Recently, I took my daughter to an engaging installation at a nearby museum, which turned out to be a giant ball pit. It was a blast—hip-deep for adults, with scattered “islands” that allowed you to hop out and dive back in. However, I quickly learned the hard way that the islands were made of unforgiving plywood, resulting in some painful bruises on my legs.
As I slathered arnica gel on my injuries that evening, I couldn’t help but think about the lack of essential warnings. Sure, the staff informed us about the ball depth and the anti-microbial quality of the materials. But what about the potential for injury? This experience made me reflect on how advertisers often leave out crucial information when it comes to products and services for families. Here’s how I believe advertising could be more relevant and useful for parents.
Bras
It’s time to stop showcasing bras on a single model. Breasts come in all shapes and sizes and change over time. Bra manufacturers should represent various styles, including those for women post-pregnancy or those with implants, so we know how they perform across different scenarios.
Water Parks
Instead of just a picture of one happy family in a lazy river, give us a panoramic view of the park at peak capacity. We need to understand the likely chaos we’re stepping into.
Toys
Beyond age recommendations and images of kids playing, toy packaging should indicate how challenging it is to open the box—especially when you’re in a rush before a birthday party.
TV Ratings
While it’s great to have warnings for violence and strong language, how about an Annoying Scale for character voices? Anything that sounds like “Caillou” definitely needs a warning!
Food Dyes
We need more than just nutritional info; let’s talk about the staining potential of products like Go-Gurt and how to clean it off clothes.
Detergents
These products should come with disclaimers like, “Good luck getting that Go-Gurt stain out!”
Cars
Safety ratings should also include how easy it is to install a car seat. Can you do it in a rental car on a hot day without losing your cool?
Movies
Theaters should provide ticket prices, showtimes, and the average temperature inside. No one wants to freeze while watching Minions.
Video Games
Age ratings are helpful, but we also need insights into how addictive a game might be and how hard it will be to pry kids away for dinner.
TV News
Parents shouldn’t have to worry about scary news segments during family viewing. News programs should indicate when those segments will air so we can tune in later.
Medications
While we get all sorts of warnings about usage, we rarely see guidance on how awful a medicine might taste and what it’ll take to convince kids to take it.
Tech Devices
Ultimately, we just want to know about battery life. How long will it keep the kids entertained?
For more insights, check out one of our other blog posts for additional tips on parenting and products. It’s essential to have the right information at our fingertips when making decisions for our families.
In summary, parents need clear, comprehensive information from advertisers to make informed choices. It’s crucial for brands to understand the unique challenges we face and provide the details that matter most.
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