Tears of a Clown

5-18-11

McDonald’s is not to blame for your kid being fat.



Parents of this world, stop it! At some point in your life, you chose to have a child. It may have been an active choice. It may have been because of choices you made when it comes to safe sex. Either way, you went into that hospital and you had yourself a baby.



You loved this baby. Sure, this may be an assumption on my part, but I like to think that the vast majority doesn’t hate their kid. You kept this baby safe. You taught them to not stick metal rods into an outlet. You explained to them that they cannot fly without an airplane or hang glider. You showed them that when people draw animals talking and singing, it is really funny.



Then one day, as you are out driving, I assume with your kid secured safely in their car seat, your child sees this giant M. “Mama, what is that?” “Why, son, that is a place called McDonalds. I should have covered the windows on the mini van because now it is too late to keep you from their massive power. We shall eat there, now, every time you want to, because you are now the boss of me.”



Are you serious? Is this how it works? If you listened to these people trying to retire Ronald McDonald, you would think that must be how they see it.



Corporations are not in charge of what our kids do. We are the ones who get to guide them, and explain to them what is good and what is bad. And, what is bad, but ok in moderation.



I take my kids to McDonalds. You know what? I also have to practically force them to eat it because they are way more interested in the playground than consumption of the greasy goodness that is a McDonald’s French Fry. Do they ask me if they can go to McDonald’s every time they see it? They sure do. But do I go every time. Not even a little bit.



Stop blaming advertising for the flaws of our society. Last time I checked, we have this really cool thing called free will. Go ahead and exercise that, and teach your kids about it, too. Let them know that if they decide to eat Big Macs everyday, they will look like Po from Kung Fu Panda, without the awesome Kung Fu skills.



Teach your kids. Talk to your kids. If you are so concerned with the images they see, it is your duty to make sure they understand the ramifications of acting on impulse. Don’t blame the clown, folks. You are a bigger clown if you truly think that one fictional character is the main reason your kid has issues.