Thursday, August 31, 2006

Magnetic Letters Have Magical Powers To Distract Toddlers


A friend recently bought my daughter some of those magnetic alphabet letters and now she can’t stop playing with them (or throwing, eating, using them as weapons, etc.) She just started figuring out which side sticks to the fridge, and she’s also testing every surface in the house to see where else it might stick also. Even to the point of getting angry when they don’t stick and then she starts scratching the wall (definitely not a good thing) with them screaming and yelling in her Ewok babble language. The language that only a parent oddly understands.

We found a great distraction the other day for those times we’re cooking, breathing, going to the bathroom, playing a video game (that’s just me) or just taking a break for a few minutes. We stick her in the high chair and move it right up to the refrigerator. And it works! So far…

If this keeps working, I may patent the idea. And then I can buy one of those fancy sub-zeros’s that has lots of surface space and holds lots of beer. And then I’ll start drinking beer, since I'm not really a beer drinker now. And then she can spell out "Daddy Drinks B.U.D."

11 comments:

BabyonBored said...

Those letter are a lifesaver! But you have a short window to enjoy this sweet distraction. All too soon the contents IN the refridgerator will be much more exciting than anything on the outside. At least, that's how it is for me.

Anonymous said...

Wait until she can climb out of the chair herself, my friend. Then, things really start getting interesting.

chanchow said...

Before you hand over the plastic at Sears, make sure to test the magnets. I have a magnet collection and, sadly, nothing sticks to the new stainless steel fridge we bought.

Diana said...

wait! for the tub get the foam letters and numbers, those are great!
I can't put anything on my fridge, it would be lost forever...but the foam thingies, oh man! but it would require you to be in the bathroom with her...so I dont know how it goes with your 'break time' idea...
i'm hopeless.

Anonymous said...

Man. Bummer about your fridge being all non-magnetic, chanchow. But who, diana, says you can't drink beer in the bathroom? We have to take our breaks when we can get them. Yes?

Diana said...

Freezio-that is true. As I am not a beer drinker, I never would have thought to drink a beer in the bathroom.
Hey, Tony, you can tell your little girl, "You have your bubbles, I have mine."

Creative-Type Dad said...

chanchow - what's up with your fridge being anti-magnet and all?

Crankmama - i'm convinced the original purpose of the high chair was not for eating but for containing the child.

diana - I'll be telling her "you have your imaginary friends, I have mine. Maybe they can go bowling sometime"

Ruth Dynamite said...

1st - ah how I used to cherish those moments when my kids were contained and amused...

2nd - Chanchow? Would you by any chance be talking about the guy in Nacho Libre?

Ryan said...

We have 'em too. In fact, check out this pic on an old family MSN picture site. My son's name is Noah.

http://groups.msn.com/LundquistVideosPictures/people.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=200

kittenpie said...

Oh, I'm holding a set in reserve for this weekend myself - and I found the bestthing for when they get a little older - a magnetic jigsaw! Something like 24 pieces that they can assemble on the fridge. Sa-weet!

Creative-Type Dad said...

Waya - yes!! We have discovered the tupperwares. Problem is, when we need them they smell like dried drool.

ryan - nice!!

kittenpie - I've never heard of such a thing. I must investigate further...