Last week, I came across an article on the Huffington Post that reported the consumer watchdog group the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) intends to sue McDonald’s because Happy Meal toys “unfairly and deceptively” entice children into wanting the food.
Seriously? Where is the weight of parental responsibility? The last time I checked, small children were not driving themselves to McDonald’s, cracking open their piggy banks and ordering a 4-piece chicken nugget Happy Meal with fries and a chocolate milk and oh, can I please have the Littlest Pet Shop toy with that?
According to the article in the Huffington Post, Michael Jacobson, executive director of CSPI, concedes that it is the parents’ responsibility too, but says including the toys with the meal is like “a door to door salesman coming to a family’s house every day and asking to privately speak with the children.”
“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.”
Welcome to being a parent. The word “no” is a significant part of the vocabulary. And that door to door salesman business? If I don’t want a door to door salesman asking to speak to my kids, I have the power to close (or not answer) the door. If I don’t want my kids bombarded with McDonald’s and other fast food ads or ads for grocery store food pushed by cute and engaging characters, I know exactly where the “off” button on the television is.
I understand parents getting worn down and giving in from time to time. Trust me, “oh, all right!” has escaped my lips more than a few times. But I still get to be in control.
We just came back from a mini-vacation to Holiday World. We had McDonald’s on the way down and (gasp!) on the way back. Heading to Holiday World, we let the kids get Happy Meals — with apples instead of fries (no caramel dip because it makes a huge, sticky mess) and milk instead of soda. My choice, not theirs. Why? Because I’m the mom and I said so.
On the way back, we bought two #4s — the two cheeseburger and fries meal, threw in an extra cheeseburger and three small soft drinks to feed the whole family. No toys, but the kids were still happy to have Mickey D’s. We could have done the apples again, but I was trying to feed all five of us on less than $15 to keep us under our vacation budget.
And tonight we’re having the FitCity Roast Turkey, Sundried Tomato and Basil wraps with a side of fresh melon. Would my kids prefer to have McDonald’s again? Probably. But we won’t. Why? Because I’m the mom and I said so. And I don’t need the Center for Science in the Public Interest to fight that battle for me.
If CSPI wants to remove a parenting pressure for me, maybe they can help me figure out which school is best for my kid with sensory processing issues or how much freedom to give my 13 year old or how to convince the 11 year old that he’s too young to worry about getting a girlfriend.
Whether McDonald’s is giving away free toys in their Happy Meals? Small potatoes.
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I totally agree with you, Amy. It really irks me that someone is suing a corporation for doing their job. McDonald’s is a business, and in putting toys in their Happy Meals, they are doing a fine job in marketing. If they get most of their money from parents who can’t say no to their kids, that is not their fault.
Parents should take responsibility for the nutrition of their children. And if they can’t say “no” to the whining for a happy meal, they have some issues they need to work out.
I SO AGREE!!
Something else… my kids pay very little attention to the toys in a Happy Meal. The only time Teagan has shown any interest in when they had mini My Little Ponies. Zach couldn’t care any less. We often take the toy and automatically put it in the “Donate to Goodwill” bin.
The other thing we do is talk a lot about what constitutes a healthy choice when we eat out. When we do go to McD’s or Wendy’s, my kids see me making a healthy meal choice (I know exactly what I can order at most of the fast food places- and what places to completely avoid altogether). We also encourage their healthy choices (as best we can since we are at McD’s). Hamburger, apples, water. It’s not a terrible meal. For a big treat, nuggets OR fries. But even if I let Zach get nuggets and apples- he eats all the apples and maybe eats one nugget.
It’s all about the rules we set as parents, the example we show as parents, and the priorities and values we live by as a family.
The toy isn’t evil, the company isn’t evil… parents who can’t say no… well… ok, not evil. But don’t blame toys and companies for your inability to say No!
If they sue McDonalds for enticing kids with toys, who will they sue next, Toys R Us? Walmart? Or maybe even Santa?? As John Stossel would say, ‘Gimme a Break!’
He has got to be kidding!!! Is related to the lady who sued McDonald’s when she put the hot cup of coffee between her legs while driving and burned herself? McDonald’s has been putting little toys in their happy meals since that idiot was a kid himself! Maybe his mommy wouldn’t buy them for him and he’s jealous. The man is a quack!!! Read his bio: http://activistcash.com/biography.cfm/b/1284-michael-jacobson
We were forced to wash our hands of McDonald’s when they began washing their fries in something milk based. It was, I suppose, an unintended blessing but I have been known to buy the toy without the food.. the Madame Alexander Wizard of Oz dolls, The Incredible collection. Some fiend once tried to give away my stretchy arm Ms. Incredible. Oh, the fury! I even bought a few before I had kids. I agree this is a good example where parents could use a NO nudge. Signed- toy lover/butane coated nugget hater.
I’m writing from work, so I’ll be brief, very well written. Even if every parent who should say no actually did, there’s plenty of parents who say “yes.” That’s most of the business anyway. McDonalds is profitable because people want to go there, not because of wek will and begrudging parents.
The road to hell is paved with “good intentions,” like the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI).
I agree!!! So ridiculous to sue a company over something that parents can control. It is up to the parents, not a restaurant, to teach kids to make healthy choices and also up to the parent to decide when the kids can have a “not so ” healthy meal. I only have a problem with it when the toys offered and marketed to young ones are from a PG-13 movie. If they are going to provide a toy, at least make it age appropriate. And many fast food restaurants and even some sit down places offer prizes with meals, so why pick on Mcdonalds? If you are going to sue, at least sue everyone.
This lawsuit just says “parents you aren’t in control, your children are.” And my girls typically pick the apples and milk when I give them the choice but occasionally if they want fries or apple juice I let them, but tell them it is a treat. Parents should be accountable for teaching their kids about nutrition, and as Liz said, we can’t blame toy companies and restaurants for our decisions. They aren’t forcing us to go there or to buy the meals.
I couldn’t agree with you more. Very well said. I have a McDonald’s right across the street from where I live. GASP. If it were up to my daughter, she’d be having McDonald’s for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. That is not an option. So I have to say no quite regularly. I have no problem with that. Also, when we do buy meals, she will ask for a happy meal simply because of the toy. I have to remind her that I’m not getting a happy meal just because she wants the toy. Also, I explain to her that a happy meal is no longer enough for her because she’s older now and needs to eat more than just 4 nuggets. So again, I’m denying the toy. She deals with it and we’re all happy. There’s no issue here.
Well said, Amy!! I heard that news clip was thinking, “really?” While my kids love that big goofy clown, they know I’m the mom. I agree with Kristi about the PG-13 movie toys though–they make me crazy. Not an age-appropriate for anyone who may be buying the meal.
@Kristi – Great point about the toys pushing non-age appropriate stuff. And I’m so glad that several of you believe it’s the parent’s responsibility to make — and to teach our kids to make — healthy choices. I think fast food falls into the “everything in moderation” category. Chances are if we expose our kids to healthy, fresh food the majority of the time, they won’t like the fast food much when they do get it.
I’m going to break ranks here a bit.
Yes, parental responsibility is paramount.
But we live in a society in which there is just so much to say no to.
I’m glad for those of you who have kids to whom the toys don’t matter at all. In our family, especially at certain ages, you’d think one of my kids had lost a winning lottery ticket if they didn’t get the toy they’d hoped for. And then there’s the matter of the child wanting to go back again and again to collect the whole set.
Of course I say no. And yes, the passion for the toy eventually fades. But it creates stress that didn’t need to happen. I’ve always wondered why the meals are called “happy” when they more often than not bring misery.
I’ve noticed shirts at Kohl’s in the boys’ dept that are sold with a toy. You think the kid is going to ask for the shirt and then never wear it? Of course, because he never really saw the shirt in the first place — he was looking only at the toy. Every time I see something that “comes with a toy” I blame McD’s. Or maybe I should blame Cracker Jack, come to think of it!
Anyway, do I blame them to the extent of abdicating my own responsibility? Of course not. But I would like us to take back our society — to make this an easier place to raise kids. Why do we have to let the corporations keep making it harder? If not the lawsuit, what kind of action would get their attention?
Kris – You make a good point. I guess it goes back to the concept of “it takes a village.” How can we help each other raise our kids to be positive, contributing members of society? Thanks for giving us another viewpoint to consider.
I totall agree with you, Amy. What’s next? Suing the sugary cereal, candy, or ice cream companies because their packaging and/or incentives entice the consumer? The only ones who benefit from these lawsuits are the lawyers.
I actually know somebody who will take their kid to McDonald’s (or another fast food spot) each week to get the new toy in the series. If the Mickey D’s they went to doesn’t have the newest one? They actually drive to another one. Those are the parents that need to learn how to say the word NO!
My kids don’t have access to things that I don’t give them access to. Suing isn’t going to take away the stupidity and spinelessness of parents who want to blame the toys for feeding thier kids crap. Would I prefer that McDonalds and other fast food joints were a bit healthier? Of course. But even with the unhealthy standards, if it is only an occasional treat it won’t kill us.
Here’s the new challenge… having a husband who wants his own set of Marvel Happy Meal toys. Ha!
@Liz – Your dh should get together with B’s friend and ask them to mail the toys. Or maybe he could buy them on eBay? At the very least, he could get a hamburger with apple slices and milk.