Written by the teacher -family Counselor Tatiana Tsaramiadou Director of Paidiko Panepisthmio and ‘’FAMILY’’ centres.
Peter came to school today and brought a toy from home.It was a brand new colorful toy that it challenged you to look at it.
‘’I don’t know what to do anymore! He does not pick up his toys and he does not play with them . (Says Peters mom). He has a room full of toys! Imagine that most of his toys are still new in their boxes ! Expensive nice toys that no one plays with them! Peter is not the only child who is ‘’bored’’ with what he has!
Today , most children suffer from the ‘’ oversupply syndrome’’ that cause side effects , such as discouragement , limited thinking and imagination , satiety , resignation and very often depression. These kids grow up with the wrong feeling ‘’I will always have in life anything I want’’. These kids are not fighting , neither claim , nor win rightfully what they desire. Some adults take control , think and act before them and choose instead! Peters mom is at a dead end! She pleases the grandparents and the godmother NOT to buy ANYMORE anything , but they don’t listen to her . We suggested to her ‘’Pick up all the toys from the children room when he’s missing from home , as well as from all the areas of the house. You will only leave outside a few creative toys at a commensutare height so that the child will be able to reach them. When the child returns home the mother should inform her child about the changes , saying that ‘’ I understand that your room is full of toys! In a little while you will not fit either! Thats why I put them somewhere else and we are going to take them out every week those you like. Ever Friday afternoon , as soon as you return from school we will go to the warehouse and you will choose the toys you like to play with. You will be able to choose a toy each week. Also I would like you to tell me which toys you no longer need so that we could give them to children who
don’t have any’’. Many times children choose to throw away brand new toys as Peter did. After our suggestion, his mom told him: ‘’This toy is almost new and its a pity you don’t know that. I suggest , you take it to school and play with the kids in your class’’. So Peter brought it today in school. Here he had the opportunity to see the hole situation differently . After a while the class played with the toy. Peter enjoyed it and got rewarded by the team for it. Concession of the toy! One idea is to make an agreement with the other moms of the school to make a toy ‘’encourage’’ party or create a ''lending playroom ‘’ from were children can exchange toys for a while. We must raise our children normally , to lead them to healthy and creative paths with values! They don’t gain anything by feeling ‘’drowned ‘’ with oversupply , nor looking rude and ungrateful. They have to show gratitude to their donors! ‘’Relif’’ if what Peter felt when he came bach from school. He found his room empty ! So many toys! What am I going to do with all these toys?
Contact with T. Tsaramiadou
Telephone: 2291026240.