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Ok, so I saw this the other day…I’m not sure how I feel about it. Well, maybe I am! In California, Silicon Valley, the county voted this week to ban restaurants from giving away toys and other FREEbies that come with kids meals, to curb the childhood obesity epidemic.
Now, here’s my problem: Why are government officials punishing kids for parents lack of backbone? The kids can’t have toys anymore because their parents can’t say no? I mean, I have 4 kids, most of them grown, but if they took away the kids toys, my kids would still have wanted to go to McDonald’s over a healthier option. It is MY job to decide what, when, and where they eat – not theirs and not the government.
Maybe I ‘m old school, but, throwing a tantrum for not getting your way was/is not allowed in my house! They knew good and well if they went to McDonald’s it wasn’t their choice, unless I specifically asked them where they wanted to go. As a parent these children were given to me to raise, not the government, not teachers, and certainly not themselves!
My take on this is they are saying if they take away the toys, then the kids won’t want to go to fast food places anymore – is that really what they think will happen? It’s the parents – not the kids! So, are they trying to make it easier on the parents – that they don’t have to “argue” with their kids over where to go because now there isn’t a toy involved? What kind of parent is that?! Now, I am old school in that, I am NEVER gonna argue with my kids, what I say is law. When you have a house and you pay your rent and food then you can argue in YOUR house! ‘Cause I don’t care if you’re 99 don’t come into my house and try to argue with me, I’m the Mama! lol
Sara @ Saving For Someday says
Thank you for saying this out loud! You’re absolutely right that it’s the parents making the choice, not the kids. This whole lack of taking responsibility for our actions is just getting annoying. Everything is now someone else’s fault and we have to be saved from our own stupidity. If anything, I think this can backfire. Because instead of eating the $4.99 kid meal with small portion b/c it comes with a toy, now the parent will just ‘Super Size It’ for $3 and give the kid 5x as much food for less money. Awesome! I don’t think they really thought it out very well.
.-= Sara @ Saving For Someday´s last blog ..Random Acts of Kindness – Day 30: Pay It Forward =-.
Dian says
@Sara @ Saving For Someday: Thanks Sara. It just doesn’t make sense to me. I totally agree with you about the cheaper LARGER meal! Crazy!
Thanks!
Dian
Jasmine says
I’m with you 100%. It’s ridiculous honestly. Unless theres a law in Cali I don’t know about that allows kids being able to drive themselves to fast food restaurants, there’s no reason to take out the toys. This option is all about the parent. And nowadays with all the $1 value menu options, just buy your kid food off of that if you are having ‘issues’ with the toy.
.-= Jasmine´s last blog ..FREE Kraft Salad Dressing @ Tom Thumb this Weekend! =-.
Dian says
@Jasmine: I just don’t know who it’s aimed at: Fast Food restaurants – need to change their menu? Kids – are they supposed to ask to go to Balack-Eyed Pea now? Parents – taking the wieght off of them so they don’t have to say no to their kids? I don’t get where they’re going. It’s our job to keep our kids healthy, not to mention our BUSINESS! lol
Thanks!
Dian