It is finally here.  The day I have been dreading.  The day where I officially become the “un-cool mom.”  The day where I admit to the world that I JUST DON’T GET IT!

What don’t I get, you ask?

AHEM - Silly Bandz

My kids are nuts for them.

Young Jedi is nutso for the bandz!

My take:  If you collect Silly Bandz they can cost a trillion dollars, schools are banning them and they break when you look at them sideways.  Which, of course, hasn’t stopped them from being the ultimate cool thing.  Or me from buying them for the kids.

It is an amazing thing, these bandz.

I’ve learned that they are KID CURRENCY and a KID STATUS SYMBOL. Kids count them, trade them and try to get their hands on the silly bands that are the most RARE. (Fantasy pack!) And they cry in devastation when the bands break.  Cause you know, life is all about the the flimsy colored rubber stuff.  DUH, mom.

Most importantly, they are a great equalizer.  Doesn’t matter who you are, how much money you have, how many friends you do or don’t have… you can still trade the bandz and be included.  That, to me, is cool.

That being said, I still don’t entirely “get it.”  But I sure wish I had invented it!

BTW: Wanna know the mastermind who invented the phenomenon?  His name is Rob Croak and he is from Toledo Ohio.  Fascinating article and video about the company behind the craze by USA Today here.