Today's Op Ed: No. That is Incorrect.

THE New Family parents receive updates from Cadence Health. These are timely and informative e-mails discussing various issues, giving advice, and offering tips pertinent to the Twins age.

The most recent one had the teasing subject line "The best toy ever."

The e-mail claimed that the best toy at week 50 is building blocks.

It is not.

The best toy ever is Dad.




Dad is, amongst other things, a toy. A toy serves several purposes, to amuse, entertain, educate, and occupy time. Dad serves all of these purposes and more.

But unlike a toy, Dad never runs out of ways to amuse and educate the Twins. Blocks are examined, inspected, and tossed aside. Blocks just exist as inanimate objects. Dad initiates play. Blocks initiate nothing. Dad responds too to faces, verbalizations, and likes. Blocks respond to nothing.

Oh sure, blocks can be amusing for a bit, but so can any bright shiny toy. Dad, on the other hand, is ceaselessly fun and entertaining. And Dad can bring about and sustain giggles and squeals. No toy has done that.

Not to discount Mom and siblings, their interaction is important and entertaining too as is extended family and friends. But Dad is not comparing the relative importance of familial relations and friendships. Dad's assertion is that he, in comparison to any toy, is the best.

Books, for example, are not going to read themselves, even those that do need prompting from an experienced reader.

Electronic toys, with their lights, music, sounds, and movement, eventually lose fascination and sometimes never gain it at all. Dad merely needs to give  look, make a sound, or move about to grab immediate, sustained, attention.

Common non-toy objects like boxes and plastic laundry baskets are fun for a time. But these all eventually go away or are repurposed. Dad has staying power. He can adapt to their ever developing skills and interests.

But should you remain unconvinced, Dad asked the opinion of those whose opinoin really matters: the Twins. He placed a plastic block with shiny noise making to encased whitihn it on the ground. He released the Twins from their playspace confines and situated himself a few yards away next to the block. They did not hesitate to quickly make their way to him, smiles and all, while completely oblivious to the block. They began to compete for space and climb up on him. This is overwheliming and compelling evidence that in their authoritative opinions:
Dad is the best toy ever.