Remembering the Names of My Childhood Toys

Past me thought of a way to never forget their names.

Stuffed Toys Display (Media from Wix)

Do you remember your childhood plush, dolls, or action figures? Chances are that you do remember your favorites. Do you remember their names?

Well, you likely remember the name of toys based on IP characters, but do you remember any of the names you gave your toys? Past me thought of a way for adult me to never forget.

In case it's helpful, below are the main points covered in this post:

• Naming My Toys

• How I "Remembered" Their Names

• What's Next?

Naming My Toys

Blank Name Card (Media from Wix)

Growing up, I had baby dolls and plush animals I adored. Some came to me with names I liked.

For example, my old Cabbage Patch Kid dolls came with their names printed on adoption paperwork. Some Pound Puppies came with their names printed on adoption paperwork or tags attached to their collars.

Three Plush Teddy Bears

There were other toys that I renamed or gave names to. For example, I chose the name Timmothy for one of my teddy bears. Timmothy did not have a name already associated with him when I got him. This was the case for most of my stuffed animals and a few baby dolls.

At some point, past me, around six or seven years old, worried about forgetting my toys' names.

How I "Remembered" Their Names

Handwritten Name on a Label

Have you seen any of the Toy Story movies by Pixar? If so, you may recall Andy and Bonnie writing their names on the bottom of their toys' feet. Well, I never had my name written on any of my toys, but I made sure to have their names somewhere on their body.

I or an adult wrote my toys' names on a butt tag (properly known as a label). Perhaps I worried about forgetting their names, especially if I did not come up with the name myself. For example, I had a stuffed rabbit Mom

Plush Dogs on a Recliner

Most of the toys I owned were short-lived, meaning Mom would sell them days, weeks, or months after I received them. This included my favorite Christmas gift ever.

Mom said she had to sell my new and old toys because we were on the verge of becoming poor. If she could not return the toys to a store, she would sell it to friends, at a pawn shop, or during a yard sale. (I learned during adulthood that Mom lied about our financial status, but that is a story for another day.)

Two Baby Dolls

Past me wanted to remember all my toys in case I could not keep them Apparently, I took pictures of my toys with a disposable or instant film camera every chance I had. I or an adult wrote my toys' names on the backs of the photographs. I saved the photographs in a small photo album.

Four Baby Dolls in Front of a Christmas Tree

I forgot about the album until recently. I have felt bummed for the past several weeks, so I thought going through my old memory box (a small box of trinkets from my youth) to cheer myself up. I felt better when I came across my old album.

I stared at photos of toys I forgot I owned. I forgot I had a shaggy dog I took to school for show-and-tell. I forgot I had a small doll named Tiffany. I forgot that Timmothy and his sisters had a Mama Bear and Papa Bear.

Seeing Mama Bear and Papa Bear reminded me of bittersweet childhood memories. I gave them those names because they were larger than I was as a child. They were my substitute parents.

Plush Bears on a Floral Couch

I hugged Papa Bear when I missed my Dad while he was deployed overseas. Dad was rarely home, so I imagined Papa Bear as a great stand-in until Dad returned.

I hugged Mama Bear when Mom ignored me or was away from home. Mom was a distant parent despite being my primary caretaker. She never cared to hear about my day at school, dismissed my feelings, and was too busy to spend time with me. Mama Bear listened to my stories, did not push me away when I cried, and was always readily available when I needed her.

These memories were forgotten for decades but not completely erased. I am grateful past me thought to document the toys that made me happy.

What's Next?

If you have a young child, consider encouraging your child to create a photo journal of their favorite toys.

They may dismiss and forget about it when they grow older, but there is a chance that it would make them nostalgically happy one day when they need a smile as an adult!

Comment below to brag about your favorite childhood toy!

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Thanks, and have a great day!

~Simply Jelly Jam