The Energon Pub

I'm not talking about an adult who decides to buy a Fort Max with his hard earned money.

As a kid I knew better not to ask for something like that. Even if the parents said yes, I would feel bad.

Is a kid capable of appreciating something like that?
Or does it just make him spoiled rotten?

I've actually seen a youtube video where a kid says, I don't know why but my Dad bought me this toy...

if I had a kid I want there to be a reason other than I love him/her, something they worked hard for. But I just can't see myself getting my kid a toy close to $50.

what do you guys think?

Entirely depends on the kid and the toy.

When I was a kid, I had a habit of taking apart all my toys as best as I could, then putting them back together again. Fortunately I was smart enough to not try and pry up electronic componants or the rare (at the time) IC chip.

On the other hand, I treated my larger TF's like they weresolid gold, and my smaller ones (and Go-Bots) pretty much like crap. So maybe I COULD have appreciated Fort Max...

Depends on the age and responsibility of the kid. I would have appreciated it and treasured it cos my childhood G1s are mostly mint apart from sticker wear - and I played with them for hours every day! I also still have complete lego sets that predate TFs even though I used to mix the parts up to create new things.

On the other hand I had a student who loved TFs but said he didn't play with his cos they were broken or in pieces. I offered to reassemble them so they brought me a big box of stuff. It was mostly a box of right legs. There was a 90% complete Movie Leader Prime plus an extra foot that had been snapped off. This family clearly had more money than sense and the child has no appreciation of money or respect for toys.

So, it depends on the child.

wmpyr wrote:But I just can't see myself getting my kid a toy close to $50.

Then you're obviously much too selfish to have children. Get a dog instead.

Obviously we should have high standards for our children, but how are we supposed to expect children to meet high standards if we can't be bothered to provide rewards for meeting those standards?

Depends on the kid.

My 5 year old + Cybertron Metroplex = WIN

My 3 year old + Cybertron Metroplex = EPIC FAIL

metaphorge wrote:

wmpyr wrote:But I just can't see myself getting my kid a toy close to $50.

Then you're obviously much too selfish to have children. Get a dog instead.

Obviously we should have high standards for our children, but how are we supposed to expect children to meet high standards if we can't be bothered to provide rewards for meeting those standards?

And cost is defiantly a justification, because 50 bucks isn't what it used to be once you actually have kids. A months worth of diapers is 35 bucks or more, so it's not a case of selfishness, but of responsiblity.

metaphorge wrote:

wmpyr wrote:But I just can't see myself getting my kid a toy close to $50.

Then you're obviously much too selfish to have children. Get a dog instead.

Obviously we should have high standards for our children, but how are we supposed to expect children to meet high standards if we can't be bothered to provide rewards for meeting those standards?

Wow, really? So I guess children from poor families shouldn't even try since there isn't a chance of a high dollar reward? I grew up poor, not to the point that we wondered where our next meal was coming from, but expensive toys were not in the budget. Even at Christmas I knew better than to ask for a lot, because I knew we couldn't afford it. I did well in school and behaved because it was expected of me and I knew there would be consequences if I didn't, not because of some potential reward. I would have reservations about buying a Leader class figure for a child, becuase there's a good chance it will end up destroyed. My best friend bought his three year old (my god son) a Leader Class TFA Megatron for his birthday this year, and I watched in horror as he completed destroyed it.

Mykltron wrote:On the other hand I had a student who loved TFs but said he didn't play with his cos they were broken or in pieces. I offered to reassemble them so they brought me a big box of stuff. It was mostly a box of right legs. There was a 90% complete Movie Leader Prime plus an extra foot that had been snapped off. This family clearly had more money than sense and the child has no appreciation of money or respect for toys.

El Duque wrote:My best friend bought his three year old (my god son) a Leader Class TFA Megatron for his birthday this year, and I watched in horror as he completed destroyed it.

Oh Gawd! (GAG!)
I think I'm gonna be sick!

Cobalt Prime wrote:

Mykltron wrote:On the other hand I had a student who loved TFs but said he didn't play with his cos they were broken or in pieces. I offered to reassemble them so they brought me a big box of stuff. It was mostly a box of right legs. There was a 90% complete Movie Leader Prime plus an extra foot that had been snapped off. This family clearly had more money than sense and the child has no appreciation of money or respect for toys.

El Duque wrote:My best friend bought his three year old (my god son) a Leader Class TFA Megatron for his birthday this year, and I watched in horror as he completed destroyed it.

Oh Gawd! (GAG!)
I think I'm gonna be sick!

Tell me about it. I was like, "what are you thinking, that's completely age inappropriate?" His reply was, "he saw it at the store the other day and wanted it." I was kind of curious to see how it would hold up in real world play conditions though. It wasn't good, by the time the party was over poor Megs was damaged beyond repair. Of course he was literally being slammed onto a hard wood floor repeatedly, one leg completely snapped off at the knee. Brutal.

El Duque wrote:

metaphorge wrote:

wmpyr wrote:But I just can't see myself getting my kid a toy close to $50.

Then you're obviously much too selfish to have children. Get a dog instead.

Obviously we should have high standards for our children, but how are we supposed to expect children to meet high standards if we can't be bothered to provide rewards for meeting those standards?

Wow, really? So I guess children from poor families shouldn't even try since there isn't a chance of a high dollar reward? I grew up poor, not to the point that we wondered where our next meal was coming from, but expensive toys were not in the budget. Even at Christmas I knew better than to ask for a lot, because I knew we couldn't afford it. I did well in school and behaved because it was expected of me and I knew there would be consequences if I didn't, not because of some potential reward.

I'm with El Duque.

I also grew up with little money to be spared for things like toys. It wasn't until I was a teenager that my family was able to become financially well off. I got my first "job" when I was 10, paper route, and worked odd jobs around my hometown until I was old enough to work full time. I never had an allowance. Every gift I received was meaningful because I knew it was a luxury.

As for "high standards" for children? Seriously? We're talking about toys here. High standards for children in my opinion would be responsible and affectionate parenting, a stable environment for living and growing up in, open communication and treating them with respect, and instilling good values in them by word and example. Not hunks of pretty metal and plastic.

As others have said, the situation depends on the toy and the child. Some children are able to appreciate larger and more complex toys more than others. I do recommend Transformers as a toy for children because the transformation process, even at simple levels, can help children further develop because the toys offer a puzzle that can be analyzed through sight and touch.

metaphorge wrote:

wmpyr wrote:But I just can't see myself getting my kid a toy close to $50.

Then you're obviously much too selfish to have children. Get a dog instead.

Obviously we should have high standards for our children, but how are we supposed to expect children to meet high standards if we can't be bothered to provide rewards for meeting those standards?

How the hell does high standards translate into material gains?

My parents had quite high standards when compared to many of the parents on kids my age at the time. And regardless of the family income levels my collection was MUCH smaller from a number of my friends at the time.

Did my parents who both worked hard not love or deserve me and my sister because they felt it was more important for us to be fed, clothed, sleep in a nice home, rather than a number of friends I had growing up in single parent situations where they were showered in toys and got away with tons of stuff I wouldn't dare try because they were compensating lack of family, or time, (or in some cases, just not bothering to try because it was easier to cave in to kids demands).

If you want to claim you have high standard and want to pass those to your offspring, you do it by setting rules, being there for them to support them and nurture them. Setting monitary goals for them to reach does nothing but setting a price for their achivements and your love.

If a kid gets an A on a test, it should be because they want to, because they understand it is important, not because a x-box game is on the line.

metaphorge wrote:

wmpyr wrote:But I just can't see myself getting my kid a toy close to $50.

Then you're obviously much too selfish to have children. Get a dog instead.

Obviously we should have high standards for our children, but how are we supposed to expect children to meet high standards if we can't be bothered to provide rewards for meeting those standards?

First of all, dogs are expensive, too. They don't have college funds, but still--food, cage, leash, vet bills, more vet bills, a few more vet bills, and some toys...Last time I was at the vet's (with el gato diabetico) I saw a poster that said first year VET expenses for a puppy were about $1977. So, your needlessly malicious point is a misfire.

Second, like others, I'm disturbed by your simple equation of materialism with good parenting. I teach kids who have *EVERYTHING*. New cars, not the crappy used beaters I had when I was a freshman. Brand new brand name clothes like Ed Hardy and Baby Phat. Iphones. Prada handbags for the girls. Black diamond jewelry for the guys. Their parents bought these kids everything under the same sort of mindset that you appear to have.

And you know what? These kids--don't get me wrong, they're nice kids and adorable as heck--have grown up to be exceedingly judgmental about surface appearances. I tell them I buy my jeans at Kmart, and they recoil as if I'm contagious. If you don't have the right clothes or the right sneakers or the right cell phone you are nothing to them. They were most likely the same way with toys when young--why did they want that toy? Because they wanted THAT TOY (the cybertron Starscream big enough to hug) or because they wanted something big and expensive? I see a lot of kids from split homes whose parents decided to buy their love. Oh look, mommy loves you more, she bought you a more expensive Christmas present. Therefore love = price tag.

Me, like a lot of others, I grew up with very few toys. We loved the Star Wars figures because they were relatively cheap and we could get one every month (that was our toy budget, yeah). We loved those damn things to death. Did I wish we'd had the big Millenium Falcon like my cousins had? Oh yeah. Did I die because I didn't get it? No. In fact, it's useful now to be able to see things I cannot afford and say, jeeeeeeeez, but I can't, and know that I'll not *die* without it. My cousins? My students? Not faring so well.

HK, frugality is sexy. Can I get an Amen?

I agree with that totally Kitty.

thanx everyone for so many of your responses!

my quest is how can you teach values to kids while enjoying toys?

If I saw a kid that can treat an expensive toy really good as well as a small crappy toy really good then that would make me want to get him a Fort Max! But if the kid is able to treat both kinds of toys good then they probably have enough discipline to say no, I would enjoy the Fort Max but I really don't need it. And if they say, I would rather you buy that for a poor kid, then that just makes me want to get him a Fort Max and a Scorponok LOL

In a way there are some toys that we could not get as a kid for whatever reason, and that gives us a chance as adults to say, yeah I drooled over that thing when I was a kid, now I can get it if I want

I don't think it's wrong. it comes down to "does the kid deserve it?" and "Is it a special occassion?" and "is the kid old enough to enjoy it?" Whether the kid takes it apart or not should be ignored. Keep in mind the kids will ultimately take some of their stuff apart out of curiosity but doing this taught me how to use a screwdriver. Parents just need to remember that the kid won't be playing with that toy forever. It's wrong when you give a bad kid those things, even on occassions. They should be considered a privilege in some aspects. What you get as gifts should reflect how well you behaved. I admit I wasn't perfect, nobody is, and I got into trouble at times, but I wasn't a bully to other kids and tried to do what I was told.

well i guess it depends. if he or she is really into something and it isnt just a phase, and i know they wont destroy it then yes ill buy it.

50 to 100 now this is going to be a christmas or b-day gift. i wouldnt go buy say a fortmax for them unless 1) they are a teen 2) i have the money to spare on one. so if both of those are met id be willing to go that far.

as a kid i got some of what i wanted never got fortmax or the gi joe aircraft carrie flag. we didnt have the money and i understand. so if i can do that for my kids when/ if i have them i will with out hesitation.

there are limitations, as i said has to be a holiday brithday present. couldnt buy one just because they want it.

I've gottenthe Technodrome and Turtles playset as a kid. Loved 'em and played with them for years. I took 'em apart and put 'em back together again.

Of course I was the type of kid to take all his toys apart and glue them back together if they broke. When my old Batman lost his legs I stuck him inside a car that came with Voltron's castle and he became "wheelchair Batman" until I stopped playing with toys.

Of course if I had no attachment to the franchise it was from, then ... a big toy probably wouldn't impress me.

Depends on the kid. Huge toys are usually huge money. How many parents are going to spend 100.00 plus taxes for the ROTF devaster. That thing is **** monster!

hellkitty wrote:

metaphorge wrote:

wmpyr wrote:But I just can't see myself getting my kid a toy close to $50.

Then you're obviously much too selfish to have children. Get a dog instead.

Obviously we should have high standards for our children, but how are we supposed to expect children to meet high standards if we can't be bothered to provide rewards for meeting those standards?

First of all, dogs are expensive, too. They don't have college funds, but still--food, cage, leash, vet bills, more vet bills, a few more vet bills, and some toys...Last time I was at the vet's (with el gato diabetico) I saw a poster that said first year VET expenses for a puppy were about $1977. So, your needlessly malicious point is a misfire.

Second, like others, I'm disturbed by your simple equation of materialism with good parenting. I teach kids who have *EVERYTHING*. New cars, not the crappy used beaters I had when I was a freshman. Brand new brand name clothes like Ed Hardy and Baby Phat. Iphones. Prada handbags for the girls. Black diamond jewelry for the guys. Their parents bought these kids everything under the same sort of mindset that you appear to have.

And you know what? These kids--don't get me wrong, they're nice kids and adorable as heck--have grown up to be exceedingly judgmental about surface appearances. I tell them I buy my jeans at Kmart, and they recoil as if I'm contagious. If you don't have the right clothes or the right sneakers or the right cell phone you are nothing to them. They were most likely the same way with toys when young--why did they want that toy? Because they wanted THAT TOY (the cybertron Starscream big enough to hug) or because they wanted something big and expensive? I see a lot of kids from split homes whose parents decided to buy their love. Oh look, mommy loves you more, she bought you a more expensive Christmas present. Therefore love = price tag.

Me, like a lot of others, I grew up with very few toys. We loved the Star Wars figures because they were relatively cheap and we could get one every month (that was our toy budget, yeah). We loved those damn things to death. Did I wish we'd had the big Millenium Falcon like my cousins had? Oh yeah. Did I die because I didn't get it? No. In fact, it's useful now to be able to see things I cannot afford and say, jeeeeeeeez, but I can't, and know that I'll not *die* without it. My cousins? My students? Not faring so well.

HK, frugality is sexy. Can I get an Amen?

This is a fantastic post, nice one hk

hellkitty wrote:HK, frugality is sexy. Can I get an Amen?

AMEN!!!!

as a kid i was the "lucky" one. i got a regular supply of tf's till i was 6 or 7, when my 3rd sister was born. I still have most of them, some missing rubber on the tires or a little chewed up by the family dog, but i still apreciate the hell out of them. that nintendo i got when i was 6? still works. the only reason the vcr i got for my 6th birthday (in the 80's mind you. when they were hella expensive) stopped working is because my 3 year old sister stuffed a pb&j sammich in it when i was gone (yay irresponsible parenting)

besides, most people will buy a 6 or 7 year old a videogame for 40-60 bucks, why not a toy? i don't mean a rare collectors item or anything.

overall i think buying too much crap for a kid is unnecessary, and a kid will get more play value out of several smaller, cheaper toys.

but a 50 dollar toy for a 3 year old is overkill. maybe for a 6-9 year old, but 3? really? you should have traded that kid a pack of cookies for the toy

it does depend on the kid, but overall they dont NEED the expensive stuff.

but my lil bro has been playin gta vice city since he was 4 and it was brand new(he's 11 now, again, irresponsible parenting) and has always treated that game like gold.

El Duque wrote:

Cobalt Prime wrote:

Mykltron wrote:On the other hand I had a student who loved TFs but said he didn't play with his cos they were broken or in pieces. I offered to reassemble them so they brought me a big box of stuff. It was mostly a box of right legs. There was a 90% complete Movie Leader Prime plus an extra foot that had been snapped off. This family clearly had more money than sense and the child has no appreciation of money or respect for toys.

El Duque wrote:My best friend bought his three year old (my god son) a Leader Class TFA Megatron for his birthday this year, and I watched in horror as he completed destroyed it.

Oh Gawd! (GAG!)
I think I'm gonna be sick!

Tell me about it. I was like, "what are you thinking, that's completely age inappropriate?" His reply was, "he saw it at the store the other day and wanted it." I was kind of curious to see how it would hold up in real world play conditions though. It wasn't good, by the time the party was over poor Megs was damaged beyond repair. Of course he was literally being slammed onto a hard wood floor repeatedly, one leg completely snapped off at the knee. Brutal.

Ah, he had it coming. He was trying to take over the universe ya know!

My parents always had a policy of "If you want it, earn it." Outside of birthdays or Christmas, if I wanted something, a toy, a game, etc. I had to go out of my way to earn it, either by saving up the money, or by doing large amounts of chores. As a result, I'm a lot more appreciative of my things; when you really work for something, it makes it that much nicer.

So, no, it's not wrong to get a kid a huge toy, as long as they've earned it, or it's their birthday or a gift-giving holiday.

like every one ha said, depends on the kid and his/her age. i was pretty spoiled as a kid(got basically everything i wanted)but without the spoiled attitude. i was very great full when i got the bigger toys. heck sometimes when we would be at a store i would always stay in the toy section. if my grandparents were with me they would be like "see anything you like?" and i would of course say "ya" and then they would say something like "well if there is one "9.99 or under grab it" and i would feel a bit odd cuz i didnt do anything to really deserve it. they just wanted me to be happy i guess.

wmpyr wrote:I'm not talking about an adult who decides to buy a Fort Max with his hard earned money.

As a kid I knew better not to ask for something like that. Even if the parents said yes, I would feel bad.

Is a kid capable of appreciating something like that?
Or does it just make him spoiled rotten?

I've actually seen a youtube video where a kid says, I don't know why but my Dad bought me this toy...

if I had a kid I want there to be a reason other than I love him/her, something they worked hard for. But I just can't see myself getting my kid a toy close to $50.

what do you guys think?

Is that legal?

I don't really have any experience with this, but I suggest you dedicate at least 20-30% of your budget to a thick water based lubricant. Most adults would have trouble accommodating a "ginormous" toy, I suspect a kid would have an even harder time.

You could try buying them a starter set, something that comes with plenty of lube, and toys in several different sizes, so they can start small and work their way up.

I hope that helps.

homelessjunkeon wrote:

wmpyr wrote:I'm not talking about an adult who decides to buy a Fort Max with his hard earned money.

As a kid I knew better not to ask for something like that. Even if the parents said yes, I would feel bad.

Is a kid capable of appreciating something like that?
Or does it just make him spoiled rotten?

I've actually seen a youtube video where a kid says, I don't know why but my Dad bought me this toy...

if I had a kid I want there to be a reason other than I love him/her, something they worked hard for. But I just can't see myself getting my kid a toy close to $50.

what do you guys think?

Is that legal?

I don't really have any experience with this, but I suggest you dedicate at least 20-30% of your budget to a thick water based lubricant. Most adults would have trouble accommodating a "ginormous" toy, I suspect a kid would have an even harder time.

You could try buying them a starter set, something that comes with plenty of lube, and toys in several different sizes, so they can start small and work their way up.

I hope that helps.

Some big toys arent always good for goods. I wanted the He-man sword soooooooo bad. My mom searched high snd low never could find one. Turns out it was banned. Didnt know this till a decade later. I look back and realize i so would have hacked my sister with it. And it was a big and expensive toy. Who remembers this toy and did u guys ever get one?

homelessjunkeon wrote:Is that legal?

I don't really have any experience with this, but I suggest you dedicate at least 20-30% of your budget to a thick water based lubricant. Most adults would have trouble accommodating a "ginormous" toy, I suspect a kid would have an even harder time.

You could try buying them a starter set, something that comes with plenty of lube, and toys in several different sizes, so they can start small and work their way up.

I hope that helps.

Dude, He said Fort Max not Nexus Maximus.