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Baby Einstein offering refunds to US parents: your thoughts?

42 replies

HelenMumsnet · 27/10/2009 16:06

Hello.

Radio FiveLive would love to know what Mumsnetters' reactions are to this news story that Disney, owners of the Baby Einstein brand, are offering refunds to US parents - in a move, which, anti-Baby-Einstein campaigners are saying, is a 'tacit admission that the DVDs don't improve your baby's intellect'.

So, what do you think?

Do your babies/toddlers watch these DVDs? And are you shocked to think they might not be as brain-stimulating as was claimed?

Or do you think the whole idea of 'educational' DVDs for babies was a bit of a dodgy concept in the first place?

Do tell (please)!

OP posts:
RubysReturn · 27/10/2009 16:10

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Fruitbatlings · 27/10/2009 16:10

I only bought them because I thought the DC's might like them, nothing to do with improving their intellect

lavenderkate · 27/10/2009 16:11

Hmm.

Nothing replaces interaction with a real life Mum, a walk in the pram does it.
never entered into all that mumbo jumbo myself with mine.

Hope they're insured.

MortaIWombat · 27/10/2009 16:12

Nice one, RR!

Stillsquaffingthesteamingblood · 27/10/2009 16:13

Hahahahahahhahaha

Dontcha lurve the Americans? I cannot work out if it is funnier that (A) someone started a class action, or (B) that it got settled.

MmeGoblindt · 27/10/2009 16:13

I never had 'educational' DVDs and I am not shocked that they are not brain-stimulating.

I feel that showing a child a video of a ball with the presenter saying 'This is a BALL, the BALL is ROUND' is not nearly as interesting, fun and educational as giving the poor baby a real round ball to play with.

And then interacting with your child.

choosyfloosy · 27/10/2009 16:14

I was given one of these but having played 30 seconds of it, thought it was awful so didn't bother with it again. Frankly, anyone who really thought buying a DVD would do a thing for their child's intellect doesn't deserve a penny back in my opinion.

But I don't think much of Disney's action either - refunds to the few who would bother to claim them are going to be such a tiny amount compared to the threatened lawsuit.

A plague on both their houses.

GrimmaTheNome · 27/10/2009 16:20

We had one - probably the original, I'm sure it wasn't owned by Disney then - as a pleasant thing to watch/point at/talk about/hum along to together once in a while. It was rather less irritating than the Teletubbies (this was quite a few years back!).

Where's the [shrug] emoticon when you need it?

CMOTdibbler · 27/10/2009 16:20

I've never had one (although DS(3) adores Little Einsteins which I loathe), and can't see why anyone would think that a DVD would help a babies development.

The only TV that DS really watched before he was 2 was Something Special, and he did enjoy that and visibly learnt signs from it

fruitspooksbatsintheeaves · 27/10/2009 16:27

the DVD's make lovely shiny mobiles though

shonaspurtle · 27/10/2009 16:42

Anyone I know who had a Baby Einstein DVD used it to get 5 minutes peace to make a cup of tea or similar.

I've never seen one but aren't they just pictures with some music?

PacificWerewolfwoohood · 27/10/2009 16:58

What did I think of that story?

Haven't had as good a laugh in ages ! I cannot believe that people actually bought BabyEinstein stuff in the expectation they would improve their LO's intellect, hahahaha!
Agree with others, the one DVD we have is pleasant enough and allowed for 5 minutes' peace to get on with things, but beyond that I had no expectations of it.

My children of course are all extremely bright which is all down to their superior gene pool and our superb parenting .

JeMeSouviens · 27/10/2009 17:01

I have an acquaintance who only lets her DC watch these, nothing else. As she sets herself up as a stepford wife, I thought I'd try one, I was not impressed. The fact that they're produced by Disney further puts me off.

breastsofjordan · 27/10/2009 17:06

My daughter and nieces all adore them. The 5 yr old sits rapt and dd dances in time with the nodding stress relievers. They are money for old rope though.

BarakObamasTransitVan · 27/10/2009 17:08

Well, I bought some magic beans back in the spring and to be honest, I'm disappointed with the results. Can I claim a refund?

TrickOrTreatersDragOnYourNoose · 27/10/2009 17:14

I picked p a video in a charity shop for 50p. TBH, I virtually wet myself when a hand jiggled a fabric starfish across the screen. It was hilarious. After that I couldn't take it seriously.

Still, it kept DD amused long enough for me to have a hot drink so it was a win win situation really.

she appears to be very bright though so maybe it does work...

GrimmaTheNome · 27/10/2009 17:18

DD used to love the bit where the green monster went 'Bleeergh'

henryhuggins · 27/10/2009 17:23

is it april 1st?

only in america

is it really for real?

MonsterousNasalPustule · 27/10/2009 17:24

Ditto Nome a child i cared for.

GrimmaTheNome · 27/10/2009 17:25

I wonder what the parents will find to spend their refund money on? Braintrainer for the under 2s maybe?

EVye · 27/10/2009 17:38

My dds loved the baby einstein dvd they had.
Clearly I am in the minority for letting DCs watch them but I did not buy it for it's educational merit, when I saw that dds liked it they watched them quite a bit. I have no doubt that the washing machine would have been as entertaining for them but I see no harm, and I wont be claiming my money back.

FlappyTheBat · 27/10/2009 17:38

As I bought the entire collection from eBay for not very much, I don't think I'll be able to claim my money back somehow!

Both my dd's however enjoyed watching them for 5-10 minutes when they were babies and for me that was the main objective.

GoppingOtter · 27/10/2009 17:39

completely dodgy concept
live life dont watch it is my philosophy
your IQ would have to be pretty low in the first place if you believed that poppycock so baby was doomed anyway

mwahahahamwahahahallyroger · 27/10/2009 17:42

Magic beans Obama? Really??
How much do you want for them? I've got a cow....

PacificWerewolfwoohood · 27/10/2009 17:43

@ Otter: you are sooo right, you are!!