Parenting

I was looking over the news today when I saw the following headline: San Francisco Moving Toward Ban Of Toys From Most McDonald's Happy Meals.

Ok, I get it- happy meals are not the most nutritious food out there. But really? Yes, if you eat a happy meal (or two) a day for 10 years, you're gonna be obese- plain and simple. Moderation is the key factor here, just like with anything. I think more importantly, I don't understand why we are blaming the company rather than holding parent's responsible for what they are feeding their children.

I have nothing against happy meals, honestly. My kids have had their share of happy meals. Do they get them daily, or even weekly? No. But they have had them before.

I guess I don't understand the concept. They are taking the toys out of happy meals to decrease the incentive of wanting a happy meal. Just out of curiosity, how many 2 year olds do you see buying their own happy meals? None. Sure, kids look forward to the toys when they get their happy meals, but in reality it is the parents that make the decision. It is the parents that choose to feed their children the food. So why take the "incentive" out, when really it isn't up to the child in the first place?

Unless of course it is. I have seen a lot of parents that don't seem to grasp the concept of parenting. They tell their child to do something, the child says "no, I'm going to do this" and the parent just shrugs their shoulders and says ok.

It is kind of coincidental that I saw this article today. When I was in the grocery store earlier, I saw a mom with her 2 kids. Based on looks alone, I'd say one child was an infant, maybe around Mason's age, and the other was 2ish. The 2 year old asked for a cookie. The mom said no, it is almost lunch time. The 2 year old throws himself on the ground, kicking and screaming. The mom stares at him for a minute, then starts to look around. Suddenly the child jumps up and starts sweeping things off the shelves with his hands. The mom panics and opens a box of cookies. At this point the child is enraged. He throws the cookie back at his mom, then starts hitting and punching her. Then I heard "Honey, if you stop kicking and hitting mommy, I will buy you a toy AND a candy bar when we leave!". The kid immediately stops, and asks to be put in the cart. The mom puts him in the cart and walks off towards the aisle with the toys, leaving me speechless and embarrassed because I just witnessed such disrespect.

I get that 2 year olds act out, but really? I'm still in shock about it. Granted, none of my children have ever thrown a fit in public, so I can't say for certain how I would react. I can, however, guarantee that it would not involve a bribe.

In my eyes, the parent is supposed to raise a child to have morals and ethics, and to be an upstanding citizen. You (used in the general term, obviously) are supposed to teach your child to respect others, respect themselves, and respect the law. You teach them to have priorities, and you teach them how to act like a civilized human being. You don't shelter them from all the ugly in the world (otherwise they will be shell shocked once they reach the real world). You do your best and make sure that you're raising a proper human being.

I'm far from a perfect parent, but at least its apparent that I try. Maybe I'm old school and need some enlightenment. I always wonder if the children that act out in public act out at home as well. Oh, to be a fly on the wall in some homes. Oh well.

Climbing off my rambled soap box now. Maybe I'll head to McDonald's for a happy meal and a toy.....