Numerous objects survive from the ancient Greek world that provide insights into aspects of childhood, but we often need to be careful how we interpret them. Images of mothers with children seem very familiar, but some experts have raised questions about the impact that infant mortality may have had on parental affection. Such images may therefore have more to do with reinforcing the role of the woman as bearer of children for the oikos. Ancient toys are very similar to some we still see nowadays, but also had a symbolic value: they were often dedicated to a god by girls on their marriage and by boys on reaching puberty, to mark the transition from childhood to adulthood.