But They Said So On TV…

I grew up a child of the 80’s. I adored 80’s music, as well as the fashions. I lived for my stirrup pants and leg warmers.  Along with these fads, I loved television of that time.  My family and I watched programs geared towards older folks.

The D’s ruled in our house: Dallas, Dynasty, and Detective shows: Magnum P.I, Murder She Wrote and of course, Miami Vice.  I recall “awesome” commercials during that decade as well. I watched intently, memorizing them by heart.  Juicy Fruit for example, had me believing if I put a stick of gum in my mouth I could hang glide, water ski and dive off cliffs into insane waters below without fear. As I recall their ads claimed, “the taste is gonna move ya!”

Let's not forget the amazing Coca-Cola ad “can’t beat the feeling”.  Of course I couldn’t.  I swore by Coke products and shame on those who drank Pepsi, blah!  I remember having feelings of sympathy for the cantankerous woman from the Wendy’s ad who couldn’t find the beef in her hamburger.  How dare any establishment pass off a tiny puck as meat!  If they hadn’t she wouldn’t have shouted, “Where’s the beef?”

 As a child I believed in the magic of commercials. They felt so real to me. These commercials were very influential to a young mind.  Kids are the ones who beg their parents to purchase Juicy Fruit, Coca-Colas and Wendy’s. This became evident to me as I saw it unfold a few months ago in our family. Let me first state that my children aren’t TV hogs, and I am thankful for that. They are not glued to the television set day in and day out. However, if a commercial catches their fancy, I am going to hear about it. Just like when I was a child, they have memorized their favorite ads and believe them as truth.

 One day I was complaining to my husband that I had unfortunately indulged over the weekend and my jeans were feeling a little constrained.  Who should happen upon this conversation but my little eavesdropper aka: my daughter.  She raised her head and smiled.  I honestly think I saw the light bulb appear above her head.

“Mommy, you don’t have to wear those silly old jeans that hurt you.”

I played along and asked her, “Whatever do you mean?” Meanwhile my husband and I exchanged knowing looks.

“Mommy, there’s these amazing jeans on TV! They make you feel so comfortable. They won’t leave marks on you and Mommy, they are made of PAJAMAS!”

I thanked her for being so helpful.  I explained that it’s not my taste in jeans. However, she wasn’t giving up on these pajama jeans and the promises of that ad.

“Mommy, they aren’t expensive either. The lady on the commercial said so!”

Thankfully my husband and I dissuaded our daughter. The idea of mommy getting pajama jeans, however glamorous as it sounded, wasn’t going to happen. I felt guilty for crushing her spirits but come on! PAJAMA JEANS!?

 One afternoon, it was my son’s turn.  We were headed to get groceries and I tried to engage the kids into conversation. Our topics ranged from schoolwork and friendships to just silly talk. There was a point when the discussion turned to money. My son asked if he had enough to go to college. I told him that mommy and daddy were working on it, but didn’t have enough saved just yet. Tuition, I explained goes for over $40,000 dollars in some schools. Then I saw it in the rearview mirror, that famous light bulb.

“Mommy, you don’t have to worry about paying for college.”

“I don’t?”

“No, I saw a commercial. They say that I can go to college from my own house, and it’s not expensive. Mom, the best part was I could stay in my pajamas all day.  It’s a Pajama College.” 

 What is it with this family and pajamas? Do we not own comfortable clothes?

 I tried to explain it wasn’t the right college for him and even though it sounded like an affordable and comfortable online school, we would manage in the future.  My children are sweet. In each instance they had thought of me and how to help the situation.  I’ll take that any day over a stick of “Juicy Fruit”.