They are going to ban toys in happy meals way out yonder in Calyforny. There is another group that claims Ronald McDonald is evil. Never mind he also represents Ronald McDonald House, a wonderful charity. He is making America's children fat. Lets outlaw salt while we're at it. People its called "personal responsibility ". Fast food doesn't make kids fat. It's parents who can't or won't say no who make kids fat.
What brought this rant on happened at Gabe's dentist office today. A young lad of about 4 decided to leave the waiting room . His mother told him to come back to her or he would be sorry. He thought about it and continued out the door. She caught him and gave him a quick, light swat on the rump and put him in his chair. After a momentary howl, he seemed to accept his fate and sat there quietly. Was this a Marlboro smoking, 300lb Wal-mart queen? No it was a very pretty and well dressed young lady. Was everyone else "outraged and offended"? No we all figured the little rascal got what he asked for. For you see she had given him a choice," personal responsibility " and had shown him that there were consequences for making the wrong choice. Now do I think whooping the tar out of a child is a good idea? No of course not, never. What I'm talking about is showing a child that they are accountable for their actions. So perhaps when they grow up they will realize that cramming that second Big Mac into their gullet may not be a good idea, but they are the ones deciding the issue. Like I always say, what do I know.
Oh, there is no perfect 'parenting', is there? So many interferences from the outside, not to mention personality differences etc. I think my children probably taught me more than I did them!
ReplyDeleteBut when it comes to Ronald... he scares me! I am always thinking he is about to break out of his mold to become something really frightening. He watches your every move while eating your burger. There is something very weird about him...
(Perhaps my watching too many scary movies during the 80's is catching up with me!)
Ohhhh you know an awful lot and I agree with every jot and tittle written here. Tell it, James! :)
ReplyDeleteTrue parenting is hard work! You actually have to get up out of your easy chair and chase "junior" down and deal with him -- sometimes for the "umpteenth" time that day. Parenting by remote control just doesn't cut it.
Thanks for yet another fantastic post!
Hoping you have a great weekend!
P.S. How lucky little Gabe is to have you as a buddy.
I agree completely! Unfortunately, the idea of personal responsibility has become so nonexistent for so many people that its become necessary for these kinds of bans. We don't want to be babysat by anyone, but we've (as a collective whole) brought it on ourselves. Really irritating for those of us who *are* responsible.
ReplyDeleteOh dear. And isn't it funny that they'd rather put Big Macs on the list of illegal substances than prohibiting tobacco?
ReplyDeletePS: Thank you so so so much for the lovely packet, it arrived today. I haven't dared looking into it as I wanted to wait for little L. She'll be back from nursery soon. Oh, and if she gets fat now, I'll blame it on you :D
Well said, sir. Personal responsibility is no longer en vouge. And the current administration is seeking to relieve us of it altogether. It's a sad, sad world.
ReplyDeleteI would like to comment on McDonald's. May I say I do believe 200% in personal responsibility. That having been said, I do think that McD could tweak their offerings by reducing fat, sugar, and salt. It is not their responsibility, yes, I agree; but they are a "food outlet chain" ( what else can they be called) that is cheap convenient and ubiquitous. If they could keep their place in the economy and yet cater more healthily to people who will not (I didn't say CAN not) make another choice for many reasons- most of them educational and economic- it might be a positive step for all concerned. You can go very carefully down slippery stairs but if the person responsible for those stairs makes them safer... do I make sense? N.B. I NEVER go to McD: too much salt, too much sugar, too much fat, slapped on something impossible to call food, as in decent food. I have many other choices for reasons of economics and education, probably. The only redeeming quality is Ronald McDonald House. Bravo for that.
ReplyDelete300 lb Walmart Queen...James that actually made me laugh out loud. I concur with your points and premise....good post...and a very funny photo as well.
ReplyDeleteMight I add that I OFTEN go to Mcdonalds when travelling on the highway, for one important reason: they have the consistantly cleanest bathrooms of all fast food chains (has to do with their hygiene standards or something). When I feel guilty about using their bathrooms "for free", I get a tea most of the time and a salad sometimes. But then I am a law abiding, morally apt, tax paying and responsible grown up like all of you.
ReplyDeleteAre they really going to stop putting toys in happy meals? What a shame if so, I always found them quite clever little things.
ReplyDeleteAlways hate to see kids get away with not minding. It makes their parents look so foolish when they stand their shouting.
Lize-I know what you mean, clowns really bother me
ReplyDeleteTBL- Parenting is one job I wouldn't want to do again.
Gingeraella- I agree 100%
MM- that's what drives me crazy!
JBD- thank you
Jeanne-Aelia- I agree they could offer these things, but will they sell? I'm a strong believer in the free market. and don't think they should be forced to do something that loses money.
MLS- Thanks, I wonder if we should start a defense fund for him?
joelle- I never thought about it, but you're right about the restrooms.
Shelly- It's only one county in Calf......so far!
I think that was very well said, and kudos to that mama who loves her son enough to discipline him when he blatantly disobeys her. I know too many people who are afraid to discipline their little ones.
ReplyDeleteGood sense Mr."Man". Always enjoy your posts.JQ
ReplyDeleteCheers James!
ReplyDeleteThe Husband and I were only having a conversation just like this one last night about children and little spankings. I think that's what is wrong with the generation after mine (I'm sounding like an old fogey now), they didn't get spanked!
Bring back spankings and save happy meal toys!! :-)
"Personal responsibility"....HEAR HEAR James.....brilliantly put.
ReplyDeleteRonald McDonald is evil.....puh-lease??!!
Thank you as always for your comments over at mine, you always make me smile :)
Happy Week-end!
I do find Ronald McDonald a deeply creepy character - surely he has inspired more nightmares than happy dreams for kids. Good luck to McDonalds that they can get anyone to buy their junk - their burgers are unpalatable and horrid - although the salads are okay.
ReplyDeleteJames I am in total agreement with you. While I am not yet a parent, but everyone can make decisions for themselves and are responsible for their actions. Great topic and funny image!! Hope you have a wonderful weekend :)
ReplyDeleteHi James,
ReplyDeleteYou hit the nail right on the head! What has happened to us in the last 40 years? Everything is the other guys fault! What happened to taking ownership of our own decisions?
When I was young I remember my mom or dad would give me "the look", it was enough to scare the you-know-what-out of me and I shaped right up. If I did something unacceptable I remember waiting for Daddy to get home because I was in for it - but he just had to give me that look of disappointment - far worse than any spanking! Then I'd loose my priviledges, or get extra chores (remember those?) The point is, I had to try to do the right thing, to show respect, and to understand my personal responsibility for my actions good or bad.
Wouldn't it be great if we taught more responsibility, and there was less of a feeling of entitlement in our kids.
The end of my speech.
Ahhh, that feels better...
Have a great weekend.
XO
Heidi - Heart and Home
Amen! I agree 100%. Sadly, I fear that personal responsibility will never come back...People are getting too rich suing others for their own poor choices and accidents.
ReplyDeleteDOUBLE AMEN!!!! I am a teacher, and I totally believe that our young ones think they can boss adults around because they don't get "what they are asking for" at home! Oh, how true, James, how true!!! Spare the rod......
ReplyDeleteThank you sir for coming to visit my overly feminine post, but I do appreciate that you commented! Your writing is insightful and witty, and I think my husband would just love to come by and agree wholeheartedly with you!
Cheers, Anita
Dear James,
ReplyDeleteI'm a great believer in everything in moderation and there is nothing wrong with a Maccy D's now and again, as long as you teach your children that to over-indulge is not good for their health or well- being. The trouble is that some people cannot grasp this..... or are just plain greedy !!
I have never really subscribed to smacking children as I don't think that it really works and is a rather violent act. I find it rather strange that, if a man hits a woman, it is the most terrible thing (which it is) but, if a large grown up hits a small child ,then it's thought of as O.K. and will teach them a lesson. I think that there are other ways to teach a child to be accountable for their actions.
I too find Ronald rather spooky and scary. I always think of Stephen King's 'IT' when I see a clown.
Have a lovely weekend, James and...not too many burgers. !! XXXX
I could not agree with you more James. It is either you parent them at home or someone else will do it for you and the consequences will be entirely different. Basic responsibility must come into play somewhere at some point in your life.
ReplyDeleteVery thought provoking..as usual, have a lovely one James, cheers!
Thought I'd poke my head in again and thank you for your comments. I just recently found you, have read all your posts, and recommend you to everybody. I appreciate the quality and style of "Man of the 50's." Lookin' for more. JQ
ReplyDeleteJames,
ReplyDeleteI agree! You are 'right on' on every point.
After spending a thirty-year career with teenagers, I can attest to the future result of an undisciplined child. Children who aren't disciplined and held accountable for their actions become rebellious, defiant, rude, and unhappy teenagers.
Swats or no swats doesn't matter. What is critical is discipline using love, logic, and common sense.
In my opinion, McDonald's shouldn't be held accountable for our obesity problems any more than for causing burns on person dumb enough to place a cup of hot coffee between her legs. Common sense and accountability are slowing going the way of civility and manners.
"Personal responsibility" has somewhat become a thing of the past it seems. I mean after all, why be responsible when we can sue someone else and make a profit? Ridiculous.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to hear of a parent giving the option and then handing out a swift repercussion. Rare these days. I was fortunate enough to have wonderful parents, but a lot of what kept me in line was a healthy, (and I stress the word healthy) fear of my parents. My mom and dad didn't count to three because we knew that once was all it needed to be said, I tried to do the same with mine and I'm pretty proud of them I have to say.
So who was the first idiot to blame someone else for the hamburger they stuffed into their own mouth and why weren't they given a swat on the rump and told not to do it again? Huh?
As always, well said James
Oh James!
ReplyDeleteWhat you need to understand is that children need to express themselves, they need to exercise their decision making abilities even defy authority upon occasion. And when they are upset they need to be able to comfort themselves with salt and toy free food.
Please read sarcastically.
Love the charity! And the food. xoxo
ReplyDeleteSC
Just found your blog and I am adding myself to your list of followers! I love the way you write - it will be fun to have a man's perspective on things in this primarily female world of blogging!
ReplyDeleteI am a HUGE fan of McDonald's. Have blogged about it more than once. When I asked the gal at the drive thru window once why they stopped selling extra large drinks, she rolled her eyes and said, "We are making people fat." Really?
I agree with you 100% ... personal choices, personal responsibility (or lack thereof) is the problem in today's society, period.