Any child born within the last ten years has probably had to sit through his fair share of Baby Einstein videos. The series, featuring art, music, poetry, language, and nature, promised to stimulate a baby’s growing brain, thereby giving it an educational advantage for life. Baby Einstein claimed that its videos helped infants speak second languages, identify their body parts, and learn colors and numbers, all before they could even walk. I know when we brought our daughter home, everyone was quick to tell us how much our daughter would LOVE these videos, and as no one wanted to sell theirs, I went ahead and bought some.Naturally, after I bought the set and my daughter watched some of them, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommended that children under two years old not watch any television at all. Well, just SUPER. I mean the guidelines were based on ANY TV and didn't take into consideration whether it was CSI Miami, Sesame Street or Animal Kingdom.... Just super. Now at this point, there were certain kids movies (Beauty and the Beast, Little Mermaid) that mesmorized my daughter and she would sit in her swing, hum along and fall asleep. Giving MOM the needed 10 minutes to run and throw in a load of clothes/get one out, otherwise, she was ATTACHED to you and putting her down ellicted a WHOLE lotta crying and screaming (yeah, she was a very high needs baby). So naturally, I was pretty conflicted about the whole recomendation....
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But other parents who shelled out bigger bucks than I had for the DVDs and toys, only to find that their baby had not become an Einstein, were not amused. In October of 2009, the company began refunding money to anyone who was not happy with the Baby Einstein DVDs and purchased the videos (note: Disney claims this is their typical satisfaction policy (ok...but it's not for toys or anything else....), but it doesn't seem to have been in place for a CASH refund with no receipt , until Oct. of 2009! You decide...) . I would never have thought to go after the company for my child not instantaneously becoming a genius by watching the videos (duh), but others did! Sorry, but my belief is co-watching and working with your child while watching said videos (which we did). Did they work? Whose to say, I know she picks up new things really quickly and has the memory of an elephant.
But other parents who shelled out bigger bucks than I had for the DVDs and toys, only to find that their baby had not become an Einstein, were not amused. In October of 2009, the company began refunding money to anyone who was not happy with the Baby Einstein DVDs and purchased the videos (note: Disney claims this is their typical satisfaction policy (ok...but it's not for toys or anything else....), but it doesn't seem to have been in place for a CASH refund with no receipt , until Oct. of 2009! You decide...) . I would never have thought to go after the company for my child not instantaneously becoming a genius by watching the videos (duh), but others did! Sorry, but my belief is co-watching and working with your child while watching said videos (which we did). Did they work? Whose to say, I know she picks up new things really quickly and has the memory of an elephant.
I just found out about the refund program and wish I had the dvds still (I traded them), as Disney is making you an offer you just can't refuse, if you bought Baby Einstein in the last 5 years! You can return them to Disney WITHOUT a receipt and select as trade:
- One (1) Baby Einstein Book of your choice
- One (1) Baby Einstein music CD of your choice
- One (1) coupon for 25% off the purchase of one Little Einsteinsproduct. Redeemable with promotion code only at DisneyStore.com.
- OR You may return it, and they will refund the current retail value of the DVD ($15.99).
HOW COOL is that?
Here's the link for all the program details: Disney Refund Program
The Program ends on March 4, 2010, so hurry up and get the info in you have any of the dvds around and get your trade out!