Was it naughty of me to teach my daughter today that McDonald's will now be known in this home as PigDonald's

Question

She's always asking for it and only wants a toy. I can buy a toy without going to McDonald's and letting her suck down fat. She's a six year old going into the second grade, about four feet tall and already fluctuates between 56 and 66 pounds. I was joking with the whole family about McDonald's, not trying to make her obsess about it, but get her mind off it. If she takes some time to think before eating a french fry at someone else's house, hats off to her.

She's always asking for it and only wants a toy. I can buy a toy without going to McDonald's and letting her suck down fat. She's a six year old going into the second grade, about four feet tall and already fluctuates between 56 and 66 pounds. I was joking with the whole family about McDonald's, not trying to make her obsess about it, but get her mind off it. If she takes some time to think before eating a french fry at someone else's house, hats off to her. I hope she DOES pay attention to how food is cooked and prepared.

I was trying to gross her out about the place. My other kids are younger and thought it was funny and took it literally as a place pigs would go to eat. My daughter took it to mean the food was unfit for pigs. I was hoping for either response, as long as they regarded McDonald's as an undesirable place to eat and NOT a treat they would be rewarded with or a place we'd casually stop off at if I were to take them for a ride to the store with me. That place was the only reason my daughter wanted to go with me on errands today, by the way. The "hope" we'd go there, that is. :) It sounds silly or even sinister, but I've heard of parents doing worse than calling a place PigDonald's....

Answer 1

I don't feel that there is anything wrong with what you did. My daughter knows what McDonald's is but she has never eaten there. I read a book called "Fast Food Nation" it explains how fast food places process their food SO MUCH that they have to put chemicals into the burgers to make them taste like beef and chemicals into the chicken to make it taste like chicken.

With the Genetic Modified Organisms in almost everything we eat that is non-organic and the terrible conditions that they house cattle & chicken in, I wouldn't pay a penny for the food at McDonalds. In my eyes between the GMO's, chemicals & hydrogenated fats that are used, that is pure poisen.

In our house we eat as much organic as possible and there is a huge differance in my children compared to the rest of the family that does the regular american food. My children are not sick and they are clam & happy almost all of the time.

My Daughter at 5 years old knows that red 40 & refined sugar is unhealthy. She will collect regular candy during Halloween or during parades and exchange it with me for healthy organic chocolate, gummy bears, jelly beans, sun drops ( like m&m's) & lollie pops etc. She will tell people all about herbisides & pesticides and why there are healthier options.

My congrats go to parents that are taking a stand. My only suggestion is to educate her why not to eat there. It's not all about the "fats" because there are good fats out there (not at McDonald's of course). But educate her on all the reasons to make good healthy choices. They learn best from their parents modeling good choices.

And to the gent that eats there 1-2 times a week...my brother-n-law that is 40 and did that for the last several years eating there usually on Sunday mornings only had to have heart surgery after suffering of a heart attack. The Dr. asked about his eating habits and when the Dr. found out that he ate there once a week advised him that 1 time years is more than enough.

Answer 2

Everything in moderation hun.
You should just stress to have better self control when it comes to eating and basically everything in life. I eat at McDonald's once every week or two (it's the only place to take the kids during the winter because of the indoor playground) and neither I nor my children are overweight. I have always been aware of how much I eat and I think the problem now a days is not McDonald's, it people indulging too much. People want to blame obesity on places like that but fattening foods have always been around it's just that we have lost our ability to stop eating and making our children stop eating and we stopped encouraging physical activity.

Parents need to teach children to eat healthier on their own with the occasional indulging but at the same time lead a active lifestyle with lots of sports and exercise.

Answer 3

I don't condone eating McDonald's, either, but I see a potential problem with calling it PigDonald's:

Your kids will start to look down on people who eat at McDonald's. While I think that people who eat fast food are making bad decisions, I still dislike the idea of passing judgement on them as pigs. Anyone they meet now who happens to mention a meal they had at McDonald's will become a pig to them.

You probably would have been better off just telling your daughter that their food is unhealthy, and that your family chooses not to eat there.

Answer 4

What was your reasoning behind this rule? Are you teaching her that the world drives to the golden arches, eats quickly and gains weight because the food is not nutritious? You were just trying to impress her that though the food tastes good, it's not nutritious for a person, a pig maybe, not a little girl. Am I right?

Regardless, you have the right to call any place of business anything you want, and as long as you're not teaching her something immoral or illegal, it's your choice.

Answer 5

I think that your attempt to label McDonalds negatively will have negative effects on your daughter. Basically you have told her that something she likes is gross so her first thought is going to be "what's wrong with me if I like something gross?" You should have explained to her that McDonalds is a place that you might go sometimes, but not very often because a lot of the food they serve is not very good for you. Encourage her to make healthy food choices.

Answer 6

I think it's a great idea. It helps remind people how bad and physically detrimental that food is. Fast food establishments use promotions like toys to attract kids who are unaware of the dietary ramifications of eating fast food and they get addicted to this highly caloric, fat-filled food. It's similar to the Joe Camel technique used by big tobacco so I think your own method of presenting fast food to your daughter is not only not naughty, I think it is to be applauded. It's a strong stance that sends a clear message that there is a clear correlation between poor dietary habits and weight gain.

Answer 7

Unless your daughter has her own transportation, she can only go to MD's when taken. STOP TAKING HER. If she is left in the care of others ask them not to take her there to eat. Parents need to learn how to parent. Stop blaming your daughters weight on fast food and start feeding her healthy foods. She does not need to be on a diet, just monitor her food intake. Happy Parenting!

Answer 8

We don't eat fast food either around here. Maybe the occassional salad or baked potato from Wendy's, but so sporadically. My hubby will sneak a whopper every now and then, but I always catch him ;-)
I love the name PigDonald's though! Can you explain why you came up with it? Were you trying to make a point about the fatty food? Trying to scare your kids away from the place?

Answer 9

ROONEY- I LOVE your answer. I agree with you 100%. The only thing I have to add to the loss of encourgement for physical activity is the addition of the TV and video games. Kids sit and sit and sit and SIT all day playing video games, or computer games or just watching TV. It's the parents fault for being lazy in and of themselves to not tell the kids to come outside with them and play ball or something. Again...i totally agree with your answer!!

Answer 10

That's toooooo funny. I don't allow fast food in my house and I agree with you. McDonalds is nothing but fat and no nutrition. 2 overweight teens tried to sue McDonalds for their obesity.