Here is a picture of what I spent a good portion of the day doing:
I went through all of the girls toys and threw out everything that was Made in China. I am so darn tired of seeing the recalls and worrying if the toy my child is going to play with next will harm them. I trusted these companies to make sure the toys they sold to me the consumer were safe for my children. Obviously they DID NOT hold up their end of the bargain did they?
As you can see in Amy's post from yesterday Mattel has came out with their recall now. This just on the heels of Fisher Price's recall and Thomas the train's recall. Now what does all these recalls leave for a parent to think? Did I over react by throwing all my daughters' toys away that said Made in China? Maybe I did, but at this point I really don't care if I over reacted. I have to do what is best for my girls and not put extra added stress to my worry wart mind that I have anyways!
I know this will be hard when my girls see a toy they want in the aisles of Target or any other toy store, but I for one and already fore warned "The Man" that there would be no more toys from Made In China. The toy vendors have been given way too many chances to make this right and yet the news keeps coming out with the recalls. So that leads me to do the only thing I believe is acceptable for my girls. That is to make sure I know where the toys are coming from. I will be sticking with Made in USA. Plus this means I can help out a little by at least trying to keep jobs in America! If more parents buy just toys Made in USA this could put a higher demand for USA toy employers :).
Amy has come up with a good list of "Green" or "Made in USA" toys. I am going to be shopping these links in the next few days to try and replenish my girls with some REAL toys hehe 🙂
Here's to a much safer toy environment for our precious children!!
good for you!
are you giving them away? burning them? sacrificing them to the gods?
i just wrote another post about the toys (and what to do with them) that’s being posted shortly. 🙂
Good work on the clean-out. I just realized that over the years my boys have collected and held on to all of the recalled Thomas train wooden toys. And I don’t even want replacement toys offered.
GOOD FOR YOU!! I am doing the same thing today with the boys toys. It is awful to do to your kids because I know they will be disappointed, but it’s the best thing a mommy can do for their kids!! Thanks for the push to do this… !!!!!!
– Audrey
Pinks & BLues Girls
BTW, forgot to mention that I blagged you. 🙂
http://slurpinglife.typepad.com/slurping_life/2007/08/blagged-and-yes.html
http://www.local10.com/health/13920224/detail.html?rss=mia&psp=news Did you see this newest one?
YAYY! Jen! When I first saw the picture I thought…she’s doing what I did today (going through and getting rid of old toys), but I was wrong and I definitely think you’re day was spent doing something even more important.
Way to go and nope…you’re not overreacting at all! 🙂
I agree with you 100%!! We can all help our ailing economy by keeping jobs here in America, and send a message to corporations like Mattell at the same time, by simply buying products actually made here in America. For a long list (50+) of clickable, safe links for American toy companies, brands and products, please check out my website at http://www.toysmadeinamerica.com. There really are some GREAT and creative people and companies making some fabulous American-made toys. Let’s all make an effort to buy American !
Teresa