To Playroom or Not?

Ever since Saturday's play date, I've been complating the inadequacy of my house, and its lack of a play room. (I contemplate the inadequacy and the 60+ years of dinginess of the house on regular basis, and dream of living in either new or completely gutted and renovated older house.)

But this is different.

First, compared to other people's toy arsenal, Ivan has a scant selection of toys. They mostly fit into that Ikea rattan box (not counting the stuffed animals.) But then again, he hasn't really seemed that interested in toys. Give him the vacuum cleaner, mouse, a cord of any sort or a broom and he'll entertain himself for hours.

Second, it seems that everyone sets up a playroom for the child. We don't have that. His toys are in the living room, where we spend most of the day. A few are in his bedroom, and the books are in the spare bedroom where were chill before going to bed at night. (The whole book reading thing is another issue, that I've been wanting to address but keep postponing.)

Karin's playroom was in the basement. Her basement, like the rest of the house, looked esquisite (and was esquisitively clean, despite a dog and four cats, which I'm in awe of.) It was a bright, invitiving yellow room with all these toys, books, etc....laid out. A perfect play area.

So now I've been thinking should I convert my basement to a playroom area. But the thing is I don't like spending time in a basement. (Maybe it's just our basement, which always seems cold and not that inviting, unless we're watching TV.)

Do we need a playroom? I feel like we should have one, because all the ubiquitous Jones's seem to have one (along with the standard assortment of acceptable toys found in all ovearchieving, middle-class homes in this area).

Are we going to jinx Ivan, if we don't have one? Is he going to feel like there is something lacking in his house?

Andy doesn't think we should have a playroom. The truth is neither do I. I like Ivan and all his toys to be where we are, in the living room, or any other rooms we may be in.

I even ran this by Sanjoy and Rita considering they have a huge house and a plethora of toys. They keep all Maya's stuff in the open-space area, family room right off the kitchen where they spend most of their day.

Rita's comment echoed my thoughts: if you create a playroom, them you confine the child to that one area, like he's not supposed to be anywhere else.

I completely agree. So no playroom for us! (Not like we'd have space to have one, in any case.)