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Children don't need store-bought toys when they have an imagination!

As a young girl, I loved to play with dolls, especially my Barbies. I had probably twenty dolls, oodles of clothes, a couple of cars, a house, and furniture. Beyond that, it was up to me. Raised by grandparents who lived through the depression, penny-pinching was an art form in our house. My grandmother started by teaching me to sew clothes for my dolls. We used old cardboard boxes to make some of the furniture. Once I packed my Barbies into their truck for a camping trip in our backyard on a tree stump. The flowers and bushes became the forest and the dog became a wild bear to be avoided. My dolls and I had as much as if those things were purchased from the store, except I gained much more by doing it myself.

My imagination did not stop at my Barbies. I had one dress-up dress that could turn me into a princess, superhero, or teacher depending on how I tied the belt. My cousins and I created treasure hunts for each other and spent hours playing tag in the front yard. I lined my dolls up and played school or hospital depending on my mood. I drew pictures and wrote stories as long as I could hold a pencil. Pretend was my favorite game by far.
Looking back, I can't think of anything I missed out on by not having the newest, hottest toys. I can think of many positives to the way I was raised. I gained a sense of accomplishment because I saw my ideas come to fruition. I learned to see things through from beginning to end. My creativity blossomed. I developed a sense of appreciation for how things are made. I learned to do things over if they didn't work they way I expected the first time. I spent valuable time with my grandmother developing a relationship. I had money to spend on things I really wanted to spend my money on rather than things I could make myself. I didn't care about what was popular at the moment, I cared about my latest creation. I recycled before recycling was cool. I played with a purpose.
The benefits carry over into my life today. As an adult I am willing to try new things. When I see something I like, I go home and recreate it rather than spending my money to purchase a more expensive version. I am an organized employee that can be counted on to finish tasks and work independently. I think outside the box. Best of all, I spend time with my grandmother and my daughters coming up with all sorts of new creations and wonderful memories.

Learn more about this author, April Nourse.
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