Leave! Us! Alone!

Many around the blogosphere are writing posts critical of Michelle Obama's statement that childhood obesity is a threat to national security. Quite frankly, that statement is so ridiculous that I'm not even going to address it. Instead, I'll focus on what is REALLY pi$$ing me off about this issue. If you saw this post, you know where I'm going with this.

At a ceremony at the White House on Tuesday, First Lady Michelle Obama announced the launch of the ‘Let’s Move’ campaign to end childhood obesity in the United States, an epidemic she said is costly and a threat to national security.

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The First Lady said a broad coalition of groups interested in children’s health are coming together to form the Partnership for a Healthier America, which will use professional athletes, members of the media, and state and local dignitaries to promote the “Let’s Move” campaign and its goals around the country.

Obama used anecdotal details from her own life to explain the challenges faced by overworked parents and children who spend too much time watching TV or playing video games because their neighborhoods are unsafe for playing outside.

“So many parents desperately want to do the right thing, but they feel like the deck is stacked against them,” Obama said. “They know their kids’ health is their responsibility but they feel like it’s out of their control.”

“They are bombarded by contradictory information at every turn, and they don’t know who to believe,” she said.

Obama said before she lived in the White House she struggled to balance the demands of working and being a mother, and occasionally fed her two daughters fast food or “less healthy microwavable options.”

“And one day,” she said, “my pediatrician pulled me aside and told me, ‘You might want to think about doing things a little bit differently.’”

She said it was a wake-up call and that the nation should see childhood obesity as a wake-up call, including the fact that children are victims of the epidemic.

“Our kids did not do this to themselves,” Obama said. “Our kids don’t decide what’s served to them at school or whether there’s time for gym classes or recess. Our kids don’t choose to make food products with tons of sugar and sodium in super-sized portions, and then to have those products marketed to them everywhere they turn.”

How. Dare. You. How freaking DARE you insult my intelligence like this?? They don't know who to believe? They feel like it's out of their control?? Are you KIDDING me??? I'm sorry Mrs. Obama, but I, for one, am a parent who knows that fast food is unhealthy, as are microwaveable meals. And yes, I'm a working parent. Am I guilty of feeding my child unhealthy things now and again? Of course I am. But do not...DO NOT...think that I don't know any better. There are just some days I'm too tired or too busy to make a home cooked meal.

I will say, however, that on weekends, the Boy gets plenty of exercise. When the weather is warm, we play frisbee, soccer, or football outside. Hubby takes bike rides with him. Whether winter or summer, a weekend hike is something to look forward to. In addition, weather permitting, I will NOT drive him to his friend's house - it's about 1/2 mile or so away - the kids ride bikes or skateboard to and from each other's house.

As far as childhood obesity, let's get real here. The key is to have your children eat healthy foods and get off ther a$$es and go outside and play!! We let video games and computers babysit our children. It's easier. Again, I'm guilty of that sometimes too. I think we all are. HOWEVER, I will NOT look to the government to solve this problem. The solution is NOT to pour money into a government program which will tell you what you already know or should know. The solution is for parents to actually take responsibility for their children - to P A R E N T. There!! I solved the problem!

Honestly - I am dumbfounded that people need the government to provide answers that are flat out obvious. And I'm dumbfounded that the government thinks that their roll is to control the lives of individual citizens.