Leave McDonald's Alone

I just read an article that has me shaking my head. The Center for Science in the Public Interest is threatening to sue McDonald's if the restaurant doesn't stop putting toys in Happy Meals. The group claims the toys are "luring" children to McDonald's and the restaurant is deceptively using the toys to market to children.
OK, first of all, toys in Happy Meals are nothing new. I'm in my 30's. When I was a kid, Happy Meals had toys. I think they had cookies, too. Plus people of my generation know who Grimace is, a character I never see in McDonald's advertising any more, but that's a different topic.
I think we can all agree McDonald's has plenty of unhealthy choices. But I think we can also agree, the options are getting better. Sometimes I do opt for apple dippers instead of fries in the Happy Meals. You see, it's not the fault of the toys or the meals themselves. Let's face it, parents are to blame.
Growing up, McDonald's was a treat. It wasn't something you ate all the time. Hubby and I still try to practice that policy with our children. Yes, for awhile they were going once a week with Grandma... but even then, a trip with Mommy and Daddy was special. Why? Because we splurge for Happy Meals. We don't go often, so when we do, Happy Meals are in order. Hubby is disappointed when a "lame" toy is offered. Hey, if we're going to go once every other month or so, we want to walk away with a fun toy.
I watched a documentary recently about the evolution of McDonald's. One mom said she takes her son two or three times a week so he can have a new Happy Meal toy. Her reasoning? She didn't want to put up with his whining and tantrums if they didn't go. I'll admit, that seems to weaken my argument. But why are we so willing to point the fingers at everyone except ourselves. Wake up, parents. When did we decide it's easier to cave than to say no?! Probably about the same time we decided it's a good idea to sue fast food restaurants for handing out toys that keep children occupied during long car rides. I doubt doing away with toys would hurt McDonald's in the long run. We are a nation of convenience-food cravers.
I'm not saying McDonald's is the healthiest food out there. I know it's not. But I don't think the toys are to blame for obesity and poor food choices in this country.

Fast Food Nation

When I was a child, going out to eat was a big deal. It usually meant going to McDonald's. That outing was typically the highlight of the day... the week... most times even the month. Eating out was a rare treat. I don't think it holds the same allure for my children. If we drive by McDonald's my daughters will be the first to point it out. How can they not recognize it with all the billboards, magazine and TV ads out there?
Since my daughters have always been underweight, it's not our country's obesity epidemic that necessarily has me steering away from a lot of fast food outings. Although, truth be told, even though my daughters could stand to put on some weight, I don't think loading them up on fast food is the way to do it. As a family we simply can't afford to eat out a lot. For the six of us, eating out is still a rare treat. Even if we only buy drinks, sandwiches and fries off the dollar menu, our meal is still going to cost close to $20.
I know people who eat out every day. They know Tuesday is Fazzoli's night, Wednesdays are reserved for Chipotle, etc. How in the world do people afford this day in and day out? Convenient? Sure, but also a drain on the wallet. I work with people who run out for fast food at every lunch break, yet they complain about never having any money.
I'm not one of those parents who will stand on a soap box and wax poetically about the evils of fast food. That would just be hypocritical since we do go out to eat on occasion. But I want those trips to be the same treats they were for me growing up. I want to see smiles when they realize we're not just driving by the golden arches, we're actually going in. Now if I can just convince my daughters that the dollar menu is better than a Happy Meal wallet will be happy.