Mom Confessions: I Throw Away Their Toys and Lie About It

on December 18, 2009 at 11:00 AM

It's time for a Mom Confession -- because, let's face it, we're real mothers and sometimes it doesn't work the way the parenting books say it should.

This Week's Confession:

I threw away some toys because they were broken and bugging me...when the kids asked where they were, I said, "I don't know. Maybe Dad threw them away because they were in the middle of the floor." — GoneNutty

We all have secrets -- so thanks to this brave mom for sharing her honest thoughts, and thank you for keeping this conversation non-judgmental!

Do you have a Mom Confession you want to share? PM me. We can share your confession with your CafeMom screenname or anonymously.

Past Confessions:

I Don't Let My Kids Eat Junk Food Even Though I Do

I Put My Child to Bed Late so She Wakes Up Late

I Accidentally Left My Toddler

I Skip Bathtime If I'm Too Tired

I Let My Toddler Watch Too Much TV

I've Given My Child Benadryl for Early Bedtime

My Kids Sleep Alone in the Car

I'm Afraid My Husband is Going to Die

I Don't Like Being a Stay-at-Home Mom

I Have a Family, But I'm Lonely

I Lie and Say I'm "Working" to Avoid Playing

I Let My Son Fall Asleep to DVDs

I Don't Shield My Kids' Eyes from Nudity

I Use Housecleaning to Avoid Playing With My Kids

I Am Not a Fun Mom

I Don't Set Up Play Dates for My Kids

I Wish I Had a Fulfilling Career Outside the Home

I Use My Kid's Flushable Toilet Wipes

I'm Going to Disney Without My Children

I Bribe My Children

I Hate Reading Children's Books

I Sleep Naked With My Toddler

I Hate My Neighbor's Kid

I Don't Like to Play

I Sleep While My Kid Is Up

My Kid Watches TV Up Close

I Let My Toddler Play Outside Alone

I Turn My Kids Over to A Mom I Just Met

My Toddler Wears Crude T-Shirts

I Let My Toddlers Climb Play Equipment Unassisted

My Kids Go to Sleep After Midnight

I Let My Toddlers Go Naked in Public

I Throw Away My Kid's Artwork

I Paid $22 for My Son's Haircut

My Toddlers Eat Pizza for Breakfast

I'm Dying My Toddler's Hair

I Leave My Toddler Alone in the Bath

Our Children Aren't Invited to Our Wedding

I Scold Other People's Kids

I'm on Vacation, But My Kid Is Still Going to Day Care

I Favor My Older Child

I Let My Toddler Eat Food Before Paying for It

I Find Excuses to Send My Kids to Bed Early

Filed Under: confessions, toys

Comments (10)

DreaKevAiyana

on Dec 18, 2009 at 1:29 PM

My DD knows if she purposely breaks something, we're not fixing it for her, we will give it away instead (or have to throw it away if it's not fixable), although she's only purposely broken a toy maybe 2 or 3 times. She has helped me many times before to go through her toys so we can give any unwanted toys to a child who could use them, we actually just gave away her big kitchen to a family friend because his son (who's just a few months younger than her) doesn't have much for Christmas, so that was very helpful to the single dad, and I know the little boy will love it, and my DD loves giving things away anyway:)

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rickitikitavi

on Dec 19, 2009 at 6:39 PM

i have lied a few times,but usually will tell them its broken and to throw it away.recently went through their toys and got rid of a bunch!!!!

RanaAurora

on Dec 19, 2009 at 7:31 PM

Absolutely not. Those are my son's possessions. He deserves the truth about where HIS things have gone. What example does that set?

BaisMom

on Dec 19, 2009 at 8:48 PM

No. Why lie about it? It was broken, you don't need it, I threw it away. What's the harm in telling them the truth?

ProudSingleMum

on Dec 20, 2009 at 1:37 AM

I agree with Rana and Bais

trelimon

on Dec 20, 2009 at 2:09 PM

lying implies a feeling of guilt. i have nothing to be guilty about. i am the mom and i am doing what is best for my child. having broken toys that pose a threat of harming my child or somebody else is more of a problem to me.

Reyamydawson

on Dec 21, 2009 at 7:53 PM

I throw my son's toys away all the time if they are broken, but I definitely TELL him first!!! and I would NEVER blame it on my HUSBAND! I don't want my kids resenting my husband because they think he throws away his toys! especially if I'm the one throwing them away. I think parent should teach their kids honesty and open truthfulness more often, but parents lie to their kids a lot, I guess that's why there are so many liars in this world!

twinclubmom

on Dec 21, 2009 at 9:39 PM

I don't lie about it. If something is broken beyond repair I toss it and if they ask for it, I tell them it couldn't be fixed and it had to be thrown out. Notice I say "it had to be thrown out". By taking the "I" out of it, the situation remains neutral and they don't get too upset.

I've also given toys away that they've outgrown. If they ask about one of those toys, I say "the toys have been donated to kids who don't have toys".

luvbeinamommy68

on Dec 22, 2009 at 12:05 AM

nope have not lied to my kids about throwing away their toys cause they are to little to know. my DS is 3 and my DD is 1 1/2. i did give away some of their toys to my neice though before my sister and her moved cause she didnt have much. but when the day comes for them to understand then i will have him throw away the broken toys or have him pick out toys and put them in the donation bag.

stephfrantz

on Jan 18, 2010 at 6:09 PM

My 4 year old and my 2 year old both help me gather up the unwanted toys about every 6 months and we give them away or throw the broken ones out. They do great with helping and don't seem to mind at all. Why lie to them? If you tell them you don't know where they are you would think they would try and find it and just be confused to where their stuff went.