The washable crayon debate

I have to hand it to Crayola, they are sure pushing their washable crayons and markers like they never have before.

However, I ask them to think about the behaviors they are encouraging before coming out with the next big thing.

I cannot help but wonder, do any of the decision makers at this company even have young children?

Case and point. I love crayons as much as the next person, but I think the usage has to stop somewhere. I mean, just start watching ads or go to the store and look; and you will see that children are encouraged to write on walls or in the bathtubs with these washable crayons. Excuse me?

Yes. Write on the walls or in the bathtub.

What exactly are we teaching our kids? It’s OK to write all over the walls and bathroom.

No. Way. Not in my house. I don’t even care if they are washable. I think this whole idea is terrible. Why in the world would we want to encourage our children to be destructive by defacing property? What’s next? Washable spray paint, which apparently already exists.

Yes. I like washable crayons and markers for the obvious reason that they do wash off, but that is not the point.

The problem is a child has to learn what is appropriate; and not appropriate crayon behavior. You know, like writing on paper versus the door or wall. I am pretty sure they will not be encouraged to write everywhere they want when they get to school, so why encourage that when they are younger.

For example: My 6-year-old son Matthew was using washable markers and thought it was no big deal to write on things because it washed off. Sounds OK. Right?

Wrong. Not, OK.

Later that day, he found a red, permanent marker and proceeded to draw all over the bathroom cabinet and the toilet. I just about lost it when I discovered the mess, I mean wonderful artwork, but I held it together and told my son that although I love his artwork, the toilet and the bathroom cabinet are not the appropriate places to showcase his artwork.

I asked why he thought it would be OK to draw all over everything and he said “It washes off.” I told him not all crayons and markers can be washed off. He started to cry as I tried to get the permanent marker off.

Needless to say, I did lose this battle. I still have red, permanent marker on the toilet and the side of the cabinet. It is not that bad, but it is still there. I decided to give up the fight when some of the wood started to look like I had washed its protective sealant off.

This is exactly what I am talking about. This whole idea of some crayons are washable and others are not is really confusing to children. I may just get rid of all the washable crayons in the house. Take that, Crayola.

Children need to learn that there are consequences to their actions. They need to learn there are just some things they can’t wash away or fix when it breaks. So, if I have to take a stand at washable crayons to instill this into my children, so be it. They will be better people in the future because of it.