Kids in commercials: Adorable or obnoxious?

Amy W., Bettendorf, IA — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 14:09:09 GMT

Totally have to agree with the pediasure kid. Ugh! That whiny sing-song voice of hers grates on me every time that commercial comes on!

Kids in commercials: Adorable or obnoxious?

Heather BR, Cville,VA — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 14:29:34 GMT

I hate when kids sing on commercials. I'd rather hear finger nails on a chalkboard or Fran Drescher laughing than children singing. Any add that features kids singing is muted. The worst is when you get an ad (usually local low-budget ones) that feature kids singing about something that has nothing to do with kids. There's one in central VA with kids singing about some heating and air service company.

I also hate commericals that feature bratty, bossy, disobedient kids. Nobody likes kids like that, not even for 30 seconds on TV.

Kids in commercials: Adorable or obnoxious?

Heather, San Gabriel, CA — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 14:56:55 GMT

My favorite 'child in a commercial' ad is for a telephone book (don't ask which one) who is looking up virtual martial arts training after getting a wedgie. Might not be the most PC (learning to fight), but gives an idea for kids being bullied looking for an answer.

Kids in commercials: Adorable or obnoxious?

Pat, LA — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 15:08:03 GMT

Most kid commercials are obnoxious. Some of them show them as out of control, and half the time you can't understand what they say. I usually put them on mute when they come on. I would rather have the animal commercials.

Kids in commercials: Adorable or obnoxious?

Anon, somewhere, CO — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 15:10:36 GMT

I like the other DQ commercial when the girl flirts with the boy and tells her mother to only buy one sundae. Then, when the boy sends her a sundae, she says to her mother, "it's like shooting fish in a barrel."

Kids in commercials: Adorable or obnoxious?

Mark — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 15:22:47 GMT

I'd like to thank the authors of this article for giving me the platform to go on the record as stating unequivocally that kids in adult commercials are obnoxious! Especially that E-Trade baby. They say that htere's no such thing as bad publicity. Wrong. I hope E-trade has their ears on to hear that I wouldn't anymore trade with e-trade than I would set a puking baby at a keyboard, if this juvenile commercial is any indication of their judgment.

Kids in commercials: Adorable or obnoxious?

Nate Bob — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 15:25:04 GMT

Even more creepy were the Welch commercials a few years back that had dwarfs playing the role of children, speaking in eerie adult voices about how much they loved to drink grape juice. The one blond gal's unblinking eyes and munchkin-like voice was as scary as the horror-movie killer Chucky doll. Fact is, any commercial that has children speaking like adults is sickening. Proof positive that there are many very stupid people working for big corporations and the ad agencies.

Kids in commercials: Adorable or obnoxious?

Jessica, Southern California — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 15:28:40 GMT

I love the kid in that one commercial where the dad goes away on a business trip. The little girl sneaks her stuffed monkey doll into her dad's briefcase and he proceeds to take pictures of the monkey at all the places he is and sends them to her. I find that girl so adorable especially at the end when she seems so excited to see her father come home. I love it when children love their parents so much!

Kids in commercials: Adorable or obnoxious?

Nichole, North Carolina — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 15:34:39 GMT

I can't think of any memorable kid commercials except that I was a fan of the "IDK, my BFF Jill" commercial and I liked how they turned it into a series of commercials.

My current fave is for Toyota. The woman has gotten a great deal and when she goes to put the key on her keychain, she accidentally and unknowingly squirts pepper spray in the salesman's eye. He starts yelling in pain saying "I can't see!" and she cries out, "I know, I'm blinded with joy!".

Maybe I'm masochistic, but the commercial makes me smile every time.

Kids in commercials: Adorable or obnoxious?

Ella — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 15:40:33 GMT

Every once in awhile you get a kid in a commercial that just kills you. They're so funny and so real and you know that the writers only won half the battle and that the kid is just freaking talented. But most of the time the kids cast in commercials make me want to jam a pin under my fingernail.

Kids in commercials: Adorable or obnoxious?

Erin Raleigh, NC — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 15:44:42 GMT

Correction on the DQ commercial, he doesn't spell antidisestablishmentarianism, he simply says it. Still, not an impressive commercial.

Kids in commercials: Adorable or obnoxious?

Annie Fouty, Show Low , Arizona — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 15:48:34 GMT

I am offended when an ad selling a car,etc. is by a child whose never paid a bill in their life and has no concept of money. And yes, many of the ads with children, the children are "too adult" and bossy.

Kids in commercials: Adorable or obnoxious?

Annie Fouty, Show Low , Arizona — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 15:49:13 GMT

Kids in commercials: Adorable or obnoxious?

Heather, WisCo — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 16:03:38 GMT

I agree that all these commercials are SUPER ANNOYING. My friends and I are in the correct demographic (ages 28 - 36) for many of the goods these commercials are promoting, but the so called cute kids do little more than annoy. Actually, no...they do make us boycott or try to boycott the product/service. Any commercial with an annoying kid or alarm clock is bad marketing in my opinion.

It kind of disgusts me that they are exploiting children to sell some unhealthy fast food in the case of the "oh-so-adorable-smart-spelling kid" on the DQ commercial. Seriously, do marketing department and ad agencies think that this increases business?? I do not even know what they are promoting in the DQ commercial and I probably never will. As far a the e-trade baby...I did not even remember it was a commercial for e-trade, I only know because you mentioned it here...same with the annoying waffle girl. I cannot believe that commercials depict children being brats in order to sell product. Unless it is an advertisement for birth control, it makes no sense to me.

Kids in commercials: Adorable or obnoxious?

Jessie, Kingsport, Tn. — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 16:05:21 GMT

I agree with you on the barfing E-trade ad. I've seen to much of the same in my grandchildren. And for a kid not to like waffles is not believable. They would eat a ton of sticky waffles if only to cover themselves and the parents with the gooey syrup. And,yes, I do like the DQ ad. I enjoy your posts.

Kids in commercials: Adorable or obnoxious?

Tina Johnson, Springfield, MO — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 16:06:18 GMT

I like the DQ commercial where the daughter sells her dad his hotdog and blizzard then closes up shop. It is something I could totally see my daughter doing.

Kids in commercials: Adorable or obnoxious?

Sheldon, Ft. Lauderdale, FL — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 16:08:35 GMT

This is what you are paid to write about???? Who the heck cares whether you like kids? Or DQ? or waffles? Can there be anything more inane than hearing you whine about this???

Kids in commercials: Adorable or obnoxious?

jersey girl — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 16:11:34 GMT

I cant stand that pediasure kid, but the one I think is the worst is the paper towel where the kid is shaking the bottle of orange soda and then it starts spraying all over and the mom turns around and starts spraying him with the water hose from the sink, oh yeah right, my mom was a pretty cool laid back mom, but I gotta tell a water fight in the kitchen after I sprayed soda all over the place would never ever have happened.

My favorite is an old one, and Oscar Mayer one with the adorable little curly haired boy fishing and singing about his bologna then at the end says "hows that" and takes a bite...

Kids in commercials: Adorable or obnoxious?

Kathy Riggs, Denver, CO — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 16:15:32 GMT

That obnoxiously precocious girl in the DQ ad who flirts with the boy to get him to buy her a sundae....at all of 9 years old! The ending line has her saying to her mom "it's like shooting fish in a barrel". What kind of message is this sending to our girls? Yuk....made me sick to think we are regressing to the point of teaching our girls they can flirt their way into getting a buy to buy them what they want!

Kids in commercials: Adorable or obnoxious?

Mircat, Sacramento, CA — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 16:22:15 GMT

The waffle kid is thoroughly annoying and should be made to eat waffles for all her meals for a couple days.
The ETrade barfing baby (and others) is a cute gimmick and I really like them.
The DQ kid is okay, sort of funny, his laugh is a killer. Not sure of the purpose though, seems like it's meant to make the guy look like an idiot which isn't nice.

Kids in commercials: Adorable or obnoxious?

Jean, Alexandria VA — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 16:30:37 GMT

Having a young baby, I'm not thrilled with the ETrade barfing baby so you aren't alone, and you mentioned DQ, but not the one I found particularly offensive. In it Mom and Pre-Teen Daughter are ordering, Daughter gives a little smile and wave to a Pre-Teen Boy and then tells Mom she doesn't want anything. Cut to later and Boy sends Daughter a sundae. It's wrong to have a 10 year old using the old 'sex sells' to get her way with a boy and in our teach girls to be sex objects society, this is the wrong message a wholesome place like DQ should be sending.

Kids in commercials: Adorable or obnoxious?

Katy, Minneapolis, MN — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 16:33:28 GMT

I can't think of a single child that I have ever liked in a commercial. They just annoy me. Now I just don't watch TV.

Kids in commercials: Adorable or obnoxious?

Christine, Philadelphia, Pa — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 16:34:34 GMT

I have to agree with you in general on the subject of annoying kids in commercials. Yes some are quite adorable, like the kids in the new Band-aid commercials, then others are just plain absurd. My personal pet peeve is any commercial that puts a yound child in front of the camera and has them recite a script they've memorized using words that kids that age don't use. The Welch's fruit juice commercials come to mind! And it's funny you mentions the waffle girl because the first time I ever saw that commercial, my first thought was, "How can she not like waffles?" lol. Great blog :o)

Kids in commercials: Adorable or obnoxious?

David, Indiana — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 16:35:57 GMT

I'm surprised there was no mention of the AARP commercial that uses kids to push the socialist geezers' agenda. Despicable!

Kids in commercials: Adorable or obnoxious?

Eve, Las Vegas, NV — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 16:41:14 GMT

I love the eTrade baby, EXCEPT for when he barfs, and no, I don't have kids, though his reaction to barfing is kind of funny. He reminds me of Baby Bob for Quiznos (Patton Oswalt's voice coming out of a baby's mouth? Awesome). The 2 DQ commmericals with kids that I don't like are the one where the little girl gets a sundae from the kid across the room and the other one where another little girl plays DQ Drive-Thru with her unwitting dad. The first girl's reaction to getting said sundae from her admirer is horrible (she's what, no more than 8?). I feel like I'm watching Samantha from Sex and the City at a young age. Also, as seen in the DQ Drive Thru commerical, I hate that most men/fathers on TV are portrayed as dim-witted idiots that need their wives/families to do their thinking for them.

Kids in commercials: Adorable or obnoxious?

Marissa, Phoenix AZ — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 16:49:53 GMT

AHHHHHH Multi-Link Monday kept me going at work. It NEEDS to come back!
PS I loved the annual commercial debate...but since it's become a weekly thing, I have definitly lost interest.

Kids in commercials: Adorable or obnoxious?

Gina Claytor, Sacramento, CA — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 16:54:44 GMT

I don't know if this commercial is nationally played or not, but I love, LOVE, LOVE the Kaiser ad with the little boy in the suit, talking about when he was younger, "...he got into some bad habits, hung out with the wrong people, neglected his relationships...". Great!

Kids in commercials: Adorable or obnoxious?

Rebecca, Rome, Ga — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 16:58:49 GMT

I love the Verizon Wireless Dead Zone Kids. They look like the twins in the shining. It is hilarious!!

Kids in commercials: Adorable or obnoxious?

KendallJaye — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 17:03:30 GMT

Mostly kids in commercials bug me. And it's not because of the kids themselves. It's the snotty, disrespectful way they are portrayed. (just like the I-don't-like-waffles kid!) I usually use these as moments for me to tell my kiddo "If you EVER act like that.............."

Kids in commercials: Adorable or obnoxious?

Peg, Albany, NY — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 17:08:42 GMT

I don't pay too much attention ads to start with and especially to kids in any of the commercials. After all, my kids were and my grandchildren are the cutest and most clever kids ever. The e-Trade ads are clever, minus the barfing, and the baby is cute, but my life wouldn't suffer without the ad, and I have no interest in the product. I don't think I've ever purchased anything because of a TV ad, kid or no kid.

Kids in commercials: Adorable or obnoxious?

Devyani, Houston, TX — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 17:11:04 GMT

Ugh. I hate that Pediasure ad. That kid is an utter brat. I think it should have been an ad for migraine medicine. Other ads I hate in the "cute kid" category are those in which kids drop sticky syrups and make other such wonderful messes and patiently wait for the ever-smiling mom to come clean it up with a magical paper towel. The normal response would be to try to clean it up yourself but I guess only un-cute kids have to stoop that low. The Dairy Queen ad in which the little boy buys the little girl a sundae is pretty disturbing too. The way the little girl says, "That was too easy" to her mom gives me scary visions of her future.

Kids in commercials: Adorable or obnoxious?

Liz Cleveland OH — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 17:19:19 GMT

There is a local commercial in Cleveland for Lube Stop that makes me cringe every time I hear it. There is a scroll of text on the screen, with different kids narrating the scroll as it changes. I can't stand it because it sounds like the kids are using put-on, childish little baby voices. It makes me want to scream!!

Kids in commercials: Adorable or obnoxious?

Joy Dempsey, Columbus, OH — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 17:22:43 GMT

I LOVE the DQ commercial where the mom and daughter are ordering and the little girl says to just order one. The mom thinks they are going to share and about that time the "waiter" brings over another icecream from the gentleman in the donkey shirt...like shooting fish in a barrel!! Love IT.

Kids in commercials: Adorable or obnoxious?

Lynn, Cleveland, OH — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 17:25:09 GMT

As a pediatrician, I am most offended by the pediasure commercial since it implies that pediasure is a helpful nutritional supplement for normal children. In fact, pediasure has 50% more calories than whole milk and is meant as a supplement for underweight children. I have treated more than one obese toddler whose parents turned out to be giving them multiple cans of pediasure daily as a nutritional hedge.

Kids in commercials: Adorable or obnoxious?

Jessica, El Paso, TX — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 17:28:56 GMT

I hate the DQ commercial with the little girl flirting. Girls don't need to learn that sex sells QUITE that early. The only commercial I've ever really liked wasn't kid-centric, but it had a teenager and her mom "arguing", but it was more like the teen says "Why do you always give me what I want?" and the mom goes "Because you insist on acting responsibly!" Or something like that. It's cute, I think for a cellphone? Otherwise, have kids, especially little ones, act like grown ups is really cloying and never makes me want to get whatever product they are hawking.

Kids in commercials: Adorable or obnoxious?

wrp, Little Rock, Arkansas — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 17:33:31 GMT

I just wish the ad agencies would understand that having kids in a commercial does not automatically make it a winner. It's like they have a formula that says we need an ad for this so let's throw in a kid, maybe a singing kitten, and there's your ad - without thinking about things like the intended market of the product.

I like the DQ baby commercial, but the Pediasure whiner and the e-Trade barfing baby send me in the opposite direction of what would be intended by a good marketing agency.

Kids in commercials: Adorable or obnoxious?

Craig, NY — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 17:38:33 GMT

I like the Volvo commercial where the father puts his daughter in the back seat and she just doesn't stop talking. It reminds me of my 6 year old daughter who does the same thing.

Kids in commercials: Adorable or obnoxious?

Jamison, Lawrenceburg, Ky. — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 17:42:58 GMT

I like the eTrade baby ads but is it my imagination or have they toned down the amount of "spit up" from when the ad first aired? I like the one with clown and the one where he's getting text messaged and called from a girl. Hillarious! I do hate to see kids being disrespectful and rude in commercials, but I would rather see that any day than the not one, but TWO ads that feature the dog wiping his butt on the carpet (Stanley Steamer and AT&T). Yuck!

Kids in commercials: Adorable or obnoxious?

Tyler, nowhere, Nevada — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 17:45:55 GMT

I'm with "NateBob" on the Welch's commercials...children of the corn man. Also, the barfing etrade kid is great, but it may be because I have no barfing etrade kids of my own.

Kids in commercials: Adorable or obnoxious?

Haley, Vincennes, IN — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 17:46:05 GMT

Barfing e-Trade baby was gross, but the other commercial that DIDN'T get as much airtime, but was way funnier was the version were he rented a clown with his newly made money.

"I underestimated the creepy factor."

Kids in commercials: Adorable or obnoxious?

Elle, Las Vegas — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 17:50:42 GMT

I'm sick of the Burger King commercial. As soon as the Burger King kid comes into the kitchen and kicks Burger King dad in the shin....I don't find anything funny about that commercial. It must have played 10x an hour over the weekend.

Kids in commercials: Adorable or obnoxious?

Julie, Nashville, TN — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 17:52:43 GMT

Totally agree with Nate Bob about those Welch's grape juice ads. For some reason they both creeped me out and annoyed me at the same time...

I hate that e-trade baby and barfing in ads is just disgusting! Honestly all the "talking" babies commercials are so old after that first one done several years back of "baby Bob" (I can't remember what it was for).

Kids in commercials: Adorable or obnoxious?

Wendy, Denver, CO — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 18:12:40 GMT

I have kids and I can't stand some of these commercials. The barfing Etrade baby is gross and the "I don't like it kid" is obnoxious. (No parent I know lets their kid get away with that kind of sass.) The DQ commercial with the little girl is really inappropriate.

Some of them are cute - the mother and the daughter dressed up going to McDonalds is sweet, and is promoting their healthier choices like salads and apples. For me, the key is are the appropriate to what the company and the product and the age of the children in them.

Have to agree on the singing though - kids should not sing in commercials EVER!

Kids in commercials: Adorable or obnoxious?

Linda, Jacksonville, FL — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 18:16:02 GMT

My 2 1/2 year old granddaughter won't touch a waffle or a pancake, no matter how much syrup is on it. Some children actually do eat what is healthy - like fruit - for breakfast. And yes, she does get a Pediasure every morning.

Kids in commercials: Adorable or obnoxious?

Tammy Carter, Brewton, AL — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 18:16:28 GMT

I hate when the parents own a business and have their children doing commercials for them in that whiney, baby tone. HATE IT. We have one that is local where the baby girl brat says "Cheerio" at the end of it, I want to slap her.

Kids in commercials: Adorable or obnoxious?

c holman, charlotte, nc — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 18:25:32 GMT

Worst kid in a commercial? The Burger King king's kid, who kicks him in the shins and grabs his burger. Horrible!

Kids in commercials: Adorable or obnoxious?

CJR, Iowa — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 18:37:39 GMT

I think some people need to lighten up. The Pediasure kid is disrespectful? I'm betting that none of you whining about it have ever taken a child that age to the grocery store. If all your child does is say they don't like this or that, consider it a blessing.

It may not be amusing but geez...it's hardly an offense to civility.

Kids in commercials: Adorable or obnoxious?

GFT — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 18:39:54 GMT

I can always mute the commercials, or just not watch. What annoys me is when I'm in real life situations such as a restaurant, store or other public place and a childs parents let their children run rampant even breaking things. I was in a fast food chain at lunchtime and a set of parents set their barefoot child STANDING on top of the condiment counter, while they got their napkins ketchup etc. I wasn't going to complain about the child being barefoot in the restaurant till then. But once they put their kids filthy feet onto that counter I got the manager and let them know that if they didn't clean the area RIGHT AWAY. The health dept would be called. Of course the mother cursed me out when they were asked to leave. But hey if you don't know enough to keep your childs bare feet off of where other people have to set their food trays, you must be one great parent.

Kids in commercials: Adorable or obnoxious?

Ashley, Houston, TX — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 18:40:32 GMT

Ugh, there is a local commercial in Houston for Hilton Furniture, and the owner always has his kids with him in the commercials. He actually named his daughter Paris Hilton (and she was definitely born after people unfortunately became familiar with that name) and is always trying to sell customers on the Paris Jade Collection. Please!

Another local gem is for The Hand Center, and the doctor has his wife and all his kids sitting around him, and when he finishes his speech, one of his daughters jumps up into his lap and squeaks out "Daddy's baby girl!" It makes me want to projectile vomit.

Kids in commercials: Adorable or obnoxious?

Susan, Honolulu, Hawaii — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 18:48:23 GMT

I agree with most of you who say kids in commercials are obnoxious. I'm sure everyone likes the first commercial, and by the 4 or 5th time, it's time for the mute button. Talk about overkill! I use my mute button A LOT these days. Half the time even if it's cute the first time around, you can't remember what the commercial was about. And we're turning our little girls into sluts! "Like shooting fish in a barrel"??? How disgusting is that? Cheating your own father?

Kids in commercials: Adorable or obnoxious?

Ugh!, Libertyville, IL — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 18:51:22 GMT

Kids aren't so bad, its the whiney, screaming, crying in the commercials - Really do we need to listen to it???

Kids in commercials: Adorable or obnoxious?

Andrew, Philadelphia, PA — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 18:56:55 GMT

@Sheldon, Ft. Lauderdale, FL
You whining about someone whining = EPIC FAIL.
I love irony.

Kids in commercials: Adorable or obnoxious?

Sara, Fayetteville, AR — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 19:00:31 GMT

Not sure if this qualifies as a "KID" but the new BK commercial where the Little plastic headed BK jr child comes up and KICKS the king.

It seriously bothers me on many levels. I have children and if my child came up to say "hi" and kicked me in the shin, I dont think would blithely hand over the burgerking meal to him while cringing in pain. No one in that "family" even flinched.

Not even sure what the point of that was except to make me NEVER want to go to BK again.

Kids in commercials: Adorable or obnoxious?

Katie somewhere USA — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 19:07:33 GMT

Dude, I hate all those commercials. The DQ one is the worst!

Kids in commercials: Adorable or obnoxious?

Dee, Foxboro MA — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 19:08:04 GMT

Who ever at Burger King hired their present ad agency should be shot. There have been a whole series of commercials featuring that guy that have bordered on creepy. First there is the one with the guy waking up with the Burger King in his bed, and the one with the burger king peering in the windows of the high rise. There used to be one where the Burger King was sitting in an outdoor cafe saying how much he liked little boys. Ick and double Ick!

That pedisure girl is totally annoying. Nice thing to show, kids running the household! Vanilla pedisure doesn't look like something that tastes so great. THe pediatrician hit the nail on the head. Most kids don't need it. But, guilt and laziness sell.

Any advertisement that exploits little girls and uses sexual allure to sell should be banned.

How about more ads that do not show a nuclear family of mother, father and two kids!

Kids in commercials: Adorable or obnoxious?

Maggie, Platteville EI — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 19:23:32 GMT

I liked the Oreo cookie commercials with the kids - especially the one (it was a few years ago) with the little eating his Oreo and promising his dog some - then at the end he tells the dog that 'Mom says chocolate is bad for dogs, but you can drink my milk'. I also like the one with the little girl having the lick-off contest with the older grandmother-like lady, and the one with the triplets where they all pour their milk into one glass to share.

Kids in commercials: Adorable or obnoxious?

Gary F — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 19:24:21 GMT

How about the two root a toote, fresh and fruities for Sonic. Makes me want to pull out my fingernails with pliers. I will never eat at Sonic again because it produces imaging’s of these two uhhhh Guys?

Kids in commercials: Adorable or obnoxious?

Judie Gale, Houston, Texas — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 19:40:08 GMT

The worst kind of kid commercial is when the kid is eating something and it gets all over the kid's face. What is cute or appealing about a kid with a face full of food?!?! That's just gross. Worse than vomit!! (And, yes, I have kids.)

Kids in commercials: Adorable or obnoxious?

jersey girl — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 19:42:22 GMT

I forgot about those other DQ commercials, I definitely agree that the "shooting fish in a barrell" one is completely inappropriate, so is the girl basically stealing money from her father...however, it also annoys me that they portray these men to be so stupid. As for the flirting girl, you really have to wonder not only about the ad exec that thought this was a good idea, but also the child's parents, is this the impression you want other people to have of your daughter, that at the age of what 8 or 9, she has already learned how to use her "feminine wiles" to get what she wants, did we just turn back the calendar.

I also forget which car it is for but the mother picks the daughter up from a party and she asks her mom what "spoiled" means and her mom asks her why did someone call you taht, and she turns around and says NO someone called YOU that! I really like that one too..

Kids in commercials: Adorable or obnoxious?

Robin — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 19:43:12 GMT

My favorite kid in a recent commercial is in the Vlassic Pickle ad. She doesn't say anything, just eats the pickle at the end with joy and enthusiasm and only has to look adorable. She's cute enough to sell almost anything!

Kids in commercials: Adorable or obnoxious?

Reenie,Wenatchee,WA — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 19:44:24 GMT

I'm with the majority --- I don't like the kid commericials....I will admit every once in awhile there can be a cute one, but overall I don't care about them. But even worse are the teenager ones --- some are stupid (Tyson chicken comes to mind), some are annoying (cell phone ads) and lots of them with kids and teens keep me from buying certain products.

Kids in commercials: Adorable or obnoxious?

Charlotte, Addieville, IL — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 19:57:59 GMT

I think a commercial that's kinda cute is the Oreo commercial where the dad and son are each eating an Oreo over a webcam. They simulanteously twist the cookie apart, lick the icing, and eat the cookie. Then the boy says "Good night Dad." and the father says "Good morning son." Makes me smile when I see it.

Kids in commercials: Adorable or obnoxious?

Stacey, Seattle, Wa — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 20:00:30 GMT

I think its hilarious that adults are actually commenting on children being in commercials. What are we really going to try to BAN kids from commercials just because you've decided its annoying. How about ALL commercials are annoying. Personally, I don't care if a kid is in a commercial laughing or crying- I just switch channels during all commercials- its kinda terrible lol but it beats watching commercials.

Kids in commercials: Adorable or obnoxious?

Becky, St. Louis, MO — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 20:02:00 GMT

there's a paper towel commercial that shows a little boy looking at his mom and she says "You need 60 cupcakes, by tomorrow?" and then they happily go about making the cupcakes... I don't have a kid but if I did and he tells me the day before that he needs cupcakes... I would buy them from the store. I do like the commercials where the mom gets mad at her husband/kids for throwing their phone "minutes" in the trash.. but those aren't young kids.

Kids in commercials: Adorable or obnoxious?

Julie Lawai Hi — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 20:07:03 GMT

Mother slices an apple for an obnoxious daughter, followed by the brat son kicking his father on the shin. Burger King advertisement for'healthful' food. Advertising executives: please stop adding to the problem of rampant rudeness in our society.

Kids in commercials: Adorable or obnoxious?

Keila Lubbock Texas — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 20:08:49 GMT

I would much rather see bratty kids than the scary Burger King commercials...CREEPY

Kids in commercials: Adorable or obnoxious?

Kathy Rutherford, Grand Blanc, Michigan — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 20:10:29 GMT

Local ads using their children to do their ads. #1 can't understand them, #2 don't like their singing #3 won't buy their product. Very annoying. Using kids at a very young age really need to be previewed and okayed before airing.

Kids in commercials: Adorable or obnoxious?

oldmama — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 20:11:44 GMT

One commericial that I have enjoyed although I don't think it is on anymore, is a for Quaker Oat bars. The kids are saying things like "we don't pay for cable" and "My parents say my sister dresses like a floozy" also teaches you what not to say in front of a kid

Kids in commercials: Adorable or obnoxious?

Bubba, Georgia — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 20:22:59 GMT

I mute EVERYTHING, including the shows. I'm THIS far from just pulling the plug. Commercials are nasty, and reality shows are nasty; do you really watch this horrible crap? If it weren't for DVDs and British shows there would be no tv at all. Children? Ban the adults too and have talking mice shill the drugs and greasy food.

Kids in commercials: Adorable or obnoxious?

Ann — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 20:23:09 GMT

I used to love the ad for Volvo (I think) in which the little girl never stops talking. It seemed very realistic to me. I loath any of the ads, or films, where the child speaks with an adult voice, or an animal's mouth moves to make it look as if it's speaking. creepy. I love the blood hound that sleeps in the bed, and the little boy who wakes his dad at 6.30 with Cheerios. He's a beautiful, solemn little boy, who is totally believable.

Kids in commercials: Adorable or obnoxious?

JLinder, Hammond, WI — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 20:41:57 GMT

While I agree with some that to pick on commercials seems petty, I do think some of the commercials using children as the main subjects do reflect some of the behavior we see in younger and younger children every year. I am a child psychologist and my best friend is an elementary school teacher and we both are constantly amazed at the behaviour of young kids. The most disturbing commercials are usually directed to the kids not the adult. The DQ commercial with the young girl and her mother, flirting her way into a free treat, is horrid, together with the small size t-shirt proclaiming 8 years as "hot for boys," we are in trouble. I am not a conservative or liberal, just a mom of 3, concerned that even commercials are now portraying adults as idiots, constantly outsmarted by a child, that is way too precocious for his age. The BK commercial (they are all creepy) where the "son," kicks the king and then runs, while the daughter refuses to eat an apple because is not cut in the shape of fries? The DQ where the daughter tricks the father into paying for food and then runs away, and the Pediasure commercial that is misleading. Achild should not be taking that because he/she is a picky eater it should be because they are UNDER weight, and lacking nutrients, if they are already a healthy eater then they don't need it, so the kid gets her "treat," by refusing to eat everything the mother buys? Give me a break, all this products are aimed at children, come to Dairy Queen, Eat at BK, refuse to eat everything and you can get Pediacare, fool the adults you know better so demand our product.

Kids in commercials: Adorable or obnoxious?

Jamie, Chicago, IL — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 20:45:48 GMT

Ok, first of all, I LOVE the little DQ girl...get over it people, she's not promoting 8 year old sex. If you have an 8 year old, you should know that they know much more than they used to at that age, and that's what makes it funny. Why does everything have to be so PC nowadays?

Some others I love...the Oreo commercial with the dad overseas saying goodnight and the boy saying good morning over the computer...or the boy talking to the dog saying he's not getting blamed for the mess on the carpet again, so cute!

I absolutely cannot stand the one with the little red-haired boy saying "You can do whateeeever you want," in his annoying little voice. I don't think they air it anymore, but when they did it was like nails on a chalkboard.

Don't usually like kids acting like adults, but there used to be a cute one with kids working in an office and talking around the water cooler about their weekends. For some reason, I just loved that one!

Kids in commercials: Adorable or obnoxious?

kimberly, Oklahoma City — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 21:23:46 GMT

Here in OKlahoma City we have a commercial, a local one. It is for a home construction business. The daughter says "Let our family build you families home". The girl speaks as if she has a lisp and you can barely make out what she is saying. I wish that family would send her to speech therapy..... She is cute but it makes you mute the commercial , every time.

Kids in commercials: Adorable or obnoxious?

W P, Woodlands Texas 77381 — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 21:30:14 GMT

more than anything - I can't stand boys in commercials (or tv shows for that matter) who have the "signature skater bowl haircut" ahhhh- please - cut the hair and look like a boy - everytime I see commercials with kids that "supposedly look cute" I want to put my hands through the screen and cut the hair! thank goodness for remote controls!

Kids in commercials: Adorable or obnoxious?

Anon Ymous — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 21:48:03 GMT

RE: Pediasure commercial:
That commercial should show a child that CANNOT eat certain foods, not that they REFUSE to eat certain foods. Only because it makes the kid look bratty and manipulative because she knows mom is going to give her the Pediasure. (I've drank Ensure and its good; I assume its the same thing.) I am having my first baby in Jan., maybe my opinion will change, but all i remember growing up in my Hispanic family was my mom telling us in Spanish to "Eat Poop" if we didn't like something, and that was that. Although my mother did give my baby sister a bottle half full of Pet milk & half water. I guess that was her version of Pediasure back in the early 70's!!! =)

Kids in commercials: Adorable or obnoxious?

Leslie, Albuquerque — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 21:58:09 GMT

As a general rule I loathe kids in commercials but I saw a cute one this last weekend at a baseball game. A little boy is playing baseball by himself throwing the ball and trying to hit it. With every try he says, "I'm the greatest batter in the world!" - then misses the ball. After missing the ball three times he frowns for a moment then gets a big grin and says, "Strike three....hmm....I'm the greatest PITCHER in the world!" The tagline was something about optimism being contagious.
I have no idea what it was for beyond that but I thought it was cute.

Kids in commercials: Adorable or obnoxious?

Natalie, Orlando, FL — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 22:17:59 GMT

I completely detest the Dairy Queen commercial with the little girl who gets a boy to buy her a sundae. Makes me ill. There are more than enough little girls walking around out there dressed inappropriately and acting "flirty". Why glorify it on TV? Oh, and great message to send to little girls that they should use their looks to get whatever they want. yuck

Kids in commercials: Adorable or obnoxious?

marilyn — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 23:15:49 GMT

Since you asked, I would like to nominate the Ped Egg as WORST commercial. When they showed the foot being grated onto the carpet like a block of parmesan, I felt the vomit rising. Nasty!

Kids in commercials: Adorable or obnoxious?

Milore, Providence, Rhode Island — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 00:25:36 GMT

OK...one of THE cutest kid commercials of all time is the health insurance commercial that has the kid describing a fight he saw on TV and then he says "And you know what he did? He kicked him in the penisth". I die laughing everytime I see that one. And the kid is so cute!

Kids in commercials: Adorable or obnoxious?

Carolina, Houston — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 02:31:00 GMT

Actually, the girl's name is not Paris Hilton. Hilton is the owner of the furniture company's first name.

I completely agree about the Pediasure brat, ugh.

Kids in commercials: Adorable or obnoxious?

kim, seattle — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 06:16:03 GMT

Sheldon, if you don't think this topic is worth discussing, why are you taking the time to read about it and post a comment here?

Kids in commercials: Adorable or obnoxious?

emily , pa — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 12:10:59 GMT

Yes, I definitely think it's unrealistic that these commercials portray cute kids making huge messes, and the mom just smiles at them and cleans it up. Maybe these moms are all on Prozac because I don't know any moms who just smile when their kids make a mess. Oh and the "water/orange soda fight" is just plain ridiculous! I guess I'm an old stick-in-the-mud :P

Kids in commercials: Adorable or obnoxious?

Teacher--Manatee, FLA — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 12:18:10 GMT

I'd like to see someone report about the way males/husbands/fathers are portrayed in today's commercials. They are all ba-foons who can't do anything right until (all hail) the woman shows up and saves the day while being in ka-hoos with the kids about how stupid dad is. I hate it. Time to get just as mad as we did when women were only portrayed as bombshell or housewife.

Kids in commercials: Adorable or obnoxious?

Ric Oklahoma City — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 12:37:25 GMT

Guess there are good and bad commercials with kids. However, there are no good "local" commercials with kids. What gets me is that some lame-brained dealer thinks his/her kids are adorable not realizing that most viewers find them despicable.

Kids in commercials: Adorable or obnoxious?

Brandy, Murfreesboro, TN — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 13:48:33 GMT

I can't stand the etrade baby. It's stupid.

However, my least favorite kid commercial has to be the Burger King apple fries commercial. I've been boycotting BK for years because of their poor advertising, and this one has not changed my mind. Little girl doesn't want to eat her apple and defiantly tells her mother "no" each time mom tries to give it to her. Mom sighs and lets girl be defiant. Enter the king, with apples cut in the shape of fries (losing all the great fiber in the skin!). You just know those things are loaded with preservatives to keep them from browning on the shelves at BK.

Kids in commercials: Adorable or obnoxious?

Mary, Kansas City — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 13:50:12 GMT

Agreed that most kids in commercials are annoying. But one commercial that I really liked this past year was for a cell phone (Verizon, I think). It was after Christmas, and two teenage girls were in the back yard looking at a pony. The girl with the pony is jealous of her friend, who got a new cell phone for Christmas. I think the funniest part is when the cell phone girl asks, "Does it bite?"

"Uh, yeah."

Kids in commercials: Adorable or obnoxious?

djp, wallyworld, ct — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 13:58:25 GMT

The only commercial I like with kids that AREN'T obnoxious or smart@$$es is the one for Yobaby organic yogurt, with the Supremes song "Baby Love". It might be on YouTube - it seemed in heavy rotation for a while a few months back, but not lately. But there's something sweet about it - almost makes me wanna have a kid.

Kids in commercials: Adorable or obnoxious?

Kelly, Akron, OH — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 14:23:08 GMT

My favorite commercial with a kid is the McDonalds commercial when the boy brings his boombox to the dinner table and dances while eating his happy meal and the family stares at him. Then the dad starts to kind of get his groove on. I LOVE that one!!

I especially hate hearing kids on the radio ads. And around here a lot of the local ads are done by kids of the business owners. It's so annoying!! I turn the station every time!

Kids in commercials: Adorable or obnoxious?

Bridget, Richmond, VA — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 14:30:47 GMT

I also love the Kaiser Permanente ad with the chibby little kid who talks about his bad habits like watchign TV and playing video games. The line "The drinking was the worst" while he chugs a 2-liter of pop cracks me up. He uses language he clearly hears from adults, but understands and applies to his own actions. Very creative, and very cute. And the T-ball bunt is priceless. I made that same move myself a few years ago...

Kids in commercials: Adorable or obnoxious?

Shelley, Kansas City, Kansas — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 16:07:37 GMT

I really hate any commercial were children are allowed to misbehave and the adults act as if it is either cute or acceptable. There is a credit card commercial were the kids are bouncing off the walls in the market, when the mom is filling the tank etc... only to have the mom use her extra rewards points to send the kids to camp. and I keep thinking WTF you would inflict those monsters,who you don't say a word to on other people, and think its okay... I just don't get why advertisers think displaying ill behaved children makes people want to buy their product. I think the DQ with the pre-teen girl is funny but wrong. The whiner in the shopping cart, ha I keep thinking man she should be glad she doens't know my mom and dad.

Kids in commercials: Adorable or obnoxious?

fruitloop, North Carolina — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 16:40:22 GMT

Most kids in commercials aren't cute. They're just loud and annoying.

Lennar Homes has one of the most annoying radio ads I've ever heard. Kids singing, "Everything's included by Lennar, ee i ee i OHHHHHH!" I hate it and turn the channel whenever it comes on.

Kids in commercials: Adorable or obnoxious?

HM, Bucks County PA — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 17:35:37 GMT

I loved the kid in the Verizon FIOS ads... "They bring fiber optics right to your door, on 3 different spectrums of light!" He was really cute.

And by the way, my 5-yr-old REFUSES to eat waffles. Really not so far-fetched, people! The kid may be annoying, but the content of the commercial is perfectly believable.

Kids in commercials: Adorable or obnoxious?

Jamie, Casey IL — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 17:45:06 GMT

I agree with some here about the ETrade baby. The barfing commercial is gross, but I do like the one where he rented the clown (and says in a lower voice, like the clown is gonna hear him) that he underestimated the creepy factor. I think that one's funny because I never knew how many adults were afraid of clowns.

As far as the Pediasure girl goes, yes, I have taken children to the store. Yes, I have asked before we leave what they do or don't like to eat. What kills me though, if she's too picky for waffles, she's going to like the taste of pediasure?

Kids in commercials: Adorable or obnoxious?

Yoink, Va — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 19:31:15 GMT

I'm tired of all computer generated baby talk. Most annoying crap ever. Only second to computer generated talking animals. It bothers me to the point of channel change every time.

Kids in commercials: Adorable or obnoxious?

Bernice Shomph, Mamaroneck, NY 1o543 — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 19:33:40 GMT

I too like the commercial about the father leaving on a business trip and his daughter puts her teddy bear in his briefcase. He takes pictures of the bear at different locations and then the one where he is outside the house is the most endearing, genuine, daddy-daughter commercials. If they are not related it sure looks like she loves her daddy and he loves her. Wonderful. That is probably the only child commerical that is worth looking at.

Kids in commercials: Adorable or obnoxious?

Laurah in NY — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 18:15:00 GMT

I pray to God that "Teacher" is not really a teacher.
It's 'buffoons' and 'cahoots.'

Oy.

Oh and if that Pediasure kid was mine, I would say just what my mother would have said to me, "If you don't like it, don't eat it, but you're not getting anything else."

Kids in commercials: Adorable or obnoxious?

BMW, New Jersey — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 21:52:15 GMT

I comepletely agree with the Pediasure commercial being annoying. How could this kid not like waffles, yet still like this crappy nutritional drink?

Kids in commercials: Adorable or obnoxious?

Julie, Portland, OR — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 19:26:50 GMT

Along with everyone else, I can't stand the Pediasure/no waffle girl commercial and the DQ commercial with the little girl flirting her way into getting a sundae. But the one that bugs me the most lately is for some insurance company where a young boy is at Take Your Child to Work Day at a bank. Left unsupervised, he sends a bunch of office supplies through the drive-up teller chute and they smash into the car at the window. If that ever happened to me, you can be darn sure it wouldn't be MY insurance paying for the repairs.

Kids in commercials: Adorable or obnoxious?

Joy, Ellicott City, MD — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 20:00:34 GMT

Most of these kids make me glad I can't have any. If this was the only view of American Kids that I had...well - i would be of the opinion that they were whiny, selfish, obnoxious brats. And that parents were stupid and lazy.

Good thing I have neices and nephews...

Kids in commercials: Adorable or obnoxious?

Carol RN — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 20:30:29 GMT

I have to agree about those kids in the Welch's commercials - I never bought grape juice for my kids after that because I was afraid they'd turn into some weird automatons. I also hated that commercial that was out a few year ago when the teen daughter has on a pair of hip-hugger jeans and her mom comes in and pulls them down lower on her hips! Gee honey, are you standing on the street corner today? Let me help you!

Kids in commercials: Adorable or obnoxious?

Mary, Norton, Ks — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 01:29:27 GMT

I agree with the comments about the barfing baby, Pediasure and BK, but the most annoying commercial on recently is the one with the mom of four boys who says to the guy delivering something that it's hard for her to go anywhere as the boys destroy the house behind her, then as the guy is leaving, you hear her say, in a grating sing-song voice, "Who wants to be quiet?" and a large crash ensues. WTF? My mother would have taken a switch to me for behaving like that and to tell the truth, I'm glad of it!! BTW, I also hated the Welch's commercial. I didn't think they were creepy, just couldn't figure out why they used such ugly kids!!

Kids in commercials: Adorable or obnoxious?

KendallJaye — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 17:39:13 GMT

RE:shooting fish in a barrel...
Mythbusters busted that. (FTW)

Kids in commercials: Adorable or obnoxious?

JLR, North Idaho — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 19:20:48 GMT

Love, love, love the commercial for Pampers that is shown at Christmas. A lady is singing "Silent Night" and they show a bunch of babies sleeping. I always look forward to it every December!

Kids in commercials: Adorable or obnoxious?

Allan, Omaha — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 21:20:24 GMT

MLM Link - Gael, found this on the Clicked blog... Have to give credit where it's due, but interesting nonetheless. http://blog.indecision2008.com/2008/07/23/who-said-it-bush-or-batman/

Kids in commercials: Adorable or obnoxious?

Celia — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 21:10:35 GMT

I hate the commercial advertising a vacation destination where some kid who sounds all of 5 years old starts talking about growing up wanting kids, and grandkids, nice things, etc. Give me a break