Stand Up! and Say "No" to Spineless Parenting

An article in the December issue of Advertising Age magazine, outlined a brewing controversy over McDonald's paying for the printing of Seminole County Florida's report cards in exchange for the report cards featuring a coupon for a free Happy Meal to any child who has all A's and B's and no more than two absences. As you might expect, some parents are up in arms over this saying that this makes them the "bad guy" if they refuse their child when they gleefully bring home a good report card and now expect to be treated to a Happy Meal.

I certainly understand their concern given the health crisis of so many children eating poorly, being overweight and undernourished. I also think the whole idea is pretty clever marketing on McDonald's part. Whether you are for or against McDonald's advertising on public school report cards is not the point I want to address. What this article points out is that parents aren't stepping up to the plate in terms of directing their kid's choices and having the backbone to explain their perspective. I mean, if I don't want my kids to eat a Happy Meal, it's not the end of the world to have to tell them that. They'll survive. Why not use the issue as an opportunity to explain the importance of good nutrition, about taking care of our bodies and any other number of talking/training points. Of course I would also say that if you feed your children a healthy diet at home, they will survive an occasional Happy Meal as well.

Bottom line, children need to grow up into adults who stand for something, who have convictions and who are willing to live by those convictions and say "no" to things (whether it's fatty foods, sex before marriage, cheating...) that don't line up with those convictions. How will they learn to do that unless it was modeled for them at home? So moms and dads, have some backbone...stand your ground for the things that you believe in. Our culture is going to constantly throw opportunities and options at you and your family that you don't like or accept. It's vital that you train your children by example to be able to stand up for something.