Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Paige Sutcliff, Statesboro, GA — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 19:00:59 GMT

I'm with you about the commercials. As a mother of four boys (17, 16, 13, and 6), if any of my boys acted the way the kids on these commercials behave, they would not be able to sit down. Perhaps the commercials are just a reflection of what is starting to happen in the real world. Parents are not parenting, kids are in control, and this is what advertisers believe is the truth. Not in my house.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Erin Buffalo NY — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 19:08:10 GMT

I hate the papertowel commercial with the little kid who sprays orange pop all over his mom & the kitchen. Then the mom laughs and sprays him with the sink sprayer. I don't think most moms (definitly my mom included) would be laughing at sticky soda sprayed all over the place.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Mary Bunce — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 19:09:37 GMT

I think they're all bad. I'm a wife & mother & the ones I hate the most are the ones where the father is always the stupid buffoon & the wife & kids are so much smarter. Could you see if it were the other way around & the man was the one (for a change) that had all the smart ass answers. I'm all for women's rights & kids should just keep quiet, but fair is fair & men have been getting the shaft on commercials since the "I think I'll keep her commercial" back in the early 70's. I think the wealth of stupidity should be shared by everyone because there's plenty to go around.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Emily Atlanta, GA — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 19:11:50 GMT

The commercial for Volvo with the little girl that talks the whole way, and the dad (Benicio del Toro?) just keeps saying uh huh. That is MY daughter in the car everyday. Just going on... and on... and on!!!!!!!!!! Laugh everytime I see it!

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

MARY SHAW, COLORADO SPRINGS CO — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 19:12:57 GMT

Thank goodness someone other than me hates bratty commercials. Had I talked to my mother (or father) in the manner some of the commercials show, I'd have had a red bottom. Yes, my parents spanked, and for that I am eternally grateful. If you got spanked for misbehaving, I can guarantee you'd never do it again. That's the trouble today, and God help us, it shows. I'm not religious, but even the bible tells us if you spare the rod you spoil the child, and it's obvious there are a hell of a lot of parents sparing the rod.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Devon, Warrenton VA — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 19:14:09 GMT

People are stupid, and somewhere along the line people forgot how to raise kids. Just the other day I found myself yelling at my Uncle's kids because they were completely out of control and he was doing nothing to fix the problem. I was a better disciplinarian than he was and I don't even have kids of my own. As long as you do not spoil and coddle your kids, and you keep them from blowing themselves up with dynamite, you have been a very good parent in my book. They may go to Yale, but if they are spoiled and shallow people, you have failed as a parent.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Jena Fiori, Seattle Wa — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 19:14:51 GMT

Cute kids are great - bratty ones are annoying!! OMG I cant stand watching bratty kids on tv. First of all it's basically telling all of America that its ok for them to raise bratty kids and that its the norm. No, its not. The txt messaging commercial is hilarious but most bratty kid commercials are just plain obnoxious. If advertisers insist on putting brats in their commercials then they should at least have strong disciplined parents to balance it out. Like the pediasure ad - I so wanted to sit that girl down at a table and feed her everything she didnt like too and the slap her stupid mother! (dont even get me started on my thoughts about giving kids nutritional drinks when they're not eating properly to begin with. that's lazy parenting!!).

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Stephanie — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 19:16:20 GMT

The one for Progressive auto insurance where the mom is so happy that they came to house for the appraisal because she has 4 boys who are screaming bloody murder and jumping on furniture in the background. These ads make me want birth control, not car insurance!

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Claudia Farmington NM — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 19:17:17 GMT

You forgot the kid in the paper towel ad! The one where the kid shakes up the 2 liter of soda and squirts it at Mom. Mom's response tickles me pink, she grabs the sprayer from the sink and gets him back! Now I have to admit that I'd been tempted to do that a time or two, but if memory serves I restrained myself. The kid ends up seeming less bratty than most, and Mom a better sport than we're generally portrayed.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Mark White Galloway,Ohio — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 19:18:57 GMT

ahhh It really tis a new world which we live.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Grace luhrs Boca Raton, Fl — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 19:20:17 GMT

amen! I particularly don't like the one with the 2 boys sitting in the car playing cards and are not interested in the tree house their dad built for them "cause they'd rather be in the car.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Jane, Glendale, AZ — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 19:23:41 GMT

Ads I hate. Those STUPID Dow Chemical ones that talk about "the human element." They blather on and on trying to sound intelligent. And what they hell are they selling/promoting? Buying more chemicals....arrgh..it's just so pretentious.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Mandy, Beebe, AR — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 19:26:09 GMT

Oh wow! I totally agree with that PediaSure commericial. "I don't think I like waffles" I always want to deck that kid! I keep thinking, smack her mouth and say, "I don't think I like your tone!"

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Jane, Glendale, AZ — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 19:26:32 GMT

Oh, and I miss the Quizno's sponge monkeys from like 2003!! They were fun! Bring them back, Quizno's!
"They got a pepper bar!"
http://youtube.com/watch?v=aZrks-BPeLQ
http://youtube.com/watch?v=cG042nkReBA

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

virginia waldrop, elizabethtown, nc — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 19:28:04 GMT

I'd much rather see the bratty kid commercials than the disgusting cavemen ads. As the "valley girls" used to say "gag me with a spoon."

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Don Watson, Cumming, GA — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 19:28:34 GMT

In our environment today, there is a definate trend towards belittling the authority of parents, making sure children are not denied anything, especially making fun of the Father....the mean old dad of yesteryear is being replaced by children who will put their parents in their place, so their self-esteem will not be damaged...What is being damaged is our society with the rising tide of brats on every corner, and parents who are afraid to discipline because there is a social-worker on every corner who will threaten to remove the children if those children show any sign of unhappiness....whew...what a mess...!

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Kelly, Annapolis MD — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 19:28:51 GMT

Not only are kids typically bratty in commercials, but they are almost ALWAYS wise way beyond their years. I HATE that. Kids are not smart; however they can be quite annoying!

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

razib, Jonestown, MN — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 19:35:04 GMT

I like to eat kids with some broccoli and chicken. No waffles, though.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Bette, Woodrige IL — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 19:38:08 GMT

Totally agree, especially re the V8 commercial with the french fry eating mother. How bad is that? Maybe we'll see that child in 5 years @ 100 pounds eating those fries himself.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Kyle, Rosemount, MN — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 19:40:43 GMT

The best all time bratty kid commercial is the "reverse" argument between a mom and her daughter. This was an AT&T "Go Phone" commercial and the mother and daughter are having a heated argument, but comically the opposite of a real argument. "Why is it always what I want", shouts the daughter. The mom yells back "because you insist on acting like an adult". The commercial ends with the bratty kid screaming at her mom, "You never hate me and you never will". This commercial is priceless.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Joe, philly — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 19:41:05 GMT

I agree that media tends to portray kids in a cute light when in fact they're being snotty brats. While I don't think we should go back to the days of mistreating children, I don't think they should be led to believe that they have leeway in how they are raised. I believe parents need to be more assertive and teach the kids to obey instead of argue.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

SA, Olrando, Fl — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 19:41:16 GMT

I agree!! We are sending a horrible message to parents and children! And how with the kid who is sitting alone at a table eating chicken, wiping his hands on napkins that he then throws in a pile on the floor?

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Lee Stone — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 19:41:20 GMT

What about the one with the tired and sweaty dad that opens up the door of the mini-van and announces to his son and kid's friend that the tree house is finished? The spoiled brats keep watching their DVD and playing "go fish" - completely dissing the dad's efforts. Every time I see that ad I want to grab that little beggar and haul his spoiled fanny OUT of the vehicle! I don't remember what the make of the mini is...so is the ad really effective?

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Pat, Helendale, CA — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 19:41:21 GMT

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

John Doe, Seattle Washington — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 19:41:40 GMT

Who cares? Find something meaningful to write about.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Bryan Weber, San Angelo TX — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 19:43:21 GMT

We see these brats being treated as special or cute in commercials, and then we have the audacity to ask, "Why won't my own kids behave?"

I see kids literally cursing out their parents in the super-market and the parents not doing a thing about it. The commercials may not be to blame, but they're not helping, either.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Mildred Cox — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 19:47:18 GMT

I find it annoying when the ad has kids eating and not holding the fork or spoon correctly. Also when the kids and sometimes adults say things obviously grammatically wrong especially, "Me and Joe etc..." Surely these writers know better.. but maybe not.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Jan Couch Hanford CA — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 19:50:28 GMT

I don't even know what is being sold, however: A bratty, freckle-faced girl is sticking her hand in the punchbowl, the birthday boy hits a pinada and celery falls out. The kids are excited, and somehow the bratty freckled girl gets front and center of the camera with a celery stick out of both sides of her mouth.

I still want to slap that girl.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Kerry Stevens — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 19:51:18 GMT

Well for starters, I heard of an amazing thing the other called a 'remote'.
Apparently this device allows one to change channels to something more suitable to the tastes of the viewer. Cool. Then, have you ever read MSNBC? Pretty much all the stories are about awful Republicans, awful parents, awful business people, awful sports stars, just awful adults in general, which would account for the apparent plethora of awful kids in TV ads. People must like all that awful stuff thrown at them, otherwise they would use the mouse and the remote more effectively.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Angela B, Seattle, WA — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 19:56:57 GMT

I actually laughed a lot at the Sharpie commercial, because as the mother of several children...I remember days like that. It had nothing to do with the child being spoiled, and everything to do with it being an everything-is-wrong-and-bad-day. I could laugh, watching the commercial. I didn't laugh on those bad days.

I'll agree, however, that the BFF commercial was pretty annoying. 10 cents a message really adds up. The kid is....12? 10? And she needs to do all this messaging....why?

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Wiley Dunn — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 19:59:12 GMT

Commercials, as you mentioned, are about selling a product. Unless the product requires well behaved children (Sylvan Learning Centers for instance) there is no incentive to display those qualities. If the product sells better with potty mouthed brats in it -- that's what the advertiser will try to create.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Robin Delaney, Las VegasNV — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 20:01:26 GMT

I love the ad with the "IDK,my BFF Jill". I think the young girl is quite funny.

I really dislike the commercial, for a paper towel, that shows a child shaking a bottle of soda and the top flies off and the soda comes streaming out. Instead of her getting mad, the mom tells the young man that the sink sprayer makes a better weapon!

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Allyson High, Wilmington, NC — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 20:02:25 GMT

The one where the dad builds the tree house and the two little boys are playing cards in the family vehicle. The little boys ask the dad if the tree house has certain enimities that the car apparently does and since it does not, they chose to stay in the car. Beat their little butts and lock them out of the car!!!

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Susan K, St. Louis, MO — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 20:04:31 GMT

There is a local commercial where the parents are discussing what they want to do this summer. Every time they mention a family activity like going to a baseball game, the art museum, the zoo, etc. the kids yell the name of the pizza place. Last time I heard it in the car, I turned around and asked my kids what they think would happen if they did that to me, an my nine year old daughter correctly said "We would never go to that restaurant." But in the commercial, the dad laughs indulgently and says, "I guess we will be going to the pizzeria a lot, because you kids are CRAZY about pizza!" I HATE that commercial. I'm with you--kids are great, but bratty, whiny kids should not be rewarded for that kind of behavior.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Mike, Alameda, Ca — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 20:10:52 GMT

I personally think this is the case where unfortunately, art imitates life. I am a parent of three children under 5 and I have noticed more and more bratty behavior being tolerated by wimpy parents everywhere. Who knows what came first, the commercials or the poor behavior? Either way, I'd like to see a commercial where the parent actually says no and doesn't cave to a tantrum.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Barbara McGrath, Wallingford, PA — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 20:11:24 GMT

I love children too, real children. I have two of my own. They have their moments, of course, but for the most part they respect their parents and are affectionate. Bratty kids in commercials are appalling. But spoiled kids have also been a staple in TV shows for years. The Disney Channel shows are unwatchable in my view because the kids are so repellent. And in life, I regularly see parents who abdicate all authority to cater to their child’s every demand. Ick. They do nobody any favors. So advertisers, let’s see a lot more of nice children who are not being ruined by materialism and overindulgence.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Carol Cardona — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 20:17:31 GMT

I also turn the channel on brats. But, I find the same behavior all too often in store after store. I can barely control myself as the woman in the next aisle, blithely pays for her groceries as her toddler screams from the cart. No acknowledgment from her, but everyone else is scowling. I hope the brat keeps her up at night. Why manufacturer's would present this sort of situation to represent their product is beyond me. I turn away from the TV and the item in the store. If they have no more sense than that, I'm sure their product must be junk.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

carrie — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 20:17:51 GMT

Have the gross kids in the Welch's commercials been mentioned? I can't stand them. 8 year-olds with lisps are not cute to me. Nor are snaggly teeth.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Felicia L, Albany, GA — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 20:19:59 GMT

I hate the Jif Peanut Butter commercial with Joanna and her grandpa. Grandpa makes a big deal out of the sandwich he just made for her and Joanna replies (quite snotty) "Oh, Grandpa, it's just a sandwich." That would be the last time Joanna got a sandwich at my house!

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Andrea Hope, Wilmington, NC — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 20:24:54 GMT

I'm so glad to know I was not imagining that TV seems to be glorifying brats. It's a reflection of today's parents who see their kids as little deities. I find both brats and parents of brats disgusting.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Stephen Polfer, Fresno, California — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 20:25:08 GMT

"I hate the papertowel commercial with the little kid who sprays orange pop all over his mom & the kitchen. Then the mom laughs and sprays him with the sink sprayer. I don't think most moms (definitly my mom included) would be laughing at sticky soda sprayed all over the place."--Erin Buffalo NY--I dont know, in my house it would have escalted to that. Hit my dad with a sprinkle of water, he will send a pan of water in your direction.

But in general the stereotypes in commercials and on television shows in general are annoying. I was watching some show last night(can't, for the life of me, remember what it was) where the dad couldnt control the kids and had to call on the mom to help out. Now in my house there were two leaders(both my parents) to the house and if you disobeyed one, you were in trouble. Smart mouthes and talking back was rewarded with swats all the way up to spankings. Down with smart-mouthed, back-talking kids and bring back the belt/switch!!

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Terry S, Barrington, NJ — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 20:29:52 GMT

There is, however, one commercial where the bratty kid is used to make a very funny point. It is an English commercial where the Dad and kid are in the supermarket and the kid launches into an unbelievable tantrum, screaming, kicking, throwing himself on the floor, general insanity. At the end, these simple words appear on the screen "Use condoms". The commercial is for a particular brand of condoms. It is very effective and funny.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Kate Simons — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 20:36:38 GMT

MARY SHAW:
Spare the rod, spoil the child is not in the Bible. It's in an old poem by Samuel Butler. You need to spend less time beating your children and more time reading your Bible.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Greg, Florida — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 20:38:01 GMT

I particularly detest that bratty kid that was in the "Carl's Jr." commercials. "Paris" something or other...

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Erica — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 20:41:28 GMT

Why does almost everyone on this post want to beat children? Is it b/c you're watching too much TV and have become way too violent? There's a happy medium between smacking kids and keeping them from acting like the brats on commercials. My kids say please, thank you, may I, and sit politely in grocery carts and restaurants. And I've never laid a hand on them. Please don't make such cavalier statements and encourage parents to hit.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Sharon C., San Jose, CA — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 20:41:58 GMT

Every time I see one of those ads, I'm grateful for my tubal ligation. Well-behaved children are now so outside the norm that they are remarkable, and I think those ads just reflect today's "parents" (perhaps it would be more appropriate to call them breeders, as no actual parenting seems to be taking place).

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Elsie E. Connelly — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 20:45:08 GMT

Re: Bratty Kids in the stores. Why don't you'all get some gumption and tell the idiot who won't control her kids to go take a hike. I have (with all the dignity I could muster) went over to previously mentioned idiot woman and stood and screamed at her and the little brat in the cart. Just as loud as the brat was screaming. Do you know how fast someone else (in the group of what I can only assume were illegal aliens, no one spoke english) came and picked said little brat up and took her out of the store. Come one people get some guts, refuse to put up with it. Either that or go get the manager and demand that he do something. If enough of us complain something will get done.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Rod Viper, Grand Rapids, MI — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 20:45:31 GMT

I also dislike the bratty kid trend in commercials. Who are these commercials written & produced by? Who signs off on these commercials at the companies?
I am really loving the comments in here... I'm not alone!

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Talia H., Vernon Hills, IL — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 20:45:48 GMT

Kids can be obnoxious, and sometimes it is funny - until our own kids (or their friends) start behaving the same way, and then it ceases to be so amusing. You have to admit that advertisers are hard-pressed to come up with new ideas for promoting merchandise that has been around for a long time - as well as the new services (like text messaging). Unfortunately the people writing many of these ads are the teenagers we found so obnoxious only 10 or maybe 15 years ago. If the ads are objectionable, write to the company and tell them you won't be buying their product if they can't put out less offensive ads.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

JE in Tennessee — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 20:46:13 GMT

I hate the KFC commercial where the parents call the kids down to dinner and the kids run out to the car. Then someone (dad?) has the nerve to say the kids will get used to eating dinner at home- a bucket from KFC!! Of course from what my high school students tell me, getting in the car at dinner time is becoming all too common these days....

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

JRR — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 20:54:33 GMT

There was an ad for fast and/or prefab food that starts with the stressed-out Mom standing in the kitchen after coming home from work late to broken appliances, teachers' meetings, etc., and her pre-teen daughter appears in the doorway and says in a very demanding tone: "I have softball practice in FIFTEEN MINUTES. WHEN'S DINNER?" I wonder how boiled softballs taste?.....

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Leslie - Chattanooga, TN — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 20:54:39 GMT

The main reason we have bratty kids (and bratty commercials) is because parents are not allowed to discipline their kids. I am a mom of 2 and there were many times I had to jerk my kids out of the store because they were acting just like these kids in these commercials. I was not "allowed" to make them stop so that I could finish my shopping I had to actually leave the store because someone may call the police because I was "abusing" my child. A pop on the behind is NOT abuse. Just remember these bratty kids, both at home and on these commercials, are going to grow into bratty adults and they are going to be in control of our country. Is this what you really want? I say get rid of the stupid commercials - no one knows what they're selling anyway.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Katie K., Minneapolis, MN — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 20:55:43 GMT

How about the commercial for DQ ice cream cakes with the precocious little girl with the imaginary friend named Cindy?? Her parents hold a birthday party for her imaginary friend--WHO DOES THIS???

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Kelly S., Tacoma, WA — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 20:57:52 GMT

The commercial I cannot stand is the cell phone commercial where there's two lazy kids on the couch text messaging and the father comes in announcing that they got a new plan with unlimited texting. The kids state that they text as much as they want anyway and the father goes on to say that now their mother can afford to quit her second job because of it. She then walks through in a big taco suit. Those kids make me want to take their phones and hit them with a hammer. If you cant abide by the plan of the phone, then you dont get one. Kids in commercials make me dread having kids of my own one day.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

K Chyung, Hartford, CT — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 21:01:20 GMT

Well, I feel better. I thought I was the only one getting perturbed by these commercials, especially the orange soda/paper towel one. It seems like kids these days are being rewarded for having fresh mouths and attitudes. And its not only on the commercials, have you noticed that the worst behavior is always rewarded on shows like America's Funniest Videos? Or am I the only one still watching that show?

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Elizabeth Seattle, WA — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 21:01:34 GMT

Commercials are identical to the 50's when they started. Just modern clothes and sets changed.
-- Cleaning supplies never have a man (no Oxyclean yeller doesn't count)
-- Mom always knows the medicine to use, no dad ever giving a spoonful to a child that I have seen.
-- Women still always have to be "fresh" for society, can't these hygiene commercials stop embarrassing women?
-- Kids still all hate their vegetables
-- The fat kid always is the glutton eater.
-- The glasses kid is always the nerd
-- The beer commercial men are ugly and the women are porn-wannabes.
-- The cars do stuff in commercials nobody ever does with them in real life
-- Blonde twins always want to have sex, wouldnt that mean with their sister right there (EWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!) heard the radio McDonalds noah arc commercial recently?
-- Of two comparison women, blonde is always the successful of choosing the better ziploc bag or cleanser
-- And lets not forget everything now is "Just TOSS away!! As if you are tossing it off the planet because a zillion swiffers would never add up!

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Anonymous Lucy, Birmingham, AL — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 21:03:35 GMT

I personally don't find it amusing that children are disrespectful to their parents. I HATE all of these commericial and it shows the lack of respect we are raising children to have. We better put a stop to all of this, or God help us when the are in control of this country!

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Amy, Houston, TX — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 21:05:00 GMT

OK, teenagers who want to send all the txt msgs they want without paying for them might be "brats," but babies who have days when they cry whenever you try to put them down aren't brats! I love that Sharpie commercial. It emphasizes how convenient the product is, even if you've only got one hand--which is often the case for parents, even those of us who don't spoil the heck out of our kids.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Raven — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 21:05:24 GMT

The way I was raised was that if I talked back to my mother like the pediasure kid, or sprayed soda all over the kitchen, or talked like the texting girl, I would get spanked, then grounded. I have three little cousins who pretty much run their households. I sometimes hate going over to their house because it's total anarchy! I am always reminded of my cousins when I see some of those obnoxious commercials. My mom even told me if I started talking like the "IDK, my BFF Jill" I would get smacked...even at my age now.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Kat Kan, Panama City, Florida — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 21:09:40 GMT

As to the BFF ad and the Verizon ad, why on Earth are parents letting their children have cell phones in the first place? My older son got one, sure, when he was 18 and starting college and we needed a sure way of contacting him. My 12-year-old doesn't even want one. And bratty kids have been commercial staples ever since I started watching TV as a kid (more than 40 years ago). It's nothing new. It's just gotten worse.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Jon, New Orleans — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 21:14:43 GMT

Didn't this all start with Roger's sister, Dee, on What's Happening? I can't remember bad children being thought of as funny or cute until then. Roger should have beat her ass. My siblings would have.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Leslie, New Mexico — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 21:16:01 GMT

I mentioned it before when I was snarling about the "IDK My BFF Jill" commercial, but bratty kids do NOT hold my attention, nor have I ever bought a product because I thought, "Ahh this is the such and such that obnoxious little scamp endorses! I have to have it!" It goes back to my theory that the whole feel good "you're special" parenting movement destroyed the country.

However, I have to agree with Kyle from Rosemont simply because AT&T put such an interesting spin on the parent-child argument. I didn't quite catch it the first time because I thought it was just another snotty kid demanding things, but when I actually listened to the dialogue the second time around it was pretty darn funny. "You never did hate me and you never will!" Good one.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

San Francisco, CA — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 21:18:55 GMT

Come on, people. They're just TV commercials, lighten up.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

suzanne, richmond, va — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 21:19:33 GMT

I'm with you, Felicia. I mute the TV and look away every time that annoying Jif ad comes on. That kid behaves as if her grandfather were a moron, and he caters to it. In my house, she not only wouldn't get the sandwich but would also get a "time out" for disrespectful behavior.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Rosey, Myrtle Beach, SC — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 21:26:06 GMT

I prefer the bratty kid commercials to all the fat kid commercials anyday!

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

PA, Rapid City, SD — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 21:28:16 GMT

Cenex has one - he's the "Cenex Guy", and the kids ask if he's a superhero. When the boy throws his beef jerky at him, I want to tell that kid in no uncertain terms, he'll never see another piece of beef jerky!

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Noname, Rhode Island — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 21:30:49 GMT

Although I certainly didn't grow up with a cell phone (I'm 31) I don't think they're necessarily a BAD idea for all kids. It's a good way to keep track of them when they're away from home. But it's up to the parent to ensure that it's used responsibly. Plus now they have phones made just for kids and plans that restrict who you can call and when, like Firefly. I wouldn't give them a regular phone. And they would be grounded if it was misused.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Brittany, Coon Rapids, MN — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 21:37:16 GMT

This is awesome. Are we not all adults here? Why does everyone nowadays sit around getting fat and bickering about such piddly crap. Listen get your overweight butts off the couch and find something constructive to do with your life!

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Pam — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 21:39:06 GMT

In real life, bratty kids have bad parents. Every time.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Salt Lake City — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 21:40:36 GMT

I just want to know how many people posting here have children of their own. I was a much better parent/disciplinarian when I didn't have children.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Sue Ellen, Austin, TX — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 21:40:56 GMT

I have to agree with Mildred Cox who commented on kids who don't hold silverware correctly in commercials. What is UP with THAT!?!?! Is ANYONE teaching any BASIC manners anymore??? When I was a kid, my parents were adamant that if we were big enough to sit at the table, we were old enough to learn to hold silverware correctly. Not long ago, I went to lunch with a group of adults that were the same age as I (we grew up before Social Workers were on every corner making sure kids never got spanked or their feelings hurt). As I looked around the table I realized that I was the only one holding my silverware correctly...no wonder a whole generation is forgetting the lost art of class and manners.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

rick in centreville, va — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 21:46:20 GMT

what a great job you have. these sorts of boring conversations are usually had by underpaid admins during smoke breaks on the company dime. you've managed to leverage your tv watching yenta-ship into a fulltime gig. kudos for you. nice work if you can get it.

what does the life of veal feel like

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

bob, melbourne, fl — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 21:50:09 GMT

Lighten Up? Companies pay good money for this bratty kid crap. Who do you suppose it influences? Certainly not the parents. And folks wonder why is kid is bratty. Lack of consistent discipline and outside influences.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Dee, San Antonio, TX — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 21:50:39 GMT

What a relief to see I'm not alone; I hate those entitled bratty kid commercials! Not cute!

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Dee, San Antonio, TX — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 21:57:20 GMT

How about the Mom in the Neosporin commercial who takes her daughter to the doctor for a 1/4 inch shallow cut on her finger? "It started turning red and getting infected, because all I did was wash it, so I took her to the doctor." Has anyone ever been to the doctor for a similar injury? Please.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Susan, Syracuse, UT — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 21:57:45 GMT

I'm a firm believer in raising children with utmost respect for the adults. Bad attitude is not to be tolerated. These people who grow up being tolerated won't harness many essential skills to be successful in our society, and help building it up. They won't learn how to work as a team, manage their anger, understand the difference of instant gratification to patience. The commericals, Disney channel, and many others are cartering many undesirable qualities amongst children, including the adults. Long exposure to these things are mind-numbing, and growing of acceptance in children's minds that anyone can get away with this kind of behavior. It is very scary. My 5 young children are restricted from playing with many of neighbor children due to their bad formed habits, which are allowed by their parents (i.e. swearings, vulgar conversations, etc). The influence will be felt everywhere, unfortunately. It is our responsiblity to avert these out of our sancturaries.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Deborah Trimmer — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 21:58:42 GMT

This one is a couple of years old, but it's totally obnoxious and memorable. Little kid, maybe age 3, goes to fridge and pours a glass of milk, but really pours the whole gallon on the floor. My grandson saw the commercial and did exactly the same thing the next day. My daughter was upset, to say the least.

Oh, and why we're on annoying brats - why do grocery stores allow those mini-carts for kids to push and bump into adult legs, and why do they furnish those double carts with a plastic "car" attached to the front? I hate these stores, the brats and mostly, their parents.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Dee, San Antonio, TX — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 21:59:38 GMT

"This is awesome. Are we not all adults here? Why does everyone nowadays sit around getting fat and bickering about such piddly crap. Listen get your overweight butts off the couch and find something constructive to do with your life!" --Brittany, Coon Rapids, MN

...says the woman who apparently just sat on her overweight butt and read all these comments...! Too funny!

Perhaps she's correct, in a way, though. These comments should be going to the companies themselves as well as into a general discussion on a news website.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Nicole Indianapolis, In — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 22:06:44 GMT

I am not a parent at all but I was child and I totally agree. I have the same thoughts about all of those commercials. Some of the things that those children do I cringe at the thought of doing them to my parents, and I am 23 years old.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Joanne, Boise, ID — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 22:10:42 GMT

I've got to say - I am the mother of two teenage boys and the exploding soda commercial doesn't make me angry - it reminds me that mistakes happen and sometimes we have to just have a little fun in our lives. Maybe if people were just a little less angry this world would be a better place.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Donna, Houston, TX — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 22:16:43 GMT

What about the horrible table manners that are now acceptable. Not in my corner of the world, and not at my table. There is NO reason for bad table manners, no one wants to see the food that is in your mouth, nor do we want to hear you smacking. If your children eats like that please put them out in the yard with the other animals, and don't take them out in public. I will not buy products that promote children acting that way..

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Kathryn, New York, NY — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 22:26:34 GMT

I love my TiVo because I don't have to watch any of these annoying kids. But I would rather watch 100 bratty-kids commercial than even half a commercial with the annoying nasal, affected voice of a woman talking like. The American Express business card "I need six tickets to Tokyo" makes me want to scream. But, yes, the bratty kids run a close second.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Darcy, Covington, WA — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 22:30:05 GMT

Funny - I rather like the orange soda ad...perhaps because I can see that mom then working WITH the kid to clean up the mess. It's the sort of thing my mom would have done, and then made me help her clean up.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Denise — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 22:30:58 GMT

Scooter Libby gets away with it and you guys are yapping about comercials?? What is happening to this country? I'm disgusted.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Ann, Kansas City MO — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 22:31:49 GMT

I'm with Emily in Atlanta. The one and only "kid" commercial I can stand any more is the Volvo ad with the pre-schooler talking a mile a minute and Dad interjecting an occasional "uh-huh". Why do I like this one? Because it's real. Four-year-olds really do that. Dads really do that. No one's intelligence is being insulted, and no one is being made a fool of. The only other commercial I've seen like this in recent years was one a few years ago for some "inclusive" phone service. It portrayed another pre-schooler babbling on about something-or-another to Grandma, to the disgust of his older brother, and the amusement of his mother. I thought that one was cute, for the same reason.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Thankful, Colorado — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 22:32:09 GMT

It's so good to know that there are an abundance of great parents out here that know good parenting is simple:
-Beat your children regularly
-Teach them that it's OK to sit around and watch TV then whine about what's on
-Make snap judgements about people and their parenting skills without bothering to look any deeper.
I'll sleep so much better knowing you folks are out there being pretentious and self-righteous! Without you, we are in danger of having positive interactions with each other and our children!

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Mary J., Elizabethton, TN — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 22:34:48 GMT

One of my all time most hated commercials is one of Lunchables. Kid gets on the school bus, looks in lunch bag and makes a sad face out the window to Mom standing in front of the house. This scene is replayed, day after day with unhappy lunch child. Then child looks in bag and smiles a huge smile. Why? Because Mom finally bought him Lunchables, those overpriced, full of fat, sugar and calorie lunches. My kids knew I was going to be screaming at the TV whenever it came on.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Gael Fashingbauer Cooper — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 22:43:45 GMT

Denise: Your comment would make more sense to me if this weren't clearly marked as a Weblog about television, and if the Scooter Libby story wasn't currently leading the front page of MSNBC.com.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19570081/

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

L. Epperson, Walnut, IL — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 23:00:15 GMT

Re. the Viva commeercial:
Lighten up a bit. The top was on the bottle and the kid apparently did not realize the effect that shaking would have. From the look on his face he was likely expecting to be tried for a capital offense. Mom had the good sense to realize it was an accident so she made a game of it. It is probably what my mother would have done (but that was a couple generations ago). Cleaning up the kitchen would be a "family fun" event. Besides, the kitchen "always" needs some cleaning.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Thresa - Nashville, TN — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 23:00:41 GMT

I guess no one's old enough to remember the detergent commercial (Tide or Cheer) that came out in the 70s. A doting mother gives her kid a shirt - fresh from the family laundry room. She watches as he promptly runs outside and jumps up and down in a mud puddle!

Proverbs 23:13 Withhold not correction from the child; for if thou beatest him with a rod, he will not die.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Rebecca, Portland, OR — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 23:02:04 GMT

"MARY SHAW:
Spare the rod, spoil the child is not in the Bible. It's in an old poem by Samuel Butler. You need to spend less time beating your children and more time reading your Bible.
Kate Simons (Sent Monday, July 02, 2007 4:36 PM)"

While Mary may have been mistaken about where her choice of words come from, a couple of similar verses *do* pop up if you look hard enough:

"Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him." ~Proverbs 13:24

and

"Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you punish him with the rod, he will not die. Punish him with the rod and save his soul from death." ~Proverbs 23:13-14

So yes, Mary was in the wrong with her quotation of the Bible, however, so too were you wrong in assuming the Bible mentions nothing of sparing the rod. It would seem YOU need to read your Bible a little more closely as well.

"First take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye." ~Matthew 7:5

As an aside, I do NOT beat my children. They learned from an early age to respect Mom and Dad, and thus, they do not throw tantrums and lash out in public. In fact, I'm often complimented on my well-behaved children. Most discipline doesn't even involve the "rod" at all. It's about teaching them respect and being consistent with the boundaries of your rules.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Kelly Maretti — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 23:19:42 GMT

I completely agree with you! For some reason, people think it's cute and funny when kids are little disrespectful brats. Parents have no back-bones now-a-days (i'm in my 20's). My parents tought us to respect people -that's the bottom line. These kids know nothing about respect. There is a radio show here in L.A. where a little girl from the show "crank calls" people on a daily basis, and is a little smart ass, wasting people's time, and everyone thinks it's funny. How is that comedy? This is why kids are they way they are - they are starving for attention, and they definitely get it that way! Pathetic.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Nancy R., Harrison, AR — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 23:26:25 GMT

lol - I remember, back in the 60's - a little girl, with a snotty voice "My mommy always uses Handi Wrap". There was a commercial in the late 60's, too - where a kid lunged at his sandwich and chomped it - my son tried that once - no more sandwich that day - he never did that again.
The bratty kid is nothing new.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Missy, Louisville, KY — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 23:28:59 GMT

To all the naysayers--please go back to the "Ground Rules" post re: the annual commercial discussion...and then if it's just too beneath you to read this discussion, please exit immediately to read Proust or the Wall Street Journal or whatever and leave the rest of us to talk about commercials, 'kay?

And p.s.--the little girl on the Pediasure commercial is one (of many) reasons I am DILIGENT about taking my birth control pills every day. Yikes.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Susan — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 23:29:35 GMT

Not only these so-termed 'bratty kids' commericals are from negative aspect, the other commericals also should be brought to attention such as Hanes, Victoria's Secret being physically revealing, that people don't need to go to strip bars when they are readily provided on the T.V., while bearing in mind, with the children about. It is frighteningly appalling. These things are demoraling what should remain respectfully private.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Al Richards, Fort Wayne, IN — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 23:32:04 GMT

I watch less and less TV.. Precocious obnoxius children are beyond digusting. Sitcoms, with out laught tracks, 90% of the stultified individuals watching would not know to laugh. That is until the last ditch pitch, a blow to the male genitls inevitably occurs..... Brain Dead,,,,

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

MIMOM — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 23:37:50 GMT

i don't like bratty kids either....the best commercial ever was one my husband and i only saw one time when we lived in chicago. it was a yellow pages ad with a dad standing in the doorway of his sons room. the teenager was giving the dad a lot of smack while the dad was reminding him to clean his room...do chores...etc. well the kid says while putting his hand up "talk to the hand cuz jimmy ain't listening" or something to that effect. then you see the yellow pages fly and knock jimmy out and fall open to military school ads. classic!

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Brian, LA, CA — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 23:58:42 GMT

I am so sick of seeing media that makes it seem acceptable to be an irresponsible parent. Cute kids that act like brats and the parents who act either oblivious or simply unaware of this behavior perpetrate the problems we have as a society where no one takes responsibility for any of their own actions. This is completely unacceptable of the media. Thank you for allowing those of us with functioning brain cells to vent!

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Patti, Everett, Wa — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 00:00:28 GMT

Isn't this supposed to be about commercials and not about parenting skills? I have one son and 2 step daughters but I'll save my views on the subject for another day. That said, I always liked the commercial for some phone company or another where a young girl tells her father, "Dad, I think it's time I got a cell phone." and he pops right back with "I think it's time you got a job!". I haven't seen it for a while but his response is just so perfect it cracked me up every time.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Jane Harrell, Benton Harbor, MI — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 00:04:25 GMT

I agree. As a elementary teacher,I have observed children immitating attitudes and behavior "as seen on tv." Those commercials are a reflection of the way we are parenting today. Just go to any local grocery store or shopping mall and look and listen to the way children are speaking and behaving. Times have changed. Children are increasing in rudeness to parents, grandparents, teachers and etc. But adults are not giving good examples for children to follow. Just look at the news. We need to see these commericals as a wake-up call for positive change, for the sake of our children, our future.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Juno Randall, Michigan — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 00:10:10 GMT

Can we talk about the cell phone ad (I forget the company) which features a father walking into the living room? Sprawled on the sofa are his sullen kids, using their cells, and dad says "good news! Now you can ... [blah blah, whatever new feature they're hyping that's now free, but used to cost an arm and a leg]." The daughter says "Yeah, but we already do that." And the father replies "But now Mom can quit her second job!"
I'm only 25. I guess I'm not much older than the teens in the ad, the younger demographic they're appealing to, and I'm only a few years away from the older demographic paying for their kids' cell bills. And yet I can't identify with this ad one bit. From start to finish - the sullen, unappreciative kids, the daughter blithely declaring that she already did whatever the hell she pleased on her phone regardless of cost, Mom working a SECOND JOB to pay for something as frivolous as a cell bill - I think it's an awful ad that just reinforces the messages kids get from everywhere these days. The message is "You're the center of the universe, you don't have to work for anything to enjoy luxuries, and you certainly don't have to be appreciative when they're provided for you." Now I know I'm reading a little too much into this - it's a 30-second spot for a cell company, for God's sake - but it really irks me.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Fran Fenton, MI — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 00:51:30 GMT

I find the Dentyne Ice commercial outrageous. The daughter is sitting on the couch with her boyfriend, puts a piece of Dentyne in her mouth then starts wildly making out with the boy. The mom enviously looks at them then starts to paw all over her husband. What kind of behavior is this commercial promoting?

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

j. b. casey Boston, Mass — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 00:51:47 GMT

The best kid commercial has to be the one for either comcast or verizon (not sure which) where the cute little kid listens to the installer's highly technical
pitch with a blank face and then says "nice truck" as the guy enters the house.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Jane Doe — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 00:54:50 GMT

I saw a Radio Shack commercial last Christmas where the girl asks her mom for some phone, and says if she doesn't get it she'll just go to dad, her favorite parent. Or something to that extent. I found that to be really low. To this day I don't shop at Radio Shack because of how disgusting that commercial was. If I acted like that when I was a teenager I wouldn't have found anything under the tree on Christmas morning. That's worse than bratty, thats just ignorant.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Bert W. — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 01:24:29 GMT

Commercials? Who even watches television broadcasts anymore?

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Eric L, Portland, OR — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 01:33:42 GMT

You know what bugs me about commercials? Like the author said - the dads are all dumb and like sports. The moms are all overworked, authoritative, and up to their neck in the kitchen. The kids are all bratty.

Here's what bugs me about commercials.

Commercials, are created by moderately wealthy people who sit in boardrooms crafting these quick product placements for the "regular people" to purchase. So they create these 30 second situational comedies portraying some interpretation of "regular people".

*THAT* is what bugs me about commercials. The fact that there are sooooo many arrogant marketers who - for whatever reason - think that all the fathers in their clients' customer base are stupid, obese, sports-watching buffoons. That all mothers in their clients' customer base are dominant, overworked nitpickers trapped in a kitchen as soon as they come home from the job. That all kids are bratty and bossy and get away with it.

Every single character in every single situational comedy commercial that has ever annoyed you - is, in the mind of some arrogant jerk running an ad agency - the perfect representation - of me, your wife, your husband, your kids, and *YOU*.

That's what bugs me about stupid commercials. The fact that a lot of ad designers think we're that stupid and annoying. And the fact that a lot of corporate executives must believe it too, because they keep paying for those annoying commercials.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

z.v. grand rapids mi — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 01:33:56 GMT

Wow, what a wide-ranging discussion. Couple comments, then observation on commercials.
The elementary teacher uses 'a' where 'an' is required. It's not just the parents, folks. And a lot of people without kids know an awful lot about parenting.
As to commercials, I love the one with the orange soda. The mom doesn't freak out, yell, punish the kid for what was clearly unintended. She makes a game out of it, and enjoys some spontaneous time with her kid. The one I hate hate hate is the Clorox commercial. Two little boys, one white the other black, t-shirts and jeans, are happily jumping around in the mud, arms around each other. Cut to the interior of the house. A mommy stands happily folding her clean, white laundry with her daughter happily, nay joyfully, folding at her side!!! Yuck!!! As my own daughter points out, why the hell is that little girl not out playing in the mud?! For that matter, why isn't the mom at least squishing her feet around in the mud? Rigid gender roles seem to be, in some cases, actually gaining strength. Yuck yuck yuck. Just in case anyone missed the memo, women can be just about anything these days, and fathers can do more, much more, than bring home a paycheck and provide a fresh smackin-hand when Mom's is overworked. Men are actually capable of parenting! Using band-aids, braiding hair, feeding children. Amazing, but true!

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Ronnie — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 01:34:53 GMT

What I don't like about all these ads isn't that the kids aren't disciplined, it's that kids are being portrayed in such a negative light at all! And the commenters here who encourage spanking make me even sicker than the ads!

Kids - even teenagers - are good, trustworthy, interesting, and smart! Try treating your kids with a little respect and see what happens. In our house, we get respect in return. It's that simple.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

B in East Bay — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 01:45:08 GMT

Hello! It's television. It's NOT real.

It's Plato's Cave in a box. And the really great thing is you aren't strapped to a chair and FORCED to watch it. If you don't like what you see - turn it off. If you're afraid your children will parrot the same behaviors - turn it off.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

V. R., Woodland, CA — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 02:14:01 GMT

The commercial that burns me everytime I see it is the Verizon one where the kids are lazing on the couch, dad "announces" how much $$ he's saving so they can spend even MORE time texting, & the mom walks in wearing a stupid taco outfit which is apparently her uniform for a 2nd job. That commercial is seriously degrading to ALL MOMS - most particularly the ones who HAVE to work a 2nd job just to keep food on the table & the utility bills paid - not to support some stupid cell phone habit. GRRRRRRR. It's also degrading to all dads - the guy acts like a complete moron - as though his kids know way more than he does about something they don't even pay for. Not to mention that he'd allow his WIFE to get a 2nd job!!

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Sally, Rockford, IL — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 02:22:01 GMT

And people wonder why we have trouble with students at school. They grow up watching this stuff on tv and think that this is the appropriate way to talk to adults. A lot (not all) of parents don't bother to straighten them out. They're so busy being little smart alecs and wanting to know why "we have to learn this stuff," that they lose sight of the fact that an education is a useful thing.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Live and let live, Albuquerque, NM — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 03:28:28 GMT

Ok, I agree with most of you here, I don't like bratty children or overly permissive parents either. But Elsie, you are kind of scary - why would you assume that anyone who speaks another language among family members is an illegal alien? And why, for God's sake, would you then think it is appropriate to scream in a strange child's face? Maybe she was sick or disabled or just having a meltdown? I mean seriously, that's not showing "gumption" - that's just a little psychotic.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

shayla bakersfield ca — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 05:04:37 GMT

The progressive commercial is one I don't like. I have two little girls and they know better than to jump on the couch.(they are two and three) On the other hand they aren't going to stand around folding clothes with me. Unfolding is more like it. Both the parents and children in the commercials display unrealistic behavior that I would not tolerate in my own. I have used a commercial to tell my daughters that something wasn't nice...like jumping on the couch. Now some commercials like the toddlers babbling on and on while dad just nods are just so true you can't help but laugh. And I always like the orange soda kid cause you could tell he thought he was gonna get it....and then he gets got! Which just goes to show that sometimes you just gotta laugh at the accident and have fun!

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Susan, Springfield, IL — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 05:15:58 GMT

Most kids today behave like they are being raised by wolves. Perhaps the awful kid commercials are simply reflecting reality. I chose to remain childfree and each time I see those disgusting kid commercials, I smile in gratitude--and vow to never buy the products being advertised because if those annoying spots reflect company taste, then the products are probably defective as well.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Molly, New Orleans, LA — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 05:50:03 GMT

In regards to the commercial with the dad telling the two kids that they now have unlimited messaging as part of their plan and mom can quit her second job: am I the only one who finds the dad to be quite obnoxious? If I was the mom and he said "Hola" to me like that,trying to be cute and funny, I'd smack so hard he'd pass out. And then I'd make him sleep on the couch for a while/

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

jb — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 10:37:08 GMT

The ads I really despise are the ones where the kids speak to the parents giving advice on how to raise them. It makes me want to puke.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Johnny Boles, Minot North Dakota — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 10:43:36 GMT

The ads I despise the most are the ones where they portray men as complete sport nuts. Nobody really goes that nuts over a football game.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Jen, Bayville, NJ — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 11:50:06 GMT

I still love the Christmas commercial where the dad asks the little girl what she left Santa to get such a big haul and she says she left him cheese. The smile on that kid is priceless.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Miz — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 12:59:27 GMT

One hilarious commercial that -no one- thought to mention (maybe because it aired in Quebec originally before being sent to US Television via a Funny Commercial show) is the following:

Man and Boy are in a convenience store, shopping.
Man and Boy walk by the candy/cereal aisle.
Man puts food in the cart and Boy grabs a bag of candy, throwing it in as well.
Man removes candy from the cart.
Boy puts candy back in.
Man again removes candy from the cart.
Boy throws a tantrum, screaming, "JE VAIS LA BON BON!"
Boy runs around knocking things over, repeatedly screaming, "JE VAIS LA BON BON!" as the other patrons of the store look on in disbelief and Man stares with eyes wide.
Screen cuts to black and reminds viewers to use condoms.
:)
I laugh every time I see it.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Cris — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 13:05:21 GMT

I am not sure if this commercial still aires but it was for an insurance company where a woman with two children (pre-teens?) in the back of the car, gets pulled over for a traffic violation and discovers she does not have proof of insurance. Somehow she manages to contact her agent who, I'm guessing was just a block away, and he brings proof of insurance in the knick of time.

What bugs me about the commercial is that before the insurance agent shows up, and while Mom is talking to the officer, one of the kid's in the back seat says, "Cool, Mom's going to jail!!!"

HOW WARPED IS IT WHEN YOUR CHILD THINKS HIS PARENT GOING TO JAIL IS A COOL THING?!?!

I know it is just a commercial but you have to remember, some script writer wrote that mess. Of all the things a child could/would say, the writer chose for him to say that?!?!

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Jennifer, Asheville, NC — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 13:10:38 GMT

I adore the papertowel commercial where the kid sprays his mom with the soda and she gets him back with the hose. It reminds me how important it is to forget about the little things and just have fun with your kids. Those are the moments your kids will remember. Yes, if my son did that to me I would probably be mad for a second... but hopefully, this commercial will help me remember to keep things light.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Heather, Pennsylvania — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 13:28:42 GMT

Kid in stores: How about a little compassion? Just because a kid is throwing a fit doesn't mean the mother is being indulgent or is a bad parent. I am the mother of five. Here's a scenario: In between picking one kid up from soccer and dropping another at band practice I have to run into the grocery store to pick up ingredients for dinner. My two year old is tired, hungry and cranky. I am trying to get what I need and get out as quickly as possible but the little guy is having a complete meltdown while strapped in the front of the cart. Probably because I WON'T buy him any candy that the grocery store so thoughtfully puts in the check out aisles. I can't just drop what I am doing and leave the store...I have to cook dinner for seven when I get home! Realize that sometimes we are doing the best we can. Thankfully no one has ever screamed at me like the woman above so proudly discribed. I try to ignore the disapproving glares. And it is always so refreshing to get that knowing look from a fellow parent that says "I feel your pain."

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Bill Winters — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 13:29:01 GMT

There is a cell phone commercial where the Dad is announcing to the kids that because of their new phone plan, they can send text messages all they want. I'm not sure who bugs me more, the kids who say "but we do that all ready", or the Dad's smart comment of "Hola" to his wife dressed as a taco as she heads out the door to her second job.

That commercial bugs me on so many levels - not the least of which is that Mom has to work two jobs to pay for her self-indulgent teenage brats, but that the self-indulgent teenage brats should be off their couch at a job to pay for their own cell phones.

I think kids stop being cute between 8 and forever.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Kelly, Surprise, AZ — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 13:47:31 GMT

Hmm...I know we all hate them, but the only way the companies will stop making them is if we write a letter/email letting the company know we will nevery purchase their product (or we will sell the one we have) because their ads are intolerable.
That being said, I absolutely LOVE the Volvo commercial with the little girl talking non-stop. It is hilarious, and does not poke fun at anyone. The father is tolerant (as he should be) and he is careful to make sure his talkative daughter will be safe. Love it.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Sundee - Texarkana, AR — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 13:54:55 GMT

I'm 33 years old and if I had talked to my mom like that stupid kid does in the cell phone commercial - I would still not be able to sit down. I hate that commercial more than any other commercial on TV -- and why in the world does a kid that age have a cell phone anyway??? I wish parents would stop trying to be friends with their kids and start being parents. My husband and I are raising twin girls and we hope to raise them like our parents raised us -- we were taught to respect our parents and those older than us and we were taught that we were not the center of the universe.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

teenager — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 14:04:26 GMT

maybe the reason that kids today have no discipline is because adults are too busy blogging about how awful kids are instead of parenting them. I know pop culture makes it seem that way, but we really aren't that bad most of the time. For the record I would never treat my parents the way that the kids in the commercials treat theirs. I would also like to respectfully metion that someone mentioned the neosporn commerical earlier and I would like to ask: How is that the little girl's fault?! Her mom taking her to the doctor for a miniscule cut does not make her a brat it makes her mom NEUROTIC! The girl was like four she had no control of what her mom did. Just some thoughts from a respctful teen :)
p.s. I don't like the way they portray dads in commercials either.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Rachel, Columbus, OH — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 14:14:41 GMT

First off, Rick in centreville, va, you hypocrite. You're reading it, aren't you? Unlike you, obviously, most of us can multi-task.

Secondly, I'm getting tired of seeing commercials where the dad always comes off as stupid or incompetent. What is up with that? My father knew where the medicine was, knew how to clean a house, knew where to draw the line on my and my brother's behavior and we absolutely knew that his word was law. There was never this "calling in the mother to save the day" crap.

And yes, the worst commercial ever is that soda spraying commercial. If I had done that to my mother, not only would there never be another bottle of soda in the house, I wouldn't have seen the light of day for weeks.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Elizabeth, San Antonio TX — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 14:19:47 GMT

I love the Home Depot one where the daughter is asking Dad, "what's up with these cabinets? This fridge is SO old... you need to go to Home Depot." Exits with Dad looking speculatively around the kitchen, daughter passes Mom reading book on the sofa, grabbing the $$ as she passes by.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

S in VA — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 14:21:59 GMT

I am a teenager and I would like to say that I would never treat my parents the way that kids in the commercials do. That being said I think one of the reasons kids might have a harder time behaving is becuase of the world we live in today. We are constalnty bombarded with and placed in adult situations on t.v. and in ads and magazines and yet we are expected to act like children. Perhaps the continued use of these types of commercials are a side effect of that problem. I would also like to repsctfully add that someone earlier mentioned the neosporn commercial where the mom took her child to the doctor over a miniscule cut. I'm wondering how that could possibly be the child's fault? Her mom reacting that way to a small scratch does not make her a brat; it makes her mom neurotic. She had no control over the situation and if she had said "hey mom it's just a dumb scratch I'm fine," I'm inclined to believe that she might still be viewed as a brat which is completely unfair. Just some thoughts from a respectful teen :)

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Misty — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 14:22:46 GMT

Kids have been bratty in commercials (and TV and movies) for the past forty years. So what's new? Kids DO act bratty, no matter how well you raise them. It's a kid thing.
It's the SUV commercials I hate the most. Buy this overpriced monstrosity because it looks so cool. Never mind the safety ratings. Never mind the mileage. Never mind the carbon emissions. Just buy it because you're stupid enough to want it.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Reece, San Diego, CA — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 16:19:49 GMT

Ah, there was a commercial for a children's medicine where the little girl smacked her mother's hand away when the mom tried to give her a spoonful of something, cough syrup or something. We all agreed at the time that none of us would have DARED to done that.

If I'd done that, It would have resulted in opening up my slot in the family food chain for my next youngest sibling to step up into.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Ohio Betty, Wadsworth, OH — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 16:36:16 GMT

OK. Finally watched the squirting soda commercial and can't say that it bothers me at all. The kid obviously didn't do it on purpose, and when the mom retaliates, it seems much more like a fantasy segment (like, say, one of JD's fantasies on "Scrubs") than something that the creators thought would happen in real life.

In fact, since we've been talking about music in commericals, the music is one of the things to me that really clues you in that this isn't reality. When the mom starts spraying the kid, tt's peppy, suped-up music, not the regular soundtrack of an everyday life.

Not that it's a great commercial; I just don't angry watching it.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Craig, Oklahoma City — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 16:43:48 GMT

Listening to these comments, you would think this was a new phenomenon and was the end of the world. It's nothing new folks. It's been going on for years and isn't a reflection of society. Anybody remember "I WANT MY MAYPO!!"?? Yet, we don't think that time period was bad....

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Lynnzy, Miami, FL — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 17:08:26 GMT

It's all a reflection with how in today's society people perceive their children as perfect and bail them out instead of making them grow up and be responsible human beings... The worst brat I've seen in a while was Paris Hilton! Couldn't get that one off my tv for a while! Oh sorry, that wasn't an advertisement for Hilton Hotels, it was real life? I won't be buying that product fro a while, she's a really annoying bratty kid.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

BV, Joliet, IL — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 17:25:12 GMT

Sometimes I don't mind the bratty kid commercials. The BFF Jill commercial, the cough medicine one with the kid literally running up the wall, and the ones for that hair shampoo (like the kid who keeps messing with his mom's hair, and the mom with balloons on her head) are funny ones. I hate the one with the kid who keeps saying she hates certain foods, though.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Philip, Topeka, KS — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 17:31:33 GMT

This article is such a non-issue. Commercials are placed at the extremes of behavior to grab your attention. Notice, you all remembered the products that were advertised in the commercials you were complaining about. Mission accomplished.

And about the Sharpie commercial: It was a baby that cried. Not a 5 year old. Babies cry, and sometimes for strange reasons.
Though, I guess according to some people's standards, if a kid even starts to cry, you should smack them around a bit.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Ashley, Westchester, California — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 17:38:38 GMT

As far as the paper towel commercial goes, the kid clearly sprayed his mother with soda by *accident*. He was not playing a prank, it was unintentional; just look at his face! The kid is *not* a brat!

Instead of being uptight and unstable by reprimanding him for an innocent accident, his mother had a down-to-earth sense of fun. That doesn't negate discipline, nor does it mean that the child will automatically assume that getting into some food fight with anyone is a daily occurrence.

Discipling your child for a mistake just as you would for intentional misbehavior is wrong. My grandmother didn't punish me for dropping pancake batter on the floor when I was a small child, she simply helped me clean it up and lovingly taught me, "Don't worry darling, accidents happen." What I learned was that I own my mistakes but I realize that we ALL make them and I don't need to freak out. Without her influence I'd probably have grown up into a meak and insecure adult, afraid of making any minor mistake!

Thus, I see absolutely *nothing* wrong with the paper towel ad.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Bertie Bledsoe, Chicagoland — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 17:44:14 GMT

I am so glad people other than just me have problems with those commercials. I do have friends who like them.
I hate the commercial with the 'IDK monster' the most. I want to smack that Mom every time I see it.
For the people who say "bratty kids are normal"..I say bratty kids are a result of lazy parenting.
I raised 4 children and have 6 grandchildren...no brats allowed!

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Jena — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 17:47:35 GMT

At first I hated the papertowel commercial, but then I thought about it. A) the kid didn't mean to squirt the soda all over the kitchen, it was an accident, and B) the mom was actually kind of smart. She was going to have to clean up the kitchen floor anyway, so she might as well have fun getting it wet.

Side note: every now & then when my son was little, he would do something by mistake (drop something, etc.) and look at me fearfully as if he thought I was going to bite his head off. That's when you need to say "Darn, look at that. Oh well, accidents happen." As long as it was truly an accident, I didn't scold him too much.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

P. Hirsch — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 17:51:53 GMT

Yeah,the brat kids and parents need no additional (obnoxious) coaching now days,at all.I also can't stand the Army recruitment commercials!Bait & switch maneuvers to acquire young people to get killed-not build skills,character,& parental admiration.It may or may not happen either way,but it seems like trickery to me.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Tracey, Atlanta — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 18:13:24 GMT

You people talk as if you get your parenting skills from tv commercials. Now that is sad.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

DMA, New York, NY — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 18:33:12 GMT

Whenever I see the paper towel/orange soda commercial, I'm tempted to smack that kid myself. if I did that as a kid, there would be no more soda or any drink for that matter.

On my bus to work every morning, there's a set of fraternal twins (one boy, one girl) that always misbehave. The parents are so wimpy they beg and plead for the twins to behave. Even at the bus stop, the boy is running around, standing on the seats, etc. And my mother wonders why I still don't have kids at 37.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Wendy Mueller, Grand Prairie, TX — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 18:39:32 GMT

There is a pair of Home Depot commercials that are like yin and yang to me. The one I like has a mom trying to figure out how to tell dad that she wants new floors in the livingroom, so the son just yells out, "Dad, mom wants new floors!" Problem solved with, gosh, honesty! On the other hand, the one with the teenaged daughter telling dad the kitchen is so old because she had been paid off by mom smacks of deceit. Not so much bratty kid here as manipulative spouse. Don't husbands and wives in commercials talk anymore??

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Reginia, Colorado Springs, CO — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 18:39:45 GMT

I have to say that as a mother of three, (16,13, and 10) if my children acted that way I would be apalled. However, our society has decided that parents aren't allowed to parent their own children. You have school officials that decided for you and your pediatrician if your child is ADD, (formerly known as hyper-active). Then threaten you if you don't medicate your child as they see fit! You have bureacrats that take the stance of "if you tell your child(ren) NO then you are being mentally abusive by not allowing them to be individuals." Then on the other hand if you never say NO to your children and they manage to get into serious trouble then again you are the bad parent. Its a damned if you do and damned if you don't society. You are supposed to "monitor" what your children watch on TV, but not deter their "self-growth" by actually not allowing them to watch certain things. You are to keep them safe on the internet by installing all of the programs to keep them off of certain websites, but not undermine their curious natures.
I can remember when I was young and if my parents had said NO then that was then end of the conversation. Today, its if you even think about saying NO then you may find yourself being accused of child abuse!

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

bill, atlanta — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 18:40:09 GMT

It's kind of about commercials. For the past two weeks, we have watched the really neat Apple IPod phone commercials. then we heard how there were going be lines for days so people could get them and how they would be sold out. Then, this weekend, when people who had them complained about their network problems, AT&T said they were unprepared for the demand. Love it, still AT&T, still screwed up.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Debbie, Anaheim, CA — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 18:41:33 GMT

I agree that the commercial for paper towels where the kid spray's the soda is annoying. Have you ever just spilled soda, what a sticky mess! In what universe can you clean that up with paper towels??

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

michele, harrisburg, pa — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 19:09:43 GMT

Cannot stand the cell phone commercial with the teenage girl pretending to switch from one cell phone ot another - but she's using her fingers/hand. All the while her father is right by the camera, listening to her obnoxious, snide way to say that she should have the specific phone in the ad. My kids had best not use that kind of 'subtle' sarcasm with me. I would not be happy...nor would they after they a) didn't get the phone and b) spent the remains of the day in their room with nothing to do!

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Heather, MD — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 19:10:43 GMT

Heather in Pennsylvania- THANK YOU! I fear for the person that has the neerve to come up to me and tell me I need to take my kids out of the store. We have to get things done just like the rest of the world and we have to do it with a frequently noisy second (or third or more) party. Most moms try their best to keep their kids calm, but sometimes it just doesn't work out. When I see other moms kids having a melt-down, I try to help distract the little ones if it is appropriate, but I would never make a parent feel bad that their child is having a melt-down. Just because you decided not to have kids for what ever reason, does not give you the right to look down on those of us that did. I also refuse to believe that you never threw a tremendous hissy fit, whether it be in public or private, as a child. Lucky for your parents if all of yours were in private... some of us aren't that blessed.

To keep this in the commercial vein, if my daughter was as mouthy as the "I don't like brocolli/chicken/waffles" kid, she would be having a melt-down from the spanking threat that I will have whispered in her ear.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Jean, Chino, Ca — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 19:13:39 GMT

I know that this article is about bratty kids in commercials. While this is aimed at children, including teens, has anyone every thought about the adults on TV that are behaving so badly and kids pick this up as being acceptable.

Prime example is Simon Cowell on American Idol. I refuse to watch the show because of the way he talks to the contestants. Honesty is one thing, but he actually demeans many of them. Is this the way you want your child to behave? Children learn their behavior from what they see. And when I use the word "children", I am also referring to teens and young adults.

If we, the public, refused to watch any program that shows bad behavior with no consequences, then the networks would get the message. Unfortunately, many parents do not monitor their child's TV programs. And, as their children become 17 and up, it would be nearly impossible to shield them from such programs. Movies are out there showing this behavior.

My daughter is now 31. I had an extremely difficult time with her from her 6th grade one because I held to me convictions and never backed down on the rules. Far too many household have both parents working and commuting long distances to work. They are tired when they get home and at first will put their foot down. But children will continue their tirade and parents eventually give in.

Hard to be a parent who stands their convictions while not only having to fight their children, but indirectly fighting their children's friends and their parents. And I do not mean fighting them literally. I mean, fighting with your child that it does not matter what their friends get or get to do, my rules still stand.

But, most people gotta live in a better neighborhood, have a 3,000 sq. ft. house or bigger, have a boat or an RV, the Plasma TV, the entertainment center works, the swimming pool, or perhaps a membership in a club with all the sports facilities. They gotta keep up with the Jones'.

Live less materialistically and with higher values and standards and it would be a better world.

I have seen far too many videos on You-Tube of young teens who were given an auto for their birthday. One was given a few days before the actual birthday (it was a surprise, all her friends were there). The teen blew a gasket because it was given to her too soon. Next thing you see in the video is the car being driven back to the dealer (good for the Mom!). Another, the teen throws a hissy fit because the car was not the right color.

If that were my child, no car and you would not drive any of my vehicles as long as you lived under my roof.

Spoiled rotten kids are a travesty. It is one thing if only the parents had to put up with them. Unfortunately, everyone who comes in contact with them have to experience this behavior.

As much as I do not like Donald Trump because he is arrogant, his children appear to have grown up to be respectful and respectible adults. I have never heard anything about them being disrespectful to anyone in the public they have come in contact with.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Cassandra, San Diego, CA — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 19:18:32 GMT

I particularly loathe the commercial with the mom in the taco outfit coming home after working TWO jobs to support her bratty, lazy kids sitting on the couch text messaging and calling people. The mom can now "quit her second job" according to the equally worthless husband (I hate how commercials portray this) so the kids can lay around and call people all day long. I mean, according to the commercial they "already did that", without blatant disregard to the fact that their mom had to take a second job as a giant taco, but now the mom could quit. Thank God for whatever wireless provider that commercial belonged to for allowing a mother of two self-indulged brats and a clueless husband to quit her second job. It truly is appaling, and even worse so, its not that far off from many parent-kid relationships I have seen.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Terri, Jefferson City, MO — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 19:28:24 GMT

Okay, in defense of the mother with a screaming toddler, sometimes ignoring them is all you can do. when kids hit the age of 2 or so, they start getting attitude and if they are the least bit tired, hungry, etc and you just happen to be in a store, LOOK OUT! I have been thoroughly embarrassed by my kids at one time or other due to temper tantrums. What's a mom to do when she's alone in a store w/2 other children, a cart full of groceries, and a long checkout line? I try to stop them, but the more firm you get, the louder they get. It's not bad parenting, it's I dont' know what to do. Spanking in public? Forget it unless you want to go to jail! Yeah, I spank at home, but in public, I think twice on how I discipline my kids because all eyes are on me.
My kids aren't really bratty either, they don't get everything they want....ask any Parent Educator and they will tell you that temper tantrums in young children are completely normal. It's an awful period and you just avoid taking your kids out in public too often until they are past that stage.
I'm with you all on the bratty kids...most of them are tweens or teenagers. They know better and I guarantee you I'd rather have a screaming toddler than a mouthy teen.
Bring back spanking in public!

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Chula Vista, CA — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 19:29:43 GMT

As long as children are permitted to back talk to all adults, try to rule the house, abuse their siblings, given cell phones and text messagers, don't have any manners and we laugh at the Simpsons, there will be no respect or consideration around. Mom and Dad are too hooked on their jobs and how tired they are. Big cities are the worst and that's where you get these mouthy, bratty kids. The guy from the ad company that sets up the commercials was probably a smart alecky kid himself. There's no hope for the good old days of respect.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Kat Duke — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 19:44:49 GMT

Agreed, there are more than enough bratty kids to go around. I think the networks think we're all stupid.
Now, for a great commercial with a kid...The one for an office supply store featuring Alice Cooper who is shopping for back to school supplies with an angry daughter. His line in the ad is something like..."I said schools out for summer!" It's a gem from a rocker.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Toni — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 20:19:45 GMT

Kids are bratty. It's what they are born to do. I hate baby boomer centered commercials way more. ESPECIALLY the Dennis Hopper one. I could go on and on about that one, but I'll just let it go.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Laura, Tallahassee, FL — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 20:29:28 GMT

I've already written in about the best and worst ads, but I have a new worst. This commercial is for some energy drink and the whole time people are yawning. It's virtually impossible not to yawn. I've tried changing the channel right when I notice it coming on, but it's too late, the yawn is already working it's way out. I had to yawn now just thinking about it. Pure Evil.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Lee, Wichita Falls, TX — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 20:33:28 GMT

Bratty kids in commercials is nothing new, I'm afraid. There was one in the 60's for Prell shampoo which had a teenager tossing her mother her new pantsdress because it "needs ironing." Then she compounds it by adding her pantyhose to the pile with, "Oh, and rinse out my tights."

My mother made it clear that any such behavior would have VERY unpleasant consequences, and I did the same with my own offspring when a program or commercial showed children behaving badly.

The bratty kid commercials may be terrible role models but they do what they are supposed to do - catch and hold your attention. I think the harm they do occurs largely because no consequences are shown and unless a parent or guardian makes it clearly understood that it's NOT funny in real life, impressionable children may get the wrong idea.

I, too, wish the ad agencies would stop this kind of advertising, but the only way they will is if such commercials stop being effective. And I don't see that happening - after all, I'm sitting here remembering a commercial from the 60's!!

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Nikki, Danbury CT — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 20:41:35 GMT

What I don't understand about commercials featuring kids (bratty or otherwise) is when advertisers have the children shrieking, screaming, yelling, crying, whining...WHY would they want to annoy the living bejesus out of their potential customers by subjecting them to these sounds? Isn't part of advertising lulling the consumer into a susceptible state so they are more likely to agree that a certain product is good? I hear a commercial start up with a shriek or cry and immediately reach for the remote. Reading the other posts has been informative as to exactly what these commercials are for as I never watch them long enough to see what products they are using these obnoxiously noisy kids to sell!

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Mike, OKC, OK — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 20:53:09 GMT

What I really hate is that nobody bothered to read any of the posts before they posted the ONE-THOUSANDTH version of the "Dad getting a new phone plan so Mom can quit her 2nd job while he says Hola next to his lazy kids."

And to all the sanctimonious whiners who ask why we're watching all these commercials if they offend us? "Physician, heal thyself." Why are you reading, nay, POSTING in here, then?

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Leslie, NM — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 21:02:58 GMT

Maybe we should have a second Test Pattern on neurotic adults with the little girl with the itty bitty cut getting taken to the doctor by pyscho-mom leading in on it.
This does however make me remember another commercial that I turned off whenever it came on. Does anybody else remember that wretched Hummer commercial with the lady feeling picked on and victimized (I think it ended with her watching her kid being bullied at the playground) so what did she do? She bought herself a new Hummer! Because nothing cures inadequacy like an SUV? Umm...yeah! There we go!

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Yolanda Rogers, Alt Spgs, FL — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 21:04:47 GMT

I mute commercials out, walk out of the room, count tiles. Why commercials at all? I know I'm dating myself but I remember when cable got introduced the BIG attraction was commercial free (ha, ha, ha) When it's not the dysfunctional family, it's the sex or it's the bloody bashes or it's the sex or the incredible (and LOUD) car commercials doing impossible stunts to which they very careful add YOU should not do this (but YOU are the one to whom they are selling the car) or it's the sex. And honey, if any one of those creams/pills/whatever could really me look like one of those examples on the screen I'ld get a second job just to pay for them. If those products don't work, then why should I believe any of the others touted in the commercials do? What happened to truth in advertising (or am I being an old grouch dating myself again?)

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Jena, Charlotte, NC — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 21:59:39 GMT

To Mike in OKC OK: posts are not "visible" as soon as you hit Submit... sometimes there are a few hours' worth of posts waiting in the queue that aren't visible on the page, so you may THINK you're the first one posting about such-and-such, but you're not.

Back to commercials: I like the ocmmercial, and I don't even remember what it's for, in which a mom is holding a baby, and the baby has mom's cell phone. Mom hears the cell phone ring, but can't find the phone and doesn't know where the sound is coming from. It's a cute commercial!!

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Keri, Houston, Texas — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 00:45:12 GMT

I think advertising in general is ridiculous these days.. For example, the Coke box I saw at the store today said "Did you know that a soft drink could hydrate?" And then said "All beverages hydrate so go ahead.. sip as much Coke as you'd like" They completely fail to mention how many calories it contains and that it should be treated as a dessert.. It's almost entirely sugar! No, you should not sip as much as you'd like! No wonder the country is rapidly becoming obese. Americans are not informed about nutrition or even how many calories they should be consuming nor how many calories are in the food they consume. It's despicable the way people market things these days. Also, I am appalled when I drive on the highways and see the Darque Tan billboards that say "Get Healthy, Get Darque, Get Vitamin D!" There is no way that a tanning bed's benefits provided by obtaining Vitamin D can outweigh all of the damage that it does to your cells.

I can't wait until I finish law school so I can find a way to do something about this... and also I can't wait to attack the supplement industry.. Pretty much the only thing it is good for is swindling.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Lynn Pfaff, Parkersburg WV — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 02:08:58 GMT

It may be a total rant on my part but perhaps there is some truth within this advertising. Todays children are either mimicing what they see or these companies hired marketing execs who had personal experience or miraculous insight into upper-middle class United States suburbia. This sociological phenomenon, "bratty-kid syndrome" is readily observable in most retail settings. Children who dictate what thay will or will not eat, demanding disrespectful teens most of whom learned at a very young age that they could manipulate...if I scream she will carry me.
If I personally had acted the way that these commercial kids behave I would have possibly gotten away with my life once! So whats with bratty kids in commercials, target audience is the parents to the bratty kids in real life.
In defense of the anti-smoking mom, at least she was not ranting and raving about her life while filling her screaming infants lungs with cigarette smoke.At least this way the kid gets a chance to live long enough to need psychotherapy ro get over moms fits. Smoking Kills!

The slapping baby,soda and water battle,

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

S in Va — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 02:43:14 GMT

I'm not sure I understand,
most of the commentators here seem upset because these commercials portray children, and life as well, in an unrealistic light. But then what's the problem if we all know normal kids don't act like this? And honestly aren't most commercials now a days over the top? Isn't that how they sell things? Look at the Geico caveman commercials for example. Or is it just that this is how you truly view all children as behaving in today's society?

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Jane, Lafayette, Indiana — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 06:06:40 GMT

I don't own a cell phone,(would be called into work every 30 minutes if I did) think volvo's are way too pricey and have cruddy gas milage, and prefer "green" (recycled) material papertowels and toilet paper. Guess Bratty Kids don't sell to their demographic.

On the other hand, I love those Sylvan commercials, commercials for the beef where the whole family is happy for a meal, and the commercial for the family vacation in the Carribian where the teenage girl is finally smiling, (what teenage girl isn't like that.)
The kids in the islands obviously have more than I could have dreamed for when I was a kid (actually for that matter, the family having such a large, lovely beef meal was better than we could afford as a kid) and they seem thankful for it. What great kids! I could almost adopt those kids. I eat beef, took my GRE's at Sylvan, and my husband and I are going to vacation in the Caribbian. Looks like these commercials nailed it. I guess they mailed it.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Mom, Yakima WA — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 06:58:58 GMT

Do you remember the one where Dad says, "lets's review what we got for Christmas"? Each child got an expensive cell phone (models I do not remember, make a note commercial makers) and the Dad says, "And what did I get?" I think they said a tie and some aftershave. And Dad says, "No, Dad got hosed." I always talked back to the T.V. "No, Dad has raised two selfish bratty kids who get whatever they want. Dad is an idiot."

My favorite kid themed commercial is a Staples ad that ran a year or two ago. Father waltzing through the store to the tune of "It's the most wonderful time of the year" while stocking up on school supplies, and being followed by 2 dejected kids.

But if you are trying to figure out the most annoying kind of ads, when you get right down to it, they are all annoying. They break the flow of the story, ruin my concentration and get on my nerves. I don't watch commercials much if I can help it. Sadly, they are harder to avoid nowadays, especially when you consider product placement. (A good topic for another blog, yes?)

And if you can stand one more child rearing observation, if you have to "beat" your chilren to control them, you are doing something very wrong. "Spanking", on the other hand, if done properly and not in anger, is an effective tool for teaching your child to avoid dangerous situations, such as a fork in the electrical socket. It should never be your first or only response to misbehavior. What do you do when they get too big to spank, and you've never used any other way to get them to behave? I have 3 middle schoolers, so spanking is no longer an option, but they know Mom means business when she says "NO!"

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

teenager — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 13:53:44 GMT

Not all commercials feature kids acting like brats though. What about the Bayer asprin commercial with the dad talking about how he had a heart attack and Bayer asprin saved his life. At the end of the commercial he takes a spider out of the bathtub. The kid wasn't a brat and the dad wasn't a sports fanatic. Then there's the Pepcid Ac commercial, or whatever, where the dad calls himself "the finisher" He demonstrated good parenting skills in that commercial as he told his kids to "finish up in there" and made sure they finished there homework. And what about the Rice Krispi cereal commercial with the mom making rice krispie treats with her little daughter in the kitchen and the announcer saying childhood is calling. Then there's the ford commercial with the whole family going out on that road trip, although that does get a little weird at the end when you realize the parents are divorced but still. Are all of these commercials signs of the "worthless" kids in our society and the lack of good parenting? Kids really are not as bad as you want to make them sound here and not all commercials feature kids behaving badly.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Barbara — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 14:21:35 GMT

I get enough of bratty kids in restaurants, stores, and everywhere else we go. I just don't pay attention to the commercials on TV unless they make me laugh, and bratty kids never make me laugh. If you're that annoyed, there is an Off button you know.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Jack Stone — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 14:59:00 GMT

"dads all love sports" I hate that stereotype, because I hate hate HATE watching sports on tv. So unbelievably boring and mindless. I think I'd rather watch grass grow. I'd much rather read a book or play with my kids or watch a good movie.

And also I agree about the bratty kids thing... disgusting how they promote that behavior. The only commercials I used to find kind of amusing and clever were the cavemen geico adds and even those are being run into the ground with that ill-conceived ABC series.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Lauren, Houston, TX — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 15:06:55 GMT

And what about ads for two different products that feature kids riding their Big Wheels IN the house! In one, twins crash and break a vase.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Gobind-Kaur Hecker Albuqueruqe, NM — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 15:22:53 GMT

"Most kids today behave like they are being raised by wolves." Susan, Springfield, IL

What a smack in the face to the wolves!! They DO disipline their cubs...The survival of the pack depends on lessons being learned. To bad we don't take note of how the wolves raise their young!

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

helen massey tallahassee florida — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 19:06:05 GMT

OK I hate the bratty kid whose dad worked all weekend on the playhouse,only to find rejection for same for -lack of "leather seats" and a "DVD".I say we all put the text messaging kid,the soda pop spraying kid,and the broccoli/chicken/waffle hating Pediasure kid in the van with 'em and lock the bunch in the van for the weekend. Heh,heh, heh........make that playhouse look REAL GOOD in no time.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

K.M. Phelan, Worcester, MA — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 20:08:23 GMT

It's interesting that we're only talking about bratty kids on commercials. That's nothing. I have elementary-aged children who have never been allowed to watch Nickelodeon because EVERY kid in EVERY "sitcom" talks back to their parents or shows an attitude about everything. Disney channel is only slightly better.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Angela, Columbia MD — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 23:12:19 GMT

Um, commercials are not real! My daughter was the actress in the Carmax commercial where she gets a car for her Sweet 16, and she shouts, "But daddy, I wanted a blue one!" She is the funnest, sweetest girl, but people thought that's how she really was!

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Mary M. Hiram, Ohio — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 00:40:38 GMT

The reason I hate the smart-alecky kids in commercials is because they are so much like so many kids I see all the time: given everything but discipline, disrespectful to all around them, not able to do school work on their own without "help" from mom or dad, lost in an electronic, virtual world rather than getting out and experiencing the real world. Most of them are that way because of lazy, indulgent parenting. They just make me sad.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

J S atlanta, GA — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 01:05:26 GMT

Please explain to me why "spanking" is always interpreted as "beating"
There is most definitely a difference. I am the father of three boys and I can tell you that I have never beaten my children but an occasional swat on the behind is sometimes what is necessary to get a point across. Especially after I have asked my children to stop a certain activity once or twice. I personally think it is ridiculous to try and have a lengthy discourse with a three year old on the perils of playing in the road when their attention span is that of a gnat and they are truly unable to comprehend the danger. All they need to know at that point is that there are bad consequences for going in the road and it might be dad's hand on their behind.
Just my thoughts.....

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Kimberly, FL — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 01:30:52 GMT

There is NO excuse for bratty kids getting their own way...even in a commercial. They just add fuel to the bad-parenting fire! I was at a movie theatre the other day and there were 7 kids there w/ their parents running around during the movie. I said something to the woman after, and her response was that I would understand after I have children. Um...no...my kids would NEVER behave like that, because I wouldn't allow them to. TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR CHILDREN PEOPLE!!!

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Brian, Lansing Michigan — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 01:55:54 GMT

Go rent the movie "Idiocracy"- The whole trend you're all talking about in these commercials will fall into place.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Ende, Louisville, KY — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 06:51:51 GMT

The commercial with kids that's really driving me nuts right now is the Lysol commercial where the kids are whispering disgusting "secrets" to each other, such as: "I play with my boats in the toilet." First of all, these aren't secrets. We know children do groaty things. It is no shape, form, or fashion a cute advertisement, despite the kindergarten scenario. If you don't play close attention to what that child is saying, you might not know exactly what he's playing with in the potty, which, at least, to Lysol's advantage, probably does sell more disinfectant.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Carrie, Avalon, NJ — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 13:09:48 GMT

As much as you all hate these commercials, you're all talking about them quite a bit! The marketing directors did an excellent job grasping all of your attention. Their intent is not to get you to like the kid or the mom in this commercial, the intent is to grasp your attention and get you talking. Looks like it worked!

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

erica, Columbus Ohio — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 13:44:41 GMT

When I saw the title of the blog I was intrigued, and I guess I stayed that way since I skimmed through all the comments. About a year ago, I stopped watching TV altogether. I never expected that, and I'm not more productive -- now I just spend way too much time on the internet. But even my many years watching TV, I never cared much about commercials that annoyed me -- I'd just use the mute button and do something else. So while I started this post just curious about what commercials are out there today, I stayed more bewildered about how people can get so involved caring what they show, as in their reflection on society. The commercials I'd notice were ones that affected me, whether it's a new (perhaps) energy-saving product or a flavor of pizza my husband and I might like as a treat. Are the commercials really that effective, that we'd care? Or am I just out of touch? I think the only time I've written to complain about an ad was an internet ad on the website of a local newspaper for a new power company: It showed a picture of a toddler, with a banner "You have a choice." I had to write the company and the website saying that even though I happen to be pro-choice, I couldn't stomach a company trying to sell its product by appearing to be about abortion, especially over my morning coffee while trying to read the news. Anyway. I'm just amazed by the power of the media; powerful in more ways than I ever expected. Sorry for rambling on... just my reaction, is all.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Christine Horn, Gulf Breeze, FL — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 14:20:48 GMT

I somewhat enjoy the soda-shaking, water-spraying kitchen fight commercial. I wish that I could have a sense of humor when my kids do something messy and stupid like that. It shows a quality of playfulness that I wish I had.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Patty, Sanford, NC — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 14:35:47 GMT

oh cmon now, none of us were angels, I was raised in a strict military household and if u even thought of something wrong, my father belted ya one... that was abuse as they see it today... Kids are kids making commercials as a way of supplementing their income as well as mom and dads.. why are your drawers all in a bunch? It doesnt mean that these kids ARE actually that way, it just simply means someone made you think... is that why you are all a tad bit enraged and these children are "brats" instead of possibly well behaved children otherwise? happy 4th ~ Aloha

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Christina, Bhm, AL — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 15:18:24 GMT

I like the orange soda / paper towel ad. I think that its showing something that we as parents often forget -- how to take time out and have fun with our kids. 20 yrs from now, our children arent going to remember making the millions of messes they made --they will remember those times where we let them get away with it (within reason). Besides, the orange soda was an accident (okay --he shook it up, but he didnt know the top would come off). Why waste time punishing accidents when all too often parents dont punish behavior that needs punishment? I guess I look at this commercial along the same lines as letting my 2 yr old splash water all over the floor -- its only water (or orange soda and water!), it cleans up but his childhood wont last forever.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Donna Lange, Port Republic, MD — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 15:52:00 GMT

I just have to add a comment re those who have ridiculed the Neosporin commercial with the mother taking her little girl to the doctor for a cut. The point is that the cut was infected! The little girl no doubt needed antibiotics. I read a magazine article once about a teacher who cut her finger on a staple at work and ended up getting a flesh-eating staph infection...she ended up losing her legs and almost her life. If you're going to ridicule something, people, make sure you have your facts first.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Roberta, Germantown, Maryland — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 18:35:53 GMT

The problem here is that society (that would be all of us) permits these personality types to be plastered all over the TV in sitcoms, commericals, movies, etc., that not only encourage our youth (and adults as well) to behave in such a matter, but people begin to believe it's normal and just accept it. It's easier to accept these things than it is to try and fight it.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Port St Lucie, FL — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 22:43:01 GMT

I smile whenever I see the paper towel commercial with the Mom spraying the kid...reminds me of many memories of spontaneous fun growing up, like an all-out pie/whipped cream fight one Easter. So you clean up a mess-big deal-the memories are priceless.

I'm glad I'm not the only one who can't stand those Welch's kids-so unnatural they annoy me(though they are cute)

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Carol, Florida — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 03:00:11 GMT

I love the commercial with the chatty 4 year-old being strapped into a Volvo by her bemused father. I remember my nephew being just like that when he was 4 and 5 years old, and I just loved listening to him chatter on and on. They have such great imaginations at that age -- I don't know how anyone could find it annoying.

There are a lot of sweeping generalizations in these comments about all kids being rotten, bratty and badly -behaved. There are a lot of kids like that, but there are also a lot of children who are thoughtful, caring and well-behaved. There are many parents who have raised self-centered, rude, spoiled, obnoxious children, but there are also many who have done a great job of raising children who know the world does not revolve around them.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Jazz — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 05:22:16 GMT

I like the Orbit commercials... "You linklicker..." to talk like that for real...

Hate any commericals with bratty kids... ESPECIALLY the State Farm ad with the Dad and all the little kids... you see on TOT trotting across the floor and flushing daddy's watch in the toilet with the cute litte "uh oh"... Not so cute when your five year old actually flushes the rolex down the toilet and goes "uh oh..." I wonder if I could sue State Farm???

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

J, Maple Valley, WA — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 05:27:16 GMT

another HATE... any and ALL Sleep Country Commericals... time to change the spoke person....

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

smith pittsburgh — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 14:04:40 GMT

i totally agree that too many kids on these ads are portayed as rude, obnoxious and inconsiderate. i believe these corporations are trying to use the self-centered impulsiveness of a bratty child to influence the parents into consuming more goods than they really need. instead of presenting their product in a informative honorable way, it seems most manufacturers would rather use brainwashing and psychological tricks to try to get their name stuck in the consumers head, which might not be so bad if they could use more positive messages and images. there is enough negativity in the world as it is. though i am not yet a parent, i will never allow my children to behave in such a way. i would teach them to be strong in character but to also be kind and considerate of others.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

smith, pittsburgh, pa — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 15:07:04 GMT

i really dislike the kids in the trix and lucky charms commercials. the trix kids are just being selfish and discriminatory against the rabbit. its like saying "don't share if someone is different than you". even though i can't stand the thieving little brats in the lucky charms commercials, i like the animation and how lucky is so quick and agile and always one step ahead of them. but i disagree with the overall message that "its ok to bully and steal from someone if their different than you". i think manufacturers should take more responsibilaty in what kind of messages they put out and the effect it can have on society, especially children.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

smith, pittsburgh, pa — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 15:09:20 GMT

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Nancy, Maynard, Massachusetts — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 19:42:46 GMT

Though I have to agree that the kids in commercials are bratty, I have to say that, at least in my area of the world, a lot of the kids actually behave like this. I see children in the stores telling their parents what they'll eat and what they won't and parents going along with the "plan"; I hear kids who are telling their parents what kind of new phone they want, and see parents bending to that demand; and I see a lot of parents who are "parenting by committee," e.g.: "I want to see if little Johnny likes that teacher before I sign up for such and such," or, "But little Susie doesn't want to do this, we had a family discussion about it last night - so you'll just have to change your way of doing things to accommodate her." (Yes, I'm a teacher.)

Kids are growing up to be little consumers, and the commercials are merely showing that trend to best advantage. The producers of products know who really commands the money decisions in wealthy households.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

teenager — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 23:40:31 GMT

But what about the commercials that show kids being respectful and parents actually being parents? Are they signs of how our youth is slipping too? And if all these adults are so sure of how things should be in the world (having gone your whole life without having made any mistakes and all) then they must have really bad teaching/parenting skills if the kids today are this bad.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

jenn, maple valley, wa — Sat, 07 Jul 2007 04:49:57 GMT

any and all female/male personal issue commercials... we know we know... why do we need to see these commericals...

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Percy, Austin, Minn. — Sat, 07 Jul 2007 16:12:42 GMT

There's a regional Northland Ford commercial with a kid who finds 10 bucks, so his dad tells him to put it someplace safe. Then the kid finds a bunch of other useless junk that kids think are awesome, and when his mom goes to open the floor hatch thing on her van, she finds them all. I don't really like the kid in the commercial so much, but his mom is HOT.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Dan Sexton, Elizabeth, NJ — Sat, 07 Jul 2007 16:40:44 GMT

"Not only these so-termed 'bratty kids' commericals are from negative aspect, the other commericals also should be brought to attention such as Hanes, Victoria's Secret being physically revealing, that people don't need to go to strip bars when they are readily provided on the T.V., while bearing in mind, with the children about. It is frighteningly appalling. These things are demoraling what should remain respectfully private."

Susan

So, you don't like underwear commercials because they are too revealing? I hope you never take your kids to the beach, or to the swimming pool, because they are gonna see a LOT worse. Comparing a Hanes commercial that shows Kevin Bacon in his underwear, without a "bulge", to a strip bar? Ridiculous.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Butch Conway — Sun, 08 Jul 2007 21:45:59 GMT

Kids have not shown respect for their adults for quite a few years and won't till someone steps up and explains to the advertising people that they are being responsible for what they put up for an ad. Technically it is not the kids fault as much as it is the adult world that makes the mistakes letting them do and say what they want to say. It's got to stop before we are really in trouble just like we are with politics.

Butch Conway

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

K. — Mon, 09 Jul 2007 13:03:38 GMT

I hate the Home Depot commercial, showing a girl of about 12 telling her dad that they need a new fridge and the cabinets are old, and then the girl's mother flicks her some cash. Why is the dad listening to this girl? Who cares what she thinks--is she paying for the new kitchen? And if the mother wants a new kitchen, why doesn't she tell the dad herself? Is it that the dad is more likely to respond to his daughter? Why? Ugh. I hate it when kids are smart alecs.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

G. Arizona — Mon, 09 Jul 2007 23:35:59 GMT

The commercial I hate is an insurance one where the father is sitting on the floor surrounded by cheetoes. Then 3 boys run by, he stops the last one who is obviously covered in cheetoes and asks him if he's responsible. The boy says no and the father lets him run off. First, the boys are running in the house, second, the culprit gets away with lying, third, the culprit is filthy and will get cheetoes mess all over the house. Ridiculous commercial.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

NYCGirl — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 07:54:46 GMT

Leslie, I remember the Hummer commercial you mentioned. Horrible.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Shannon, KCMO — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 16:56:07 GMT

I forgot how much I hated this until I saw a Mazda commercial with just his voice. Because of the "Zoom, zoom" boy I will never buy one of their cars.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Jayne,Big D,TX — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 17:41:28 GMT

Wow! Amazing. Thought I was alone in my dislike of rude,bratty children in commercials. Hate the commercials so much I never know what they were trying to sell me. And this one w/ the dog dragging his hind-end across the carpet.....nasty. Uncute animals are no better than uncute kids.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Josh, MI — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 17:15:08 GMT

Does anyone remember that commercial where a young kid is all over a grocery store screaming and yelling and pulling stuff off of shelves and out of the cart his dad is pushing around? I think it was an add for birth control or something... I found it rather funny...

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Melissa, St. Paul MN — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 02:59:56 GMT

Wow - reading through these comments was quite depressing. Annoying kids in commercials don't make my day either but all the comments about how people should be "smacking" and "spanking" those kids (and real-life kids) is very disturbing. Neither a "push-over" or a "heavy-hander" does a good parent make. Smacking a child is ALWAYS bad parenting.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Katie, NY — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 20:17:24 GMT

I think that the stereotypes these commercials are perpetuating are utterly despicable. It’s not only the “bratty kid” stereotype that I find to be absolutely disgusting but even more so all of the gender stereotyping. These commercials (as well as numerous other facets in society) are just further drilling the wretched cookie-cutter image of what society expects a woman’s role in life should be. And yes, it is terribly pigeonholing the children and fathers as well. The sole purpose of a woman’s existence is NOT to fulfill their destiny as a perpetual indentured servant to the children they birthed and their husbands who could basically be called their masters. Women do NOT belong in the kitchen, as is absolutely nothing wrong with a husband that would prefer not to be involved in sports, and children should DEFINITELY NOT be bratty. These stereotypes are just proof of the unfortunate truth that we as a society are utterly ignorant and perhaps a century behind in our thinking. This kind of thing outrages me. I think a change seriously needs to be made in this county. It’s pretty disgusting if you think about it.

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Cristy Biessener, Riverside, California — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 11:00:39 GMT

Kids in stores and restaurants!! I have two boys ( 5 and 2 ) and let me tell you. In the grocery store with a long line is no fun. They are tired and hungry!! You tell them to calm down and we will be home soon but it doesnt work. You can pick them up and it doesnt work. So I dont wanna here that parents just dont do anything..we do..but sometimes you just have to put up with a little tantrum here and there. I may not like to adult next to me cursing or smoking or talking loudly but we put up with it. Just because kids vent their anger in public at times does not mean the parents are not doing thier job!!

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

ali, mississauga, ontario — Sun, 07 Oct 2007 00:19:55 GMT

i like the commercial where the woman throws the pan out the window and the dog chases it and somethings happen that i cant remember now but i remember the music jingles tunes and it makes me feel great so would you all please put that ad on youtube soon

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Darci, Maryland — Sun, 07 Oct 2007 02:47:48 GMT

Commercials in my opinion are an over exageration of real life....i actually make my kids watch them and let them know what would happen if THEY ever did that...LOL. So instead of hating them, I use them as a learning experience for the kids and discuss with them why what that kids did was wrong. So maybe the intention of these commercials is to educate the child in your home??

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

P. O'D, Everywhere, USA — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 02:45:43 GMT

To all those morons who think all of the people here are merely writing in about bratty kids in TV commercials: HEELLLLOOOO....Since you are so cerebral answer this: is art imitating life, or life imitating art? This is THE real issue here and what has most people PISSED! I am a Kindergarten teacher with over 40 children a year in a very wealthy area. My life is dealing with some children exactly like those portrayed in the media....or is it the other way around? Lack of proper nutrition, routines, discipline and the list GOES ON and ON leads directly to "brattiness!" With unruly behavior as a CONSTANT each day, the education of every child is negatively affected. Glad to say say I have NO children of my own and happy I have your undisciplined child for 183 days...you have them FOR LIFE...GOOD LUCK! If you need Supper Nanny to help get your child to bed at a decent hour, YOU ARE IN FOR A HELL OF A TIME!!!! Thank you to all parents and concerned people who have noticed this disgusting trend in our society and to all those who know how to be a REAL parent!!

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Pat Price, Beaverton, OR — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 19:10:17 GMT

And here I thought I was the only one who hates bratty kids in commercials! Especially when the mom or dad condones the actions. A sad commentary on parenting today. (The crowning blow for me was the bratty girl with her mom in the grocery store.)

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

Andy, Warrenville, IL — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 21:29:28 GMT

I'm so glad to read that I'm not the only one who wants to force-feed the Pediasure brat a waffle topped with chicken and broccoli. When I was growing up (not that long ago-the 80's) my mom didn't indulge any picky eating on my part-it was you eat what's on your plate or you don't get play-time with your favorite toy, TV, reading time ect. Notice she didn't use dessert to bribe me-the end result being I'm an adult who knows how to make smart food choices because it was drilled into me as a child. And people wonder why child obesity is out of control in this country...

Kids in ads: Why are they so awful?

K, New York, NY — Fri, 16 May 2008 17:26:05 GMT

I just don't find children funny... AT ALL. So all of these ads are just obnoxious to me. And the message they're sending is that parents needn't teach their children the importance of eating healthy, being respectful (not just to adults, but to everyone) and cleaning up/not making messes, etc. but rather that some product will compensate for their lack of backbone with their own children.