Super Hero
They’ve been showing an ad lately that bugs the crap out of me. Granted, most ads bug the crap out of most people, but this one is really beyond the pale. There’s a bunch of grown-ups wandering around doing grown-up type things like grocery shopping and mowing the lawn, but they are dressed like super-heroes. It’s puzzling until you see all the grown-up super-heros sitting in a classroom. The hook becomes obvious: Be a hero to your kids; participate in school. Only that is not the hook. The hook is Be a Hero; Take your Kids to DisneyWorld.
Maybe I dislike it so much because I totally agree with my interpretation and it feels like a colossal commercial let down when I realize it is just a stupid ad advertising a stupid over-priced theme park. Not that I won’t take MisterE to Disneyland some day. I hope I have the opportunity to take him for a week of Magical Memories. We went to Disneyland when I was eight and it was the highlight of my childhood. I was so excited that I begged my mom to let me get a perm for our trip because I wanted to look pretty like Shirley Temple.
Still, as much as your children may hate it, being a REAL hero means getting involved with their school and their friends and knowing where they are, what they are doing and what they are passionate about. I see so many kids who have completely uninterested parents, and those are the kids who cause the problems and make it rough for everyone else. Honestly, I will never understand the pressure society puts on people to have children. I don’t want anyone to have kids unless they really, really want them. Having children is the biggest commitment a person can make. You wouldn’t buy a particular car just because everyone thought it would be good for you, so why would you have kids just because everyone thinks you should? At least you can trade the car in when you get bored with it.
Speaking of marketing pressure, I got a “special magazine just for breastfeeding mothers” today. Every single article talked about how great formula is/how to wean from the breast to the bottle/what great toys partner companies make. I don’t have a beef with formula at all. I think it is a very valid choice and if it’s what you want/need to do, great. I’m mainly just amused that Enfamil keeps telling me that they are doing things “just for me [as a breastfeeding mother]” that are clearly not for me at all. I wouldn’t be annoyed or amused if they were sending them out as something for “new mothers” rather than “breastfeeding mothers.” I hear that once you cash in your coupons they stop sending you stuff, so I guess this will be the last batch I get since my sister was very grateful o receive the coupons. If you breastfeed and want Enfamil to stop harassing you, my sister would be only too happy to take cash in your coupons. Comment and I’ll send you an address you can send them to.
January 14th, 2006 at 2:51 pm
First, never been to Disneyland. But I love, love, love Disney World. Shocked, aren’t ya? ;)
I agree with your premise that being a hero should be about caring about your kids and getting involved in their lives.
However, at $1500 for the hotel room AND the park tickets (6 nights/7 days) for a family of four – that works out to be about $55 a person each day. That is a good price! Tickets to Six Flags run around $40 a day.
Totally missing the point, I know. But it’s DISNEY – I lose all rationality. :)
January 14th, 2006 at 3:29 pm
I know that commercial well and hate it as well. I love it when an advertising company calls me a loser and a bad parent because I didn’t take my kids to Disney every year. Twice was enough. I did my time and stood in the mile long lines.