Having been in the advertising, marketing and creative line for some time now, I suddenly saw how much parenting and advertising had in common when I watched my son eat all the vegetables on his plate after a painful lecture from me. He ate it with a sullen face and fear flashed in his eyes because I threatened eternal hunger. I know, I knowspare me the lecture.

When it occurred to me, I felt that all those past behavior and tactics that Ive used and employed were all wrong. You see, this is the conclusion we can draw when looking at advertising and marketing and parenting.

In Advertising and Marketing, youre always trying to get people to believe you, your company and have faith and trust in your products or services. Youre trying to use tactics, imageries, words to lure your customers into your dock instead of the competitors.

In Parenting, youre trying to get your children to behave in a way that you believe he or she should the way that you think is best for him or her. Youre trying to induce good behavior and habits.

In advertising and marketing, there are two methods we can usethe Push method and the Pull method.

The Push method is the very crude method of selling and marketing. Thats like PUSHING something into someones mouth, yes, imagine that. Essentially, what the Push method is all about is using a very aggressive and upfront method of promoting a service or product. Just like the insurance salesman who comes to your door and refuses to go away!

With the Pull method, were trying to achieve the same thing but with a different method. Youre enticing them, teasing them, make them think and decide. Youre luring them and telling them that they SHOULD think about it. Youre pulling at them using very subtle hints and methodologies. Youre not in their face but youre trying to get into their minds and their hearts. This is what the Pull method (the gist of it, anyway) all about.

In parenting, you dont have to guess which method works better.but yes, the Pull method. Like the insurance salesman at your door, if you are using an aggressive method of trying to get your children to behave, you might have to accept the fact that every day could be a battle. Your children may fight you because of the way the lessons are being taught. On the other hand, if you use the pull method, they might end up thinking that they made the decision all by themselves!

So, the next time you want to pick up the cane or raise your voice, think of the insurance salesman at the door who refuses to go away!