Does McDonalds prey on weak parenting?

Apparently, the Center for Science in the Public Interest believes that McDonalds preys on weak parenting, so they are suing McDonalds.  Actually, according to this article from Google, they are alledging the chain is “unfairly and deceptively” marketing the toys to children to sell Happy Meals.  But, whose fault is it?  McDonalds, or weak parents?

I say it’s not McDonalds fault that parents can’t say no to their little snowflakes snowballs, but the parents’.  They should try it.  It’s an easy word consisting of two little letters: n-o.  One syllable: no.  It can be said in a variety of ways; soothing: noooo; commanding: NO!; or simply: no.

“At some point parents get worn down,” Jacobson says. “They don’t always want to be saying no to their children. We feel like an awful lot of parents would be relieved if this one pressure was removed from them.”

Let’s practice.  “Mommy, can we go to McDonalds again today?”  “No. We ate there yesterday and the day before.”  “Please?”  “No.”  “Pretty please?  I promise to clean my room, walk the dog, and cure cancer!”  “No.”  “But, Mom!”  “No.  That’s final.  If I hear another word about it, I will send you to your room.”

See?  That’s simple.  Parents need to stop being friends to their children and be the parents they need.  Parenting is never about making simple choices and winning popularity contests with your children.  Parenting is hard work.  Proper parenting is almost never popular to your children – until they are grown and have children of their own and can understand why you forbade them to play in the tub with a hairdryer.

So, McDonalds gives out toys with their Happy Meals.  Big deal.  They’ve been doing that ever since I knew what the Golden Arches looked like.  I’ve had my share of Happy Meals and the included toys.  Sure, we ate there at times, but not all the time – my parents knew how to say no.  I learned that from them and practiced it on my own two children.  Now, they are grown and seemingly unscarred.

To the Center for Science in the Public Interest: I’ve got an idea.  Instead of suing McDonalds for providing toys in their meals, why don’t you sue parents who can’t say no?

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