Well, I'm torn on this one. On the one hand, I'm not so keen on the mental picture of one of my kiddos walloping the you-know-what out of a stuffed toy. On the other hand, I remember the mutually satisfying relationship I had with one of those inflatable Bozo the Clown punching toys during my own childhood. What do you think of the Punch 'n' Cuddle? Yay or nay?
Touted as "emotional furniture for kids and kidults" (um, "kidults"?), the Punch 'n' Cuddle is "what you get when you cross a beanbag with a cuddly toy and a punch bag. It invites and demands physical and expressive interaction."
Also known as the aforementioned punching and cuddling.
The Punch 'n' Cuddle is still in production, but when it hits the marketplace it will be made of cotton and bamboo and will be available in three sizes.
If you want to get on the mailing list, you can sign up through the company's blog.
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Yay! I bookmarked these some time ago because I want one for myself :)
I think it is a great idea. I am a Child Life Specialist, a professional that helps children and their families cope with hospitalization and medical care. I see too many kids that don't know how to appropriately express their emotions, especially anger and frustration. Something like this can help them practice letting out those emotions in a safe way before a crisis comes up. Plus, they are cute, and look like they would be good for some rough and tumble play that doesn't endanger the coffee table, walls, etc.
Good energy release = yay.
I've read the research on it, and I'm with Michael Thompson on this one.
I love the idea of a bozo and actually talked with my husband about getting heavy bags (adult and kid sized) to get out aggression and for exercise.
However, though undoubtedly cute, I am bothered by the agression/affection dynamic of this product. Domestically violent relationships usually have this dynamic, the affection part being one of the reasons that the battered person "forgives" the batterer.
This makes me uncomfortable.
nycwife, it makes sense if they are punching it angrily but I think it would be more of a fun tackling type thing.
If I had room it would be great. I have three boys, they'd love it...of course they'd need room for bouncing off of it and flipping over it, LOL.
okay true story- I bit the nose of my bozo the clown punch bag. No more bozo afterthat. This would have been a great replacement!
whoops- typo there meant to say "bit the nose off"
I like everything about this except the name.
I'm with nycwife... it's a little too "he promised he'll never do it again..." for my taste.
Wow, I think you guys are reading way too much into it. This is a kids toy we're talking about here! Kids (hopefully) don't know anything about battered women. You do. I used to deflate those blow-up spiderman's instantly as a kid. They never lasted through 6 brothers and a sister for longer than a day!
Also, have you ever been to a daycare? The "punch and cuddle" dynamic that you're very worried about is very much alive there- kids punch (and bite, and scratch....) each other daily and hug and make up and are playing together moments later.
Nice concept - I've seen that back in 2009 - will it ever come to production? I really like to sell that - but I agree that "punch'n'cuddle" is something to discuss about. Kids should have a sense what it means to punched.
[irony] So, could we have a bozo that hits back, pls.? [/irony]
Best
Sven from www.kleinraum.de
This child psychologist says YAY!
It's normal to have emotions, even confusing ones... and childhood is an appropriate time to learn to express and modulate emotions, seeing as kids naturally are more impulsive in response to emotional experiences. I don't think this toy seems inherently aggressive or encourages domestic violence.
Hah! I saw the Dalai Lama speak recently in Madison. He said, "Everyone says children...they're so sweet and kind. They are not. They can be very mean." Which was kind of shocking, but then you realize it's true. I'm also with Dan Savage when he (somewhat jokingly) says that all children are born sociopaths and we teach them to be properly socialized human beings. They lack all sense of consideration, compassion, right and wrong. WE have to show them the way.
Kids DO punch and kick. They also dog pile. I could totally see having a blast rolling around with this thing as a kid.
I think (which means absolutely nothing) that if you buy a toy like this for your child and have an awareness of being kind and compassionate to others, that the toy isn't going to turn them into anything you haven't instilled in them. It's a fun toy to jump on, throw around, & bop back and forth. If you, as their parent, have taught them right from wrong, then this won't change those values.
That said, I think their marketing folks were a bit off with the branding. Nothing wrong with the toy itself, but they didn't manage the obvious conversation that was bound to come out of the product name.
Gee, Jenny, you REALLY like those plants... since you mention it in every one of your posts.
I actually think this is a good idea for children seeking added sensory input. I blogged about it over at b is for bloom. Hope that it makes it through production.