Comments on: Parents To Toymakers: Cut The Ads

Companies Defend Marketing To Children, Say Parents Can Tailor Gift-Giving To Economic Situation

[sjbj2322]

While I disagree that kids need to be taught from such a young age how to be savvy consumers, I do agree that its really not that much of a problem having to deal with watching all those commercials IF parents are doing what they should be doing in the first place....limiting the amount of time their kids are watching television and monitoring what they do watch. I keep my kids so busy during the holiday season that they simply don''t have that much time to sit and watch the boobtube. When they do and one of these commercials comes on, we talk about reality versus the fantasy employed in the making of these commercials that are geared to intentionally make kids think the toy is able to do much more than it actually can or doesn''t actually come with all those neat little do-dads cause those have to be purchased as seperate pieces. I also don''t take the kids to the store with me unless absolutely necessary. I don''t want to hear about Christmas before we''ve had a chance to celebrate Thanksgiving. So yea - it can be done but it takes parents taking an added effort in their kids lives, or else they can live with the guilt or make purchases beyond their means. I''m just not willing to prostitute myself to profit toymakers who try to negatively influence my kids into thinking that getting lots of toys is what Christmas is all about. But since I know I''m in the minority, I don''t suspect Hasbro will be going to the fed seeking a handout.

[pirmin3]

"Toy companies market useless junk..."

Made in China even - dangerous in itself. Wish more parents were as thoughtful as you.

[psk123-2009]

My kids see NO ads from toy makers or junk food makers. I pre-record all their favorite shows WITHOUT commercials. I got tired of them wanting stuff they saw and then become greatly disappointed when it didn''t work the way the TV said it would. They can also eat a real apple rather than some candy junk flavored like an apple. I REFUSE to be the bad guy here. Toy companies market useless junk, and Junk food makers market empty calories and flavored sugar. Useless stuff, I will not be the bad-guy because I don''t want to buy their junk.