As many of us can probably testify, the young child is without doubt one of the most contrary beings in existence. Tuesday's best friend is Wednesday's enemy; the favourite green spotted ballerina outfit, worthy of a screaming tantrum at 7 in the morning, is given no more than a passing thought by mid-afternoon. Children will steamroller happily on through their very own rainbow of ridiculous preferences, leaving anyone over the age of ten puzzling and exhausted in their wake.Tuesday's best friend is Wednesday's enemy; the favourite green spotted ballerina outfit, worthy of a screaming tantrum at 7 in the morning, is given no more than a passing thought by mid-afternoon. Children will steamroller happily on through their very own rainbow of ridiculous preferences, leaving anyone over the age of ten puzzling and exhausted in their wake.
Of course, one can hardly blame them for any of this: it is understandably hard to be decisive when you are five and almost every single thing you encounter in the world is something you have never seen before.Of course, one can hardly blame them for any of this: it is understandably hard to be decisive when you are five and almost every single thing you encounter in the world is something you have never seen before.
Toys are by far the best example of this inexhaustible indecision. That plastic robot we adored at six was inevitably left in the attic by eight; there are many days when it seems nothing, no matter how brightly-coloured, will satisfy. Some things, however, linger beyond a few short playtimes: some toys we treasure well into adulthood. These are the toys we hesitate to release into the unknown world of the charity shop. For some, this means a knitted bear or a favourite and slightly chewed action figure for others, a handmade rocking horse. It's impossible to predict which toys will earn our lifelong attachment, or why one might suspect it's a mixture of craftsmanship, good memories and sheer durability but no parent could ever deny that it's a well-earned relief when the contrary child chooses, finally, something to keep.Toys are by far the best example of this inexhaustible indecision. That plastic robot we adored at six was inevitably left in the attic by eight; there are many days when it seems nothing, no matter how brightly-coloured, will satisfy. Some things, however, linger beyond a few short playtimes: some toys we treasure well into adulthood. These are the toys we hesitate to release into the unknown world of the charity shop. For some, this means a knitted bear or a favourite and slightly chewed action figure for others, a handmade rocking horse. It's impossible to predict which toys will earn our lifelong attachment, or why one might suspect it's a mixture of craftsmanship, good memories and sheer durability but no parent could ever deny that it's a well-earned relief when the contrary child chooses, finally, something to keep.
