Vodafone, don’t interfere with our parenting…

Today, my lovely readers, I would like to discuss with you the latest Vodafone TV advert. It has been on our screens for the last month or so and it infuriates me almost beyond words..almost. The advert is titled A happy bus journey, if you don’t know the one I mean then here it is..

I don’t know about you but this advert makes me mad, probably too mad really. I am not one for moaning about such petty things and if you were to scroll through my timeline you would have a hard job finding one of those ‘Facebook rants’  the kids of today go on about. However, I feel I need to talk about this advert just to get it out of my system and to find out if I am on my own here or not.

We have all been this poor woman at some point haven’t we? Maybe not necessarily stuck on a bus with a crying toddler but unless you have a very rare, angelic little darling, I’m sure you have had to deal with a public display of toddler fury at some point. Whenever my boy has a tantrum in public I do find it quite difficult to cope and really embarrassing but if people want to sigh, put their headphones on or shake their heads in disgust that’s fine, that’s their decision.
However, it is my responsibility to console my screaming toddler not anyone else’s. Sorry if my crying child is annoying you but you, my friend, can put your headphones on, stick your fingers in your ears or even walk away, all luxuries denied to me. I totally relate to this woman on the bus and I feel sorry for her because I know how hard it is when your child is inconsolable but, unlike this lady, I would not be smiling if some stranger decided to interfere.
Now, I will be honest, I am no stranger to using technology to distract Leo or calm him down. Many a lunch out has been saved by Peppa Pig and a recent meltdown in John Lewis was extinguished with bribes of watching Noddy when we got home. However, it is not something I allow all the time and it is definitely not up to someone else to decide it for me. For all we know, that little boy could have been crying because his mum had said he can’t watch Cbeebies until they got home? For all that man knew the little boy could be scared of Dora the Explorer , which could have resulted in even more crying. 
Perhaps I am overreacting, I just feel the marketing minds at Vodafone could have thought up something else to show off their new super fast 4G network. I am concerned that as a result of this advert, inpatient people across the country are going to start shoving smartphones in the faces of grumpy toddlers to keep them quiet. Maybe 3 years of studying media at uni has forced me to analyse adverts too much or maybe I am just in a bad mood lately but Vodafone you have disappointed me and have made me glad to be an EE customer. 
Phew, I actually do feel better for having a good old rant. I feel like I can happily change channels when this advert comes on now, instead of forcing myself to watch it just so I can sit and scowl at the TV.
How would you feel if a stranger got involved while your child was having a tantrum? Would you be grateful? Am I just horrible? Let me know!
Super Busy Mum
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4 Comments

  1. October 20, 2015 / 8:44 am

    Commenting from NZ, so I haven't seen this ad, but your description of it winds me up a bit too! In the first place, you're absolutely right that I'd prefer not to have to deal with a 'helpful' stranger as well as trying to console an upset child. Additionally advertising that preys on parents' insecurities of any sort turns me right off companies and products. I hope we don't see that Vodafone one here any time soon! #TwinklyTuesday (yearsareshort.com)

  2. October 22, 2015 / 3:21 pm

    I agree, this advert does my head in and I would not be happy if a complete stranger interfered with me and my children like this! x

  3. October 31, 2015 / 9:59 pm

    Ohh you are officially my furthest away commenter ever :). Yes, advertisers should be trying to make us want to buy their products, not piss us off. Tantrums are hard enough with nosey strange aren't they?!xx

  4. October 31, 2015 / 10:00 pm

    It's so annoying, isn't it?!xx