One of my favorite childhood memories?
The day my dad brought home a big, brown paper sack that was moving and making noise. My brothers and I didn't know what to think, until I guessed it was a dog. But for some reason the words came out, "It's a duck!" I was probably about 5 at the time.
My dad brought home a puppy, totally unexpected. And he did it in a memorable way. I remember the feeling of that night better than I remember the dog itself.
Using fun to make family memories--those are the fifth and sixth strong family attributes I see in the at&t television commercial we've been discussing for the past two weeks. The TV spot pictures a dad who takes pictures of his daughter's stuffed monkey with his cell phone camera and sends them to his wife to share with his little girl.
She's delighted, of course, not just because seeing her monkey on a cell phone is fun, but because of the attention it represents. Her dad is saying, "Your so special that I'm taking time to include you in on my trip and having fun doing it." Here's a picture of a smart dad who creates fond memories that build a special relationship with his daughter.
It takes time and imagination and, at times, requires going out of your way. But making fun memories turns on a special light in the house. It adds to the security children feel in the home because of the well-being present. It makes life worth living.
The dad in the at&t commercial gets an immediate payback. When he returns home with his daughter's monkey, the girl runs past the stuffed animal in his hand and jumps in his arms for a warm hug.
A touching commercial with a strong pro-father, pro-family message delivered in the midst of the pitch. I'm sold!
Friday, February 22, 2008
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
A Pro-Father Commercial?/Week 2b
There's a fourth positive family attribute imbedded in the at&t commercial that we see little of in today's culture: A secure family unit.
There is so much in today's world that attacks families . Consider this short list:
There is so much in today's world that attacks families . Consider this short list:
- Divorce
- Child and spousal abuse
- Erosion of parental authority
- Exposure to violence in the media
- Lewd and lascivious influences in the culture
- Bullying
When we were rearing our children, some 20 years ago, the culture was still attempting to work with parents to protect kids. There was an anti-violence effort that stripped cartoons of violent acts. Today, cartoons are more violent than ever.
When our children were small, cable was just being introduced and network television still provided a wide variety of family viewing entertainment. And primetime actually meant family-friendly viewing. Not so today.
The Internet was non-existent back then. Now, parents have to be on guard not only against lewd content, but against predators that use the World Wide Web to search out victims.
The best protection against all these dangers is a secure family unit. That involves each of the three elements I've already discussed--a healthy relationship between a married man and woman, a division of roles that results in a secure home environment, and parents that value their children above self-interests.
Add to that an awareness of the dangerous world we live in and an intentionality about protecting kids from these threats. My wife and I sometimes felt we were being over-protective, checking up on our children's friends, calling parents who were hosting sleepovers, setting and enforcing curfews, and the like.
Talking with our grown children today, however, our caution helped teach them to be aware of the dangers around them. Our strict enforcement in a couple of situations allowed them to beg off a bad situation without having to carry the onus of "chickening out." They were disappointed at times, but relieved at other times when we were strict. And they always knew that they could call and ask for an early ride and that we would come immediately without question.
When two parents are actively involved in their children's lives, it creates an atmosphere of security that makes it possible for kids to be successful. How can children learn in school when they are afraid at home, or worried about their next meal, or in need of a new coat? Parents who provide a secure environment give their kids a leg up in a very rough world.
Are you listening, Dad?
Monday, February 18, 2008
A Pro-Father Commercial?/Week 2a
The third positive family attribute I see in the at&t television commercial is the value of children.
In the advertiser's toolbox, the at&t spot is considered a simple demonstration ad. The ad's primary purpose is to show that you can use camera phones to keep connected even when miles apart. That's not hard to do. What makes this at&t commercial especially effective is the way it weaves a heart tug into its demonstration.
The heart tug in this case is that soft spot we all (who are parents or grandparents) have for our children. There is a very strong value of children message in this commercial, and that resonates with many in America.
Here are the elements that for me point to the value of children in this commercial:
In the advertiser's toolbox, the at&t spot is considered a simple demonstration ad. The ad's primary purpose is to show that you can use camera phones to keep connected even when miles apart. That's not hard to do. What makes this at&t commercial especially effective is the way it weaves a heart tug into its demonstration.
The heart tug in this case is that soft spot we all (who are parents or grandparents) have for our children. There is a very strong value of children message in this commercial, and that resonates with many in America.
Here are the elements that for me point to the value of children in this commercial:
- The mother is a stay-at-home mom, an indication that as a couple this husband and wife consider child-rearing a priority.
- The relationship shown through hugs and interaction with the child illustrate parents that cherish and uplift their daughter.
- The willingness of the father to take time out of his travel work day to make his daughter's day brighter by sending her photos of her prized stuffed monkey.
- The parents work hard at undergirding their daughter's self-esteem. She's obviously an important person in their lives and in the life of the family unit.
In our self-absorbed society, the value of children isn't always apparent. In the highly visible entertainment sector, for instance, we see mothers who are more interested in partying late into the evening than caring for their children, we see children being adopted as a means of making a political statement, and we especially see couples who bounce from relationship to relationship regardless of the consequences to the children produced out of those unions.
So, it is refreshing to see a commercial that so winsomely depicts a traditional family unit, with parents working together to rear a happy and healthy child.
Saturday, February 16, 2008
A Pro-Father Commercial/Live It!
Continuing my commentary on the pro-father (pro-family, actually) at&t commercial:
I found six different positive family attributes illustrated in the commercial. The first one, covered Wednesday, is the strong, core relationship between a married man and woman. Without that, the family unit cannot be strong. That doesn't mean it can't be successful. It's just not everything that it could and should be.
The second attribute I want to discuss will require stepping out on the thin ice of political correctness. Well, let me get out my sledge hammer and wading boots and jump right in: a division of roles.
In the at&t commercial, we can presume that the man is on a business trip, because one of the photos he takes of his daughter's stuffed monkey is from a board room. Apparently, by the looks of his family's home and its furnishings, he is successful at what he does. We can also assume that this is a weekday trip, since he is conducting business.
His wife appears to be a stay-at-home mom. She is there with the daughter throughout the day as her husband sends photos of the monkey's travels over their cell phones. She acts as an intermediary between her husband and her daughter, showing excitement with every new photo.
In today's culture, it's taboo to talk about a division of labors between a man and wife, especially if the woman takes on the role of a stay-at-home mother. What a shame, both for families and our culture at large. There's no more important nor impactful role than a mother who cares for her children in the home.
My wife took a break from her teaching profession for 10 years as we started our family. She stayed at home and we struggled along with just one salary as our three children were born and grew to elementary age. It was my wife's choice, and she still relishes that time, remembering each child and their developing personalities and all their growing up antics.
Our children were very secure. They seemed confident in all their relationships growing up. They were not afraid to venture out and try new things, because they were secure at home. I credit my wife with giving our children the kind of very good start that every kid deserves.
Children don't need things as much as they need that secure connection. A strong relationship with a loving mother, combined with witnessing a secure connection between the father and mother, and a sense that their father loves and appreciates them.
You see all three in the at&t commercial. It's a great little picture of what it means to create a happy and healthy home. So, what are the other four attributes in the at&t television commercial? I'm saving those for next week. Take care.
I found six different positive family attributes illustrated in the commercial. The first one, covered Wednesday, is the strong, core relationship between a married man and woman. Without that, the family unit cannot be strong. That doesn't mean it can't be successful. It's just not everything that it could and should be.
The second attribute I want to discuss will require stepping out on the thin ice of political correctness. Well, let me get out my sledge hammer and wading boots and jump right in: a division of roles.
In the at&t commercial, we can presume that the man is on a business trip, because one of the photos he takes of his daughter's stuffed monkey is from a board room. Apparently, by the looks of his family's home and its furnishings, he is successful at what he does. We can also assume that this is a weekday trip, since he is conducting business.
His wife appears to be a stay-at-home mom. She is there with the daughter throughout the day as her husband sends photos of the monkey's travels over their cell phones. She acts as an intermediary between her husband and her daughter, showing excitement with every new photo.
In today's culture, it's taboo to talk about a division of labors between a man and wife, especially if the woman takes on the role of a stay-at-home mother. What a shame, both for families and our culture at large. There's no more important nor impactful role than a mother who cares for her children in the home.
My wife took a break from her teaching profession for 10 years as we started our family. She stayed at home and we struggled along with just one salary as our three children were born and grew to elementary age. It was my wife's choice, and she still relishes that time, remembering each child and their developing personalities and all their growing up antics.
Our children were very secure. They seemed confident in all their relationships growing up. They were not afraid to venture out and try new things, because they were secure at home. I credit my wife with giving our children the kind of very good start that every kid deserves.
Children don't need things as much as they need that secure connection. A strong relationship with a loving mother, combined with witnessing a secure connection between the father and mother, and a sense that their father loves and appreciates them.
You see all three in the at&t commercial. It's a great little picture of what it means to create a happy and healthy home. So, what are the other four attributes in the at&t television commercial? I'm saving those for next week. Take care.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
A Pro-Father Commercial?/Go Deep
AT&T created a surprising cell phone commercial recently.
Not only is it an effective selling message, it reflects traditional family values--something that rarely happens in Madison Avenue reflections of our culture.
Not only do we see a strong family unit in this TV ad, we see a very positive male role model as a husband and father. I identified six family attributes in the commercial that I want to dive into.
I'm speaking from my long-term experience as a father and husband rather than out of any particular expertise as a counselor or specialist. So, for what it's worth, here are my thoughts.
The first thing I like that's rarely seen in either television advertising or programming today is a healthy relationship--between a man and a woman. The commercial opens with a man saying goodbye to his wife as he prepares to leave for a business trip. We only get a glimpse of this relationship, but you can tell a lot by the little that's seen. The parting is a sweet goodbye. There's an obvious affinity between the husband and wife.
We see the warmth of the relationship exhibited in the way they treat their daughter throughout the commercial as they TEAM together to brighten her day.
The primary ingredient needed for a strong family is a loving, committed relationship between a husband and wife who make the essential core. This means two people dedicated to each other and to making their relationship successful.
The attraction is electric. But it is the commitment, the decision to create and maintain a strong union, that makes a solid marriage.
There is a lot that happens in the life of a marriage. There are disagreements, at times competing interests or priorities, at times tragedies, and at other times temptations. There are a lot of storms to weather.
It takes commitment love to hold it together. That involves an up-front decision to make it work no matter what. And that major decision, affirmed with "I do's" at a wedding ceremony, is confirmed in a multitude of small "I will's" throughout the life of the marriage.
It starts (and ends) there, with the solid husband-wife relationship. Congratulations to at&t for putting that type of a relationship at the center of their recent advertising.
How's your marriage relationship? More on Friday.
Not only is it an effective selling message, it reflects traditional family values--something that rarely happens in Madison Avenue reflections of our culture.
Not only do we see a strong family unit in this TV ad, we see a very positive male role model as a husband and father. I identified six family attributes in the commercial that I want to dive into.
I'm speaking from my long-term experience as a father and husband rather than out of any particular expertise as a counselor or specialist. So, for what it's worth, here are my thoughts.
The first thing I like that's rarely seen in either television advertising or programming today is a healthy relationship--between a man and a woman. The commercial opens with a man saying goodbye to his wife as he prepares to leave for a business trip. We only get a glimpse of this relationship, but you can tell a lot by the little that's seen. The parting is a sweet goodbye. There's an obvious affinity between the husband and wife.
We see the warmth of the relationship exhibited in the way they treat their daughter throughout the commercial as they TEAM together to brighten her day.
The primary ingredient needed for a strong family is a loving, committed relationship between a husband and wife who make the essential core. This means two people dedicated to each other and to making their relationship successful.
The attraction is electric. But it is the commitment, the decision to create and maintain a strong union, that makes a solid marriage.
There is a lot that happens in the life of a marriage. There are disagreements, at times competing interests or priorities, at times tragedies, and at other times temptations. There are a lot of storms to weather.
It takes commitment love to hold it together. That involves an up-front decision to make it work no matter what. And that major decision, affirmed with "I do's" at a wedding ceremony, is confirmed in a multitude of small "I will's" throughout the life of the marriage.
It starts (and ends) there, with the solid husband-wife relationship. Congratulations to at&t for putting that type of a relationship at the center of their recent advertising.
How's your marriage relationship? More on Friday.
Monday, February 11, 2008
A Pro-Father Commercial?/Think About It
You've seen me criticize male-bashing TV commercials.
It's important to give credit where credit is due and acknowledge a commercial that actually illustrates a positive father and husband role model for a change.
And this one came from an unexpected source, a major corporation. Typically, they opt for the politically correct images rather than traditional, values-based images that truly resonate with middle America.
But at&t broke that mold with a recent commercial for their camera phones and wireless services, and they did it in a quality fashion.
The commercial starts with a young businessman saying goodbye to his wife on the front lawn. A bright young daughter rushes up to her father with his brief case and gets a warm smile and hug for her thoughtfulness.
As the father roles away in a taxi, he opens the brief case and finds a stuffed monkey (presumably the daughter's) stuffed inside. Instead of being annoyed, the dad is amused and proceeds to take phone pictures of the monkey enjoying various scenes from his business trip. And then he proceeds to make his daughter's day by sending her those photos (through his wife's cell phone).
His last phone photo of the day is of the daughter's monkey in front of the family home. The daughter recognizes that "Daddy is home" and runs to the front door to hug her dad and receive her travelling monkey home.
This commercial uses a great image of a strong and healthy family unit, which includes a strong male role model. Hallelujah!
So good, in fact, I want to use this commercial as an illustrator of what makes a strong marriage, a nourishing parent-child relationship, and a solid, secure home. Let's talk Wednesday.
It's important to give credit where credit is due and acknowledge a commercial that actually illustrates a positive father and husband role model for a change.
And this one came from an unexpected source, a major corporation. Typically, they opt for the politically correct images rather than traditional, values-based images that truly resonate with middle America.
But at&t broke that mold with a recent commercial for their camera phones and wireless services, and they did it in a quality fashion.
The commercial starts with a young businessman saying goodbye to his wife on the front lawn. A bright young daughter rushes up to her father with his brief case and gets a warm smile and hug for her thoughtfulness.
As the father roles away in a taxi, he opens the brief case and finds a stuffed monkey (presumably the daughter's) stuffed inside. Instead of being annoyed, the dad is amused and proceeds to take phone pictures of the monkey enjoying various scenes from his business trip. And then he proceeds to make his daughter's day by sending her those photos (through his wife's cell phone).
His last phone photo of the day is of the daughter's monkey in front of the family home. The daughter recognizes that "Daddy is home" and runs to the front door to hug her dad and receive her travelling monkey home.
This commercial uses a great image of a strong and healthy family unit, which includes a strong male role model. Hallelujah!
So good, in fact, I want to use this commercial as an illustrator of what makes a strong marriage, a nourishing parent-child relationship, and a solid, secure home. Let's talk Wednesday.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)