I’ve never been the trendiest person around. Just a few months ago, I finally jumped on the leggings bandwagon, and I only discovered that bottle flipping was a thing after yelling at my kids to stop before they soaked the house. And don’t even get me started on Orbeez; I honestly don’t get their appeal.
Most of the time, I learn about new trends through other parents voicing their frustrations on social media. So, it was no shock that I first encountered fidget spinners just last week after a neighbor’s child was spinning one in the car on the way to school, and my own son suddenly declared he needed one. Despite fidget spinners being around for ages, they seemed to have made a comeback.
What Are Fidget Spinners?
If you’re as lost as I was about what fidget spinners are, let me break it down for you. (Do people still say “break it down”?) Contrary to what you might think, fidget spinners aren’t just another trendy toy. They’ve actually been used as sensory tools for kids with autism, anxiety, OCD, or ADHD for some time. Much like stress balls, they provide a way for restless hands and anxious minds to focus. And, as the name suggests, they simply spin around. Seriously, that’s about it. You grip the center and let the arms twirl.
I can’t fully explain why they work, but they do. Just take my word for it. But fidget spinners aren’t just for the younger crowd. Forbes recently highlighted their growing popularity among adults as well. Instead of nervously clicking your pen or biting your nails, you could be using a sleek fidget spinner. The catch? While kids’ spinners cost between $10 and $20, those aimed at adults can go for a couple of hundred bucks.
The History and Popularity of Fidget Toys
Mental health specialists have utilized similar toys for ages. Believe it or not, the Slinky is considered one of the earliest fidget toys, according to Dr. Emily Rhodes. Even though fidget spinners and their counterparts aren’t exactly new, they’ve surged in popularity recently. The Fidget Cube, which is like the luxury version of a fidget spinner, was among the top-funded projects on Kickstarter, amassing nearly $6.5 million. Forbes even dubbed fidget spinners the “must-have office toy for adults” in 2017.
It seems fidget spinners have been the best-kept secret until now, as they’ve officially become a trend. Curious about the hype, I bought one from Amazon to see if it could help my eldest son concentrate. Although he’s neurotypical, he sometimes struggles to settle down and focus. He tends to fidget and jump from activity to activity. Instead of sitting down like most kids, he prefers to stand at a table, so I thought a fidget spinner might be worth a shot.
My Experience with Fidget Spinners
When my son was at school, I decided to try it out myself (see what I did there?), and I must say, the spinner has a strangely captivating quality. It’s just a spinning disk, but I found it oddly soothing, quieting my racing thoughts and easing my anxiety for a little while.
That is, until my son came home and got his hands on it. Now, it’s been chaos. In just six hours, I broke up 15 squabbles between my kids over whose turn it was. I’ve threatened to take it away 97 times, and he spins it everywhere—at home, at dinner, and even out in public. While it may help him focus and calm down, it’s driving me absolutely bonkers.
Frustrations of Parents and Teachers
And I’m not alone in my frustration. Many parents and teachers are feeling similarly exasperated. The sudden rise in fidget spinner popularity means kids who don’t necessarily need them for therapeutic reasons (like my son) are using them purely for fun, often creating more distractions in classrooms than they mitigate. Parents find them annoying because let’s face it: anything repeated incessantly can become grating—whether it’s bottle flipping or fidget spinning.
As for whether the fidget spinner actually helps my son focus on homework or reading, the jury’s still out. One thing is for sure, though: I might just need to get my own fidget spinner to cope with the distraction his has caused.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while fidget spinners may have therapeutic benefits for some, their newfound popularity has turned them into a source of irritation for many parents and teachers alike. If you’re curious about fertility topics related to home insemination, check out this post for more insights. And for those looking to enhance fertility, Fertility Booster for Men is a great resource. For extensive information on pregnancy, visit Medical News Today, which is an excellent resource for all things related to fertility and home insemination.