Comments on: Does Mattel Think Moms Don’t Know Their Sons? Here’ s My Take (since I was there)

By: Raijean

Raijean — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 22:06:37 +0000

In reply to The Mama Maven. Cool beans!

By: Jill

Jill — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 02:38:12 +0000

Thank you for posting your take!! I am the mom of three boys and never would have taken that stance or even thought to be offended. I think Mattel was targeted off of one person’s “view” which was taken totally out of context (they weren’t even involved!!!) and it exploded. Unfortunately for Mattel, they got blasted. Fortunately for Mattel, and the rest of us boy moms, Hot Wheels will never die.

By: Holly Homer

Holly Homer — Sun, 17 Mar 2013 18:59:10 +0000

I think what got me really upset when I heard about it was the quote from Matt Petersen that the reason why their sales were down was because mom “has never played with them….She doesn’t get why cars, engines, and all the shapes and crashing and smashing are so cool.” And that the disconnect between son and mom was the reason why they were having a problem selling toy cars and accessories.

I just think that it might have been a better strategy to ask moms why they aren’t buying these things instead of assuming it is because we are clueless boy moms. I have 3 strong reasons why I haven’t been buying as many of their products, but none of those were addressed in any coverage that I have found over this event.

By: The Mama Maven

The Mama Maven — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 20:27:15 +0000

In reply to musingsfromme/jill.

Hi Jill,
Yes, we knew there was a reporter there. He quoted me accurately and was nice. I’m not sure why Mattel is being made to seem like they were bad guys, though they could have phrased some of their statements a little more carefully — anyone is going to get upset if anyone tells them they don’t know their kids. I think other points of the brunch could have been focused on. It was more than just about play. As bloggers, we’all been to intimate lunches with excellent discussions — kind of a focus group. I left energized and full of ideas — I never would have stayed if I felt I was being talked down to.

By: kim/the maker mom

kim/the maker mom — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 14:15:28 +0000

As the mom of two boys (and no girls), I do agree that they are different creatures. They are now 12 and 14, but I remember a long ago playdate with a friend who also had two boys puzzling over the way our kids related to each other. They’d throw things and kick balls and generally have a good time, but they wouldn’t, you know SIT or Talk to each other in a substantial way, which is essentially how the other mom spent OUR playdate time. In that sense, I get it and I’m supportive of Mattel’s efforts.

But just because my boys had no interest in crafting or baking–my oldest told me quite bluntly at age 6 that we simply have different interests- didn’t mean I didn’t play cars with him. Just because he took the pink toy stroller (no other color choice) I bought to prepare him to be a big brother and rammed it into our walls, didn’t leave me at a loss for how to spend our hours together.

I read books about raising boys and if Mattel wants to share that info with moms, fine. But if they’re trying to recoup their market losses, maybe they should invest in focus groups instead. No doubt my boys had hundreds of cars, some Matchbox, some Hot Wheels, some off-brands, but all of the old sets wound up in the trash within a few months or years because they broke or we lost parts and they could only be used a certain way or because my boys lost interest. Those wooden train sets, though? They were played with for years and now they’re in a huge box in my basement waiting (hopefully a decade at least) until I have grandchildren.

By: musingsfromme/jill

musingsfromme/jill — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 12:39:12 +0000

Good post. I’m interested in knowing if you knew that there was a reporter at the Mattel event. And were you comfortable with the reporter being there?

By: The Mama Maven

The Mama Maven — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 03:48:08 +0000

In reply to Raijean. I know, right? I actually LOVED your idea about using the cars to do math problems. I'll email you.

By: Raijean

Raijean — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 03:30:48 +0000

Finally, someone who was there! I for the life of me can’t understand how people who weren’t at an event can come to such incorrect conclusions! Even going so far as to say we were drunk! Like I told the “humor blogger” I have a MBA in Finance, I think i know how to play with a car. Great recap!

By: The Mama Maven

The Mama Maven — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 19:56:11 +0000

In reply to jeanne. Thanks Jeanne.

By: jeanne

jeanne — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 19:51:47 +0000

Very interesting to hear from a mom who was actually there. Thanks for sharing your insight!