Why do parents feed their children fast food like McD's and Burger King more than 1x a week?

Question

I know we're all busy. I'm a full-time single mom of two but we don't eat there. I cook, I make myself feed them right b/c I love them enough to get my *** up.
Why do we feed them so much junk and then wonder why they end up with diabetes, thyroid problems, anemia at 24?

No wonder why teens sleep in high school.

Answer 1

Same reason why there are so many kids with behavioral problems today...its the choice between doing what is EASY and doing what is RIGHT. It's easy to feed your kid junk and plop them in front of the TV all day...however the right thing to do is to feed them a good, healthy meal, teaching them to eat right and to work with them using flash cards or a "Magna doodle" to help them learn to write.

I don't understand it either.

Answer 2

It's an easy (and terrible) habit to slip into. There are days I'm so tired by the time we all get home I just want to collapse ~ or the kitchen is a disaster and I don't want to make it worse by cooking. Yes, extremely lame excuses. I had to make a rule to only pick up dinner once a week ~ and it was to keep me in line as much as it was to keep them from whining for it every night! Even then, I encourage them to get the "healthier choices" like the fruit cups some places do. And my daughter loves salads, so that's usually what she asks for.

But I agree with you. Nothing peeves me more than people who eat there several times a week who have the nerve to wonder why they're obese and/or in poor health... even worse are the ones who blame the fast food industry for their child's health problems. No one makes you eat that junk. Take responsibility for what you've done!

Answer 3

Not to mention wondering why so many young people are overweight. It's all a matter of priority. I'm a full-time working single mom of two teenagers and I cook almost every night. If I don't it's because there are plenty of left overs from the night before or we are going to eat at a real restaurant or someones house. I will admit we do enjoy the occasional junk food run.

Answer 4

Not all the time, but about once a week I do take my girls to mickey d's and we all enjoy it. It's done as a treat for us. I'm a stay at home mom and cook 7 days a week, usually 3 meals a day, but once a week I make a point to treat my girls to a few hours of fun play and a happy meal. I see nothing wrong with it. My girls don't get sugar, or caffeine, and only have healthy snacks on a regular basis. As long as it's not all a child knows to eat I think it's fine.

Answer 5

I know when I don't feel like cooking sometimes, I will run and get fast food but not once a week. My kids consider it a treat when we eat out.

I have asked some parents the same question but what it all falls down too is the parents habit. They are so used to eating out like that and the kids get drug into the situation.

WE MUST BREAK THE CYCLE ; )

Answer 6

While the media seem to blame fast food restaurants for obese kids, parents are really to blame.
Do you want a juicy big mac once in a while? Go ahead and eat it. But eat vegetables, fish and lean meats - and get daily exercise.
Parents should take away the video games and buy their kids bikes.
I hear that schools are phasing out physical education programs - bad idea.

Answer 7

Because the parents that do usually are accustomed to the same lifestyle. They eat the same things, and probably are not educated enough to realize why they have all these health problems and why they are overweight!..

I guess in short lack of education, that or just don't care about their families well being...

KUDOS to you for actually cooking for your family, especially being a full time single mom.

Answer 8

Because, sometimes parents get too tired to make food for their kids. I feed my children homemade food because that's what they prefer. I take them to MDs once a month. My brother on the other hand, eats fast food 2-3 times a day. And he's really hyper, lazy, cocky...etc too much to say.

Answer 9

I dont and I work full time and have more kids then you and am a single parent too =0)
I agree with you. There is nothing wrong with treating to fast food every once in awhile but it is more important to make sure they are getting well balanced healthy meals!

Answer 10

I think more parents need to be like you.
It is damn hard to work a full time job and maintain a balanced diet for the family. It is much easier to go to a take-out cholesterol-laden restaurant than it is to cook but like you said, the rewards are healthier kids.
Many families word too hard. It is hard to keep up with the pressures of life in America (US). Here in Panama, people live with a lot less material substance but they have more time for each other...not to say that is your lifestyle, just a general comment.