on the topic of obsessions....

[Jackie]

Was musing last night about some of the nice posts I had gotten from some of you lately. One thing kept popping up...and that was the topic of obsessions...I mean obsessions like "crushes" on either high profile people like movie stars, singers, actors, and also with Cartoon or Childrens tv characters.

You know I think we need to warn new parents about this early on. I know from my personal experience when Emily first started showing an interest in something sort of outside her existing world...(first I remember was New Kids on the Block) we went crazy encouraging her in this "worship"...bought her a Donny Doll and all sorts of pre teen magazines...etc. Then when she moved on to Billy Ray Cyrus, then on to the Mavericks, and then Backstreet Boys, then Elton John, and now Johnny Depp aka Jack Sparrow we did the same...we encouraged her.

NOW I am relooking at this and realizing that we were encouraging her to obsess. If I had any advice to someone starting out I would say...do this in MODERATION. For instance like Barney, or Wiggles and Spongebob...encourage and interest but don't support it 100%...use this as a cue that your child is developing interests in the outside world and build on it with other things as well.

I know that in Emily's case I was just so excited to see her doing something that people without DS do that I went totally overboard. I had no idea that it would eventually lead to such obsession on her part. And each time she changed her focus I also then encouraged her in it because I was so happy to see the former one in her life start to disappear...LOL.

I HAVE gotten emails from Emily that state she needs no boyfriend because she is in LOVE with Johnny Depp. Now HOW unrealistic is that!?! I dread who will come next with her...but am afraid in order to rid the house of pirates I will jump right into it full force...LOL.

For those of us already into these patterns might be too late to change...but for those of you starting out...just something to think about...a small problem for sure....

Jackie

[Claire]

That is so well said, I never even thought of it that way.
I agree with you 100%.
We still buy the new Barney DVD whenever it comes out, actually I just got him one for his Birthday on Saturday. How silly are we?
Oh well learn a new thing everyday, thanks.

[momofkatiebug]

Jackie,

I am mainly a lurker here, but wanted to thank you for this advice from someone who has "been there and done that". Katie is only 8 but I can see the obsessive tendencies that are there and have always tried to help her keep one foot in reality. Sometimes it's a tough line to walk...I want her to have all the fun pretend play that all kids engage in, but at the same time I keep thinking: "What is cute and appropriate now, will NOT be at age 40". Lol!

Thanks for the warning,
Deane

[Chris too]

Thanks Jackie!
We haven't run into any of that yet - Stevie seems to be fascinated with so many different things, both real and TV/book characters. I know that I'd probably encourage a single path, though, if it came along, so it's good to get the "moderation" message

[Jodi]

Jackie, that is such a good point to bring up and share. While Ryan has some obsessive behaviors that are of a "stimming" nature, there is a difference! He will obsess about certain movies, and right now it is (hate to say it) Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory!

The character obsession is there too just like you described. Right now it is anything to do with dolls/disney princesses. Now if he were a girl, that would not be a big deal, but dad is not too thrilled about this. He is in Jr. High (11), and they have a prize box for incentive. Ryan ALWAYS picks girlie things - purses, dolls, etc... ugh!!!

Of course, I'm obsessing about New Moon right now ;D Moderation is the way to go.

Jodi

[Jackie]

LOL..this is fun reading about what turns your kids on. Worst souvenir of Ems obsessive stage (that is besides the 8 ft tall Jack Sparrow ) was the Billy Ray crotch clock...YUP...thats what I said...crotch clock. One of the kids found it for em at the Big Lots store for Christmas...you can just imagine...driftwood shaped polished wood with a big closeup of B.Ray in tight jeans...and you guessed it...clock was right you know where. We never intended to keep it around but it became part of the obession...so was might happy to see the Backstreet Boys come along.

[Googsmom aka Jennifer]

{{{{HUGS}}}} Thx for the heads up

[kellyds]

Jackie, I want to thank you for this advice, too. I can totally see me "encouraging" any interest of Joshua's in that way. I really appreciate the heads up!

[dannysmom]

OMG, crotch clock...I can't stop laughing at that. I think that might be the funniest thing I have ever heard!

[char]

Nov 7, 2009 20:42:03 GMT -5 dannysmom said:

OMG, crotch clock...I can't stop laughing at that. I think that might be the funniest thing I have ever heard!

Ditto!

[Debbie]

That is so funny Jackie.

Obsessions. Hmm, well that is one thing I do know something about. My obsessions are a little different but, some are maybe a Down syndrome thing? I don't know. I only know, I love Diet Coke and could drink several a day but I don't of course. My main thing is that I like order and I have to have my things just so in my room and that my room has to be clean. I loved Donny Osmond. I read a book about Donny and what he liked. I even bought a blue denim cap that looked like the cap he had and wore. I thought he was great! I loved Elton John's music. I had an album I listened to alot that had all of his song's on it. I liked the guys that were on Starsky and Hutch. I really liked Hutch for some reason. I had to watch every show of course I didn't. And I really liked the show Walton's Mountain. I liked the oldest brother, John Boy.