It is a battle I've chosen to fight, but one that I know he just can not understand right now. The Book Order.
You know those paper fliers we brought home from school every month. I LOVED them when I was in elementary school. I eagerly read book descriptions searching for that one perfect choice.
I feel like things have changed since 1986. Elijah's book order is FULL of media driven junk. Here was our conversation today:
Elijah: Can I get something from the book order.
Me: Probably. Why don't you circle the things you think you will want.
Later he brings me the paper and we sit down together to go through it. His choices include a mini-scooter with accompanying pamphlet, a Transformers book, a spy video camera with some kind of booklet, a door alarm with booklet and a SpongeBob book. We talked about his choices one at a time. I asked why he wanted it and why he thought it would be a good book.
Elijah: Its a scooter
Me: Its a toy scooter. It is tiny, and it isn't a book. We're choosing a book.
Elijah: Look at the spy camera one.
Me: Its not a real camera. Its just a box with a lens. It doesn't really do anything.
Elijah: Oh.
Me: Why did you pick Transformers and Spongebob?
Elijah: I love them.
Me: Really? Because you haven't seen either one on TV in probably a year. Are the stories really that interesting?
Elijah: I don't know.
So I made some suggestions... other boys themed books about adventures, magic, science, there were plenty of other good choices.
But alas, he was blinded by the fancy, media driven items. Oh how I wish they would just disappear. Every scrap of it muddies the waters of so many other more edifying, wholesome, high-quality items that kids would LOVE if they weren't so bombarded by mindless characters and endless trinkets.
Revolt!
Anyway, we bought some books that I think he'll love if he'll give them a chance. And I'll sleep well tonight.
1 comment:
Sigh. So much to think about, this parenting thing. I appreciate your wisdom, Erin.
On a semi-related note, tonight we went shopping for a backpack for Eisley (it's time she started carrying her own stuff!). Our choices? Sleeping Beauty, Ariel, and 17 other Disney Princesses. And they were tacky and poorly constructed. But they were Disney Princess! So I am sure they regularly have to be restocked. Billy and I said no to these choices. The hard part will be to help Eisley someday say no to fancy, media-driven items that you speak of someday, too. Such as the backpacks we saw tonight.
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