kidding around

Comment by Luke Shackelford

July 31, 2006 @ 11:40 pm

good for you Carol! I hope your kids remain “lost cause” to the marketing world. (c: *proud uncle*

Comment by kyrie

August 1, 2006 @ 12:28 am

thanks for the pointer to the article! it’s always good to know you’re doing something right with your kids.

Comment by Kristy

August 1, 2006 @ 6:39 am

I think parenting is all about finding the right balance for you and your family.We have no issues with our children watching suitable TV shows and buying the occasional character toy.We always make them aware of the alternatives that are around and to be honest they usually see the things of greater value for themselves.For example they love the Disney interpretations of classic fairytales but would much rather we read a book with the original version I’m not saying our way is ‘the right way’ but children can be raised being exposed to todays marketing without wanting to have everything they see.Childrens toys have always been influenced by what is going on in the world ,take teddy bears for example.Books were even considered dangerously influential when they were first printed!I think we need to teach our children how to discern what is right and wrong in todays media as it’s not going away any time soon. I hope I don’t sound like I’m on my soap box I just wanted to give an alternative view.
Gosh I hope that doesn’t sound really bad as I love your site and wouldn’t want to offend.I nearly hit the delete button!

Comment by molly

August 1, 2006 @ 8:24 am

I can’t wait to listen to this Carol. This is something that is on my mind all the time….looks like I have my “making dinner” entertainment for tonight.

Comment by Paula

August 1, 2006 @ 11:58 am

Kristy, I don’t think you said anything offensive. I have found your approach to work best for my kids, too, because even though we don’t have tv at our house, I’m a divorced parent and my kids watch a lot of tv at their dad’s house. I have found making a conversation out of the advertising angle while shopping is something my children can really get behind. Often, I’ll start out by pointing out a particularly unnecessary item of glitzed up “food” and say “they must think we’re stupid”. Then, my kids feel free to chime in and it’s interesting to see that, because we teach kids to respect authority, they think these things are in stores because it’s ok with us, their parents.

We watched “Supersize Me” together, and had a family discussion about it afterwards. My kids were shocked to learn that McDonald’s is not the benevolent kid-friendly place its advertising purports it to be, but rather a money making business that will do whatever it takes, including luring children. It was a life changing moment for my oldest. We had a very long discussion about how making money in business isn’t a bad thing, but as consumers we have the ultimate power, and the responsibility to choose wisely. They were especially creeped out to learn how much money, time and effort goes into market research to determine the most effective way to part people from their money.

My daughter is still saving for a “Princess and the Pauper” Barbie. She has been thinking about it for a year now, and the desire hasn’t disappeared, so she will most likely buy it and enjoy playing with her for many years, and that’s ok with me because it’s a genuine desire on her part. So many other wants disappear as soon as we get in the car.

Soon after we turned off the cable, my kids all agreed that they liked it better without tv because we spent more time together playing games and having fun. I was pleased.

Comment by Arielle

August 1, 2006 @ 12:21 pm

You know, I went to Toys R Us a while ago to buy a present for a 2 year old friend for her birthday. I was so frustrated because I couldn’t find anything I wanted – you know, nice, well-made, creative toys, a stuffed animal, a cute doll that doesn’t pee, cry, or wear hooker makeup like those dreadful Bratz dolls – and finally I realized that there was almost NOTHING in that store that wasn’t “branded.” You couldn’t buy a stuffed puppy, you had to buy a 101 Dalmation dog. You couldn’t buy a normal doll, you had to buy a Dora the Explorer doll. You couldn’t buy normal little doll accessories, they had to be Barbie accessories. I’m not even exaggerating – ALL the toys in that store were like this, except for a little corner of regular stuffed animals I finally found. I got her a couple of cute stuffed puppies (her favorite) and ran out of there.

Comment by Kassia

August 1, 2006 @ 3:09 pm

I’m so glad that people are starting to listen to, and become aware of the research out there regarding marketing focused on young children. We don’t let our girls watch tv, and so it is always a weird moment when at the doctor’s office and we’re given a “Nemo” sticker, or given a “Clifford” something by a well-meaning relative who is sure our kids will be crazy about it. I don’t mind if our kids are exposed at other people’s houses (they’ll have to get along in this world afterall), but at our home, forget it. Though I’d suspect we’re a bit on the crunchy side of things, I love all of our homemade and natural toys that are clearly not marketed towards anybody!

Comment by Xenia Kathryn

August 1, 2006 @ 5:35 pm

I happened to listen to this in the car yesterday. I was searching the radio stations while my 3 month old was crying, crying, crying. Then the soothing radio voices of the NPR people came on, and she stopped crying and was happy the entire car ride! It was amazing! And I got a lot out of what they had to say. I’m glad you posted this, Carol!

Comment by madmommy

August 2, 2006 @ 1:19 pm

Although I’m a bit sorry to say my toddler watches some tv, I only turn on Noggin network or Sesame Street, as both are educational and neither have branded commercials, only those “commercials” like the alphabet or how to tie your shoes, etc. I admire what you’re doing for your kids and hope I can teach my son the impacts of marketing before the gimmees set in.

Pingback by Kidding Around » Read!

August 8, 2006 @ 7:37 pm

[...] Now, this book is occupying my attention. It was referenced in the series of NPR stories and so I checked it out from my library. I like this book so much I just may need to devote an entire post to it! [...]

Comment by Chrys

August 10, 2006 @ 10:47 am

As mother of 2 toddlers and a baby, I sometimes let my children to watch some educational programs, and just one channel which doesn’t have advertising. I wish I could be strong enough to turn off the tv forever, cos even the most inocent show can make some difference in their behaviour. I can relate some aggressiveness after the tv time, and it really upsets me. It was good to read this article to give me the strenght I need to really turn off the tv, thank you for sharing this!