[mama_again]

I received this on an email... interesting? Not too sure... but worthy to read the story in the NY Times....


The great Baby Einstein scam - Parenting on Shine

[Sleeplvr]

My husband told me about this last night. We bought Baby Einstein videos but not for the claims that it will make the baby smarter. We bought a boxed set and the only time I remember using it was at bedtime. We would put in the good night video that had soothing music and images. It put DH and I right to sleep and didn't do anything for the kids.

[sbaglio]

If you read the comments section of this and other articles on the topic, it's funny how NOBODY bought these DVDs because they thought they would make their kids more clever!

[sugarandspice697]

We also bought some Baby Einstien gear for DD and her cousin when she comes over. Honestly, I never bought them because I wanted Firefly to be smart. I bought them because it was an educational video that I felt comfortable with her watching while I cook dinner or clean up.

We don't have cable television so on evenings and weekends, there isn't really anything for the girls to watch when we're busy.


ETA: This is a classic case of that "Robin Hood" mentality that is rampant in American society. Too many people are robbing to rich through lawsuits to feed the poor . A similar situation happened when two teenagers tried to sue McDonalds because the food made them fat. CRAZY!!

[mommytoEli]

we have 2. i thought about sending them back to get my money. but honestly, my 6 year old still asks to watch them several times a year, and when he does, he sits there completely quiet. he loves it. lol. he has adhd and he just must find the videos soothing. i think those few moments of peace for both of us are worth the 15.99. lol.

fwiw, the 2 i got, i received as gifts, and i never thought they'd make my kids geniuses. lol.

[OakShannon]

Originally Posted by sugarandspice697

ETA: This is a classic case of that "Robin Hood" mentality that is rampant in American society. Too many people are robbing to rich through lawsuits to feed the poor . A similar situation happened when two teenagers tried to sue McDonalds because the food made them fat. CRAZY!!

Parent's didn't sue because their kids didn't become smarter. The Campaign for a Commercial Free Childhood sued Baby Einstein for false and deceptive advertising. Which they were guilty of. And which is illegal.

If parents want to buy them as a way to keep kids entertained while they cook dinner, that's fine. But the company isn't allowed to lie to parents and say that their product is beneficial when it has been proven not to be.

Fazdi, I agree that it is interesting . . .

[sugarandspice697]

Originally Posted by OakShannon

Parent's didn't sue because their kids didn't become smarter. The Campaign for a Commercial Free Childhood sued Baby Einstein for false and deceptive advertising. Which they were guilty of. And which is illegal...

I never did say that the parents sued Disney. There is no way one person could take on an entertainment giant like Disney. Let me paraphrase (words in brackets are mine for clarification)

Originally Posted by sugarandspice697

ETA: This is a classic case of that "Robin Hood" mentality that is rampant in American society. Too many people [the "Robin Hood" named CCFC] are robbing the rich [Disney] through lawsuits to feed the poor [parents]. A similar situation happened when two teenagers tried to sue McDonald's because the food made them fat. CRAZY!!

If you want your children to be "smart" read them a book instead of parking them in front of the television (there is a reason why television is called the "boob tube" and "the idiot box". I'm not saying that television is completely worthless; but seriously parents, not everything on Playhouse Disney is beneficial for our children).

I don't want to come of as having a "greater than thou" mentality because Firefly does watch television every now and then (and hopefully, our pediatrician isn't reading this post...). However, its time that we as consumers stop listening to what people who are chasing our wallets tell us and do our own research.