Is it standard practice to put your kids in strait jackets?
Because a store in Brazil seems to think it is [link]. They're marketing a new range of toddler equipment called "control toys", which includes a teddy bear patterned strait jacket, a purple highchair with pink arm and leg shackles, and smiley face ball and chain with convenient ankle strap!
Hmm, well I suppose that's one way to make sure the kids don't mess up the house.
The kids in the pictures all look terrifyingly happy, even the one they've got strapped into the the disturbingly titled "Baby Trap Chair". Colour me suspicious, but I don't think I've ever met a three year old that would have been happily and willingly shoved into a strait jacket, strapped to a chair or shackled to a giant grinning ball.
But then again, is it really any different to the kid leashes people sometimes use? I recall my parents using them when I was a toddler, and I turned out okay. I know there's a lot of criticism aimed at parents who use them, but I'm not sure I think it's a bad thing. Is it really that different to making a child hold your hand?
But if we're being realistic I suppose we have to acknowledge that there's an enormous difference between hooking a curly plastic phone cord to the back of your kid's backpack and strapping a toddler's arms and legs to a chair.
Okay, okay, I'll admit it, they're not real products. It was just a practical joke played by the store. They set up the display and then recorded the reactions of the people who came in. When the outraged shoppers picked up the boxes they found an advertising message on the back that said "There are better ways to discipline your child ... watch Super Nanny".
Well that's a bit harsh. What could the kids have possibly done that would deserve having to watch Super Nanny? That show is awful!
I would prefer a straight jacket to watching Super Nanny as well.
ReplyDeleteThe "Naughty Chair" give me a break!
I'm pretty sure that show is punishment for murder in some countries.
DeleteI wonder how many desperate parents of hyper active, budding phsyco tots were disappointed not to be able to purchse the restraints.
ReplyDeleteLOL! Imagine seeing that display, being excited about buying one, only to find out they're not real AND your response was recorded.
DeleteIt's called parenting. If you can't stand up to your own spawn, don't have them!
ReplyDeleteParenting 101 ;D
Deleteguess it's never to young to introduce your child to the joys of bondage.
ReplyDeleteIt's sad to say this, but those child harnesses make a lot of since with all the child snatching that goes on.
LOL! Fifty Shades of Playgroup?
DeleteMario's mom here - I know a few years ago they were swaddling babies up to 1 year if they were all worked up for some reason. I've never heard of doing it on a 3-year-old tho or any child walking. I worked in special ed for a few years (non teaching) and sometimes if a child was totally out of control, the staff would hold the child very tightly and restrain the arms in an effort to calm them down.
ReplyDeleteIf that was the intention it'd be one thing, but restraining a child just because it's convenient ... good thing it was all a joke.
DeleteHi Kellie ... I'm sure some parents think of it for their brats (when they are brats!) .. but no normal person would go that route sure ... especially as it's out of order now even in mental institutions ..
ReplyDeleteGhastly thought - appals me .. Hilary
Hmm, I still say it's a toss up between the restraints and having to watch Super Nanny.
DeleteI love that a store played a joke on its customers. There is not a doubt in my mind that amongst the people who though it was a horrible product, there were a few who considered buying it.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure there was. I just hope for their sakes they didn't show it in the recordings.
DeleteThat store better be more cautious about their pranks. I wonder how many parents were clamoring to buy some of those fake products before they realized they weren't really for sale? There are a lot of crazy ass parents out there.
ReplyDeleteI do wonder if the store got some "discreet" enquiries about availabilities.
DeleteThanks goodness it's a joke. I was quite mortified. Now I am giggling.
ReplyDeleteRhonda @Laugh-Quotes
LOL! I must admit my first reaction was outrage, until I realised it wasn't rea.
DeleteI think that having a rambunctious child on a leash so that he doesn't run away from you is a good idea--the rest of the stuff, not so much!!
ReplyDeleteIt's all about degrees, I suppose :D
DeleteI've seen Super Nanny and I, too, would prefer a straightjacket to watching that program.
ReplyDeleteI think I'd prefer being tarred and feathered to watching that show!
DeleteI don't have kids but I'd certainly strap them to the trolley or my waist band. Kids don't yet understand that running off can have serious consequences, like getting hit by a car, being kidnapped, knocking someone over. They need to be controlled until they are old enough and I'm all for monkey straps to control a kid.
ReplyDeleteI don't see the difference between them and making a kid hold your hand, but a lot of people get very worked up about it.
DeleteI have a confession to make.
ReplyDeleteHospitals have these way awesome cribs with tall sides and a clear plastic dome over the top. Once mine figured out how to clamber out of their own cribs I wanted one of those cribs so, so, so badly.
I would probably draw the line at a straitjacket but I was also tempted to put some sort of tether system in the middle of my living room just to limit their range a bit...
ROFL! I thought that's what playpens were for!
DeleteIf I were the advertiser, I'd be worried about the backlash.
ReplyDeleteI guess all publicity is good publicity, as they say.
DeleteAh, where would I get my daily dose of worldly insanity without your blog? :)
ReplyDeleteI perform a community service, what can I say ;D
DeleteYes, I think this would sell well and be used behinf=]d drawn curtains by many parents today LoL
ReplyDeleteAnd you just know someone's going to go head and make them.
DeleteThey should make those for real for teenagers. I've had it in every color. ;0)
ReplyDeleteNow that would DEFINITELY be a seller!
DeleteThose products are absolutely hilarious. And yes, send me to the cage any day (with a super heavy ball attached to my leg) before I watch even 10 minutes of that godawful show.
ReplyDeleteWith a sippy cup you can knock against the bars while singing "Nobody knows the troubles I've seen..."
DeleteAt first I was thinking that this fifty shades of grey culture is getting out of hand so I was relieved to read that it was a joke! Thanks for the laugh :D
ReplyDeleteBabies First Dungeon Kit?
DeleteFor the love of god I would never subject my kids to something like a straight jacket or tying them to a chair. How horrible. However for other people's kids I could see this as a viable option.
ReplyDeleteLOL! Perhaps you can recommend them to people in restaurants and at shops whose kids are getting out of hand.
DeleteI would have totally thought this is real, you never know anymore these days!!
ReplyDeletebut i will never ever watch the super nanny...i am on my naughty step right now any way.
Oh no, have you been naughty! Straight to the corner and think about what you've done!
DeleteThis was taking the saying, "Children should be seen and not heard" to quite an extreme.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I have to admit there wasn't a baby ball gag, so maybe they don't have a problem with the heard bit.
DeleteSuper Nanny or not, it usually isn't the children anyways. It's the parents and their lack of discipline. The child only displays the behavior they have found is acceptable. Sad when you think about it.
ReplyDeleteThat's very true. Although I must admit there are times I'd like to recommend a baby strait jacket to a parent with an out of control child.
Delete