’s Clues, why is Blue the only one who doesn’t speak? (OK, Magenta, the other dog character doesn’t either but she doesn’t appear much). If Periwinkle the Cat can, why not Blue? If the side table can, why not Blue? If the postbox can, why not Blue? Heck, the salt and pepper shakers can (Mr Salt and Mrs Pepper to you!), why not Blue?
WHY ON EARTH DO I THINK SO MUCH ABOUT THIS DAMN SHOW??
Do toys bore you? What children’s show do you secretly watch?
I realize it’s not Saturday yet (which is when Kimberly’s linky opens), far from it for some of you. But whatevs. I love Kimberly, I want to link up, but I don’t blog on weekends, so there.
Latest posts by Alison (see all)
- The Easy Way Out - June 19, 2013
- Over It and Loving It - June 17, 2013
- My Motherhood Report Card - June 12, 2013
Hi, I'm Alison. I write. I mother. I make wishes. I keep memories. Founder of Little Love Media, social media consultancy. I get by on copious amounts of chocolate, cupcakes, coffee, blogging & social media.
Oh but Blue can talk in Blue’s Room…which is way more obnoxious than the real show. I hate Blue’s Room…but at least Joe isn’t there.
Kadie recently wrote…Perspective: A Guest Post
I’ve never watched Blue’s Room and I don’t think I want to!
Yup. Playing with toys bore me too. Thankfully I’m normally nursing a newborn, so I have that excuse (BAD MOTHER ALERT!).
But when I’m not holding the newborn and the toddler asks me to play with his “hairplane” or the “helidoctor”, I try to remove my mind from all the Tweets or blog posts it is thinking up and really focus on him. Because we get SO little one-on-one time these days.
Still? Boring.
Laura recently wrote…The Love of a Mother
I try and do that too. But his toys are so mind numbingly boring, it’s hard to stay focused!!
Ahhhh… your reply made me feel guilty because it reminded me that I’ve been ignoring the toddler all morning. The newborn has gas pain and has been screaming all morning, I woke up with a sore throat, and now that the newborn is sleeping, I just want to check out.
Laura recently wrote…The Love of a Mother
Oh I didn’t plan to induce guilt my friend!
Checking out once in a while is okay, really. We are only human.
I secretly watch The Wizards of Waverly Place on Disney. My kids aren’t even old enough to watch this show. It comes on after their cartoons sometimes and after awhile I realize I’ve sat and watched THE WHOLE THING. It sucks you in, man. I don’t know. Selena Gomez is a force. Or something. Okay, confession done.
Sarah Reinhart recently wrote…wacko mamarazzi at the redbox, that’s me
Haha! Thanks for the confession, it makes me feel better
I find my child’s toys mind-numbingly boring. I’d much rather “engage” with her outside of the house somewhere – even if it’s just an outing to Target. I’m just not very good at this whole playmate thing.
And I’m strangely addicted to Lil’ Bit’s new obsession, Thomas the Train. I also want to keep watching long after she’s lost interest. And I find one of the engines to be very attractive, although I can’t for the life of me figure out which one it is. Hiro? Henry? James?
Kristin recently wrote…Friday Tapas: The Sleep-Deprived Edition
Oh yes, it’s way more fun going outside, for sure. Unfortunately, living in an apartment and a newborn stuck at my boob, it’s hard to do. So toys it is.
And your attraction to a train? HAHAHAHAHA!!!
I have watched Scooby Doo after my son has fallen asleep. Even though I know how its going to work out because obviously they’ll catch the bad guy and they’ll say “If it wasn’t for you meddling kids!”
I’m hoping Barbies are as fun as when I remembered them. I still have a few years, but I’m hoping because I’m not a fan of the bakugans and beyblades.
Marta recently wrote…I Try.
Oh bakugans and beyblades – HELP.
lol. This made me laugh. We watched a LOT of TV when Annah came home, so I, too, found myself thinking a bit too deeply about all the shows on Nick Jr. It’s funny to think back on that time, but that was my reality for almost three months. lol.
Jessica recently wrote…How to Be Present With Your Children at Indoor Play Spaces
With a newborn at the boob all the time, being stuck indoors with the TV on is the reality!
After basically 9 years of playing with boy toys like hot wheels, and blocks, and action figures and those damn legos…I can say without a shadow of a doubt the kids toys have me bored to tears! It doesn’t help when they start telling you that you are not playing with them the right way. “Mommy, that’s a truck sound, NOT a car sound” Seriously?
Hopes recently wrote…One Moment at a Time
Hahahaha!! Why does that not surprise me?
I am not the best play mate at all. My mind wanders off a lot. I love taking my daughter out, to the zoo, playground, library, anywhere or reading to her but playing isn’t my thing either!
I so wish I could go out more, but we’re kinda stuck at home now!
I have never enjoyed actually getting down on the floor and playing with my kids. And I have very little interest in board games.
Glad I got that off my chest!
Just Jennifer recently wrote…Happy Birthday, Mom!
Hah! Glad you did too!
Yes, toys bore me too. I don’t really watch kids’ shows… I turn them on for my girls and then I go blog.
I’m so happy that they are getting to the age now where they can play with each other (4 and 2) and keep each other entertained for more than 5 minutes. It’s lovely. 
Bonnie Way recently wrote…Notes from Write! Vancouver
I can’t wait for that time!
The only toy I can stand to play with are legos. I dont know why but I love them. Must be my childhood or something. My favorite show the boys watch are the Backyardigans. I dont know why but I could watch it with or without them.
Clearly Im losing my mind.
Jessica recently wrote…From The Mouth Of B
I’ve never watched Backyardigans – sounds like it might be worth the time
I find myself analyzing those damn shows long after the kids have lost interest. What’s wrong with us?
We had Blue’s Clues on this morning. I couldn’t understand why a grown man would want a job talking to a cartoon side table all day.
Kimberly recently wrote…I Just Want To Breathe
*SNORT*
I hope he gets paid A LOT.
damian has i dont know how many hot wheels (100+?) and he play with them by parking them in a neat row and then telling me “this is damian car and this is damian car” and i must have a fab answer or he says “mommy you forgot to listen, now we got to start from the beginning” and OMG do not make the mistake of pushing one out of line accidentally as you stand up, he’ll flip on you in a second.
as for kids shows the Bubble Guppies and team umizoomi, not sure how i get caught up in them but i do. i’m just glad it’s not Barney. and the Fresh Beat Band! way afer natasha has walked away i’m still watching it though i can’t stand 3 of the 4 main characters…
vanita recently wrote…How Clogged Ears and Boogers Can Change Your Life
Hahaha the Hot Wheels line up cracked me up!
Then u will love this. Yesterday I figured I’d mix thing up a bit and ask him what colors the cars were. OMbloodyG now he’s all “this is Damian’s blue car and this is Damian’s red car” and when he says the wrong color I correct him. So I made the mistake of pointing out the car he was wrong about and accidentally touched and he held his head and “OMbloodyG mommy don’t touch it!” I wonder where he gets IT from
vanita recently wrote…How Clogged Ears and Boogers Can Change Your Life
Hahahahaha!! Precious Damian.
Turn off the Blues Clues now!! I’m the same way, but with the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. Why can Goofy speak but not Pluto. Are they not both dogs?
Hah! I’ve wondered that too! Also, Goofy wears clothes and not Pluto.
Oh this cracks me up! To be honest my kids never really got into Blues Clues. We have seen it a few time and . . . well all I can say is that I understand why your mind is looking for some kind of stimulation because that show is mind numbing!
My husband and I have discussed the names of the salt and pepper. For whatever reason to us, it makes more sense to have Mr. Pepper and Mrs. Salt, rather than the opposite.
My kids are more into movies. Toy Story is a BIG one around here. I have to admit that Toy Story 3 makes me cry . . . I’m such a sap!
Erin recently wrote…Our Story Part 2 . . . The letter
It’s nice to know I’m not the only one who thinks about children show characters
Well we don’t have blues clues, we have a clown called Bumba (horrible yellow bastard). “Unfortunately” the hour of Bumba’s on screen appereance has been shifted towards 3 pm, when both kids are at school or at daycare. So no more Bumba. “Fortunately” there are still the Bumba puzzles, books, etc.
Bumba sounds annoying!
Oh yeah. I was a terrible playmate. I say ‘was’ because now that my children are older (11, 9, almost 7) they don’t bother asking anymore b/c they know mommy kinda sucks at playing. And I had guilt about that for a long time until I read an opinion piece in Brain Child Magazine about parents who choose not to and I was like “THANK THE LORD, I DON’T HAVE TO PLAY WITH THEM TO BE A GOOD MOM?” So I focused on teaching them to play and then extracting myself because good grief blocks are a snooze. (I secretly loved sesame street – the whole freaking hour of it. Now I surreptitiously watch Word Girl and Electric Co on PBS).
Jessica recently wrote…Of Crunchy Hair…
Oh thank you, I don’t feel so bad now that I suck at playing!!
Mickey Mouse Clubhouse songs HAUNT me. I’m always singing along and I know my toddler must think its one of mama’s shows.
Haha I have show songs in my head too!
I haven’t watched Blue’s Clues in about 8 years, but I bet I can still imitate, pitch perfectly, some of the characters. It’s my only talent and yes, I’m bragging about it.
Please still be my friend.
elizabeth-flourishinprogress recently wrote…Monday Dare: How much do new teeth cost?
I will still be your friend.
But aren’t you supposed to be in Europe torturing Europeans and not reading blogs?
I haven’t been able to visit blogs much lately because I’m such a hot mess who doesn’t know how to schedule efficiently so I promised myself that while on vacay, I would spend some time reading my fave blogs. OBVIOUSLY, I had to come see you here and admire the baby pics and see how you’re doing in general.
elizabeth-flourishinprogress recently wrote…Monday Dare: How much do new teeth cost?
You chose me over Europe??
(Ok you didn’t really, but let me think you did)
I can’t stand playing with toys! Thank goodness I had two girls, close in age, that love the same things and can keep each other entertained. I can’t make it for one minute let alone five!
As for kids tv shows, I love The Backyardigans. My husband and I even have their songs on our own iPods. They are catchy tunes and those characters can dance their bums off!
Kristen recently wrote…Proud Mommy Moments
Second person to say she loves the Backyardigans!
I have to admit there are some of my kids toys that I like to play with.
Corey Feldman recently wrote…Follow Friday # 6 Jessica McFadden
The only toy I like to play with is the iPad
I can’t hear the song to Baby Einstein without feeling nauseous because my daughter watched when I was pregnant with my son, and my son and daughter watched it when I was pregnant with my third.
At the risk of making a huge over-generalization, I think men are better at “playing” than women are.
Lady Jennie recently wrote…World Moms Blog – We Do What We Can
You may be right!
Toys bore me. Motherhood is exhausting and boring at the same time.
Also- if Blue could talk then he would never have to leave “clues” – he would just tell everyone stuff. They painted themselves into a corner with that one.
Jenni Chiu recently wrote…The altered friendship. Also, weirdos are my muse.
That is true!! And yes, motherhood is exhausting and boring. Most of the time
My daughter’s favorite thin gto play when she was small was ‘Mommy Mountain”. I had to lie on the floor and her toys would walk all over me. It sounds fine except that I had to change things up, be a volcano, make a rock slide. I hated it!
Jaime recently wrote…Fancy Dinners
Haha, what a good mom you are!
You can tell clearly I’m not a mother because the idea of playing with toys for hours totally appeals to me. But then I’ll have kids one day and I know I’m going to write the very same blog post :p
I have no idea with Blues Clues. I got stuck watching a kids’s TV show and I’m convinced the writers are on acid. There was a party in my tummy song and the kids were mesmerized by it. It kind of freaked me out a little bit but I still haven’t been able to get the song out of my head.
Charlotte recently wrote…Giverny by way of the New York Botanical Garden
You should watch “In The Night Garden” because I swear, the writers were on some hallucinogen!
Bwaahaahaa!!! Alison, you crack me up! We watched Blue’s Clues all the time when the kids were little. I had every song memorized. Now they’re into SpongeBob, and iCarly and Victorious…and I must admit, I kind of like those shows
Runnermom-jen recently wrote…How They’ve Grown…
I want to stab myself in the eye sometimes, with Blue’s Clues.
Love that you linked up with this.
Toys bore me to death. And the only reason I can watch certain shows is that I psychoanalyze the characters.
That’s the fun part, isn’t it?
I’m thinking you need more sleep….
Jessica recently wrote…Sunshine Is Good For The Soul
I agree!
Too funny, I was just saying to my husband why doesn’t Blue talk?
Have you ever seen Caillou? My question is, when doesn’t he whine? Or at least sound like it…
Carolyn recently wrote…Eating Right {+Detox Giveaway}
I haven’t watched Calilou and I don’t think I want to!
I only buy toys that I’m interested in playing with and introduce Lucas to shows I enjoy watching. No Blue’s Clues here, but I love me some Backyardigans.
Tonya recently wrote…Vacation Highlights
You’re a smart one!
See, all this time I did think Blue spoke…clearly I was zoning out more than I realized. You’re a good mommy!
Hah! I try, I really do.
This makes me laugh. I just said, “I don’t want to play magnetic Barbie.” Gia cries when the Lego towers fall and they always do so those are only fun for about 5 minutes. Gia’s not into Blue’s Clues. She likes Dora, Mickey’s Clubhouse and Bubble Guppies which is the one I end up watching. That and Strawberry Shortcake.
My son used to watch Calliou many, many years ago which I finaly banned because of all the whining. It drove me crazy that he was a toddler that was bald but his sister was younger and had hair.
AnnMarie recently wrote…Summer is Here and Some Changes
OK I haven’t watched Calilou and I’ll be sure never to introduce it to the toddler because I can only stand so much whining in my own home, never mind on a TV show!
I wanna know where Max & Ruby’s parents are! :-/
Y’know, I bet many people do too!
I am the most unfun person in Eddie’s life. I am sure of it. Ok that is not true. I am super fun. Because I get so GD bored with his toys that I start acting like a child and doing things I know I don’t want him to do. Throwing them, for instance.
It’s a problem.
My nephew used to tell on my to Grandma when I would start doing this. Now eddie just says, “mom, i thought we didn’t throw toys?”
To which I say, “how about we go play outside!”
Katie recently wrote…falling down
Haha! Good one. We live in an apartment (27th floor, dude), so going outside is not an easy or quick option, unfortunately. Especially with the newborn WHO HATES ALL SLINGS OHMYGOD.
Ha!
Have you seen Canadian kids shows? Try Caillou, and Max and Ruby, and Bob the Builder, and oh, what’s that one? The one with the red headed lying girl.
Oh my gosh..
there are some good ones.
Watch. We’ll chat.
xo
Alexandra recently wrote…#YOLO Is The New "Seemed Like A Good Idea"
I have a feeling maybe I should NOT watch them…….. but you won’t lead me astray, would you?
Haha this is SO true! I think every mom goes through this. And yes, I watch my son’s shows sometimes too. Veggie Tales, The Backyardigans and more lol. Visiting from SITS have a wonderful Saturday!
Kathryn recently wrote…Garlic-Parmesan Monkey Breads
It’s inevitable isn’t it, us watching kids shows?
Thanks for visiting!
I haven’t watched Blues Clues yet – he’s only one. I do LOVE Rango though – it’s the only tv/movie he’ll kind of pay attention to, but I’m totally hooked. I have no idea why. The playing with the toys – luckily his attention span is so very, very short we only play with each thing long enough to pull it off the shelf. And then we move on. Cleaning is a nightmare, but I’m not bored. Yet.
Amy recently wrote…Coocooroo
Oh yes, when they’re one and their attention span is so short, it’s not as dull. But when they’re older and fixated on something (also likes things on repeat!), it can take a lot more patience, good luck!
LOL, oh i remember Bear in the Big Blue House … and he had some moves and my husband would copy them – all sexy like
By Word of Mouth Musings recently wrote…Blogging, do I have the answers?
Haha! I can just imagine (well, not really)
That’s a really good point about Blues Clues! When you’re forced to watch those shows so often, they do stick in your head for sure. I really like this post and it’s good to know I’m not the only one who feels this way. I hate playing with toys most of the time and always feel guilty about it. Glad to know I’m not alone
Anna recently wrote…It’s Not You (Preschool), It’s Me
Too much guilt already! From the comments, it appears it’s pretty normal to be bored by toys, no surprises there.
You might be losin’ it, Alison.
Jen Has A Pen recently wrote…The Drop
You might be right, Jen.
—HaaHaaa,
Mama A, when my kids were small, I loved watching Saved by the Bell w/ them, but ‘Even Steven’ was my all time favorite.
Xxx You crack me up.
My Inner Chick recently wrote…Poetry, Jimmy Choos, & False Eyelashes
Heh, glad to have brought a smile to your face, my friend!
Don’t forget baby paprika. And there is alight at the end of the tunnel: LEGO!
Hee! Fabulous confession, you. And really – why blue?!
Galit Breen recently wrote…Stretch
Right?? Why, Blue, why?
Ha ha, I’m right there with you on the whole “toys bore me thing.” I think it’s a phase we moms go through after the initial first-born baby and all the excitement of all the fab resources we can get and use for them. Then: blah.
We just had first day of summer yesterday and Fi has already uttered the first “I’m bored” of summer. Surrounded by toys…but mostly the mom is the best toy and the mom right now wants to sit her a** on el couch and drink coffee and read Alison’s blog. (-:
Ado recently wrote…I Thought She Was Depressed
Hah! Sorry Fiona!!
I would honestly love to take the Monkey out more to parks etc – unfortunately we have a lack of nice places to go out to here. Plus I have the newborn to wrangle WHO DOES NOT LIKE SLINGS. Sigh.
That’s so funny – about continuing to watch the show after the kids have moved on to something else – I’ve totally done that. And had similar questions. Mine are for Max&Ruby which might be one of the worst cartoons ever right after Thomas the Train. Like where are their parents and why is Max so hideous? And can Ruby ever make it to the bus stop?
I’m with you on the toys, too.
heidi recently wrote…uptight
Ok note to self: DO NOT WATCH MAX & RUBY.
Dude, after Yo Gabba Gabba, shows like that have been prohibited from this household.
We now watch things that I…ahem…the child likes.
Like the Flintstones and Tom and Jerry…you know, the classics.
And I’m not a good playmate either. I can do outdoor things like swings and hide and go seek (sometimes) but actual toys…nope. I suck at Legos.
Kimberly recently wrote…Secret Mommy-hood Confession Saturday
We have Tom & Jerry here too!
Playing outside is definitely more my thing too. Because you know, Mama gets to play too.
Toddler toys DEFINITELY bugged me. I will say – I am having fun with some of Lanagan’s new ‘bigger’ kid stuff. I love Lego’s and am so awesome at building stuff, I can’t even take it. Kidding. I totally get it!
Elena recently wrote…35.
Dude, we haven’t busted out the Legos yet!! I am fearing stepping on them. Eek.
Yep, toys totally bore me. But so does Blues Clues.
Natalie recently wrote…A Carousel Ride
I’m oddly fascinated by Blue’s Clues, don’t even ask why
Haha! I never realized how ridiculous it was that side table could talk & not Blue!
I found myself getting drawn into the storylines of Little Bear
Asianmommy recently wrote…Free Entrance Day at the National Parks on June 9
I know, right?? I really should think about more important things though – like what I should eat for dinner
Oh my goodness. “Play time” is SO boring to me. I’m so glad that A) my kids will play independently (that’s so much better than saying “by themselves”, right?) and B) with each other!
Greta recently wrote…Project 365: Week 23
I cannot wait until my small dude is old enough to play with the big dude!!
I get asked to play HotWheels about 60 times a day…okay, maybe just 40. Yes, I am bored playing HotWheels…I have actually dozed off mid “Vrrroooom”…but he loves it….so I play. *sigh*
Jill recently wrote…Secret Mommyhood Confession
The sacrifices we make