Baby Einstein refund?

[Mommy22boys]

I just read this article about a possible class action lawsuit filed against Disney in regards to the Baby Einstein videos, claiming false advertisement!  The article basically says that parents are mad that their kids aren't super-geniuses after having watched these videos and that many of the kids in this study have attention issues as a result of watching these videos.  Now what kind of idiot people are the parents of these kids?  Do they really think that plopping an infant in front of a flashing tv screen is going to really teach them everything?  Sure my kids learned Spanish watching Dora but I don't expect them to be fluent in it nor would I sure Nickelodeon because of it!  Not to mention every doctor or kids' health care professional I've ever talked to or read anything from (we won't even go into the amount of articles online or in magazines), says kids shouldn't get more than 2 hours a day of screen time and infants should get significantly less.

No, I've bought these videos, borrowed them from the library, and while they are fun for the kids to watch and keep babies attention for a while due to the pretty colors and fun sounds, I wouldn't expect a refund when I see the negative effects of prolonged screen time when no one told me I should allow my kids to watch these videos in lieu of parental interaction.  I will be the first to admit my kids watch too much tv, but I have no one to blame for that except myself.  I can't blame Disney because they have shows on the kids like to watch or Discovery Channel for making shows that enthrall the kids. 

In my book this lawsuit is as frivolous as the lady who sued McDonalds over the hot coffee.  Sorry for the rant, run on sentences, and possible misuse of words, but this article really struck a cord and I wanted to share it here where it's something we all care about.

[MoonLover06]

Oct. 27, 2009 at 12:07 PM

  i completely agree with you

[LovelyDisaster]

Oct. 27, 2009 at 12:10 PM

Yea, it's just plain stupid. I had one and put it on when I needed to start dinner. My son liked the flashing colors, lights, and all the jazz. Did I expect him to be some super smart kid because of it? NO. I sold it a while later because it just got annoying.

This is just ridiculous as those stupid Your Baby Can Read things. Anything for a buck. I'm sorry, but there's NO WAY your child can read at 18 months!! But people are buying into it. It's sad.

[LovelyDisaster]

Oct. 27, 2009 at 12:24 PM

This is just ridiculous as those stupid Your Baby Can Read things. Anything for a buck. I'm sorry, but there's NO WAY your child can read at 18 months!! But people are buying into it. It's sad.

 

Don't even get me started on those videos.  It's really nothing more than pattern recognition.  And the little girl reading Charlotte's Web, while adorable was probably coached for days and had dozens of takes to get it right! lol  The only thing helping kids get smarter is parental involvement in their child's education.  Making sure the homework gets done and the concepts are understood.    We can't take the easy way out of parenting by giving into the electronics.    I understand, we all need a break or to get things done without our kids underfoot, but thinking they'll get smarter by watching educational videos without any parental interaction is just, well, dumb!

(Original Poster)

[Nonoluna]

Oct. 27, 2009 at 5:19 PM

I was surprised but not shocked. There are some truly greedy people out there who will sue over anything. Disney should be doing well enough that they won't be crippled financially over this. I'm sure, in future, we will see warnings on the Baby Einstein products that warn people that watching these videos will not guarantee that your child will be a genius.

[Mommy22boys]

Oct. 27, 2009 at 5:28 PM

It's sad that a warning label on a video stating that it will not make you smarter is needed! lol

(Original Poster)

[Mom2jngnc]

Oct. 27, 2009 at 7:55 PM

I am right with you. I borrowed a couple from the lib. but my kids wouldn't watch them long enough for to pee.....