Kids and Obsessions
Yesterday I posted about marketing tactics and kids and how I think it’s done all wrong in some cases. But what happens when companies market directly to kids for all the right reasons and it works so well that the child becomes obsessed with a favorite cartoon character or theme? Think princesses, sports, hot wheels, etc.
My youngest is obsessed with sea creatures. It started with Nemo and grew from there. He has plenty of books about sea creatures, we have a saltwater fish tank (complete with a Nemo fish) and he also owns a number of toys that are sea-creature related. But it's never gotten so bad where it seems to take over his life and it's actually an educational experience as we learn the facts about sea creatures. I have even learned a lot since he first started showing an interest.
Unfortunately, not all cases are that easily explained or handled, nor will they end up in a positive outcome for the child. It’s not easy as a parent to know that your child has taken a simple childhood toy and turned it into an obsession that eventually will lead to a false reality for them. It’s even harder when it has happened without any warning.
When it becomes an obsession for kids where should parents place the blame? Companies are marketing the items to our kids. Can we fault them for being successful at it? We can, but is that where the responsibility lies, with the company?
In the end, it’s us as parent’s who are ultimately accountable for keeping the situation from getting out of hand and becoming a negative obsession for our child. We are the ones who need to explain to our children what is real and what is make believe, along with what is acceptable and what isn’t.
How do you know when it’s becoming too much for your child? Many times, we aren’t the only ones responsible for buying our children the items, but instead they are gifts. So, how do you stop friends and family from giving gifts to your child that you know will fuel the fire? Politely asking them to buy something different for your child won’t always work, but it’s worth a shot right?
By the way, if my son becomes a marine biologist because of his sea creature passion, I won't be disappointed. ;-)
My youngest is obsessed with sea creatures. It started with Nemo and grew from there. He has plenty of books about sea creatures, we have a saltwater fish tank (complete with a Nemo fish) and he also owns a number of toys that are sea-creature related. But it's never gotten so bad where it seems to take over his life and it's actually an educational experience as we learn the facts about sea creatures. I have even learned a lot since he first started showing an interest.
Unfortunately, not all cases are that easily explained or handled, nor will they end up in a positive outcome for the child. It’s not easy as a parent to know that your child has taken a simple childhood toy and turned it into an obsession that eventually will lead to a false reality for them. It’s even harder when it has happened without any warning.
When it becomes an obsession for kids where should parents place the blame? Companies are marketing the items to our kids. Can we fault them for being successful at it? We can, but is that where the responsibility lies, with the company?
In the end, it’s us as parent’s who are ultimately accountable for keeping the situation from getting out of hand and becoming a negative obsession for our child. We are the ones who need to explain to our children what is real and what is make believe, along with what is acceptable and what isn’t.
How do you know when it’s becoming too much for your child? Many times, we aren’t the only ones responsible for buying our children the items, but instead they are gifts. So, how do you stop friends and family from giving gifts to your child that you know will fuel the fire? Politely asking them to buy something different for your child won’t always work, but it’s worth a shot right?
By the way, if my son becomes a marine biologist because of his sea creature passion, I won't be disappointed. ;-)
posted by Alice at 4:21 AM
NEW! 
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