My semi-unhealthy and obsessive relationship with the Internet occasionally yields useful information rather than anxiety-producing time sucks. Recently I came across an article about children's play that actually validated my instincts with science...that is, passive toys (blocks, balls, dolls, cardboard boxes) are better for baby's mental and physical development than active toys (anything that bleeps and bloops and flashes lights). Passive toys require active engagement on the part of the child leading to things like imaginative play, versus active toys that require little more than passive observation (much like television). Not that I'm totally adverse to a little passive observation for Max, particularly when it allows me to put on deodorant and go to the bathroom (or more likely, to Google something and watch Jerseylicious). However, I've been fairly anti buying a lot of plastic battery-operated things since I fell pregnant, and we have successfully avoided accumulating them as gifts. I started to feel guilty recently after visiting some friend's babies and seeing all the neat-o blinking musical activity gyms, vibrating chairs etc. And Max seemed to really enjoy himself with those toys. I thought, "Uh oh, are we gonna have the kid that doesn't have any cool toys and feels left out and envious of all his friends' toys? Are we gonna be the LAME PARENTS???!!"
No we are not. Because today, Dave rigged up Max's very own activity gym. Upon reading another article (about babies' narcissist tendencies and love of mirrors), we set this up in the living room and Max amused himself for a half hour or so. Actively. Simultaneously the full-length mirror in our bedroom was put to better use than something I walk by, poke my post-pregnancy belly and scowl at:
