Monday, March 1, 2010

They'll Always Look the Same to Us

Did you see any of the "Mom" commercials during the Olympics -- the ones that said something like "This is how their moms see them" and then would show all the athletes as little children?

There were various versions but the message was, no matter how big and strong they are, their moms still see them as their baby boys or girls. I think it was P&G that ran these spots and I guess they were thanking the moms who had used their products over the years and hoped they would continue to do so. (Wife teared up every time she saw one).

And you know, I guess they are onto something but it doesn't just apply to moms. Last night I called to make reservations at a trout fishing resort in North Arkansas where I am going, along with my sons, in early April. I told the lady on the phone that I would be "bringing my two boys" with me to fish for a couple of days, then began to discuss the type of accommodations we might need.

"How old are the children?" she asked.

"Uhhh . . . . . twenty-four and seventeen," I replied sheepishly, realizing my truthfulness had probably just cost me any kind of discount.

I heard her snicker on the other end of the line as she confirmed the booking.

Even if it had been ten years from now, when my sons would be 27 and 34, I would have still said I would be "bringing my boys."

And if I were taking my daughter, I would probably have told her I would be "bringing my little girl" (who is 21).

So you are right, P&G. The moms and dads just don't see them much differently.

7 comments:

Redlefty said...

Well, if your daughter is petite, then perhaps "little girl" doesn't have an expiration date?

Kelly said...

Well....they ARE your boys! I'll always refer to my kids that way.

I only saw the commercial one time, but loved it.

quid said...

This gave me a chuckle. A friend of mine has a 34 year old, 260# boy.

:)

Debby said...

My children range from 20 to 28.

Bob Barbanes: said...

I look at it from the other perspective. I'm 54, fully-growed, a professional in a respected job. And yet when I speak to my mother I get the distinct, unmistakable impression that I am suddenly back to being little, 15 year-old Bobby. It's not anything mean-spirited on her part and I do not take offense at it. Anymore.

It's a two-fold thing, I suppose. In the first place, we never see ourselves as "old." Most parents probably continue to see themselves as the same age they were when they had the kids in the first place. Secondly, I guess that to our parents we will ALWAYS be their children, no matter how grown up *we* think we are. And if I ever had kids (should that pesky Florida law to the contrary ever be repealed) I suppose I would think of them the same way.

Kudos to P&G for zeroing in on it.

Steve H. said...

My son just turned 12 and I kinda miss the days when he would walk around the house in a diaper and baby cowboy boots!

Bob said...

Bob, your point is a good one. Although I'll always see my boys and my daughter as my "children" I am determined that I will let them grow up and have their own space when it's appropriate. My dad could just never do that -- he always felt as if he was entitled to know everything about me, how much money I made, etc. -- and it caused problems between us. Worse, it caused irreperable damage between him and my brother. Sad.