Mom's Talk Q&A: Are Toys that Teach Out of Reach?

Q: I’m always at a loss for what toys I should get my toddler (or ask for as presents). I really want her to play with toys that are educational, not just recreational, but I have no idea where to start. Can you share your thoughts?

A: My daughter doesn’t have a lot of toys (by my and my husband’s choice), but out of the ones she does have, she far prefers rhyming books (such as Is Your Mama a Llama?), her dolls, coloring books, crayons and her toy kitchen to anything that uses batteries or has buttons to push. (Of course, she also considers my iPad a toy and enjoys pressing its button, which also presses my buttons…but that’s another story─and not a toy story).

The point is she prefers toys that are interactive, that allow her to be creative and those kinds of toys make the best teachers.

For a few more suggestions, I tapped into the expertise of Chelsea P. Gladden, co-founder of www.BreezyMama.com, a site that provides advice to moms, who offers the following tips:

Invoke Imagination to Avoid (Your) Frustration: Before buying a toy, consider what your child has to do in order to play with it. For example, instead of giving your child a toy with tons of gadgets, consider offering her a set of building blocks or Legos so she can create her own designs while also improving her motor skills.

Old School is Still Pretty Cool: Whatever you do, don't get caught up in the frenzy to buy the hot new toy of the moment. More traditional play items like puzzles, shape matching cards, puppets, dolls and painting sets are great skill builders because they either get your child to problem solve or to use his imagination.

Search for Hidden Treasures: Instead of hitting the toy aisle, you can reach into your cupboard and pull out mixing bowls, measuring cups, or Tupperware containers. Remember, toddlers love to mimic the activities they see their parents engaging in (such as cooking, baking or drinking coffee or tea), so be sure to give them those opportunities.

Don’t Stress When They Mess: Toddlers are budding artists in the making, and in the process are finding ways to express their creativity. So break out the paints, crayons and markers, and let your child “go for it." You can even purchase a professional paint brush, fill a bucket of water and ask your little one to “paint” the outside of your house.

Kid-Friendly Restaurants That Contribute to Your Sense of Calm

Q: I am tired of getting dirty looks when I bring my kids out to dinner. Please give me a few local suggestions where I can bring them out for a bite without worrying if they throw their food, holler or simply pick a fight.

A: Yes, I recall those days, not long past, when my daughter thought it was hysterically funny to periodically yell at the top of her voice at a restaurant, and then when told to “use your inside voice,” would yell even louder (Good times). Luckily, I’ve discovered a few fabulous places with a variety of food choices right in our backyard that welcome kids and also offer food delicious enough to end up in their mouths and not the floor (one can only hope, right?).

BCD Tofu House; 1640 Schlosser Street, Fort Lee; www.bcdtofu.com; (201-944-2340); This new Korean restaurant in Fort Lee is located in the shopping center where Border’s Bookstore used to be. Not only does the restaurant offer a bountiful selection of Korean food (a specialty dish is Soon Tofu soup), but they also have a gorgeous playroom for kids that has a climbing wall and a train table.

Moe's Southwest Grill, 75 River Road, Edgewater; www.moes.com; (201-941-8060). This restaurant offers a wide array of South of the Border temptations like tacos, burritos and quesadillas, plus free chips and salsa with every meal. Best of all, kids eat free every Tuesday night.

BUCU Burger Bar & Bakery, 65 Route 4 West, Paramus (located in the same shopping center as Houlihan’s and Chipotle); www.eatbucu.com; (347-470-BUCU or 2828). This new burger/bakery concept restaurant open seven days a week features custom-made burgers (choose the bun, burger size, toppings and sauces), and homemade cupcakes, cookies and frozen yogurt and ice cream shakes.

Editor’s note: If you have questions related to parenting, raising kids or just generally being a mom, feel free to submit them to the author at estellewriter@aol.com, like the author at http://www.facebook.com/estelle.sobel.erasmus or email the editor at erik.wander@patch.com. Your question might just be featured in a future column.