Babies. You buy them diapers, but they decide to pee on you during changing time. You make them gourmet pureed meals, but they’re most satisfied gnawing on their boogers. You give them beautiful toys, but all they want to play with is the TV remote.
Sometimes, you’ve just gotta give in.
The remote thing? It’s real. Babies love TV remote controls. But not those infantile, primary-colored toy replicas that play lullabies when you press the massive buttons. No, actual TV remotes. They’re not fools.
However, you probably don’t want your tot messing with your own battery-filled device, the one that gives you Netflix. So do what other clever parents are doing: Buy a cheap remote (or several) on the internet.
In a Cup of Jo post on parenting, a mom named Samantha shares her tip:
My one-year-old was obsessed with our TV remote. He wouldn’t fall for the ol’ fake baby remote, so I bought six old remotes from people on a Facebook group. It was the best $3 I’ve spent, and it’s still his most played with toy.”
You can find brand new remotes for about $1 each on eBay. Or check your storage drawers to see if you have any old ones lying around. Just make sure you clean them thoroughly and check for any loose buttons. And remember to leave out the batteries and keep an eye on your babies as they’re playing.
Real toys—who needs ‘em?