Fess up -- how much TV and McDonalds

[Anonymous]

well at least you are doing yoga and having sex. I have a whole new mental picture of you now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I have never seen anyone have health problems from NOT watching TV or eating fast food, but I know lots of examples of the opposite. So, if my child wants to find out if he is the type of person who can watch TV for hours on end without getting depressed or crabby and/or eat fast food regularly without getting fat, he is going to have to figure that out on his own as an adult: I am not going to be running that experiment on him as a child.

The only problem with this statement is if you make tv and fast food taboo you're likely to make them want it more when they have the freedom to try it. My husband and a few of my friends grew up in no tv, no fast food households. Trust me, they're making up for lost time now. I'd rather teach my kids how to balance it in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:well at least you are doing yoga and having sex. I have a whole new mental picture of you now.

Are you even 30 years old???

[Anonymous]

We occasionally watch videos over the internet, but Jesus, when I go back to watching commercial television, what stuns me is the commercials: I mean the frequency and the abject stupidity.

You watch that stuff and it's like, Just how fucking dumb is your average American, anyway? And they're unrelenting. What is there 15 min of commercials during your average TV show? I've got no patience for that stuff anymore.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I have never seen anyone have health problems from NOT watching TV or eating fast food, but I know lots of examples of the opposite. So, if my child wants to find out if he is the type of person who can watch TV for hours on end without getting depressed or crabby and/or eat fast food regularly without getting fat, he is going to have to figure that out on his own as an adult: I am not going to be running that experiment on him as a child.

The only problem with this statement is if you make tv and fast food taboo you're likely to make them want it more when they have the freedom to try it. My husband and a few of my friends grew up in no tv, no fast food households. Trust me, they're making up for lost time now. I'd rather teach my kids how to balance it in.

You know, the funny thing is, this assumes that TV and fast food are two universal constants that no child can resist. In our family, we don't "make TV and fast food taboo" any more than we make duck pin bowling and quilting taboo. It's just not something we're all that into. My kid likes to help me cook actual food. She likes to make art, music, read, or write stories with me. Crazy over-the-top sugary cereal isn't taboo either--she can buy it with her allowance if she wants to. Just usually doesn't.

[Anonymous]

One more time...

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I have never seen anyone have health problems from NOT watching TV or eating fast food, but I know lots of examples of the opposite. So, if my child wants to find out if he is the type of person who can watch TV for hours on end without getting depressed or crabby and/or eat fast food regularly without getting fat, he is going to have to figure that out on his own as an adult: I am not going to be running that experiment on him as a child.

The only problem with this statement is if you make tv and fast food taboo you're likely to make them want it more when they have the freedom to try it. My husband and a few of my friends grew up in no tv, no fast food households. Trust me, they're making up for lost time now. I'd rather teach my kids how to balance it in.

You know, the funny thing is, this assumes that TV and fast food are two universal constants that no child can resist. In our family, we don't "make TV and fast food taboo" any more than we make duck pin bowling and quilting taboo. It's just not something we're all that into. My kid likes to help me cook actual food. She likes to make art, music, read, or write stories with me. Crazy over-the-top sugary cereal isn't taboo either--she can buy it with her allowance if she wants to. Just usually doesn't.

[Anonymous]

I'm sure there might be shows that interest me. I only have from 9 pm until 10 or 10:30 pm as truly free time each day - it's just that I don't enjoy spending those precious 60 or 90 minutes zoning out to the tube. I'd rather call a friend, talk to DH, read, have sex, do yoga. I also believe in getting 8 hours of sleep every night.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:well at least you are doing yoga and having sex. I have a whole new mental picture of you now.

Are you even 30 years old???

This whole exchange made me giggle. And I'm over 30. By a lot.

Some nights I watch mindless TV. Some nights I read my book. I talk to DH every night. Last thing I want to do is talk on the phone. But never once yoga. Never even crossed my mind. Although I do enjoy yoga.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:well at least you are doing yoga and having sex. I have a whole new mental picture of you now.

Are you even 30 years old???

I'm a guy, what do you expect? and yes, over 30. now I am picturing some foxy and limber tiger mom .... oh well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:One more time...

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I have never seen anyone have health problems from NOT watching TV or eating fast food, but I know lots of examples of the opposite. So, if my child wants to find out if he is the type of person who can watch TV for hours on end without getting depressed or crabby and/or eat fast food regularly without getting fat, he is going to have to figure that out on his own as an adult: I am not going to be running that experiment on him as a child.

The only problem with this statement is if you make tv and fast food taboo you're likely to make them want it more when they have the freedom to try it. My husband and a few of my friends grew up in no tv, no fast food households. Trust me, they're making up for lost time now. I'd rather teach my kids how to balance it in.

You know, the funny thing is, this assumes that TV and fast food are two universal constants that no child can resist. In our family, we don't "make TV and fast food taboo" any more than we make duck pin bowling and quilting taboo. It's just not something we're all that into. My kid likes to help me cook actual food. She likes to make art, music, read, or write stories with me. Crazy over-the-top sugary cereal isn't taboo either--she can buy it with her allowance if she wants to. Just usually doesn't.

Well, there is a reason McDonalds serves billions and people watch way too much TV. It must suck people in somehow. The analogy to duck pin bowling and quilting doesn't make much sense to me. Duck pin bowling and quilting aren't around every corner. They are not completely pervasive in our society. But here's hoping your kids (and mine) are immune to this stuff and make good choices.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One more time...

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I have never seen anyone have health problems from NOT watching TV or eating fast food, but I know lots of examples of the opposite. So, if my child wants to find out if he is the type of person who can watch TV for hours on end without getting depressed or crabby and/or eat fast food regularly without getting fat, he is going to have to figure that out on his own as an adult: I am not going to be running that experiment on him as a child.

The only problem with this statement is if you make tv and fast food taboo you're likely to make them want it more when they have the freedom to try it. My husband and a few of my friends grew up in no tv, no fast food households. Trust me, they're making up for lost time now. I'd rather teach my kids how to balance it in.

You know, the funny thing is, this assumes that TV and fast food are two universal constants that no child can resist. In our family, we don't "make TV and fast food taboo" any more than we make duck pin bowling and quilting taboo. It's just not something we're all that into. My kid likes to help me cook actual food. She likes to make art, music, read, or write stories with me. Crazy over-the-top sugary cereal isn't taboo either--she can buy it with her allowance if she wants to. Just usually doesn't.

Well, there is a reason McDonalds serves billions and people watch way too much TV. It must suck people in somehow. The analogy to duck pin bowling and quilting doesn't make much sense to me. Duck pin bowling and quilting aren't around every corner. They are not completely pervasive in our society. But here's hoping your kids (and mine) are immune to this stuff and make good choices.

True, but generally we pass our values down to our kids. That includes what we eat and how we spend our time. American adults have a problem with eating shitty food and frittering away their lives in front of the TV. If a son's father spends 11+ hours on a Sunday watching duck pin bowling (and playing fantasy duck pin), the son's probably going to as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One more time...

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I have never seen anyone have health problems from NOT watching TV or eating fast food, but I know lots of examples of the opposite. So, if my child wants to find out if he is the type of person who can watch TV for hours on end without getting depressed or crabby and/or eat fast food regularly without getting fat, he is going to have to figure that out on his own as an adult: I am not going to be running that experiment on him as a child.

The only problem with this statement is if you make tv and fast food taboo you're likely to make them want it more when they have the freedom to try it. My husband and a few of my friends grew up in no tv, no fast food households. Trust me, they're making up for lost time now. I'd rather teach my kids how to balance it in.

You know, the funny thing is, this assumes that TV and fast food are two universal constants that no child can resist. In our family, we don't "make TV and fast food taboo" any more than we make duck pin bowling and quilting taboo. It's just not something we're all that into. My kid likes to help me cook actual food. She likes to make art, music, read, or write stories with me. Crazy over-the-top sugary cereal isn't taboo either--she can buy it with her allowance if she wants to. Just usually doesn't.

Well, there is a reason McDonalds serves billions and people watch way too much TV. It must suck people in somehow. The analogy to duck pin bowling and quilting doesn't make much sense to me. Duck pin bowling and quilting aren't around every corner. They are not completely pervasive in our society. But here's hoping your kids (and mine) are immune to this stuff and make good choices.

I think McDonalds hooks people because it's cheap, easy, and if you get used to salt, fat, and sugar combined like that it is good. You have to learn to like McDonalds just like you would learn about healthy eating. I don't think one is easier than the other. We live in the burbs and I commute home on the metro. It is actually a huge PIA to get takeout and I have no idea where a convenient McDonalds is near me. So it's not that I'm making a huge effort to keep my kids away from McDonalds or fast food, it's just not on our radar. Same with soda. I'm sure as they grow up and get introduced to it they may ask for it, and they will be allowed to have it in moderation at a friend's house but it's not something I'm going to be buying. I didn't have to unlearn how to smoke; I just never did it. To me it's not that much different.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:i find it immature that people are calling mcdonald's gross. haha. reminds me of my sister when she turned vegetarian and called all meat gross.

mcdonalds is an acquired taste. some people like it... my husband grew up eating it and likes it. i personally don't eat much from there.

i do remember getting a look from another mom while at the park with my toddler son. he was eating his happy meal. we don't eat at mcdonald's all the time, but we will occasionally pick it up before heading to the park. i really didn't appreciate the look!!

Fine. I won't say that McDonald's is gross. However, I will point out that McDonald's hamburgers do not disintegrate after 12 years, a fact that I find a bit... suspect.

http://aht.seriouseats.com/archives/2008/09/12-year-old-mcdonalds-hamburger-still-looking-good.html

The supposed science behind this was debunked upthread. You don't have to do a Talmudic reading of DCUM, but your point is not a valid one. (Well, I think McD's food is gross. But not because it contains special magical evilness.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We occasionally watch videos over the internet, but Jesus, when I go back to watching commercial television, what stuns me is the commercials: I mean the frequency and the abject stupidity.

You watch that stuff and it's like, Just how fucking dumb is your average American, anyway? And they're unrelenting. What is there 15 min of commercials during your average TV show? I've got no patience for that stuff anymore.

We watch only DVDs and a la carte content so no commercials. Likewise, when I do come across them I am aghast. I'd rather not see that. And I still have plenty of topics, including fun and frivolous, to discuss at the water cooler.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:well at least you are doing yoga and having sex. I have a whole new mental picture of you now.

Are you even 30 years old???

I'm a guy, what do you expect? and yes, over 30. now I am picturing some foxy and limber tiger mom .... oh well.

I'm a MILF, baby. I'd rather have sex 7 nights a week than watch TV. Seriously.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you think starbucks is less of an evil corporation than mcD's, you're kidding yourself.

Two kids, 2 & 4.
Tv: >2 hours per day, dvr'd PBS shows or DVDs
fast food: once every week or so but it's rarely mcdonald's, 90% of the time chick fil a.

'

Starbucks may be evil, but way less evil than McDonald's for so many reasons - treat workers better, don't deal with (poorly treated) meat, for two.