I agree with the point about remodeling cheap toys to make it better or to make it serve a specific function of play, but learning the value of a dollar for more expensive toys is as worthwhile a lesson as valuing creativity.

Also, teaching them when and where it's appropriate has to happen in conjunction with this. We had a big cardboard box that my daughter was using in her room, and one of her friends decided to rip it apart to make something without talking to her or me about it. She was pretty pissed, and his response to "You can't destroy other people's things" was "But *I* wanted to make something." I know it was a cardboard box with no monetary value, but it meant something to her and it wasn't his to destroy. He has not been invited back, nor will he be--by my daughter's request. If you think your special snowflake idea is more important than preserving someone else's belongings, you don't get to come over to our house anymore.

My colorful relatives might call this "Look, I done told you once" parenting.

So powerful. Thank you.

There is certainly a lot of burnout--not enough money or people for everything that needs doing--but the UK's attitudes really do make up for it. Just came from the NAS Early Bird parenting class today, where we spent an hour discussing the iceberg metaphor: "You see 10% of your child's whole picture (the 'what'), but there is 90% below the surface you need to look at to understand (the 'why')." All the quotes in the course today were from autistic people, not parents or professionals. It is pretty refreshing.

Love the rabbit! We're spending a sniffly Monday snuggling under blankets.