On the news today, I saw that the consumer watchdog group The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) is threatening to bring a lawsuit against McDonald's because the company refuses to stop a practice which is horribly, incredibly dangerous to our children.
Offering toys in Happy Meals.
It's shocking, I know. Apparently including toys in a Happy Meal is part of an insidious marketing plot to make the meal more appealing to children (duh), but the lure of those toys is deadly. "Why?!" you cry from the edge of your seat. Prepare yourselves: Happy Meals make kids fat.
That's right, that corporate powerhouse is killing our kids by force-feeding them greasy hamburgers and fries, thus causing rampant childhood obesity. Because kids will want a hamburger or deep-fried chicken less if a cheap wad of plastic wasn't included.
I'm the parent, not you. And definitely not McDonalds. I decide what my children eat, and I'm perfectly capable of making that decision, whether Happy Meals have toys or not.
I am so sick of groups like you trying to usurp my parental responsibilities; responsibilities that I hold sacred. McDonald's is a company, an entity whose sole purpose to make money. It's completely within their rights to market toys to children to get them to eat there. That's why they exist. It's not their job to make sure my kids are healthy, it's mine. I want it. I claim it. If I don't want to feed my kids a hamburger and fries, I won't. Period. But if I do want to, there had darn well better be a toy in that bag.
It's my job to say no, CSPI. Your threatened lawsuit is not only ridiculous, it is an insult to my intelligence and my competence as a parent.
What are you going to do next, CSPI? Threaten a lawsuit against restaurants with a dollar menu if they refuse to raise prices? After all, cheap, fast food is an insidious marketing ploy to get adults to eat there, and eating there could cause obesity!!
Doesn't that sound idiotic? That's because it is. And it's pretty much the same thing. I prefer the freedom to choose for myself, thank you.
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In other news: Look what I can do! I made a mei tai-style baby carrier using this tutorial. I added a few tweaks of my own, of course. I'd like to be able to come up with my own design eventually.
Joci loves it! I think babies like being in carriers like this. She was throwing a fit and stopped pretty much immediately when I put her in this for a test-run. 30 seconds later she was asleep.
So does Chaela. I put her in it and she kept telling me which way to go, like I was a horse. Then she told me to take her on a walk outside. What a charming daughter I have.
I have to admit, I love this thing because it can carry Joci or Chaela without a problem.
9 comments:
Good one Caitlyn! You do have rights and responsibilities as a parent don't give them up!
Yeah, I heard about that McDonald thing awhile ago, it is COMPLETELY ridiculous! I totally agree with you, I think it is the parents role to teach their children what kinds of foods to eat, and it's also their right to decide what their kids will eat. I'm glad that people out there want to make a change in the obesity levels out there, but why not try something that will actually be effective? Like taking more of a priority in parents knowing how to eat healthy, because studies have shown how influential parents eating habits are on their children (HUGE). Taking away a toy isn't necessarily going to change a child's desire for a hamburger. Most people go to restaurants to eat, and not so much for the toys, generally speaking, they are a perk, and they can keep your kid entertained if you're going to be in the car for awhile. I just think that whole concept is pretty much stupid.
On a happier note- totally love your baby carrier! I'm super impressed!
Love Cheala's comment lol she cracks me up ! so Adorable! love the carrier !
From a public health perspective I can see where they're coming from. That said, I agree with you. I see the toys as being different from the cartoon characters used to entice kids to try cigarettes. There is totally such a thing as taking it too far, and I think this is. We'll see if they pass it here...it's being seriously considered in my county.
That aside, you should really consider selling those wraps. They sell for about $100 in stores. You could promote them on Twitter. I know a lot of women who love those types of carriers.
Amen, Caitlyn. How silly to think that because there won't be a toy in their meal, parents will stop taking their children there. We go to McDonalds for CONVENIENCE, not for the toy--although, like you, I personally like the additional perk. I especially agree that our parental rights are sacred, and wish that more parents wouldn't shepherd them out to others just to escape blame.
I showed my wrap to a girl at Stroller Strides and she was really impressed! I agree with your friend, you SHOULD sell them!
Have you lost weight? Looking good. Probably from toting Chaela around.
Thanks for the responses everyone! You all added things that I couldn't quite get into words.
I'd love to sell the carriers, but I'll have to come up with a different design, since that one is copyrighted. I'm actually going to ask my neighbor about all that (he's a lawyer) once they get back from vacation, because I think I might like to sell them. I'll keep you all posted on that one, because I'll need you to tell all your friends if I do decide to sell some, ha ha.
Also, Caroline, you win my favorite person award indefinitely. Bless you.
I love your craft abilities! Lets hang out again soon - I'm pretty busy till after the 4th of July but soon we will craft and make cookies!
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