Saying No

A government study has proven what moms have known for decades. Kids ask for the junk food (and everything else) that’s advertised on the television shows they watch.

This is nothing new. I grew up watching commercials for sugar cereals and candy. Trix are for kids! Sugar Pops are Tops! Cuckoo for Coco Puffs! I asked for all of those, but my mother never bought it for me.

There are calls by consumer advocate groups to limit the amount of food advertising aimed at children. It’s contributing to childhood obesity and causing health problems. We need to crack down on the Evil Junk Food Empire.

I disagree. I have seen those commercials and they are an assault to the senses. They definitely scream “You gotta have this stuff.” But in our house, I’m the one who buys the food and that stuff doesn’t get bought. Last I heard, mothers still had control over what foods their children eat. Unless you live within walking distance of a store (and most of us don’t these days) your kid can’t buy candy unless you’ve taken them someplace where it’s sold.

I believe that saying no to candy and sugar cereal at the grocery store is good practice. You have to learn how to stand up to your kid and you have to start early. With the Junk Food Empire’s powerful influence, you’ll get plenty of practice. My daughter asks for a candy bar or gum every time we get to the checkout line. I’ve always said no, but it doesn’t stop her from asking.

My feeling is that if you cave in on Count Chocula, how are you going to handle it when your kid asks to go to a co-ed slumber party given by the “cool mom” or asks to go on a group trip to Ft. Lauderdale with somebody’s 19 year old sister as a chaperone?

Now it’s a different matter when schools offer fast food in the cafeterias and candy bars in vending machines. Soft drink companies and fast food restaurants can provide much needed funds for cash strapped school districts. A lot of the soft drink companies are voluntarily removing the sugar sodas and replacing them with fruit drinks and bottled water.

And our school district has made a commitment to promoting healthy eating in the schools. Recently, the deep fryers were removed from all the school kitchens.

Children will always want candy and will always want what they see on television. It’s not easy saying no, especially when they don’t give up. But that’s part of the job of being a mom.