Writing from Vegas
I'm in Las Vegas this week for a trade show to roll out On the Spot Games new product line. Walking the streets after the show, I've noticed that a fair number of families still choose to bring their kids with them when vacationing here. I find this quite odd. Not only has the city banned its "Family Friendly" campaign, but its current campaign "What Happens in Vegas, Stays in Vegas" seems to me to scream the exact opposite message; KEEP THE KIDS HOME!!! Parents are either ignoring the message or putting their own interest to gamble and see shows ahead of those of their kids.
I haven't had much time to look into kid-friendly activities here, but I'm sure there are plenty to be found (last I checked, my kids could easily spend a month straight playing in a pool.) But it's all the other stuff around this town that assaults your senses that concerns me. Walking down the strip after dark you are bombarded with sexy images and messages. But if you come, don't pay too much attention to the ads or you may trip over a drunk toating a 3 foot margherita glass or (unfortunately) a kid in a stroller.
Staying put in your hotel is not too safe either, when it comes to kids. Of course, most of the bigger hotels around a casino. And smoking is everywhere - cough.
I think exposing kids to this kind of stimuli is horrible. I've often observed that some parents rationalize such action because little ones don't comprehend what's going on and therefore it can't do them any harm. Bull Hockey! No matter how young kids are much more in tune with their surroundings than many parents give them credit for. While little ones may not be able to understand exactly what it is they are seeing, they are absorbing all sorts of messages that will stick with them for a long time. I have my own theory that young children between the ages of 2 and 5 absorb provocative images and allow them to "simmer" for days, weeks or even months. When you least expect it, the memory will pop out from them in the form of a question (if your lucky) or an action (if you are not) which is influenced by the original scene.
Obvious examples of such incidents that come to mind include seeing parents yelling or witnessing some type of violent act. But more subtle situations might include a billboard of a sexy model or simply walking past someone smoking a cigarette.
Such scenes can send kids off in a direction that you don't agree with and before you know it, they act and you are aghast at what your little angel just did/said. By reflex you move in to correct this "unexplained" behavior. The result is a confused little one and a parent who has some work to do to bring him in for a safe landing.
The bottom line here is to pay attention your kids are experiencing and develop a knack to see things as they would. Doing so may save you both a load of grief down the road.
I'm in Las Vegas this week for a trade show to roll out On the Spot Games new product line. Walking the streets after the show, I've noticed that a fair number of families still choose to bring their kids with them when vacationing here. I find this quite odd. Not only has the city banned its "Family Friendly" campaign, but its current campaign "What Happens in Vegas, Stays in Vegas" seems to me to scream the exact opposite message; KEEP THE KIDS HOME!!! Parents are either ignoring the message or putting their own interest to gamble and see shows ahead of those of their kids.
I haven't had much time to look into kid-friendly activities here, but I'm sure there are plenty to be found (last I checked, my kids could easily spend a month straight playing in a pool.) But it's all the other stuff around this town that assaults your senses that concerns me. Walking down the strip after dark you are bombarded with sexy images and messages. But if you come, don't pay too much attention to the ads or you may trip over a drunk toating a 3 foot margherita glass or (unfortunately) a kid in a stroller.
Staying put in your hotel is not too safe either, when it comes to kids. Of course, most of the bigger hotels around a casino. And smoking is everywhere - cough.
I think exposing kids to this kind of stimuli is horrible. I've often observed that some parents rationalize such action because little ones don't comprehend what's going on and therefore it can't do them any harm. Bull Hockey! No matter how young kids are much more in tune with their surroundings than many parents give them credit for. While little ones may not be able to understand exactly what it is they are seeing, they are absorbing all sorts of messages that will stick with them for a long time. I have my own theory that young children between the ages of 2 and 5 absorb provocative images and allow them to "simmer" for days, weeks or even months. When you least expect it, the memory will pop out from them in the form of a question (if your lucky) or an action (if you are not) which is influenced by the original scene.
Obvious examples of such incidents that come to mind include seeing parents yelling or witnessing some type of violent act. But more subtle situations might include a billboard of a sexy model or simply walking past someone smoking a cigarette.
Such scenes can send kids off in a direction that you don't agree with and before you know it, they act and you are aghast at what your little angel just did/said. By reflex you move in to correct this "unexplained" behavior. The result is a confused little one and a parent who has some work to do to bring him in for a safe landing.
The bottom line here is to pay attention your kids are experiencing and develop a knack to see things as they would. Doing so may save you both a load of grief down the road.
posted by Rob Mathewson @ 6:39 PM
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