Okay, unless you have been living under a rock, or don’t come in contact with kids, you have probably seen Silly Bandz, those rubber band bracelets in unique shapes. The bracelets are fun to trade, and can be a status symbol if you have a rare one or enough to cover your arm from wrist to elbow. Our local Christian bookstore even carries them–in Biblical shapes of course.
Teachers hate these things. They are a real distraction in the classroom. I am starting to hate them, too. The cost of the next package and then the next package can really add up. Parents are no better than kids. One store employee told me that parents have offered her bribes to save certain sets when a new shipment comes in. Crazy.
Because we are frugal, and because I don’t want my kids caught up in consumer trends, we’ve been trying to resist purchasing any. Because I am a mom in love with her three kids and don’t want them knocking on my door 20 years lady with their therapist bills in hand because I denied them an opportunity for social interaction with their peers, I’ve caved a bit.
But, darn it, we are not buying another package. Instead, I’ve pointed out the following to my kids.
The most coveted Silly Banz tend to break first.
Just because your friend says a particular one is rare doesn’t mean it is.
Imitation bracelets sold at Five Below are cheaper and introduce even more shapes.
A couple of wished-for DS game cost only $2 each at a recent yard sale. A package of 24 Silly Banz cost $5. Two DS games plus a dollar left over equals one package of Silly Banz. Do the math.
If you start your own trend of something cool, you’ll be ahead of the game–or at least be able to trade your trend for Silly Bandz. I bet no one in your class ever heard of a pet rock.
Have you been dealing with Silly Banz in your household?