The Baby Einstein company was last in the news for its color blocks product recall and is now back in the news again, with a vengence for a much, much bigger program, refunds on all Baby Einstein videos sold in the last five years.
The company will refund $15.99 for up to four “Baby Einstein” DVDs per household (that's $64 bucks), bought between June 5, 2004, and Sept. 5, 2009.
Why would Disney (who owns the Baby Einstein franchise) offer refunds on the videos? The rumor is that it is in response to pressure from Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood, an organization that has repeatedly complained about Baby Einstein's marketing practices to the FCC and demanded the refund program. Their beef? Baby Einstein's claim that their videos are "educational."
It turns out TV (any TV) is not good for babies and there is plenty of research that shows children should not be watching TV before the age of two as well as a recommedation to that effect from the American Academy of Pediatrics.
I spent some time on the playgrounds over the past few days and asked a bunch of different mommies from different backgrounds what they thought about the Baby Einstein videos and refund program. I must say I was more than a little surprised that everyone I spoke with claimed that they 1) never thought they were educational and 2) never used them with their own kids. Sounds like bit of Monday morning quarterbacking to me from the mommysphere. I received about 10 baby Einstein videos from various moms when my son was born, some of whom were the very same moms I spoke with this weekend.
Did I use any of the Baby Einstein video gifts I received? I can admit it, yes I did. A few times. But not when I was trying to teach my son anything. Heck no. I popped those suckers in when I needed 15 minutes of peace. I probably would have used them more had they not completely creeped me out.
And I am not passing judgement on anyone who liked them. I am no saint when it comes to TV watching and babies. Our son is an early riser and generally crappy sleeper and from the time he was about a year, we have spent every morning from 6-7 or 7-7:30 watching either Sesame Street or Curious George. And he is okay. He is verbal (too verbal -- told me this weekend I give him a headache). He is well adjusted. Am I happy that I've had to occasionally use TV for my sanity or an extra hour of sleep. No, I'm not. But as a parent you do the best you can.
So for all you mommies who are now mortified that you're child has ever set eyes on a Baby Einstein video. For all you mommies who are not returning those videos for your $15.99 refund per and are instead burning them in your backyard late at night to hide the evidence. Relax. Your kids will be fine. Scoop up four of your videos, go get your Baby Einstein refund and buy your kid something truly educational that you can feel great about (for now).
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Comments: 16
What I want to really know is if there are any moms out there who have NEVER exposed any of their children/toddlers to television? If there are, do you think your child is smarter and more adjusted than kids whose parents let them watch or be exposed to TV at a young age? Are there any studies to prove this is the case?
I'm just wondering.
I have never met a parent whose child was not exposed to TV as a baby or toddler. Some parents severely limited their exposure, though, mostly to times when the parent is watching while the child is in the room.
The study I read about said that kids who watched TV between 1-3 years old had more attention problems. I am not sure how much TV watching was linked to that issue though.
What kids under age two really need is mom, dad, and picture books. Oh yes- I think music is very important too.
We did start watching Disney videos with our kids after they were two years old, but before then no. Doctors and psychologists do NOT recommend television before age two.
I don't know, but it seems like there's just too much pressure about parenting these days that might be depriving some parents of the sheer pleasure of it. My children are grown and - yes - it was a sheer pleasure, teenage years and all. (And of course they are amazing and wonderful.)