More Tips for Raising Healthy Kids in a Commercial Culture

Since there are so many opinions about how to raise healthy kids in a commercial culture, some of these suggestions even contradict each other. Don't worry - take them as a guide and a way to start thinking about this incredibly important issue. printable version

Object en masse to television in the classrooms.

Give kids time, give them the gift of music and art, both as enjoyers and makers.

Take them to local games and let them see sports without the commercial trappings.

Take them outside for hikes and camping trips.

Take them traveling if you can afford it.

Don't just turn off the TV, but instead show them something better to do.

Respect the idea that there will always be an aspect of "I want" in a child.

Teach children they may not need all these things, and teach ourselves we don't have to give in to every request.

When the TV is on, do not allow children to shush anyone who wants to discuss something.

Give children a big box of crayons and rolls of shelf paper.

Feel free to say no.

Refuse to buy Wonder bread.

Take children to zoos, camping, state fairs; show them other areas of the country.

Give them chores but also unscheduled time to exercise their imaginations and play with other kids.

Read them bedtime stories.

Expose kids to other media - surrealist films, conceptual art exhibits (carefully selected), gatherings of interesting adult friends with non-mainstream stories to tell.

Arrange for them to spend lots of time with their grandparents.

Get schools to adopt fund raiser policies that (1) provide an educational experience for kids, and (2) contribute to some social good.

Attend high school drama productions rather than Disney on Ice.

Buy music lessons rather than fancy electronic gadgets.

Anti-commercialism line of offense: talk, talk, talk about it and hold the line; explain that Barbie doesn't DO anything except shop.

Let a child carefully experience some parts of popular culture while keeping up the dialogue in an age-appropriate way why you object to most commercial messages.

Parents need to be educated - offer short talks at pre-schools including outlines and bibliographies.

Birthdays: do not buy them toys; make up a lengthy list of material alternatives like art supplies, old magazines for collages, books, experiential alternatives like train rides.

Bring kids along when you shop for birthday presents for other children and ask them to think about whether a particular gift will have more than one purpose, if it will be interesting over a long period of time, if it will it break easily, etc. It's a good opportunity to teach them critical consumer skills.

Parents who resist consumerism for themselves are the ones who teach their children to resist it.

Don't buy when you can borrow, do without, or make do. Buy things used whenever possible. Buy local whenever possible. Look above all for quality and durability.

Articulate your philosophy to your children when the time is appropriate. For example, say, "I really like this shirt, but I have a shirt that is similar, so I don't think I'll buy it."