These tiny little blocks bring out the best and worst in so many people. Bring up Legos with a group of moms and it is interesting the passion you will have sparked in just about every one. It can be really mind boggling. It shocks me just how negatively these little things are viewed by so many moms.
When I bring up Daniel's love of Legos, I am almost always told by this mom or that one how much they hate the things. Many moms will not allow them in their homes. I sat in silent shock as one mom told of boxing up all the Legos in her house and THROWING them away. My heart sank as I thought of how much of a treasure that would have been for my own son. Why the hostility towards Legos?
Ok, I have stepped on my fair share of Legos. The pictures you see of the pain levels of stepping on Legos is not exaggerated in the least. It hurts. And yes, we seem to find Legos in every nook and cranny of our home. Not cool. Legos do have their annoyances. BUT....
They are such a part of imaginative play. Daniel spends so much of his day creating and recreating things. He makes space ships, restaurants, schools, playgrounds, cars, trucks, etc. He learns how to properly balance Legos so they do not fall apart...the weight on one end can't be more than the weight on another end. He puts all his Lego figures in the most complex of situations from hanging by a homemade grappling hook from the top of the refrigerator or engaging in a zombie war. The possibilities are endless.
And then there are the models he buys to put together. There is nothing he loves more than sitting at the table with the Lego packages open before him and his instruction manual. He does it all by himself and, with pride, shows everyone his completed project. He loves to go to the store and look at all the boxes and dream about what he wants to build next. All his money goes towards Legos.
So, what about the mess of Legos? What about the little pieces scattered all over the floor? I have heard a couple different solutions.
I was complaining once about the Legos being everywhere and a Lego enthusiast (one who is not anti-Legos) told me that it is important to the kid who loves Legos so much to have their own area. She arranged her couches to where her son's Legos were behind her couch, out of sight of anyone who might pop in, but with plenty of room for him to build. She said they were rather scattered behind there, but it was her son's place to build. I suppose when Legos escaped from their designated spot, that she would just toss them back over.
Someone else said they did something similar, but it was a corner of her gameroom.
The key for us is Daniel has his organized by color in plastic shoe boxes. Any models he has put together are on a book shelf or a card table or a table in his room (he has that many models). When he plays with them during the day, he has them scattered on the floor. We know it is a mine field and do our best to avoid the painful step that is stepping on a Lego. At days end, it is his responsibility to put them back in their boxes. Does he complain? Of course he does. Who is the parent? We are. Every morning, our floor is a Lego free zone.
Now this works really well for a couple different reasons. First of all, because he has the responsibility of taking care of the Legos each night, he is far less likely to make as big of a mess. It's true. He HATES to clean up Lego messes. So, we tell him....don't make such a big mess and you won't have as much to clean up. Also, having the colors organized allows him to really build what he has in his mind without being frustrated sorting through colors.
So...we love Legos here. We "oooo" and "aaaaa" at all of his creations. We see the value in his being able to put together so many things. He often gets frustrated when something doesn't quite work out, but then he gets to really use problem solving skills. Also, he gets an allowance and is learning the value of a dollar. He plans out what he wants to buy and how long it will take him to save up to get it.
Give Legos a chance. They are expensive...it's true. BUT, wow.....my son, at least, comes alive when he has Legos in his hands.
When I bring up Daniel's love of Legos, I am almost always told by this mom or that one how much they hate the things. Many moms will not allow them in their homes. I sat in silent shock as one mom told of boxing up all the Legos in her house and THROWING them away. My heart sank as I thought of how much of a treasure that would have been for my own son. Why the hostility towards Legos?
Ok, I have stepped on my fair share of Legos. The pictures you see of the pain levels of stepping on Legos is not exaggerated in the least. It hurts. And yes, we seem to find Legos in every nook and cranny of our home. Not cool. Legos do have their annoyances. BUT....
They are such a part of imaginative play. Daniel spends so much of his day creating and recreating things. He makes space ships, restaurants, schools, playgrounds, cars, trucks, etc. He learns how to properly balance Legos so they do not fall apart...the weight on one end can't be more than the weight on another end. He puts all his Lego figures in the most complex of situations from hanging by a homemade grappling hook from the top of the refrigerator or engaging in a zombie war. The possibilities are endless.
And then there are the models he buys to put together. There is nothing he loves more than sitting at the table with the Lego packages open before him and his instruction manual. He does it all by himself and, with pride, shows everyone his completed project. He loves to go to the store and look at all the boxes and dream about what he wants to build next. All his money goes towards Legos.
So, what about the mess of Legos? What about the little pieces scattered all over the floor? I have heard a couple different solutions.
I was complaining once about the Legos being everywhere and a Lego enthusiast (one who is not anti-Legos) told me that it is important to the kid who loves Legos so much to have their own area. She arranged her couches to where her son's Legos were behind her couch, out of sight of anyone who might pop in, but with plenty of room for him to build. She said they were rather scattered behind there, but it was her son's place to build. I suppose when Legos escaped from their designated spot, that she would just toss them back over.
Someone else said they did something similar, but it was a corner of her gameroom.
The key for us is Daniel has his organized by color in plastic shoe boxes. Any models he has put together are on a book shelf or a card table or a table in his room (he has that many models). When he plays with them during the day, he has them scattered on the floor. We know it is a mine field and do our best to avoid the painful step that is stepping on a Lego. At days end, it is his responsibility to put them back in their boxes. Does he complain? Of course he does. Who is the parent? We are. Every morning, our floor is a Lego free zone.
Now this works really well for a couple different reasons. First of all, because he has the responsibility of taking care of the Legos each night, he is far less likely to make as big of a mess. It's true. He HATES to clean up Lego messes. So, we tell him....don't make such a big mess and you won't have as much to clean up. Also, having the colors organized allows him to really build what he has in his mind without being frustrated sorting through colors.
So...we love Legos here. We "oooo" and "aaaaa" at all of his creations. We see the value in his being able to put together so many things. He often gets frustrated when something doesn't quite work out, but then he gets to really use problem solving skills. Also, he gets an allowance and is learning the value of a dollar. He plans out what he wants to buy and how long it will take him to save up to get it.
Give Legos a chance. They are expensive...it's true. BUT, wow.....my son, at least, comes alive when he has Legos in his hands.
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