Joanna. 21. Student.
Things that you'll find on my blog-
Doctor Who. Merlin. Sherlock. Jane Austen. Toy Story. Pixar. Harry Potter. Game of Thrones. I.T. Crowd. Big Bang Theory. Friends. Cats. Avengers.
When I was a child, from the time I was about four and could understand things, my mom told me and my brother that we should have a secret word. That way, if we were ever in trouble or felt unsafe and we didn’t want the people around us to know we needed her to come get us, we could let her know. So she let us pick the word and my brother and I chose the phrase “peanut butter cups.” (I’m happy to share the phrase now since both my brother and I are adults now).
I used the phrase twice in my life. Once, I was at a friends house when I eight years old. Her dad got really drunk and was throwing things against the wall. I was really scared and I didn’t want to draw attention to myself on the phone when I called my mom to come get me because I didn’t know if he would get more violent if I asked her to come get me. So I called her and was calm and after a couple minutes I asked “Hey mommy, did you get me those peanut butter cups from the store?” And she said “I’ll be right there.” And she came and got me within minutes.
Second, I was a teenager spending the night at a friends house. Her brother and dad were drinking and they started talking about things that made me uncomfortable - ie: what they liked to do to women. My friend didn’t seem perturbed and said that was normal for them and that I shouldn’t worry. But I was worried because they were really drunk and I was 15 and the only ‘woman’ around that wasn’t related to them. I went in my friends room, told her I needed to call my mom and say goodnight. Before I hung up with her I asked “Next time we go to the store, can we get some peanut butters cups? I’ve been craving them.” And she came and got me, just like that.
Two incidents, one as a young child, one years later as a teen. Don’t discredit this stuff, it fucking works. My brother used it a few times too. Let your child pick the word and no never, ever, ever, ever get mad at them for using it no matter what it is.
I’ve had it with the argument that if an adult doesn’t like a children’s show, it’s because that show is aimed for kids.
Do you know who hated that argument?
Walter Elias Disney.
Do you know who created a multi billion dollar industry that’s going strong after almost 90 years?
Walter Elias Disney.
Do you know who once said, “You’re dead if you aim only for kids. Adults are only kids grown up, anyway.”
Walter Elias Disney.
Walt Disney knew the importance of marketing to both children and adults. He knew that you needed to make timeless creations that could be enjoyed by people of every age.
Do you know why nostalgic shows like Looney Tunes, Animaniacs, Hey Arnold, Batman: The Animated Series, Powerpuff Girls, etc. are often quoted by millennials these days? Because they treated us like adults. They were arranged so that adults could like them just as much as kids.
Do you know why shows like Avatar: The Last Airbender, Legend of Korra, Over The Garden Wall, Gravity Falls, and Steven Universe are so popular today? Because they follow the same principle.
And do you know why things like the new Spongebobs, the Powerpuff Girls reboot, and Teen Titans Go are failing miserably? Because they’re only aimed at young children, instead of expanding their demographic to include people of all ages. And in a few years, they’ll be forgotten. Because all of the jokes are aimed towards the children of 2016. And those children will be long gone.
