You've heard about Webkinz, right?
If not...let me explain...they are the new Beanie Babies. They're stuffed animals that come in all kinds of cute types of animals, colors and breeds. What makes them special is that you can go online and "discover a virtual world" in which you can do thing with your "virtual" Webkinz -- take them for a walk, take them to the groomer, buy them clothes. I've actually never been to the Web site (until I just linked to it) -- that's still on my list of things to "check out" when I have time...along with cleveland.com, dayton.com, unscrewAmerica.com, onlineshoes.com...(sigh), but a neighbor showed me around the site once.
My daughter, 6, has one Webkinz. My mother bought it for her for Easter. She has no clue that she's missing out on an entire virtual world -- she just liked the stuffed animal and wanted one cause all her cousins and friends at school had one. Grandma came through for her.
Saturday morning -- after spending Friday night with all her cousins -- she informed me that she wanted another Webkinz. I asked her why and eventually pried it out of her that she needed another one because all her cousins have two of them.
I was sort of stunned. My kid has never been one of those who are into labels or material stuff or status. I know that will happen eventually -- kids will start comparing themselves and what they have to other kids -- but, up until now...a year into big-kid school...materialism hasn't been a big problem.
I patiently explained that she had a mountain of stuffed animals -- she could pick another animal and pretend it's a Webkinz.
That's when she pointed out the logo on the bottom of the foot of the animal and said, "No...it has to have this...like this."
My jaw dropped. I just didn't expect such a... materialistic (for lack of a better word)... response. (at least she's honest, right?).
I could've bought her another Webkinz. I have a job and some expendable income, but I'm not going to spend it buying things with logos so that she can keep up with the Joneses.
I told her to add it to her birthday list.
No dice. "July is tooooo far awwwwwaaaayyyyyy," she whined.
So, then I explained that if she really wanted another one, she'd have to do what mommy and daddy do when they want something -- work to earn money and save it until you have enough.
She immediately ran upstairs and cleaned her entire room, her sisters room, the playroom and picked up her toys in the living room.
I gave her $3.
Her face fell.
"This isn't enough," she said.
I explained that $3 is what the work she did was worth and that she'd have to continue doing things and helping around the house to earn more money to buy what she wants.
I noticed this morning that both her bed and her sister's beds were made, so....my diabolical scheme appears to be working.
It's in these little things that I can pass on big, important life lessons -- like working for what you want and saving money and, hopefully, that blowing a bunch of money on something because it has a special tag or label on it is pretty silly.
Comments (1)
I am going to sheepishly admit this, but I, Michelle, 17 years of age, am a Webkinz owner, user, and lover.
I have (go figure) a Webkinz cat, named "WebzDebz," after the teacher who gave it to me. That's right, my high school teacher gave it to me. (You can stop shaking your head in disbelief... I see you there).
Indeed, they are the next TY beanie baby craze, in which I have green tote tubs FULL to the top with these critters, only Webkinz are better...they're online. lol.
I think it's ridiculous that I'm into them, I know for a fact that I would have never purchased one for myself, but at the same time, it's a lot of fun, and it's really educational.
It solves the problem of children not using educational things on the computer. If you go to Quizzie's Quiz Lab, you learn so much (seriously, I learned some biology that I didn't know, same with American History, etc.) HOWEVER, it doesn't solve child obesity problems. I'm as guilty as the next fat person for spending too much time online, but this Webkinz thing isn't solving it for the next generation... I think they should incorporate some health monitoring mechanism like a pedometer in the Webkinz so that users could earn "Kinz Cash" (their form of money) for playing outdoors with their "pal."
'Course, eventually kids will out smart that and put the critter in the dryer or something so that the pedometer shakes up and calculates steps.
I'm sure now that you know this Webkinz secret of mine, you'll never look at me the same again... I don't blame you! LOL!
Kudos to Mom for teaching her child the value of a dollar. The Webkinz critters are EXPENSIVE.
Oh, and FYI, April 29th is Webkinz appreciation day... or something of the like! So have a Webbie filled day! LOL!
Posted by Michelle F. | April 29, 2008 4:28 PM
Posted on April 29, 2008 16:28