So much better than video games. I love to see kids interested in plants of any kind. A much healthier interest than most children have now. His mom may be too busy to keep up with her Phal. and homeschooling. I have 6 kids and I homeschool (3 right now). It can be a challenge to find the extra time to care for the plants and avoid neglecting the school work because of it. But then again, "Who needs sleep anyway!"