Anyone read: Buy Buy Baby?

[homefrontgirl]

Anyone read this book? Buy Buy Baby

I thought this would be a good place to discuss it. I read it in January and it really cemented my decision to keep being tv free. While it's not about tv specifically, I think it's a relevant book for this brand new forum. Anyone want to discuss?

[Individuation]

I LOVED that book. It really turned me off of all licensed characters, though. And the corruption of beloved characters from my childhood into licensing machines really pisses me off--I'm thinking of Eloise, Frances, and others.

[mumkenna&lucas]

Is this geared towards all kids or just babies in general? I am just wondering if it was worth me getting witha 3 and 5 year old!! Thanks!

[Individuation]

Oh, it's great for all kids. I'd say ESPECIALLY preschool age.

[Nicole_ac]

I have to read that one! Thanks for mentioning it, it seems very interesting.

We have very few 'educational' toys at home, only the toys we received as gifts. I never bought any swing or exersauser or jumper whatever that is. However, I take her to Kindermusik and we have a subscription to the local aquarium, it's awesome.

[loraxc]

Yeah, that was a great one!

[homefrontgirl]

Cool! People have read it! No one I know IRL has.

For me it was the part about Gen X parents that was really eye-opening. It was crazy how I saw myself. I grew up in the country with only two tv channels to watch (one was PBS), but I still seemed to watch my share. I so identified with the Gen X mom profile.

Last summer we took some swimming lessons (more like how-to-get-wet lessons) and the first thing the instructor asked was if any of the kids (all around the age of 1) had watched Baby Einstein. We were the only ones who hadn't. The book really explains that whole trend very well.

[Individuation]

Originally Posted by homefrontgirl

For me it was the part about Gen X parents that was really eye-opening. It was crazy how I saw myself. I grew up in the country with only two tv channels to watch (one was PBS), but I still seemed to watch my share. I so identified with the Gen X mom profile.

I know. My husband and I were in shock after reading that---like all Gen-Xers, we think we're utterly unique. I think it was really interesting in that it sort of represented an AP mindset as part of the GenX way of parenting.

[GooeyDay]

This sounds really interesting ~ I just submitted a request at the library!

~* Laura

[LittleYellow]

Originally Posted by homefrontgirl

Cool! People have read it! No one I know IRL has.

For me it was the part about Gen X parents that was really eye-opening. It was crazy how I saw myself. I grew up in the country with only two tv channels to watch (one was PBS), but I still seemed to watch my share. I so identified with the Gen X mom profile.

Last summer we took some swimming lessons (more like how-to-get-wet lessons) and the first thing the instructor asked was if any of the kids (all around the age of 1) had watched Baby Einstein. We were the only ones who hadn't. The book really explains that whole trend very well.

So why was the SWIM teacher asking if the kids had watched baby Einstein? Paid by the company?

I have read the book, but I get the info in that one mixed up with info from other books on the same general subject (like Consuming Kids). Is Buy, Buy Baby the book that talks about the Thomas train tables at Barnes and Nobel?

[homefrontgirl]

Originally Posted by LittleYellow

So why was the SWIM teacher asking if the kids had watched baby Einstein? Paid by the company?

I have read the book, but I get the info in that one mixed up with info from other books on the same general subject (like Consuming Kids). Is Buy, Buy Baby the book that talks about the Thomas train tables at Barnes and Nobel?

I think he was just making conversation/breaking the ice. It was odd, that's for sure.

Yep. Who wrote Consuming Kids?

[LittleYellow]

Originally Posted by homefrontgirl

Who wrote Consuming Kids?

Susan Linn - the lady who runs the Center for a Commercial Free Childhood.

[VBMama]

Hmm, I haven't read this yet but will be back to discuss after I get it from the library! As I mentioned in my intro, I couldn't believe what a difference it made to my own buying habits/personal satisfaction when tv disappeared from my life, so I have no doubt that it will have an effect on my children to minimize their exposure to consumerism.

[goldfinch]

I just checked it out from the library and realized I already read it a while back... but I'm reading again just the same. it really confirms a lot of what I thought were just sort of my paranoid delusions about the whole "educational toys" scam and the marketing-to-kids nightmare.

[glendora]

I put it on my "to read" list!

[Shell]

Originally Posted by goldfinch

I just checked it out from the library and realized I already read it a while back... but I'm reading again just the same. it really confirms a lot of what I thought were just sort of my paranoid delusions about the whole "educational toys" scam and the marketing-to-kids nightmare.

How bizarre. I just checked it out of the library a few weeks ago, and I also realized that I had read it already! And... I read it again... with the same result of reaffirming my decisions! It is an excellent book. I highly recommend it. It really frames how examining and taking advantage of children's behavior has been turned into a commodity.

[LianneM]

I just wanted to say thanks for this thread I am reading this book now and it's great. We aren't tv-free yet but we want to move in that direction.

[Nicole_ac]

wait... have to pick it up on Monday, can't wait...

[homefrontgirl]

Can't wait to hear what everyone has to say!

[NYCVeg]

I just ordered it.

In the same vein, I highly recommend "Packaging Girlhood" if you have a girl.