I’ll admit, I’m not usually the trendiest person on the block. It took me ages to grab a pair of those buttery-soft leggings that everyone was raving about, and I only discovered that bottle flipping was a “thing” after I’d yelled at my kids to stop before they drenched everything for what felt like the hundredth time. And don’t even get me started on Orbeez—I still don’t get it.
Most of the time, I learn about the latest kid trends through fellow parents venting their frustrations on social media. You know what I mean? I’m usually late to the party, discovering these crazes only after they’ve become a complete headache for everyone. So, it’s no shocker that I first caught wind of fidget spinners just last week. A neighbor’s kid had one in the car, and my son, of course, insisted he needed one—despite the fact that fidget spinners have actually been around for quite some time.
What Are Fidget Spinners?
In case you’re as out of the loop as I was, allow me to break it down for you. (Is “break it down” still a thing?!) Fidget spinners aren’t just some random fad; they’ve been utilized as sensory tools for children on the autism spectrum, those dealing with anxiety, OCD, or ADHD for quite a while now. Much like stress balls, fidget spinners give busy hands—well, something to do, helping kids focus. They do what the name suggests: they spin. You simply hold the disk and give it a whirl. Simple, right?
I can’t quite explain why it works, but it does. Just trust me.
Fidget Spinners for Adults
And it’s not just kids who are getting in on the action. Forbes recently highlighted how fidget spinners have become popular among adults too. Instead of nervously biting your nails or tapping your foot, you can twirl a chic fidget spinner. But watch out—while kids’ spinners typically range from $10 to $20, adult versions can set you back a couple of hundred bucks.
Mental health professionals have been advocating for similar toys for ages. Did you know that the Slinky is one of the earliest fidget toys? Thanks to Dr. Emily Carter for that tidbit! Even though fidget spinners and their counterparts aren’t entirely new, their popularity has skyrocketed in recent months. In fact, the Fidget Cube, which is basically the luxury model of fidget spinners, was a massive hit on Kickstarter, raising nearly $6.5 million. Forbes even dubbed fidget spinners the “must-have office toy for adults” in 2017.
My Experience with Fidget Spinners
Turns out, fidget spinners have been the ultimate secret weapon—until now. I decided to grab one from Amazon to see what all the fuss was about, hoping it might help my son focus. Even though he’s a neurotypical kid, he sometimes struggles to concentrate and is always bouncing around.
When my son wasn’t home, I decided to give the fidget spinner a spin (pun intended), and wow—there’s something oddly mesmerizing about it. It’s just a spinning disk, but I found it surprisingly soothing. My internal chatter quieted a bit, and I felt less frazzled.
But that peace was short-lived. Once my son got his hands on his new toy, it’s been a whirlwind of distraction in our house. In just six hours, I’ve had to intervene in 15 squabbles over whose turn it was and have threatened to confiscate it a staggering 97 times. He spins it at home, during dinner, and even in public. While it may help him focus, it’s driving me completely bonkers.
The Parental Perspective
And it turns out I’m not alone in the “please, can you put that down” club. Many parents and educators are feeling the same way. The sudden popularity of fidget spinners has led to them becoming just another toy for plenty of kids who don’t really need them for mental health reasons (like my son). Instead of aiding focus, they may be creating more chaos in classrooms. Parents quickly grow annoyed when the same action is repeated over and over, whether it’s spinning, flipping, or tapping.
So, while I’m uncertain if the fidget spinner genuinely aids my son’s concentration, I do know one thing: I definitely need to get myself one of those spinners to cope with the distraction it’s causing!
Further Reading
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In summary, fidget spinners are more than just a passing trend; they’ve made a significant impact on both kids and adults. While they can provide sensory relief and focus, they also come with their fair share of distractions and frustrations for parents.