How to Take a Recalled Toy From a Child

It wasn't your fault. American toy companies followed the bottom-dollar approach, outsourcing their production to China, and regulatory agencies dropped the ball. Now you have to go through your child's toy box and take out anything that might be tainted with far-away impurities. The problem? Your child might not understand exactly why mommy or daddy is taking toys away. The situation calls for a little creativity.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

1. Make sure the toy is bad. Don't take it away unless you need to. Write down particular model numbers and contact the manufacturer to ask if the toy is affected by the recall. Hold the manufacturer accountable! Tell representatives they need to provide you with full information about the products affected--and asking for a little compensation doesn't hurt either.
2. Tailor your method to the age of the child. If the child is old enough, try to explain the recall in simple terms. Don't scare them, just explain that the toy is not "good enough" and why. For younger children, a more imaginary approach may be better: the toy is "going away" to a different place (the place where toys go for vacations?)
3. Strike a balance. Be compassionate, but be firm. Think about the child's feelings, but also don't let the child undermine your authority. A decisive move to take away a toy can build character if the child can see that you are not angry or wanting to hurt him. Even a child who can't quite grasp the "why" might be able to understand that it's for his own good, or that you have a good reason for your actions, according to your demeanor.
4. Get a "replacement" toy. This usually works, unless a child is really attached to a particular toy. Explain why the replacement toy is replacing the old one. Again, for younger children, a made-up story could be effective.
5. Try the sneaky approach. Move the toy to a hiding place when the child is asleep and see if she notices the next day. Children's memories can be short, and if nothing is said, the problem has resolved itself neatly.