There is a commercial on TV right now where a worried mother is taking her son to his first day of school. She wants to walk him in and coddle him, but he declines. Then he gets to his locker and realizes that he has forgotten his combination and worriedly sticks his hands in his pocket to reveal that his mother slipped a Rice Krispie Treat in there complete with his locker combination. Insert "awwww" and single tear here. But, the thing is... you can't predict what is going to happen to your kids at school and you sure can't fit the entire solution on a Rice Krispie Treat wrapper.
SuperMom of TV and most commercials just doesn't exist. Real Mom would have sent her son in, and ran out to Starbucks for some R&R while he wondered how in the world to get into his locker. Real Mom would have listened to the son moan when he got home and would say, "I asked you if you wanted me to walk you in and you said no. Sorry you were embarrassed when the green-toothed janitor had to open your locker, but what would you like me to do about it?" But, Real Mom doesn't sell Rice Krispie Treats. And, Rice Krispie Treats can't sell what's real. (Just, look at the ingredients!!!)
Tabbi's first day of school didn't result in locker issues. Instead, she was faced with 6th grade girls in all their glory. She walked into a classroom run by a popular "Mean Girl" and none of her friends were in the class with her. So, she was confronted not with the green-toothed janitor, but with the well coiffed, make upped priss who didn't want to let Tabbi into her inner sanctum. Does Tabbi suck up to be accepted by her? Does she ignore her and risk permanent ostracizing by Miss Mean and all of her minions? Does Rice Krispie make a king size bar so that I can fit my advice on it and stick it in her pocket?
The reality is that Tabbi had to find her own way through that dilemma and most of the other dilemmas to follow. My ESP is on the fritz and I don't know what conundrums are coming up on a day to day (or hour to hour) basis, and I can't hide an answer in her pocket even if I did. And, I am not really sure I want to. I liked hearing about how she handled herself and I liked her decisions even more. I see her becoming a stronger kid because of it (not to mention having better dental health because we don't solve our problems with puffed rice and high fructose corn syrup). So, marketers out there take note... I think I'll buy the product where the mom-mercial doesn't involve flowing capes and saving the day, but instead creating little independent individuals that work it out alone. Put that on your Rice Krispie Treats and I'll go buy a box.
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4 comments:
I'd like to say Hallejuah and Amen. Good for Tabbi! I think it is important that children learn to handle tough situations and how to make the right choices for themselves. It builds thinner and stronger adults with good teeth.
Jounice - Exactly! I knew you would get me!
Wow... bitter much. I'm actually shocked you had so much time to rant about this. Silly
My favorite thing is when anonymous people comment about how I have nothing better to do than rant about silly things. And yet... they took the time out of their busy days to read it... and comment. Hmmm....
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