..to anthropomorphize toys.

The scene of the room full of viciously abused toys, all quietly sobbing while reminiscing the days when their owners cared about them and treated them well, is far too common in Christmas movies.

Do kids need this guilt? Do they really need to ascribe higher meaning to what are, in actuality, pieces of fabric, apple cores and recycled Chinese newspapers?

It's just a throwaway toy! Use it and abuse it, and toss it in the garbage with extreme prejudice!

Geez.

I convince my children to care for their toys by factually, and truthfully, informing them that a broken toy = a garbaged toy = one less toy to play with (not that such exhortations achieve much with a preschooler and a toddler, but at least they're a captive audience). I don't try to sucker them into thinking the toy feels pain, or cries at their misuse.