Post Classifieds
New toys allow parents to ignore their kids
By Jennifer Waters
On November 30, 2012
For children, Christmas is a time to gather with family and enjoy the wonder of the year
and the new gifts they have received.
There is no sight more wondrous to a child than a brightly lit tree surrounded by glittering
presents. As their anticipation and excitement builds, so does the stress on their parents.
A solution to the problem this year means to revolutionize the way children and parents
interact, with toys that don't need parent participation.
Working at Hallmark, I get the wonder of experiencing the Christmas season from July until
March each year. But this year the kids products have outdone themselves.
One particular product that has expanded is our line of Story Buddies: adorable, large-
headed characters who each have their own series of books. The Buddies interact with the
child and parent as they read the story together.
Aside from adding more Buddies to the selection this year, the most marketable new
feature is a CD/DVD the parent can play to allow their child "independence" in use.
Instead of sitting down with their children and reading a new book, parents can purchase
this toy to give the child entertainment and free the parent from their obligations.
Looking at the product from this angle, it appears to be no different than using the
television as a parenting tool for busy parents who need time alone to accomplish tasks like
baking cookies or holiday decorating.
This is not the point of the holiday season.
Not that the holidays mean the same for every person and every family, but the point is not
to put distance between people. It's to bring them together and make memories.
Children are given an educational advantage when parents put effort into making sure they
have the necessary building blocks and support from home.
I can remember being four years old and reading to my sister when she was only months
old. I can remember how much I enjoyed that time together and how upset I would get
when she would fuss.
My mother took a personal interest in my education when I was very young and took it
upon herself to teach me to read before I had started kindergarten.
Perhaps this is where my love for books and reading stems, and also my disgust at this
devolution in quality bonding time over this beloved pastime.
Instead of purchasing a Story Buddy for a child, buy an actual book that they can enjoy with
family and focus on creating memories instead of feeding consumerist desires.
I don't remember what I received for Christmas each and every year as a child, but I know
that I still have those books. Even better, I have cherished memories of precious time spent
with my hardworking mother and little sister.
I will always look back fondly on baking cookies and how we would designate some
as "Emily Cookies" for my sister to decorate as much as she wanted, usually enough to send
anyone into a sugar coma.
Or working with my mom to carefully orchestrate tree decorating while watching National
Lampoon's Christmas Vacation.
These are the memories a child should take away from Christmas time. What they did with
their family, not what they did alone.
Jennifer Waters can be reached by email at waters.record@live.com.
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