I'm Lindsay Ferrier, a Nashville writer with a passion for family travel, exploring Tennessee, and raising kids without losing my mind in the process. This is where I share my discoveries, along with occasional deep thoughts, pop culture tangents and a sprinkling of snark. Want to get in touch? Use the CONTACT form at the top of the page.
November 17, 2007
>
“This season, become the “cool” parent and get your kids what THEY want for a change,” I read in an e-mail the other day.
It was one of those annoying mass mailings sent out by a P.R. flack, the kind that generally assure me that my readers “need to know about” Product X, and often ask me to “pass this information along” to my “editorial staff.”
My editorial staff? *snort*
Does it occur to these people that I’m unlikely to let their “client” hijack my blog when the P.R. company can’t even be bothered to figure out to whom it’s writing? But this is another rant for another time. Let’s get back to being the “cool” parent this Christmas.
According to the e-mail, my kids (and the kids of all my readers, who need to know this important information), were supposed to sign up with a computer company’s website and add all the company’s technological gizmos to a special wish list. That way, I can finally give my kids what they want for a change: a bunch of overpriced crap from a company known for taking a nosedive in the quality control department! Gee, I can think of no better way to spend my hard-earned cash!
But wait! It gets better!
“Have your child determine who they want to buy or chip in on this (expensive computery) gift: mom, grandpa, Uncle Stanley, even the babysitter, and email them the viral video request. Gift donations are all set up directly through an online piggy bank.”
I pay my babysitter five bucks an hour. I’m sure she’d love nothing more than to “chip in” on my kid’s overpriced computer this Christmas! And Uncle Stanley? Well, I know you normally like to send us all a fruitcake-in-a-box, but howsabout this year, you do something “cool” for a change and help pay for my child’s mp3 player?
“Be a hero this holiday season,” the e-mail concluded, “and help make sure your kids family and friends know and get them what they want.”
Because that’s what Christmas is all about, right? Thanks for reminding me.
This post originally appeared in Parents.com.
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.