I was looking for new toys for my 2 year old granddaughters the other day and was absolutely dumbfounded by the collection of unhealthy infant toys readily available for our children. I was so troubled by the vast selection of unhealthy baby toys I felt I needed to vent here, both for myself and for those of you who want to leave comments at the end of the article.
It's risky enough that we adults are bombarded on a day to day basis with sneaky marketing strategies meant to brainwash and instigate hyper-consumerist tendencies, but some of the ploys intended to hook adolescents through their toys is just plain wrong! We as adults can at the very least detect the rouse. We might still partake, but we have the judgment making skills and (for the most part) the intelligence to decipher when we are being catered to for our betterment or our harm. Our kids simply don't have that experience; which is why it is up to us to cut out the destructive child toys.
One flagrant violator was the McDonald's McKids toy line. Inside the french fry and burger casings, the backpack, and the kitchen sets were several dozen mini milkshakes, burgers, fries, and cookies. I shouldn't blame the McDonald's corporation for attempting to profit and let's be factual, they wouldn't sell these toys if people didn't buy them; but we have to understand that this is how our kids acknowledge the brand and affiliate the golden arches with entertainment as a juvenile. This kind of brand recognition marketing will maintain the obesity rate at a steady incline until we as role models take matters into our own hands and begin saying no to unhealthy child's toys.
I also saw a donut shop toy set...yup, donuts. Let's face it, any child who knows custard filled donuts and iced mocha the inside of the shop is destined for cavities and diabetes... and that's the best case scenario.
Like I said, I can't blame these billion dollar businesses for doing what they do best. We already know what they're all about. We know that for the most part they are cold, methodical, profit machines that will do whatever is necessary to ensure their fiscal well-being. Establishing unhealthy habits in our children only helps their future bottom line.
It is up to us to inform our children so that these marketing firms that are successfully initiating brand recognition at such an early age do not continue on to encourage the unhealthy baby habits that feed into the childhood obesity epidemic through unhealthy toys for our children and babies. They will continue to fabricate and market these toys to our children, but we need to try to remember that the power is always in our hands to say NO!
We can stop purchasing these unhealthy toys for our kids and help our toddlers form healthy habits; or we can continue down the same path. Let our adolescents be influenced by people who don't care about them or their well-being. Allow them to be an additional unhealthy statistics in an increasingly unhealthy society. Or we can do what is correct rather than what is easy. We can value our kids by valuing what we buy for them. We can keep our honor by giving our kids a fighting chance against the illness and dysfunction both instigated and ignored by the fast food industry. Either way, it all starts by what we choose to surround our kids with.
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It's risky enough that we adults are bombarded on a day to day basis with sneaky marketing strategies meant to brainwash and instigate hyper-consumerist tendencies, but some of the ploys intended to hook adolescents through their toys is just plain wrong! We as adults can at the very least detect the rouse. We might still partake, but we have the judgment making skills and (for the most part) the intelligence to decipher when we are being catered to for our betterment or our harm. Our kids simply don't have that experience; which is why it is up to us to cut out the destructive child toys.
One flagrant violator was the McDonald's McKids toy line. Inside the french fry and burger casings, the backpack, and the kitchen sets were several dozen mini milkshakes, burgers, fries, and cookies. I shouldn't blame the McDonald's corporation for attempting to profit and let's be factual, they wouldn't sell these toys if people didn't buy them; but we have to understand that this is how our kids acknowledge the brand and affiliate the golden arches with entertainment as a juvenile. This kind of brand recognition marketing will maintain the obesity rate at a steady incline until we as role models take matters into our own hands and begin saying no to unhealthy child's toys.
I also saw a donut shop toy set...yup, donuts. Let's face it, any child who knows custard filled donuts and iced mocha the inside of the shop is destined for cavities and diabetes... and that's the best case scenario.
Like I said, I can't blame these billion dollar businesses for doing what they do best. We already know what they're all about. We know that for the most part they are cold, methodical, profit machines that will do whatever is necessary to ensure their fiscal well-being. Establishing unhealthy habits in our children only helps their future bottom line.
It is up to us to inform our children so that these marketing firms that are successfully initiating brand recognition at such an early age do not continue on to encourage the unhealthy baby habits that feed into the childhood obesity epidemic through unhealthy toys for our children and babies. They will continue to fabricate and market these toys to our children, but we need to try to remember that the power is always in our hands to say NO!
We can stop purchasing these unhealthy toys for our kids and help our toddlers form healthy habits; or we can continue down the same path. Let our adolescents be influenced by people who don't care about them or their well-being. Allow them to be an additional unhealthy statistics in an increasingly unhealthy society. Or we can do what is correct rather than what is easy. We can value our kids by valuing what we buy for them. We can keep our honor by giving our kids a fighting chance against the illness and dysfunction both instigated and ignored by the fast food industry. Either way, it all starts by what we choose to surround our kids with.
Lego Batman Games On Nintendo Wii, DS Or PSP3. Looks Set To Become A Bestselling And Popular Present This Christmas.
If you are wondering what your kids are going to be playing this Christmas, the Lego Batman game is already a favorite. Kids love Lego and the fact they can combine their favorite toy with their number one super hero is a recipe for success.
A Barbie Dollhouse Will Be The Best Doll House For Your Little Girl If She Wishes To Impress Her Friends
Virtually every little girl the world over would love a Barbie Dollhouse for their beloved doll to play in. It is hard to imagine but Barbie has been putting a smile on little girls faces for over 40 years.
Transformers Leader Optimus Prime? - This Character Is About To Become One Of The Most Popular Items Of The Season.
If you have boys to buy presents for this Christmas you should check out Transformers Leader Optimus Prime.
Little Ones Might Enjoy A Lego Advent Calendar As Well In The Run Up To Christmas
Why not try a Lego advent calendar this year? The advent calendar is always special as it counts down to Christmas with kids the world over trying not to get too excited as the big day nears.
Piggy Banks For Adults - Now Adults Can Take Pleasure In Saving Money And Rediscover Their Own Childhood
Piggy banks for adults can come in many different shapes and sizes and will allow you to rediscover the joys of saving up money for that special gift or prize instead of using credit to buy it.