Your marketing gimmick is targeting my children! That’s whats behind a lawsuit filed by Monet Parham of Sacramento, CA against McDonalds. Ms. Parham is a mother of two small children, and she’s feed up with McDonalds’ marketing team targeting small children with their Happy Meals. Ms. Parham has stated that McDonalds marketing team gets into children’s heads, and it makes parenting extremely difficult. She has to say no to her children repeatedly.
Happy Meals have been around for at least 30 years. My daughter used to ask for them constantly when she was growing up. I certainly didn’t allow her to drive me to the brink of wanting to sue McDonalds, and I won’t allow my grandson to take me there either. I just regulated when my daughter could have one and when she couldn’t, and I’m taking the same approach with my grandson. From one mother to another, who’s the parent here? Are we going to sue Walmart next because they’re selling toys that our children constantly ask for? Are they going to sue Nintendo because they can’t get their child off the couch and nowthey have health problems? There’s no manual for a parent, at times it just requires common sense.
According to Ms. Parham, her six year old wants the toys from the Happy Meals not necessarily the food. Okay, she’s a child. It’s our job as parents to say no and stand our ground. She’s six, she can’t drive to McDonalds and get a Happy Meal on her own. Find something else to occupy her, and her desire for a Happy Meal will go away. You may have to repeat the technique for many years, but it works. I don’t know of any child who has endured any negative affects from the word no from a loving parent who has their child’s best interest in mind.
The Center for Science in the Public Interest is assisting Ms. Parham with the class action lawsuit. They have stated they have tried to meet with McDonald’s representatives; however, they were unsuccessful. I wonder why, lol. As a parent I don’t have a problem with the toys, I have a problem with the food. Since I have a problem with the food, I don’t buy it. I can exercise my right to purchase or not purchase. Did you hear that Ms. Parham, exercise your right to purchase or not purchase. It’s one of the beautiful things that we have a right to do or not do in this country.
Many professionals believe that McDonalds is a big contributor to the obesity problem that we are now having with our youth. I don’t blame McDonalds, I blame the parents for allowing their children to overeat and not exercise. If a sandwich has 1500 calories, why would you give it to your child and than complain that the food has made your child obese. If we don’t buy, they will change the products that are offered. As parents we need to become accountable for our families, and stop blaming everyone and everything.
Do you agree or disagree with this lawsuit? Leave us a comment and let us know your thoughts. We would love to hear from you.
