Thank you, Institute of Medicine One story from yesterday that got loads of pickup is the recommendation by the Institute of Medicine that there be major changes in food marketing to children, such as having cartoon characters only promote healthy snacks. As well it should be. While parents should bear some of the responsibility for what their children eat, and young children are seldom in charge of their food-purchasing decisions, there’s no denying that advertising drives demand for such fare as Fruit Roll-Ups with “tattoos” that temporarily reside on your tongue. I firmly believe that the scenario in which much of this so-called food is bought contains the following: it’s 5:00 p.m., and Mom hasn’t bought dinner. Reluctantly, she shoves the kids in the car and heads off to Stop ‘n’ Shop, intent on getting home quickly. But the children, being the impulsive creatures they are, can’t even make it down a single store aisle without crying out for the junk food lining the shelves that they saw on TV. For Mom, the tension is mounting … people are staring, the kids are wailing, and suddenly the most efficient way to stop the madness is to buy the goodie on the shelf. The kids calm down just long enough to get out of the store, and Mom regrets the purchase ever after. —Posted by Catharine P. Taylor

December 7, 2005 | Permalink

Comments

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Maybe so, but more American moms have got to develop a thicker hide. When people stare at me when I am telling my children no and/or they are acting the fool, I stare right back. I do not allow other people to make me buy crap for my children, and I do not allow my children embarrasss me into buying crap. Setting clear guidelines before you go to the store helps, and also leaving the store if they keep it up helps too. It took about 3 times of me leaving a store when my kids were whining/being loud/demanding for them to understand I meant business. Now when we go and they ask for crap, when I say no that's it. No whining, no crying, no demanding. Very rarely I will buy fruit roll-ups as a treat.

You are right though, about the way they market this mess to children. My daughter was in love with Lunchables many years ago, and asked for the cheese 'pizza' package many times. I told her Look, if I had given you six crackers, 2 tablespoons of cold spaghetti sauce, and a handful of shredded cheese and told you this was your lunch you would have thought I was crazy. You don't really want that. When I put it to her like that it was like a lightbulb clicked in her head and she didn't want a lunchable anymore.

Posted by: Trula | Dec 7, 2005 10:37:00 AM

"While parents should bear some of the responsibility for what their children eat..."

*Some* of the responsibility? Just who else is stepping up to take responsibility for what my kids eat? And why would I let them?

A parent that can't stand up to whiny kids isn't a parent. They're just an innocent bystander.

Posted by: DanO | Dec 7, 2005 2:04:51 PM

But I just want my kids to be my friends...

Posted by: Bob | Dec 7, 2005 4:15:10 PM

all you parents are "big talk, no action," which is why the NY Times recently ran a series of articles on how unruly children are making it impossible for others to enjoy restaurants or other public places. Why? Because their spineless parents let them run amok and think anyone who complains is anti-child. if only you would ram some pop tarts, lunchables or an ever-lasting gob-stopper down their throats in these situations, we'd all be happier. including the children.

Posted by: Dr. Spock | Dec 7, 2005 5:42:16 PM

in defense of Pop Tarts, their protein/carb/fat ratio is very similiar to many "energy" bars.

Posted by: copyranter | Dec 8, 2005 4:01:36 PM

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