The Baby Einstein Argument

[debsmooth]

My mother is a handful. She knows everything and I know nothing. So going into this, there is no way to win. She's looking after my sister's son and part of why she contends that he is clearly a genius (he seems about normal/average to me) is that she purchased and downloaded (directly into his brain) the entire Baby Einstein library. She seems to think I need to do the same for my baby. I said I was not interested in getting a 2 month old to watch tv. She's furious at me and says I'm a bad parent. Nice, eh?

[KerryS]

I have Baby Mozart and am thinking of buying the signing one. I like it because it keeps my little guy occupied and content for 20 minutes while I shower, not because I'm trying to create a little genius (he'll be a genius because of his fabulous genes, not because of videos ;)). I don't think he started showing any interest in the video until closer to 6 months, though.

If she truly was furious and said you were a bad parent over that, and you're not just using hyperbole, then I think I'd have to cut her out of my life. That type of toxic person is not good for my wellbeing or that of my child.

[madelsmama]

I think your MIL just felt rejected over the offer and totally over-reacted. Based up the facts you've provided alone, I'm not sure I would cut her out of my life, but I'd try to have a rational conversation with her (or just avoid the topic altogether in the future).

I think you are wise to avoid TV at a young age, though 20 minutes of Baby Einstein here and there when you need a break would not be detrimental. The AAP recommends avoiding TV until age 2. My first child watched Baby Einstein from a few months of age, I've avoided TV exposure more with my second (now 18 months). Both are geniuses, naturally. ;)

For your MIL:
http://www.unplugyourkids.com/2007/05/07/tv-and-toddlers-aap-recommendation/

[Teresa64]

Both my boys like the baby einsten movies. I use them for the background noise. They don't usually sit and watch them. They like the music more then anything else.

I had a daycare kid once who would scream unless I kept Baby McDonald on the whole time he was with me. (dead serious...high pitched screams) He had developemental issues. He was the sweetest little boy as long as the movie was on!

I limit TV if that is all they are doing...just sitting there staring at it. My kids don't though so I usually keep some kind of bouncy kid show on.

[debsmooth]

Thanks all. This is not my mother-in-law. This is my actual mother. She was not speaking in hyperbole. This is her normal mode of speech, astounding as that may be. My oldest daughter has speech issues brought on by continual ear infections from 2 and half to age 4. My mother contends it was my bad parenting that caused it. As it stands, she has not spoken to me in several days because I told I was not interested in her offer of the entire library of Baby Einstein products. I was polite and did thank her for her kind offer but we don't really do TV at this house or rarely. We have one TV in the living room and only watch it when we are all together and it's a show we can all enjoy or learn something from. Don't feel Baby Einstein falls into that category. I would far rather interact with my DDs myself than have a TV show do it. I guess I am old-fashioned. If my mom wants to have a row over it then she can feel free to do so but it's a shame and I find it frustrating to deal with her. Her constant bragging about how my nephew who is in her care is a genius and "mechanically inclined" and sure to be a surgeon or a lawyer is really tedious too.

[KerryS]

She sounds passive-aggressive and emotionally manipulative to me. Another reason why I would try to cut out or at least greatly minimize her presence in my life.

[SingingMom]

We should all get our genius children together. ;) Clearly they have things in common.

I'm not a fan of making a two month old baby watch TV. But I'd take the Baby Einstein videos if only for the signing ones. They are curiously soothing. If I put a Baby Einstein on, my whole family (including DH!) will end up in the living room, quietly reading or playing or whatever. And the signing was a big help to us.

We pretty much watch TV the same way you do. One TV, only on if we can all enjoy it together.

Can't help you with the mother. Mine is a problem too, although mine is rarely so blatant and obvious about it. But sometimes, yes, sometimes...

[Peanut1207]

Okay I totally agree with you on the TV thing. Baby Einstein is a load of marketing crap, it is in no way, shape, or form developmentally appropriate for a baby. To sit and watch TV/DVDs whatever you want to call them is a totally passive and ridiculous way to expect our children to learn. I have a BA in Early Childhood (birth-3rd grade), a BA in elementary ed (K-6) and a M.Ed. in Reading (K-12) so I consider myself somewhat educated in the areas of early childhood development. I would stick to your thoughts and ignore your mother's hurtful remarks. Raise your children the way you know is best. The Baby Einstein thing has permeated our society and for people to think it's valid or good to be having 2 month olds watch DVDs is crazy. I totally understand needing to take a shower or get things done around the house and what individuals choose to do is up to them...I prefer the pack and play with a few interesting toys over TV but thats just me. My mom has issues with how I parent as well so I feel your pain...but don't question your knowledge on this subject. Tell her that geniuses are born, not created!

[debsmooth]

Check out the wiki article! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baby_Einstein

[kohlby]

Though a few minutes break while you're going potty or making dinner is a wonderful use of a video, I'd wonder about a baby being plopped down in front of it regularly. Kids do learn better with human interactions. Niether of my kids had any interest in tv before 2. I did buy one Baby Einstien video since my spirited son needed to be held 24/7. I would have loved for it to have worked to sooth him for a few minutes, but it didn't work. I would have not thought it would have taught him anything. DH and I watched one video and it was the most boring thing I've ever watched. I felt much dumber after. Granted, I'm an adult, but it seemed a bit dumbed down by the time my kids actually wanted to watch tv.

As for signing, the book "Baby Signs" was great. I did find myself making up signs on the spot though since my kids wanted to know signs when we weren't at home a lot. Plus, they changed signs as well. So, though far from ASL, they still learned lots of signs and it helped a lot with communication - especially for my speech delayed son.

[SingingMom]

I found that Baby Einsteins were much more useful with my four year old than for the baby.

I have a DD with ADD. Sometimes a Baby Einstein really helped her calm and reset when she was in the four to five year range. When you have a challenging kid, sometimes you can be happy for a twenty minute window of peacefulness. Also the signs really helped communicate not just with the baby, but with the older kids.

When I have older kids who are spiraling out of control, they respond much better to signing than to yelling.

What I like about the Einstein videos (an really, only the signing ones) is that they taught my whole family some signs. This helped the kids communicate with the babies, as well as giving me another avenue to get through to the older kids.

[Jacksmommy]

I love Baby Einstein, but I would never suggest someone was a bad parent for not wanting their infant to not watch television. That's just silly.

[BrandiJR]

I use baby boost on Comcast on demand while I shower. I put dd in her exersaucer or her jumperoo and put on the nursery rhymes and I shower. They are only 14 minutes, but I take a quick shower. I do not do it because I want her to be a genius, but because I want to shower and she likes it.

[debsmooth]

What is becoming apparent in my research is that the use of these diversions before age 2 can contribute to smaller vocabularies and inhibit language development. See the Wikipedia article for reference. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baby_Einstein#Controversy_over_effects_on_language _development

[whitnessforhim]

What is becoming apparent in my research is that the use of these diversions before age 2 can contribute to smaller vocabularies and inhibit language development. See the Wikipedia article for reference. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baby_Einstein#Controversy_over_effects_on_language _development


I've heard that same kind of thing. We limit most of DD's TV watching to the Your Baby Can Read DVD's. I really love this program. http://www.yourbabycanread.com/

I like this because its very interactive and without a doubt is teaching your baby a skill which will benefit him/her for the rest of their life.

[Alexandria]

I'm not big on television (we don't have cable) because I feel that it inhibits the natural development of imagination and creation. In my opinion, sitting down with a child and giving them one on one attention, showing them interesting objects and how they work/move, talking to them, carrying them and making funny faces are the best ways for children to develop. I think that the whole Baby Einstein thing is overrated unless it's for a quick shower or to make a meal without baby in arms.

My family gives me strife about everything you can think of. I should hold him differently, I'm shouldn't carry him around so much, I should let him cry it out, I should...etc We 'should' all over ourselves.
I have to just listen to my instincts. I said, "Please, just trust in my ability to know what's best for my child" and some of them backed off. Those who are still at my throat about things I just ignore...smile and nod.

But it is difficult and I feel for you. Stick to your guns, you're doing the right thing by honoring yourself and your ideals. :)

[Shaunsmom]

Check out the wiki article! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baby_Einstein

Haven't checked out your link (and probably won't, sorry)...

Wikipedia should not be used as a reliable source of anything. Anyone can make changes to the pages and I wouldn't trust it as a credible source of info.

Does Baby Einstein make signing DVD's? I'd be interested in those:)

OP- I'm real sorry to hear about your mother. I'd be pissed and you have every right to be. Do what you feel is right for your child.

[crystal555rose]

Baby Einstein Baby's First Signs is a great DVD. It buys you some time if you need a break and it teaches you and baby some good signs. My 15mo signs a lot and it is so helpful.

As others have mentioned babies learn to be people from people, not TV. I have eliminated TV completely because of the brain rot commercials and the low quality programming. They are especially terrible on Nickelodeon!!

It is so valuable for children to exercise their brain by making their own thoughts and ideas a reality- drawing, sculpting, pretend play. Most toys and TV have really diminished this part of child development by creating a reality that they simply observe. Not saying my child does not have toys or watch DVDs, but I certainly encourage and engage him in activities doing artwork or playing with blocks or safe household items.

We also really like Sesame Street DVDs as an occasional treat.

[suzabanana]

The AAP now does not recommend ANY tv for children under 2 years old. Specifically "educational" programs like Baby Einstein & Brainy Baby are mentioned in this TIME Magazine article (http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1650352,00.html), based on this study from the University of Washington (http://www.aap.org/advocacy/releases/tvapril.pdf) which found that "with every hour per day spent watching baby DVDs and videos, infants learned six to eight fewer new vocabulary words than babies who never watched the videos."
There's a reason they call it the boob-tube...I watch tv to zone out & it has a similar effect on kids.

[crystal555rose]

Wow Suzabanana! Those are scary articles!! But it makes sense if you think about it. When interacting with someone personally, you tailor the interaction to meet the needs of that person. You read their body language to see if they are understanding, or bored. You can change the way you are presenting information, repeat things, or change the topic entirely.

As far as language development I have observed in my son, he pays very close attention to the shape you make with your mouth, how you use your tongue and the context in which you use the word(s). If he sees me using a key and I am telling him "I put the key in the door" then he wants to hold the key and try to put it in the door and say "key". His brain is developing multiple associations with this word- the sound, the object, how it is used, when to say it, etc. He is also learning syntax and grammer. The activity is paced to meet his needs perfectly. You can never recreate this through a video and it is widely accepted that learning is best accomplished when the brain uses all of the senses to make associations. Multiple associations also meets various learning needs since not everyone learns in the same way.

This is actually the thing that most excited me about having a child. Fostering his growth and development, filling his little brain with all kinds of information. I try not to underestimate him and yet he constantly surprises me with the things he knows.