Will Thomas Never Die?
OK. I know you all are going to think that I'm a great big meanie here, but this is the stark truth:
I hate Thomas the Tank Engine.
There, I said it. It is a confession that I feel ashamed to make. Josiah has loved Thomas since he was 18 months old, so it has been a long, long love affair for the two of them. At first, I loved Thomas too. I loved presenting Josiah with a new train to add to his collection. I loved getting new pieces of track and new buildings to expand his railroad. I loved putting together new, challenging and convoluted railways for him to delight in. Hmmm, maybe in the beginning, the love affair was partly mine.
Somewhere along the line, though, Thomas began to get old. There have been times when Josiah seemed to show some interest in different playthings and Thomas seemed to gather dust. But lately, Thomas has been back with a vengeance. Josiah sings Thomas songs all day, stages elaborate railroad accidents all day, sleeps, eats and breathes Thomas. The only person interested in playing with him anymore is Annika, and even she has a limited affection for Thomas. He's not pink enough for her taste.
It's got to stop. It's gotten so bad that we (horrible parent confession) have actually locked his trains away for periods of 48 hours, in a lame attempt to get him to focus on other toys. We have (next horrible parent confession) ignored his repeated requests to play "accidents" with him or build railways. I doubt I could feel worse as a parent than when I tell Josiah that I don't want to play Thomas.
So, what should we do? I swear that Thomas is an evil entity and that when we go to bed at night, his little eyes light up red and he puff-puff-puffs up to Josiah's sleeping ear, whispering "I'll never get tired of Thomas...I'll never put Thomas away...I'll still play with Thomas when I'm 28...Thomas is my only and best friend...go buy more engines".
I need some input, because seriously, one more request to watch Thomas videos on YouTube and I'm going to start pulling out my hair. Is this behavior, this obession with Thomas, healthy? Would it be wrong to take Thomas and burn him and all his friends in an incinerator? Could I take Thomas "out to live in the country with a nice family?"
Or should we just let Josiah be?
I hate Thomas the Tank Engine.
There, I said it. It is a confession that I feel ashamed to make. Josiah has loved Thomas since he was 18 months old, so it has been a long, long love affair for the two of them. At first, I loved Thomas too. I loved presenting Josiah with a new train to add to his collection. I loved getting new pieces of track and new buildings to expand his railroad. I loved putting together new, challenging and convoluted railways for him to delight in. Hmmm, maybe in the beginning, the love affair was partly mine.
Somewhere along the line, though, Thomas began to get old. There have been times when Josiah seemed to show some interest in different playthings and Thomas seemed to gather dust. But lately, Thomas has been back with a vengeance. Josiah sings Thomas songs all day, stages elaborate railroad accidents all day, sleeps, eats and breathes Thomas. The only person interested in playing with him anymore is Annika, and even she has a limited affection for Thomas. He's not pink enough for her taste.
It's got to stop. It's gotten so bad that we (horrible parent confession) have actually locked his trains away for periods of 48 hours, in a lame attempt to get him to focus on other toys. We have (next horrible parent confession) ignored his repeated requests to play "accidents" with him or build railways. I doubt I could feel worse as a parent than when I tell Josiah that I don't want to play Thomas.
So, what should we do? I swear that Thomas is an evil entity and that when we go to bed at night, his little eyes light up red and he puff-puff-puffs up to Josiah's sleeping ear, whispering "I'll never get tired of Thomas...I'll never put Thomas away...I'll still play with Thomas when I'm 28...Thomas is my only and best friend...go buy more engines".
I need some input, because seriously, one more request to watch Thomas videos on YouTube and I'm going to start pulling out my hair. Is this behavior, this obession with Thomas, healthy? Would it be wrong to take Thomas and burn him and all his friends in an incinerator? Could I take Thomas "out to live in the country with a nice family?"
Or should we just let Josiah be?
Comments
You have also shown Josiah how to be creative with art projects and have taught him to read. It's not as though you have depended on Thomas to raise him. Once again, I say, "Let him keep Thomas."
I still remember coming to Rhode Island and learned that some of the Thomas trains were in jail. I don't recall ever using the term "jail" with my kids. I guess I thought it was funny.
[I'm in your corner, Josiah. Love, Grandma D.]
Be thankful it's not Elmo. I've had times where I would want to smash each and every Elmo dvd that she has collected. That voice can get to you when you hear it over and over and over.
I used to babysit for a boy who was hardcore into trains. Their entire basement was one huge train track, and he used to beg me to put his little sister to bed early so we could go down and play.
Haven't known that neighbor boy in a long time but he grew out of only/always wanting to play trains as he got older, though I'd guess he still has a soft spot for trains.
He WILL grow out of it. I promise. I don't think you are doing anything wrong by encouraging him to play with other toys. there is nothing wrong with being honest and telling him you are tired of playing Thomas, and suggesting something else.
How about those kids he supposedly "won't play with" ;o) at preschool, any of them into Thomas? Maybe he can go over to their house and play while you and Annika dress up in pink :o)
Thank God you said something. After spending a few years babysitting for 3 & 4 year old boys, I was soooo over Thomas in 1993. It went downhill when Ringo left IMO.
The Second World War, for example. I know of one such case that ended up very badly indeed *shaking head sadly*; no social skills to speak of, far too much knowledge of obscure, even ridiculous pieces of trivia no-one else cares about...it's really quite tragic. Thomas is a beneficial influence indeed compared to such a waste.
Everyone obsesses over something. Teeth, Hair, Thomas, Elmo, etc.
After reading the other comments I agree that it is his thing for now and just let him do it.
As for you you can either change your attitude or keep getting bothered until he changes.
There are worse things than Thomas.
It would be fun to see him play soccer - maybe later this fall.
Love,
Steve.