the trend

Francine overheard the word 'Webkinz' in our conversation, she yelled out "I want one too. Many of my friends have that." "Do you know what it is?" She shook her head. I said:" How can you ask for something that you don't even know what it is?" Her next day assignment was to find out from her friends what Webkinz is about before deciding if she should have one. When she come home from school the following day, I asked her if she had completed he 'assignment'. "I asked Luke. But I don't really remember what he told me. He was not so sure either." So we went on to the web to look for the answer. We ran through the 'take a tour' on Webkinz site several times, she finally got the idea after I added my explanation. Obviously, it's not something for her age although the marketers target kids from five to pre-teens. And I really don't like the fact that it requires so much internet time to 'raise' this pet. We had a good conversation about following the trend verses what is good and appropriate for us. Finally, we agreed that she can 'earn' one next week. But I warned her it wouldn't be such a big deal once she owns it. I just want her to learn that very often we just have the lust for things we don't really need. Sometimes it's dangerous to follow the worldly trend.

I am very pleased Wai have gotten the kids into Lego. Francine has assembled a mini-digger all by herself yesterday. It was her gift for Clement.



She has achieved her 'goal' in February and 'earned' an lego airplane. Daddy and daughter spent an afternoon together building the air craft. It was her largest and most complicated lego piece.



Lego is a great toy for creativity and craft skill enhancement. It sometimes takes a great deal of patience and determination to complete the work. Playing high tech toys is popular, but it can limit children's creativity and inter-personal communication skills. Prayerfully consider what is best for our kids' growth.