Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood

global fans=consumers=profits

In my neighborhood, there are no restaurants other than fast food restaurants. That makes life more difficult for parents around here, especially since the "grocery stores" don't carry any fresh produce worth buying.

I am a homeschooler and don't regreat a day of it. We like to keep our lives simple as much as possible... it is horribly overstimulating for kids and adults at this point, to have almost everything marketed to each individual age group. Also, the time I have been able to spend wih my daughter and being able to be the one to see her face light up ... Read Morewhen she learns something new is the most amazing experience!! It is hard to not buy fast food b/c there is some kind of fast food chain resturant every mile or so... it takes extra time and planning, but I try to pack a cooler with food and drinks when we know we will be out for a while. I also have planted a vegetable garden this year which was an awesome learning experience for my daughter and now we will have fresh, organic veggies we can trust in our back yard... that don't come in a wrapper or packaged in an illustrated box full of ads.

Regarding Transformers, I was totally dismayed to see the marketing overload at play in my local stores. In Toys-R-Us, there is about a 20 foot wall section when you enter the store. In Old Navy and Target, all the boys' shirt racks are loaded with Transformers merchandise. I find this overload unacceptable and hope that CCFC can help make a difference for our children and our culture.

P.S. We donated to CCFC this week to meet the matching funds challenge. Hope everyone will reflect on what CCFC means for their family and donate today!

Interesting... I never would have expected that from IKEA! I will have to be pointedly observant upon my next visit to see what our store has going on in that department. Really, is there any need for TV to be on at all? I think not.

thank you ccfc for being here!

We took our teenage boys last night and saw a zillion little boys in the theatre! My husband and I both agreed that this is not a movie for little ones!!!

I agree about the ratings being off...and how many times we have seen movies simply with NO rating because they couldn't "decide" ?!?!?! Whatever, if it's that bad then bump it to the next level and DEAL! ARgh, sorry just a beef, I so agree with you Megan.

Megan, I'm glad you raised this issue. In fact research shows that "ratings creep" is real. Movies rated PG13 now would have been rated R a decade or so ago. That's part of the reason that CCFC is so concerned about how these films are being marketed to young children.

Looks like an interesting book, Tanya. Thanks for the suggestion!

It's encouraging to discover that other countries are addressing these issues, as well. I hope the US and other nations will follow suit. Appetite for Profit does sound provocative!

I agree. Those commercials need to be pulled off the air completely. If someone needs it they should talk to their doctor not diagnose themselves via commercials.

And they are uncomfortable to watch with just other adults let alone with kids!

Listen to this soundbite about the affects of TV on children's eating habits at http://www.lexy.com/feed?id=464

Parenting education, parenting education, parenting education, and then more parenting education. I cannot do enough of it. Somehow the majority of parents, while devoted to their children, just don't see this and other media issues as relevant to their kids... unless their kids have a problem.

Please check this out.....I think you will all be impressed.:)

Think of it this way... do these parents pay attention when their kids 'want this and want that'... do they find it annoying? I do, and I would find that song out of place as well!

Considering it takes a village! We NEED your help on this one Mr. Prez!

All screenings of Consuming Kids are listed at http://consumingkids.bravenewtheaters.com/screenings. Just enter your zip code, click the screening nearest you, and RSVP. If you want to share an event with friends, just send them the link to the screening page and they can RSVP too.

I love PBS. Rick Steves Journeys to..anywhere! But sometimes I hate watching it because it makes me want to visit those place now. LOL

Wish it were so -- even on PBS, shows are now brought to you by McDonalds and ChuckECheese's... and Huggies diapers... there are few safe places nowadays!

however, I noticed the book selection was particularly bad this year -- mostly TV and movie tie-in stuff.

You don't have to give up a book fair - there are plenty of other children's book suppliers that can offer you a book fair. Try Usborne Books or Barefoot books. Both are commercial free and have fantastic books.

I completely agree that Scholastic has fallen intot he comercialism realm. Usborne is only slightly better. They may not have commercialism, but they have poor vocabulary. Our Usborne "Alice and Wonderland" uses the word "stupid". I had to cross it out and write in "silly" for my daughter. Then we purchased the Usborne children's Bible and it uses the word "hate" which I again had to edit to "dislike". Where are the Usborne editors. Is anyone previewing it before it goes to print for children?

But what a fantastic way to teach your child something! Even if a book has something written in it that we don't like, it can be a learning lesson for the child. I don't agree with every word a book says or how it says it, but my kids will learn those words and I want them to ask questions.