Those REALLY regular and early readers might recall that I wrote a bit about the fat kids once – Let the fat kids play. I can hear the voices already…
“Oh come on! You can’t call the kids that! They are only kids. Shame, poor them.”
Tough. Fat became a swear word because of the pictures we see in the magazines telling us all that we would be so much better if we all look like Brad or Angelina. Or any of those thin chicks selling us the latest perfume or underwear. Okay, I don’t personally wear the underwear but… Anyway…
So tough. These kids are fat. Toughen up or shed some weight. Or just be happy with how you look. It could be worse. You could be too thin. Oh sorry, that doesn’t exist – according to the magazines that cover our delicate consciousness. But being fat is a problem.
Now we call it a “disease”. The obesity “disease”. Crap people. It isn’t a disease. HIV/Aids is a disease. Eating too much crap isn’t a disease. It’s just eating too much crap.
I know, I know. There are a few people that gain weight because of a hormone imbalance or some serious medical issue. But really… Most cases of “big boned” people are due to an imbalance between the ears. Don’t try to pull that crap on me. I am not thin. Maybe “slightly” over my ideal Barack Obama weight. But I’m still closer to Obama than Rush Limbaugh. In so many ways. I don’t eat too much crap and I don’t talk too much crap. (Stop laughing.) I know my excuse – I’m not fat, I’m just lazy. What’s your excuse?
Crap stays crap. Just don’t believe your own lies or that doctor that feeds you crap stories. Your own crappola of excuses. “Obesity is a disease.” Puh-leeze…
Who told you to stuff your face with that Big Mac or KFC Extra Crispy or donut from Dunkin’s? You ate it. Now live with it. Stop bitching. Stop telling me to not make it sound so awful. It is awful – live with it or stop it. Sorry, you won’t find any sympathy here.
You want to take McDonald’s to court? Sue Burger King for their jewels? Did they force it down your throat? Oh… They didn’t warn you about how bad it is… WTF? Are you stupid?
Stuffing your face with too much food is bad. Stuffing your face with too much crap food is even worse. It is NOT rocket science…
I know, it isn’t really the kids fault. But it sure as hell isn’t the fault of the crap-making fast food joints. Ronald doesn’t sit next to you and force the last morsel of a Big Mac down you throat. And neither did the government. So who should be “blamed”?
Hellooooo… Parents!
Or maybe I shouldn’t call you that. You aren’t parents. You are household engineers. Parenting isn’t good enough anymore. Actually, you are right. You can’t be called parents – because you are not parents. And you haven’t been parents since you had that kid in the first place.
Parenting means you have a kid (or kids) and that you are responsible for them and for how they grow up. Not someone else. Not your mom. Or uncle George the President. Or Ms Burns at the school. It’s YOU.
How can you feed your kids crap and call yourself parents? Here is a hot dog for dinner darling. And a nice oily pizza tomorrow night. How about a nice Mac ‘n Cheese from the box on Saturday? Sunday is so special when we all go to T.G.I Friday’s and eat a plate of more crap. Just after we’ve been to The Cheesecake Factory for breakfast. Don’t forget to go all “healthy” when you gulp down the Diet Pepsi to go with you thick slice of cheesecake – extra cream please. Crap parents feed kids crap food 24/7.
Crap, crap, crap.
That’s what we feed our kids and how we act as parents.
Let me brag for a minute…
Many moons ago we took our youngest daughter to Wendy’s. We were driving up in New Hampshire and decided to stop for a quick bite on our way back. It was going to be our first time at Wendy’s. The youngest one was so excited. Wendy’s! Yeah! She loved the ad with the guy and the weird hair. It must be good! She ordered her burger and fries. Big eyes and all excited – jumping up and down. “I’m gonna have a Wendy’s!” And then the food came…
“Where’s my broccolili?” What she calls broccoli. That was her first question. She didn’t touch the burger because she thought it was crap. Hum… Not her exact words but you get my drift. We haven’t been back since. She doesn’t like crap. And she doesn’t take crap. She’s an African all right.
Six days a week she gets a proper meal at dinner that includes at least two vegetables. And she LOVES broccoli. And peas. And carrots. And she eats a good breakfast. And most of the time she gets food made and packed by my lovely wife for her school lunch and snack. Yes. Home made stuff. I know… It is way out there in crunchy-hippie world for most people…
Once a week we eat crap. A pizza on a Saturday or some burgers. Guess what? Most of the time we make those hamburgers or pizzas ourselves. Hand-made patties and dough. And they help me make the food when I cook crap. It’s part of the fun. And it tastes better than the crap from the joint down the road. Oh, did I mention we spend time together doing this?
Sometimes we order out or we eat out. It is seen as a “treat” when things are crazy otherwise. Maybe Olive Garden or Uno’s where the girls can still make their own pizza. Whatever. It’s a break and not the norm.
And our kids eat what we eat.
We cook dinner for all of us and eat together – all of us. It is the highlight of my day. I get home and we sit together as a family and talk crap instead of eat crap, drive my lovely suffering wife crazy and eat our food. Together. A family. You give our kids the option of eating in front of the telly or at the table together and they choose…. The table! Even when we parents want to sit back and veg in front of the idiot-box and eat our food from a tray… They don’t want that. They insist we sit together as a family around the table. Ha! I am more popular than Spongebob Squarepants! And they are only 5 and 11… Teaching us about parenting.
And we all eat the same food.
How can parents make different food for the kids? You should eat a proper meal if you are old enough to talk. Not some crappy hot dog or a mac ‘n cheese. You are feeding them crap and then you wonder why they get fat or get sick easily. Or do you eat crap to start off with? Why all this crap?
Because it is crap! The food and you!
I am no model parent but this I know. My kids eat healthy food and enjoy eating healthy food because that is what we all eat together as a family. They make a link between broccolili and dad and mom sitting with them around the table and eating – and having fun as a family together. They see good food and think of good times. They compliment their mother (and sometimes me) on the food they have every night without anyone asking. Why? Because they actually like the food!
We already joke when the little one asks, “What are we having for dinner mom?” And you can say anything – chicken with carrots and honey, tomato bredie (stew), goggas (spaghetti bolognese) or whatever. She’ll always have the same reply… “I looove tomato bredie” Or whatever we are having.
They eat crap as well. They are kids. But we know what they need daily to keep them healthy and keep us being healthy parents.
Feed your kids crap and be surprised that they get called “fatty” at school? Who is the stupid one now?
Don’t even get me started on education. Everyone wants education to improve. A better school. A better chance for their kids. “Just get my kid a good school and education. You know a chance to make it in this world.”
Okay, but how about parenting. How about you starting to become a parent? Too many parents see the school taking over the role of the parents. Your responsibility towards your kids does not stop when the kid goes off to school. Being a parent isn’t something you hand over. You take responsibility of that. Sort your parenting out before you start bitching about education. Guess what… Education today is better than what it was 100 years ago – Parenting not.
Do you read to your kid at night? Do you help with the homework instead of ignoring them or (even worse) doing their homework with them? Do you take time to be interested in showing them the wonders of snow? Or point at the stars and the full moon? Maybe hunt for treasure in the forest or park? Turn over stones to see what is hiding? Or ask them what they’ve done at school? Or little things like coloring in with them? Or do you spend your time with them creating more crap?
Crap food. Crap education. It starts where? You guessed it…
All this crap starts with… Parenting.
Parents eat crap. Parents watch crap. Parents learn nothing. Parents do nothing. And the kids follow them down to the gallows.
Fat kids and stupid parents. They go hand in hand.
December 16, 2008 at 10:03 pm
It’s only called a disease so insurance companies can make money on the treatment.
We didn’t have ADD or ADHD when I was a kid. We didn’t have a need for the pharm. cos. to sell drugs to kids.
December 16, 2008 at 10:37 pm
I wish more parents were like you and your wife AA, actually spending time with their kids and trying to make them into better little people.
I think because both parents work in this new “information age” (or the mom / dad works in a single parent family), there isn’t enuf time and energy to get home and still spend time with their kids. The parents are just too tired to still be parents after work. It is much easier to just buy Mackie D’s on the way home than stand infront of the stove for 1.5 hours each night. And if more people cooked food at home for dinner and lunch, then their financial situation would greatly improve too. “Dis ‘n jammerte dat party mense nie verder dink as wat hulle neus lank is nie.”
Great post as always AA.
December 17, 2008 at 1:02 am
You know its sad. Seriously. You being “normal” and setting what one would consider “old fashioned” values is now something of a novelty in our world. I have often said that if I had children this would be exactly how mine would be raised. In my home, my life is conducted the same way. Meals are prepared in our home, from scratch. Not store bought, not processed. Healthy, balanced, and with nutrition. We don’t eat in front of the television and we actually have conversations with one another. Wow, what a concept.
I do notice since moving to the US that people are different here. They do eat out far more. They do eat far more “crap” too. The children are catered to with junk food. What the hell! Have you ever seen a kids menu? Its all garbage. I refuse to let my niece eat off of those!
Great article.
December 17, 2008 at 6:30 am
Can I be devil’s advocate for a moment? You’ll get no argument from me regarding the nutritional value of fast food. However there are other factors at play in food choices.
I work with families receiving Basic Food Services from the State. Try to feed a family on only the money you receive from social services. Fresh veggies and fruit are expensive with this yardstick.
There are good families out there that have parents that try to make their meals with what they can afford to buy. Many of these children also receive free or reduced cost lunch from the school district. Some of those lunch choices are pretty poor – but do usually include fruit and veggies.
I know having read your words that you understand what I am saying. I guess I’m just asking that we consider as a society the value of properly feeding our needy citizens. There is something wrong with a system that only allows enough money for cheap processed food.
December 17, 2008 at 6:39 am
Yawwwwwwwwnnnnnnn, you mean everyone DOESN’T do these things. “Mom, what are we having for dinner?” “FOOD”
What’s with parents ASKING the kid what he/she wants? Mom to 3 year old “Honey, pumpkin, princess, what would you like tonight for dinner?” Make it and set them down to eat it. Period. Urgggg Saves lots in extra stress too.
Yes, lets get started on education.
PS. Kids love BBQ. They even love helping with the fire, if you FIRE.
December 17, 2008 at 8:32 am
Bravo! I couldn’t agree with you more…
I am so convinced that we are what we eat and the fresher, more varied the food we receive at an early age, the more we are likely to eat healthily for the rest of our lives.
Daily exercise is other element that’s vital, to my mind, from a very early age.
I believe in the US, UK and, sadly in Europe (maybe to a lesser extent) the sheer numbers of overfed babies/toddlers who are so “cushioned” and over protected that they get little or no exercise – free crawling around and toddling indoors or outdoors replaced by playpens, babyseats that keep them inactive and “out of harm’s way” – what’s wrong with a little harm..?
I survived amid snakes, ants, any amount of dangerous plants and discarded trash when crawling then toddling around an African courtyard and maybe I learnt the hard way but I’m alive (and thriving) to tell the tale..!
Oh, I forgot, I’m also covered in “war wounds”..!
I like to think of it as “learning by living” and, as we all learn more from our mistakes than anything else, it’s not a bad way to grow – it’s certainly how we bring up our girls.
I could go on and on, but I’ll not bore you all – suffice to say, I wish there were a great more families like you in the world..:)
December 17, 2008 at 1:16 pm
Thanks for this great article.
By the way, pizza is not junk. It’s bread, olive oil, tomatoes and veggies like olives and onions on top with a bit of cheese. Aren’t kids urged to drink milk? So how can cheese be junk?
Yes its high in calories but it is not junk.
I hope African Americans will join all the patriots in deflecting the government who is encroaching on our rights faster than ever before to the danger of our Constitution!
December 17, 2008 at 3:05 pm
I couldn’t agree more!!
Great post!! This is something that people almost don’t dare to talk about.. too sensitive.
December 17, 2008 at 5:06 pm
Definitely with you on this one. Junk food on a Saturday is all our little boy gets. Homemade pizza or homemade burgers on the BBQ.
Else it’s at least 2 veg every night. And both our kids love fruit too – the little ‘un LOVES bananas! I’m probably the least healthy eater in the family ‘cos we get sandwiches for lunch at work every day. Bread every day can’t be great for you! (That’s why I try to get some exercise as often as possible!)
So, vegetarian Christmas then? ;-D
December 18, 2008 at 6:08 am
“Eating too much crap isn’t a disease. It’s just eating too much crap.” Thank gawd someone has finally said it… Did you know that smoking is also a disease? Alcohol too just so you know… can I sue?
December 18, 2008 at 6:56 am
AA doesn’t like crap food, because I use to feed him crab everyday for years (I had to make lunch for the two of us, while our parents worked). I made him pies EVERY day for months!!!! and fish fingers with golden syrup!!! He just loved that.
December 18, 2008 at 12:12 pm
I so agree with you man, all that crappy food and no exercise? Jeez at least get off the couch and ride a bike or something. Too much tv/ps3/xbox these days, whatever happened to playing outside?
Since we have been in the US we have gone to mcdonalds twice, and thats coz the wife was craving their chips for some reason. We do go to Fridays quite a lot though, and cannot forget about McCallisters Deli, just love that place.
However nothing beats a home cooked meal. Maybe we need to introduce more Americans to good old South African food.
Marlize: fish fingers with syrup??? Really???
December 19, 2008 at 2:45 am
YEAP!!! REALLY and then to top it off, some grated cheese!! Ask AA it is really delicious. (He can up to today not even look at a fish finger) He use to chase me down the road where we stayed with a fork, because he did not want to eat the food I lovingly prepared for him!!! Actually very ungratefull of him after I slaved over a hot stove (after a full day at school)!! You tell them AA about all the nice crap I fed you.
December 19, 2008 at 12:21 pm
You rock! I’m one of those insane moms who loves to learn recipes from scratch. This goes from whole wheat bread to chicken and spinach crepes (that I had for lunch at IHOP once). On the rare occasion that we go to a restaurant, my kids are rarely impressed (19,21, 23). Of course I can’t afford the five star restaurants, but as an example, we took my oldest out for his birthday the other evening. He is a carnivore, remnants of when the whole family were vegetarians. So, we went to a steak house. In the end he ordered shrimp and steak combo. It was nice because we were all together, but I was so not impressed by the food. For desert we ordered red velvet cake. They said, didn’t you make this the other day? Yours was better. Now this is not because I’m a world class chef (though I try). It’s because you could tell that cake had been sitting in the fridge for who knows how long before it made it to our plates. Fresh, and home made kicks restaurant ass every day!
December 19, 2008 at 1:59 pm
Yes, I also see this as the question of responsibility of parents. And being a responsible parent and really thinking and taking actions in order to support kids well-being on physiological as well as emotional, social… level, on the long term basis, takes much more energy, focus and nonviolent and loving persistence, then just parking them in front of TVs and stuff them up with junk.
), have them sit in front of the TV (while eating junk) most of the time and watch commercials. Thus their needs get created and then off they go to buy buy buy – and help money and power piling up for the invisible elites. And be as sick as possible, since this brings tones of money. And have a war somewhere very far away, now and then, so that even more money can be made.
On the other hand, I can have some empathy for parents too (not that I agree with them or support them in any way…). The monster that they need to fight is huge, fierce and has a hundred heads. It is consumerism that makes some people very very rich and powerful. So the idea is to create stupid people (so that they don’t think the way AA likes to…
Heroin traffickers try to create as many addicts as possible and have their market blossom, and in the same way modern businesses are creating millions of TV watching, junk-eating, money-spending addicts.
As we know, this new so-called-diseases (overeating, shopping…) are not to be found in Afghanistan or Somalia.
AA, I love your topics and your angriness SO MUCH!!!! Never stop being angry, never!
December 19, 2008 at 3:22 pm
@uglyblackjohn- Yeah! That’s what I’m saying boet. They look for excuses to pump our kids full of drugs.
@licia83 – Ja. Daai neuse… I know some parents struggle with juggling work and life. They should remember the kids along the way…
@Amber – And people want to know why the French don’t have heart problems. Less crap in their systems.
@sahlah – Yes! Jamie Oliver did a television program in the UK about the food kids get at school from government. And how they could get great tasting and healthy food for 20 cents more. And the government wants to know why kids are unhealthy? They are part of the problem. I agree 100% with you. Some parents don’t have the “luxury” we have and have to make do. The government should look at the kind of support they provide because they become part of the problem and create a viscious cycle.
@Skuttles – It should be a yawn hey? But too many people just don’t do it. And don’t those kids just love it when they are part of it? Especially when nthey have to help put the flaming out…
@India J – See! We are made tough hey! Haha. Man, I love it when you comment.
@NH – I agree, it isn’t junk. But some of the crap they put on it in the shops are crap. Those home made pizza’s? Awesome and the best!
@holeycheese – You know what? It’s people like you who makes the people of tomorrow. Because you do what is right for your kids. You guys are awesome by the way.
@DelBoy – Yeah! See? And don’t yo9u love the fact that your kids love it? Yes, we might be going vegetarian for Christmas. Thinking turkey… That’s a vegetable right? In South Africa it is!
@SanityFound – Sue SAB? Yeah! For more Castles! Awesome idea!
@Marlize – And I haven’t recovered since then. I WILL get you back! Just watch this space…
@Saffer – Hoesit boet! There is one thing I should have qualified… Pregnant women have a free pass on eating anything crap. They are moody enough and going through enough crap for us to NOT look for trouble. How about a Potjie Palace? And yes… I did eat what she said…
@Janet – Applause! See! And I bet your kids will be the type of parent that will remember that and become like you. A family. Man, people like you and your kids give me hope…
@Robert – Those are unbelievable words. You should write a blog with those exact words. “Heroin traffickers try to create as many addicts as possible and have their market blossom, and in the same way modern businesses are creating millions of TV watching, junk-eating, money-spending addicts.” Just brilliant. And thanks for the kind words boet.
December 19, 2008 at 5:10 pm
In our house we eat well, ummmm most of the time. But just as importantly we play, play and play some more. Outside, inside, running, jumping, biking, hiking, skipping.
And to add one more note, I did some reading about the link between obesity and early onset puberty. Not good. Why on earth would anyone want their daughters to go through that?
Good on you for calling it like it is!
December 20, 2008 at 3:01 pm
I have two sons. They have both told me that I have seriously reduced their “mac”. They have already decided that whichever “girl/woman” they choose will have to be able to cook, clean, and hold down a job. LOL Just because I did. Young girls nowadays don’t seem to cook much, can’t understand it. My daughter went to culinary school and decided she didn’t want to be a chef, but at least she knows how to cook. I have ensured that all of them know how to perform the basics, cook, clean, laundry etc. I didn’t want my boys depending on some workless girl for everything. Family values are very important.
January 15, 2009 at 10:00 pm
[...] If you are interested, my friend/soul brother Angry African wrote a wonderful article on this subject. Have a read : http://angryafrican.net/2008/12/16/fat-kids-and-stupid-parents/ [...]
February 17, 2009 at 8:34 pm
[...] Fat kids and stupid parents « Angry African on the Loose™ [...]
May 17, 2009 at 6:08 pm
*clap clap clap*
good work, seriously.
i hate fat people whinging about how fat they are, its like, put down the donut and go for a walk.
or parents who are like “oh my childs fat” well how about they dont put those LCM bars, and crisps, and chocolate in their kids lunchbox?
anyway.
goodwork.
May 22, 2009 at 8:29 pm
AA,
I am in total agreement that good, healthful food is important for humans of all ages.
I agree with all that you’ve said, but one very important thing has been left out: some children will not eat good, healthful food.
Please, please nobody tell me that when they get hungry enough, they’ll eat it. I had the most defiant child on the planet. She would refuse to eat if she didn’t like what was put before her.
I’m not one to be bullied, and didn’t worry if she didn’t eat one meal…but she often went two to three days refusing oatmeal, vegetables, bean soup, macaroni and tomato sauce, peanut butter sandwiches, bananas, everything. Early on, she decided that only macaroni and cheese from the box, cheerios without milk, soy milk and jelly sandwiches were acceptable and she refused anything else.
It was a miserable fight. My good, wholesome food was always rejected. She developed anemia. Our pediatrician threatened us with Child Protective Services because the child always came in with low weight and complained ‘they won’t give me anything to eat’ and ‘there’s no food in our house’. What she meant was that there was nothing her stubborn palate would accept.
She’s 17 now. I’ve managed to stay out of jail and she’s survived. Even now, she buys her own food (junk, and more junk) and scorns mostly any nutritious food that I make. She’ll eat homemade cookies, but that’s about it.
I know this is unusual, but I felt it was important to mention that parents are not always to blame when children don’t eat right.
Suzy
May 31, 2010 at 1:52 am
Actually, ADD/ADHD is a disease. It is a chemical imbalance in the brain. It is not pretty. Obesity can be a disease if you are talking about major hormone imbalances. But otherwise, a blatant lack of self control and making excuses for yourself, then putting down skinny people is just laziness.