Is Your Child Obsessed With Webkinz World?

1) When your child wakes up in the morning, does he or she log into Webkinz before everyone else wakes up?

2) When you ask your child what she wants for her birthday, does she say, "Either a Webkinz, Zum, or Charm?"

3) When you go out to the store, does your child ask you for a Webkinz?

If you answered yes to any or all of these questions, you may have a child that's wa-a-a-y too into Webkinz.

As most parents know, Webkinz World is a wonderful and safe place for your child to play Online, but has your child become a little obsessed with the friendly and imaginitive enviornment lately? Because so many children find Webkinz so much fun, it can be difficult to limit your child's time on the computer. Here are some tips (straight from Webkinz' website):

1. Use Webkinz World as a reward. Your child will be able to play in Webkinz World AFTER he or she has finished homework, done a few chores, etc.

2. Decide what you believe is an appropriate amount of time for your child to be on the computer and discuss it with your child ahead of time. Set a timer, if need be. When the timer goes off, so does the computer.

3. Encourage offline play with the Webkinz plush toy; encourage your child to draw pictures of the rooms they'd like to design, make pictures of their Webkinz, and have parties for the Webkinz. Invite some friends over in the real world and celebrate Webkinz.

One mom I know recently implemented these tips with her own daughter. As she was walking by her daughter's room one afternoon, she saw something she hadn't seen in weeks: her daughter was actually playing with her Barbies. "It's been weeks since I've seen her actually playing with real toys again," she said. Visit http://www.webkinz.com to learn more about Webkinz World.