Why not to give little kids markers for Christmas
January 12, 2002 11:26 PM   Subscribe

 
Appearing at computer hardware news and rumor site Van's Hardware.
posted by NortonDC at 11:27 PM on January 12, 2002


i really hope that's PhotoShop
posted by ignu at 11:54 PM on January 12, 2002


I dunno, ignu. I blew it up real good in Fireworks, and despite a few suspicious pixels, it looked awfully real.
posted by diddlegnome at 1:10 AM on January 13, 2002


somebody else's four year old actually did that to my son when he was a baby.....and it was a permanent marker too, to the best of my recollection........

mama was NOT happy.
posted by bunnyfire at 3:07 AM on January 13, 2002


My niece (who is manic) was on a new meds regime and permanent markered herself. It was actually part of her "consequences" that she had to wait for it to wash away, which took at least a week.

But cotton balls soaked in milk were recommended, as was toothpaste.
posted by dhartung at 4:51 AM on January 13, 2002


When I was 4, my older sister wanted to play pretend circus. Part of this involved making my face up to be a clown.

Unfortunately, she used nail polish.
posted by crunchland at 5:05 AM on January 13, 2002


That isn't why you don't give markers to a little kid for Christmas. That's why you get off your ass and parent your kids and supervise them when they're using things like markers, and keep them out of reach when not in use. Gah. No one to blame there but the adult who didn't keep an eye out.
posted by Dreama at 7:08 AM on January 13, 2002


That's damn funny as crap.
posted by dopamine at 7:09 AM on January 13, 2002


That picture's been making the rounds for the last week. Mom and dad must be so proud. Little Susie sure is.
posted by barkingmoose at 7:42 AM on January 13, 2002


I love the expression on the older kid's face. Pure triumph!
posted by MattD at 8:05 AM on January 13, 2002


*checks URL*

nope, this isn't filepile
posted by Mick at 8:38 AM on January 13, 2002


I think just about every parent has had an "Oh, shit, where did you get that marker*?" moment. I've had at least one each with all three of my kids.

*(insert pen, nail polish, hair clipper, etc.)
posted by mr_crash_davis at 8:39 AM on January 13, 2002


Looks like an infant GG Allin.

"Cry when you cry, when you cry, you're gonna CRYYYY-Y-Y-Y!"
posted by tpoh.org at 8:46 AM on January 13, 2002


*also checks URL, checks another thread*

Wait, this is filepile!
posted by Vek at 8:51 AM on January 13, 2002


Who let Gwen Stefani babysit?!
You know she's been all unstable `round the kids since she hit 30.
posted by dong_resin at 9:50 AM on January 13, 2002


I looked pretty closely at that pic when my father sent it to me x-mas day. Being a parent of many, as some of you know, I've lived through this several times.

If you look closely you'll find that the marker the older child holds is one of those wash-able Crayola's, not permanent at all. Since those are vegetable based dyes and non-toxic, they wipe away with warm water and soap. I had a problem with my two youngest sucking on the older kids markers (especially those damn scented ones) and shitting the corresponding color.

Second, it's pretty clear that if this is a Photoshopped photo that it's a damn good one. They got the floor, the clothes and everything...

Finally, save the opinions that this is neglect... Judging is this is neglect is short-sighted and quite narrow minded. Anyone who is a parent will agree with me. Something like this can happen in less than 5 minutes. So, assignation of blame is really not required here.
posted by Dean_Paxton at 12:26 PM on January 13, 2002


Finally, save the opinions that this is neglect... Judging is this is neglect is short-sighted and quite narrow minded. Anyone who is a parent will agree with me. Something like this can happen in less than 5 minutes. So, assignation of blame is really not required here.

I didn't say that this was neglect, and I am a parent, 5 times over. I said that this was parental irresponsibility -- you don't leave markers where the four year old can get to them and scribble all over the baby, unless you want them to scribble all over the baby, and the four year old certainly doesn't have the time alone to do such a complete job of it, because the four year old and the baby aren't left alone with who knows what in their hands for that length of time. Get it?
posted by Dreama at 4:03 PM on January 13, 2002


I don't doubt the veracity of this photo...I don't have kids, but I spent Christmas at my brother-in-law's house, with their 3 1/2 year old triplets. I don't know who the brilliant giftgiver was that gave them decorative hair beads and sticker books, but within a matter of minutes, there were beads *everywhere* but in the hair, and stickers on everything from the floor to the poor dog.
posted by Oriole Adams at 5:05 PM on January 13, 2002


Oh, God yes, Oriole.

I had to very explicitly spell out to my kids' grandparents (both sides) that NO STICKERS were allowed to be given to my kids any more.

My mother gave my daughter a book of Barbie stickers for her birthday some time ago, and I found them everywhere. The walls, the cabinets, my toolbox(!), on the BACK of the toilet (how she got it there, I will never know). Every so often, I find another one that I missed. Curse those stupid stickers!
posted by mr_crash_davis at 5:37 PM on January 13, 2002


Dreama: Thanks for the lecture to parents everywhere. Uh, do you have children?
posted by mecran01 at 5:47 PM on January 13, 2002


It wasn't me! It was Jigglypuff!
posted by gimonca at 8:00 PM on January 13, 2002


I can't help it, I laughed so hard at this one. The baby doesn't seem all that distressed. Of course, you can't tell if she tried to marker-up the baby's eyes or anything, but hell... pure childplay. I love it.

My cousin Becky was about 3 when she got her hands on a Sharpie black permanent marker and took to Grandma's walls with her budding artistry. Noone was very appreciative and instead there were so many tears. On the other hand, taking a marker to a gal's arm while trying to liven up sophomore year English earned me a friend for life. O the bonds of ink!
posted by evixir at 9:15 PM on January 13, 2002


When I was very little and my brother's even more so, my grandmother, out of what I think was unconscious spite, gave one of my brothers a fingerprinting kit for his birthday. With that little jar of graphite dust, you know. I don't think I need to finish the story.
posted by Nothing at 9:58 PM on January 13, 2002


mecran01: Dreama: Thanks for the lecture to parents everywhere. Uh, do you have children?

Dreama (three posts up): ...I am a parent, 5 times over.

Yeah, so that part Dreama mentioned about paying attention? Yeah...
posted by Danelope at 12:35 AM on January 14, 2002


So, assignation of blame is really not required here.

Dude, it's Dreama.

I can't believe I said "dude".
posted by rodii at 5:30 AM on January 14, 2002


My goodness... so many people thinking that this is such a bad thing. Jeez. I'll bet most of you wrote phone numbers on your hand when you were in high school. It's impermanent, and quite amusing.

My daughter loves to draw all over herself, and we let her - with *washable* markers - as long as she asks first and we have no plans, like going out to dinner or visiting relatives or something like that.


Kids will be kids, and if you, as an adult, don't put up the markers, then you will suffer the consequences. Note: in keeping with this line of thought, it is my belief that children should only be punished for willful disobedience, not for childish activities and mistakes.
posted by hurkle at 8:14 AM on January 14, 2002


The waterbased markers are no big deal. My son has come home from preschool with more colors than a rainbow. How can ya have any fun if ya don't get anyonya? I'd be worried if he came home spotless.
posted by groundhog at 9:51 AM on January 14, 2002


Get it?

I do indeed get it. We both get it, without question. However, with your five, can you give me your assurances that this sort of thing (or something quite like it) will never, under any circumstances, happen to you? If you can, without question, my hat is off to you.
posted by Dean_Paxton at 5:15 PM on January 14, 2002


I can't believe I said "dude".

rodii-You listen to the Shaggs, Wishbone Ash and Black Oak Arkansas. You have earned the right to say "Dude." Hell you ARE a righteous "dude."
posted by jonmc at 5:23 PM on January 14, 2002


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