Warning! Smoking? That would be my least concern from my standpoint. I've been “away” because of my persistence in another direction.

My son's “obsession” with Webkins continued to the extreme of “depression” when I forced curtailment of the aquisition of Webkins on my end, but found that the ex-wife continued to promote the activity.

When on visitation with me, Webkin site interactivity was denied. Here's what I found out:

At home, while away with me, the mother would continue to log in to his Webkin site to “maintain activity!”

She gave his Webkins more attention when he was away, than the attention she would give him when he was home! After all, Webkins were his “babysitter” when he was with her!

My son sees a psychologist on every visit with me. This has helped me to continue with “diversion.” Other activities are being introduced that are constructive. This past week, we got involved with “normal father/son activities” and I would suggest this to any father who is appauled at his son's desire to play with “dolls called Webkins!”

We started a “joint project” of building a “Revell” brand car. We chose a 1966 Pontiac GTO. Interactive discussion about the car and engine parts as we started assembly took place. I was able to talk about my teen years in that I owned one of these and was constantly “seen under the hood” as I “built my real car and maintained it.”

I never became a mechanic. I was however one of the kids in High School with a “classy car” that was the envy of many.

His eyes lit up as he began to visualize himself growing up and doing the same. We've discussed the possibility of filling empty driveway space with a car that he could work on as he grows up, and have ready when he gets his license.

Remember, Webkins are dolls. Boys do not play with dolls. I wonder what kind of boys the Ganz family may have raised that they created such a marketing stradegy of “dolls for boys?”

Would love to hear “their twist…” LOL

PS: Another observation. Two psychologists in a row, after reviewing my son's case and interviews with him have a common conclusion. Munchausen Syndrome.

My son's danger has now been totally defined. A legal battle is under way. Don't take this statement too lightly. Research Munchausen. Let it send a chill throught your entire body! And if not sure, don't hesitate! Persue the issues with all that you have.

You will save your child! Remember, a parent that creates an obession with a child as a joint venture, has an agenda. If you, the other parent sees something wrong with it, your first instinct is probably correct. Follow up!

Don't kid yourself, as I have found, the battle is long and hard. Sadly, most attempts of the concerned parent fail! The systems in place fail us every day as we read about children harmed by a parent. We are centuries behind in our legal system, while the field of clinical psychology has advanced well enough to define it.

Thank you for the “heads up” on the microscope, but it goes much further! The ex wife in question… discussions I have had with a psychologist are defining a high probablility of Munchhauser's Syndrome!

More complex, in that she has a “relationship of sorts” with a woman from another “disfunctional marriage” going through a divorce at the same time. She has a son of the same age, in the same classroom. “play dates” are set up where the two boys (8) sleep together. When home, both boys sleep with their mothers….

Both are “Webkin's Addicts” to an extreme. The other father has simply given up and buys his son a new Webkin every time he sees him. That child is in the 3rd grade and FAILING!

Webkins have become a part of the manipulative process in both cases. I have tried “diversion” with art supplies (my son is quite talented and enjoyed such activities until our separation in August) but the art supplies were taken away along with model kits, crafts etc.

A recent “interview” with my son and a behavior psychologist (without the ex's knowledge) revealed that my son's ability to concentrate on anything but Webkins is a lost cause! Everything is Webkins! Every store you walk past, (we all went to lunch together) he 'hijacked us 4 times in a one block distance because he needed to see if the stores sold Webkins and if there were any that he did not have yet!

None of the stores had them. He actually walked up to a cashier and asked, “Why don't you sell Webkins? You know, there are a lot of kids like me that need them.”

The psychologist was impressed with the child's academic skills. My son is quite brilliant and has had exceptional grades in school. But, “trouble is on it's way” as the psychologist stated. “His mind has been hijacked. His whole world is about Webkins. He is obsessed with the Webkin's funny money system!”

This was confirmed with a “parent – teacher conference” and then an additional conference with the school's principal who also agreed, “Kids are bringing them to school. They are a distraction. Normal interaction of playing and competing is all about Webkins!”

Bring back the dinosaurs! Cars, trucks, dolls and baby carriages! Bikes are great! Let's play ball! Who wants to go fishing?

Are we ready to remove swings, slides and monkey bars from our parks? Who will use them?

With over 50% of new marriages failing in today's environment, children with lives disrrupted by disfunctional marriages, “crushes” like Beanie Babies, Webkins and such are taking children and making them prone to symptomatic hoarding and other forms of fixations that detract from the normal processes of learning and interacting.

When kids played “house” and girls played with dolls, there were some basic principles of family values practiced at the younger ages. What is going on?

Call me…

“Father Knows best!”

Hank