Webkinz and my oldest

[alwaysAJ]

My oldest daughter turned 7 not long ago, and a friend of mine got her a Webkinz toy. Innocent enough, but several weeks later when my daughter spent the night with my friend's daughter, my friend took it upon herself to sign my daughter's account up. Am I wrong to be a bit miffed about this? If I had wanted to activate the account, my friend knows I am very computer literate, and would have done so myself. But I do not feel that my child is really old enough to know what is really going on, and I don't think it should be anyone else's place to introduce her to the "wild west" of the internet--especially without asking me first. I never said anything, but now my daughter bugs me every chance she gets to go online and play games. Has anyone else had this happen to them, and how do you handle a "friend" who thinks it is okay to parent your child without your permission?

[mooresnuthouse]

I can understand completely the fact that someone else set up the account for your daughter but knowing what I know about webkinz - I can honestly say I believe they were just trying to be helpful. My daughter was almost 9 when she was introduced to webkinz and she registered herself with the help of a friend on the phone. (she became a wiz at webkinz on her own after getting started - it is a very easy site) The site is adorable and addicting for children and parents alike. She now has over 100 webkinz and at least when she goes on the computer I know what site she is on. She has no desire to research Hannah Montana and other preteen sites as much as to check on her pets! She is now 10and still adores them. We have given them as gifts to friends and she feels bad because those kids want to register them however the parents don't know how or have the time to sit and research and they avoid registering them for mainly that reason. I am sure it was harmless and your friend probably thought you hadn't gotten around to it and it is also helpful to have someone who is familiar with webkinz to help your daughter to show her how to make the most of the site. I was grateful for my daughter's friend to help her so I didn't have to. A store clerk told me once too that many parents have said that the Shining Stars site and TY Bears sites were nothing compared to webkinz. Hope this helps!

[myboysmom]

No, I think you have the right to be a little upset. Buying the toy was as far as your friend needed to go. Doing the internet thing without your permission is as bad as letting her watch tv programs you wouldn't approve of. It's your daughter and your choice, and if you weren't ready for her to be online, your friend should have asked, seeing as it was her first webkinz.