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Pictured here Ann Scriven, teacher in charge, with Jenni McCraith and a virtual baby. |
Having helped to supply two babies for use at Reepham High
School the Club invited Ann Scriven, the teacher in charge, and two pupils to a
meeting were they gave an account of their reactions and benefits to be gained
from the use of the dolls.
Below is an account by one of the pupils and her reactions to a weekend with a
Virtual Baby.
Here also are two websites to view with additional information. Also contact John Tym of the Reepham Club who can also give specific information.
VOCATIONAL JOHN TYM Tel : 01362 688281. To E-mail click CONTACT
| Two websites of UK distributors with additional information & products. |  |
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When I first heard I was getting the Virtual Baby I was really pleased, I thought it would be fun and a good experience. But it turned out to be a nightmare.
When the baby cried for the first time I was surprised how loud it was and also how long it did actually cry for. That weekend my boyfriend was round so it would be a good experience for us both. He was just as shocked as me to actually how many times the baby did cry, over a small period of time we had it.
I found it a very tedious job as I was the one with the key so I couldn’t just rely on him or my mum to take care of it. That night I had arranged to go out with some friends, I thought it would fun but then realised I had extra baggage – it was the crying baby. I didn’t have to just worry about putting the key in it’s back to stop it crying but also handling it properly so I didn’t damage it’s neck. In the end I decided to call it an early night, thought I could catch up on some beauty sleep but boy was I wrong. Constantly through the night we were woken up by this terrible screaming which came from the doll. I would have to sit there for about half an hour with the key in it’s back before it would stop.
This seemed to happen every two hours, the worst thing was thinking I could hear it crying but when I woke up it wasn’t. This was happening throughout the weekend.
When going to the loo or for a bath it would have to be with me just in case it cried, there is just no time for your self. By the end of the weekend both my boyfriend and myself were irritable, moody and most of all tired and this is just over one weekend. Just imagine the constant sleepless nights, no going out, no time for your self at all.
By Sunday I had ripped the band off my arm so I wouldn’t have to be with it all the time. By Monday I was more than happy to give the baby back.
But one thing we have leaned is that babies and teenagers don’t mix and anybody who thinks they do, have a lot to consider before they throw their life away.
Abbie Hardiment.