I think it's just a poor way to market it.

I can see that it could be useful, though my mom would just shut off the television and we knew better than to turn it on, again.

Sounds like a great chance meeting, Hec.

Our family was so big that my parents couldn't possibly be everywhere at once, so such a device could have been useful. If the kids don't find a way to monkeywrench it.

I think it's not a good idea to overly rely on a device that is supposed to enforce boundaries for you. You get complacent and lose your edge.

For example: The drawer lock I thought would keep little hands off the sharp things. Owen ran into the living room carrying a steak knife today.

But you'd still be the bad guy. I mean, you're the one that set it up.

I totally like it, but I wonder how long until they work out how to hack it.

Can't decide what to have for dinner.

I think the primary use would be for when the parents aren't there. And then return to, "He played for an hour after school and wouldn't let me play at all, so now it's my turn." "Nuh uh, it was only 30 minutes because then so-and-so called..."

If you set time limits anyway, I can see the use. We didn't in our house, but my dad was the primary user anyway. I don't think it'd necessarily be abdicating responsibility. Especially given that it'd only work if you were already good at ignoring plea-bargaining.

ita, on Numbers tonight the woman I hate mentioned that she teaches krav maga at the Y. I rolled my eyes.

(Not very spoilery.)

For example: The drawer lock I thought would keep little hands off the sharp things. Owen ran into the living room carrying a steak knife today.

I am reminded of my grandmother's house, where they put latches on all the kitchen cabinets when the great-grands started coming, but didn't put anything on the drawers. So the above-the-counter cabinet with tupperware in it? Locked. The knee-high knife drawer? Wide open. Always makes me laugh. In a horrible way, of course.

My god, Dana, it's like 2003 all over again, with the trendiness of krav. That's three mentions (including the Tyra show) in one week.

I totally like it, but I wonder how long until they work out how to hack it.

We weren't so good at hacking, mostly because of the fear of GOD instilled in us by our father. The younger cohort of kids was another matter.

The old school way my mom controlled the TV was by locking a teeny padlock through the little hole in the plug prong. I wasn't about to learn how to pick locks. (Although I have to admit I'm kinda interested in learning nowl...)

Hec, will you tell JZ she has email/JZ, you have email.