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For the love of God, don’t buy Jake First, let me say I feel a little creepy even writing about this, as it might further the sort of behavior I’m about to describe. I came across a story this morning about a woman who thinks her child is so cute that she has set up a Web site, buyjake.com, to offer the rights to clothe him in corporate logos for a year for only $100,000. (Something tells me the Olsen twins would cut a smarter deal.) The logic, if you strip out the tastelessness and child exploitation, is simple: As Jake’s mom gleefully explains, “When I’m taking him places, everyone seems to notice him and notice what he’s wearing. They always say he wears the cutest outfits, and I thought, someone should be paying me to put their logo on him. He gets so much attention.” Well, maybe the logic isn’t all that simple, because she makes Jake sound like some sort of rarity because people think he’s cute. Maybe I should give some leeway to a mother who is clearly besotted by her son ... or hold that thought ... maybe not. Whatever the case, that doesn’t excuse CNN, which according to Jake's blog (written in the first person, of course) has filmed a presumably fawning segment on the tot—a segment that hasn’t aired yet, due to a little war that’s broken out in the Mideast. Not does it excuse a company called perfectpopcorn.com, which has offered Jake a paltry $350 to serve as a one-month clotheshorse. Fortunately, the Associated Press story I mentioned above starts out as a human-interest feature but takes a sharp left turn. It extensively quotes a child psychiatrist on the dangers of introducing such pressures to a child. Jake, on his blog, says the story “isn't exactly what I expected.” —Posted by Catharine P. Taylor

July 25, 2006 | Permalink

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The childvertising continues. The latest incident comes to our attention courtesy of adfreak via Ilise from our Merchandising Department. It seems an enterprising mother is auctioning off the rights to clothe young Jake in corporate logo apparel for a ... [Read More]

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Comments

Run, Jake. Run as fast and as far as you can. A normal childhood is within reach if you just start running now. (Just tell Momsie you're going outside for a cool, refreshing Coca-Cola and a rich, flavorful Camel Filter. She'll be thrilled.)

Posted by: Bob | Jul 25, 2006 10:14:08 AM

Someday, likely in his teens, Jake is going to find out how twistedly brilliant his evil mother was. He will then join the Air Force and never call her and delete all of her emails.

Posted by: Where's My Jetpack? | Jul 25, 2006 10:32:11 AM

What a sick mother. Where is the father during all of this? She is worse than stage or cheerleading moms.

Posted by: Brent | Jul 25, 2006 11:21:11 AM

Wrong just wrong. Waiting for the reality show Pimp My Kid to launch next fall.

Posted by: Corey | Jul 25, 2006 11:23:24 AM

fascinating... I have never seen the word "cute" used so many times on a site

Posted by: heathen6 | Jul 25, 2006 2:57:12 PM

heathen6 - you obviously have never been to cuteteens.com

not that i have either.. im just sayin'...

Posted by: brent | Jul 25, 2006 3:45:59 PM

Check out the Mom's site.

http://www.newbabyhomepage.com/newbaby_blog.html

She is an attention whore and a wannabe star herself.

Be sure to scroll down and witness the Baby Jail her older son created for Jake, which she found delightful. I think the older son is going to have as many problems as Jake when he gets older. Notice the frozen smile - "Please find me cute too, Mommy!"

Posted by: Swamp Rat | Jul 25, 2006 3:47:23 PM

Oh My God. So wrong. why do so many people with children (babies) feel the need to push how cute & smart they are on you? Everyone thinks their baby is THE cutiest & THE smartest. Makes me want to run out & have my tubes tied. UGH. She's so annoying & I ache at the though that she doesn't know it.

Posted by: Lucy | Jul 25, 2006 4:00:24 PM

I applaud this. That kid should be wearing all the promotion his parents can wrap him in if he wants to go to college one day. He should also be taught some iconic ringtones to burble when around other adults. It should be both a visual and auditory experience. Lets get these tykes working young like they used to before there was mandatory schooling.

Posted by: Wenniway | Jul 25, 2006 10:24:38 PM

My kid can kick your honor students ass

Posted by: teenyweeny | Jul 26, 2006 2:52:55 PM

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