How I learned a little souvenir can make a big difference

Whenever I go out of town I promise my daughter I’ll bring her something back. It’s a sort of consolation for me leaving her for a couple of days. She can’t stand when I’m away, and now I even catch her “writing letters” and saying prayers demanding that I take her with me whenever I go out of town. She and I have traveled on many trips together, but when we can’t, I try to bring her something back. And recently I discovered this means more to her than I had ever realized.

A couple of months ago I went on a trip to Aurora, New York to take a tour of Fisher-Price, the classic toy brand we’ve known our whole lives. Although the company is a household name, getting inside their doors and seeing behind the scenes is something that rarely happens. This was a big deal, and I’m still in shock to see my face and hear my voice on their website.

I am honored one of four bloggers chosen to be an FP Insider. Along with myself, Adrian from Dad or Alive, Chelsea from Someday I’ll Learn, and Rachel from Rachel Cooks met the people in charge of imagining, creating, and developing the toys and baby products I use and love in my own home.

You hope that the companies who make the products you use in your house would take every effort to make sure the toys are safe, and I saw first hand that’s the case with Fisher-Price.

So here I was in this wonderland of toys from the last 80 years, recognizing many of them from my childhood. From the Big Things Puffalump, to the Chatter Telephone, and Doctor’s Kit–I couldn’t avoid thinking of my kids and what fun toy memories they may have when they’re my age. Especially when there is so much technology now.

Before leaving Buffalo, I stopped at the toy store and stocked up on souvenirs for my kids. I bought a Little People bus for my son, a soothe and glow seahorse for my daughter who hates the dark, and a doctor’s kit for them to share. I only traveled with a single carry on bag, so I shipped the gifts home and searched for a tiny gift that I could pack in my purse.

I ended up buying a couple Little People animals. A zebra for my daughter who loves animal print clothes, and an elephant for my silly son.

When I called to tell my daughter I was on my way home and that I had a surprise for her, she was so excited to see what it was. The funny thing about preschoolers is they are unapologetically honest. I had no idea what she’d think of the teeny toy. When I arrived and pulled her tiny gift out of my purse I didn’t know how she’d react, and I especially didn’t expect her response.

She squealed! Snatched it from my hands and proceeded to kiss it and name it (she is now known as Real Zebra). A couple months in and my daughter still loves the little thing and tucks it in her bag to bring with her when we go out.Just having something to show her that I was thinking of her when we were apart was enough to send her over the moon. It’s helped me realize even more how something small can make a big impact in a child’s life, and how it doesn’t take much to completely make a child’s day.

This is just the beginning of a conversation I’ll be a part of between parents and Fisher-Price. You can join in by using the hashtag #FPInsiders on Twitter. Ask questions and we’ll be checkin in with answers. I’m excited to share some of the parenting lessons I’ve learned along the way, as well as advice for new moms and dads, and of course more of my own stories.

What are some of your children’s favorite toys big or small? And some of your favorite toys from your childhood?

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