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Several weeks back we highlighted a Florida county that allowed McDonald’s to market directly to children through report cards that upset some parents who felt it undermined their desire to teach healthy eating habits to their children.

Yesterday my wife received a letter in the mail from American Girl that was a welcome contrast. Our three girls love their American Girl dolls and this mailing was a marketing piece for American Girl Magazine which is apparently designed for 8-12 year-old girls. I don’t know anything about the magazine so don’t confuse this post as a recommendation. I can say that American Girl dolls are a welcome contrast to other girls toys like Bratz.

There were several great things about the mailing from American Girl. First, it was addressed to a parent rather than the children and the whole package was pitching the magazine to the parent rather than bypassing the parent. Secondly, this part from the enclosed flyer was very encouraging to me:

Why Parents love American Girl magazine:

It’s a great parenting tool, supporting you in your efforts to raise a healthy, confident girl. You’ll enjoy all the articles, and you’ll appreciate how they inspire conversations with your daughter.

You’ll also appreciate what’s not in American Girl magazine:

• No tips on how to flirt with boys;
• No articles on losing weight or plastic surgery;
• No ads pushing sugary snacks, sexy clothes, or R-rated DVDs–
• Nothing pushing your daughter to grow up too fast!

When American Girl magazine arrives in your mailbox, you can be sure that your daughter will be thrilled to receive it. And you’ll be delighted she’s spending time with a magazine you can trust.

So I say, “Bravo American Girl for supporting the critical role of parents in the lives of their daughters!” It is too bad that our government does not always show that same kind of respect. Learn the Issue and find out why we are working for a parental rights amendment to the Constitution. After that, be sure and sign the petition!

This is an interesting story. A Florida county put a McDonald’s promotion on school report cards that awards free Happy Meals to children who get good grades. This issue was highlighted by an advocacy group called the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood (CCFC). They seem to do a lot of good work on behalf of parents and kids. Of personal interest to me is their work against the corporate sexualization of children because I have three daughters. My oldest is eight and I can already see the influences of marketing on her. It is scary to me that much of that marketing undermines me as a parent and what I am trying to teach her. Kids are very impressionable and need their parents to protect and guide them as they grow.

Susan Linn, the director of CCFC has a great quote in their release on the issue that sums it up well, “It bypasses parents and targets children directly with the message that doing well in school should be rewarded by a Happy Meal.” She goes on to say, “Turning report cards into ads for McDonald’s undermines parents efforts to encourage healthy eating.” Regardless of your view on whether McDonald’s is healthy or not, we should all agree that the parents, not a corporation and the school administration, should be making those decisions for kids.

What about you? Have you experienced marketing from corporations that you believe undermines you as a parent?