STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

halleybird · Hermes

Observations on life and society, as learned in Disneyland.

jen · Kate Spade

Boo-I'm jealous-I wanna go!

Metric · Gucci

halleybird wrote:

Spent the weekend in Disneyland with my family. It's amazing what you can learn about society after spending three days with 20,000 of your closest friends: 1. Kids are getting fatter. A LOT fatter. About half the kids I saw had some kind of weight problem, and about 1/3 to 1/4 were quite seriously overweight.

I noticed this also at Disneyland last year. Kids now days, especially preteen girls, are alot bigger than I remember kids being when I was growing up.

While we were leaving the park one day I saw a kid, maybe 5 or 6 years old who was quite large for that age, saying "Daddy Daddy pick me up!" His dad said to him "No, Daddy can't lift you". The whole scene just made me sad and uncomfortable.

luckylily · Gucci

halleybird wrote:

3. Apparently, it's a new trend for moms to bring their 10-12 year old sons into the women's restroom with them. I saw this at least 4 times, and it's a little creepy.

I'm glad you mentioned this. About 3 times in the last month I've seen boys in the women's restroom and thought that there were definitely old enough to be going in to the men's room by themselves.

Sandy · Kate Spade

luckylily wrote:

halleybird wrote: 3. Apparently, it's a new trend for moms to bring their 10-12 year old sons into the women's restroom with them. I saw this at least 4 times, and it's a little creepy. I'm glad you mentioned this. About 3 times in the last month I've seen boys in the women's restroom and thought that there were definitely old enough to be going in to the men's room by themselves.

I know, right? I can see how maybe, maybe, a woman would want to take their their 10 year old son to the restroom with her at a place like Disneyland, where there is so much going on... but only if it was just the two of them there together (in other words, if she went to the restroom, he'd have to wait outside by himself, and she'd be nervous something would happen to him). I've seen this happen at such places as the movie theater... that's unacceptable, imo. A 12 year old can handle himself for the two minutes it takes him and you to use the restroom... meet up outside. It makes me a little uncomfortable.

So, Halleybird, tell us more about your trip!

Lilykind · Hermes

I was at Disneyland just last year too and I couldn't believe how big all the kids were either. I was probably one of the last kids who grew up minus lots of technological playthings (like no video games, ever) and I was a skinny minnie. It's just so disturbing how kids don't know good eating habits and are huffing and puffing when they're walking around. Not like Disneyland helps...do they serve anything healthy that doesn't cost $57 a plate?

To be honest, my brother started going ot the bathroom himself when he was around 6 or 7...I can't imagine what 10 year old should be going wee wee with Mommy. Good grief.

gypsyfreak · Coach

I agree with observation #1. I live in a suburban area and I am shocked at the state of health most young kids are in today. A lot of these kids are overweight, and it's sad for me to see that. I remember back when I was in elementary school it was RARE for me to have any classmates with weight problems. I guess times have changed since then.

member · Hermes

I totally agree w/observation #1. We were at Six Flags Great America (amusement park) over the weekend and my BF, his mom, and I were all commenting on how fat kids are getting and how developed pre-teen girls are - it's crazy. I was a tiny little thing when I was 13/14. Times sure have changed.

kenzie · Chanel

Ditto to the kids getting bigger. It's crazy! I used to see it in the store I used to work at. Moms would bring their 9 and 10 year old daughters in there b/c they were too big for kids clothes (and by big, I mean fat). These kids were buying size 10 and 12's!! That's insane. When I was 9, I was about a size 8 in kids (maybe smaller...I was a skinny thing). I didn't even start shopping in the junior department until I was 13 years old b/c everything was way to big for me! I remember when I was 11, I was in an eight person touring vocal ensemble (4 girls, 4 guys) and the girls had to get dresses made and I was so upset b/c I was the only one who didn't get the junior sized pattern. I had to get a kids' size and I hated that!

And when I was a kid, there were only one or two overweight kids in my class, these days, I think it's more like there are 1 or 2 skinny kids!

-- Edited by NylaBelle at 11:52, 2005-10-12

Sunshinegirl · Kate Spade

Do you ever look into the basket of the person in front of you at the checkout line at the grocery store? Unless you are at a health food store, it usually consist of prepackaged, processed and frozen items. With all of the education out there,it is ashame how people are still eating.

Kids are bigger and fatter these days. My husband's neice is severely overweight and her parents and grandmother keep stuffing her face with the wrong foods because they dont want to upset her, WTF.

As far as preteen development, i cannot believe how young girls are developing: they are starting their periods earlier; they all have huge boobs (small boobs are the minority) and they all carry a spare tire around their waist. And they all have big feet!

What's happening to our american society???

halleybird · Hermes

Sunshinegirl wrote:

Do you ever look into the basket of the person in front of you at the checkout line at the grocery store? Unless you are at a health food store, it usually consist of prepackaged, processed and frozen items.

that's me No one look in my cart! I think it has a lot to do with portion size, too. I grew up eating that way, but I am not fat and neither are my parents or my sisters. I think it's just moderation, too... some of the kids I saw had a fistful of french fries in one hand and an ice-cream sandwich in the other. So sad, because at that age, they really don't know any better.

Anyway, Stephanie, my trip was great -- thanks for asking. Our hotel was great (we stayed at the Paradise Pier this time instead of the Grand Californian... much cheaper and still really nice). The new Space Mountain rocks, though the line was long. Oh, and the roller-coaster in California Adventure is down due to "an incident," according to the Disney person I asked, but that's all she'd say. I rode the Wheel of Death (aka the "Sun Ferris Wheel") and feared for my life. That's about it.

sage · Dooney & Bourke

The thing about the 12 year old boys in the bathroom made me laugh. When my nephew was about 10 he refused to go near the ladies bathroom. I am very paranoid about disgusting pedophile perverts lurking in the bathroom so I would just say "Great, go in the bathroom. You have 5 minutes and then I am coming in" He would always be quick for fear his looney aunt would come barging in.

And yeah, kids are fatter now. It is really sad. I was a fat kid. It is not an easy life. And it takes a long time to learn healthy habits when your parents aren't helping you. I am kind of obsessive about it now.

Alegria · Kate Spade

halleybird wrote:

1. Kids are getting fatter. A LOT fatter. About half the kids I saw had some kind of weight problem, and about 1/3 to 1/4 were quite seriously overweight.

Yes, so very sad. Adults are much bigger too though!I am constantly commenting on how "developed" (read, fatter so their feminine parts are bigger also)the high school girls are (I'm a bit paranoid over my son starting high school next year). I remember we were all scrawny little things.

2. Everything is in English and Spanish now, not just the occasional sign or announcement. All the ride information, the brochures, the loudspeaker announcements, etc.

I think perhaps because So. California has a huge Mexican population???

3. Apparently, it's a new trend for moms to bring their 10-12 year old sons into the women's restroom with them. I saw this at least 4 times, and it's a little creepy.

Were they foreigners? Maybe they have different customs or didn't understand the little picture of the woman on the door and the man on the other door.

4. The new Buzz Lightyear ride is awwwesome. They take your picture and then email it to you. How cool is that?!?

New Buzz ride??? Tell me more. I haven't been in about a year maybe two. I feel so out of the loop.

halleybird · Hermes

shpgqueenet wrote:

I think perhaps because So. California has a huge Mexican population???

Were they foreigners? Maybe they have different customs or didn't understand the little picture of the woman on the door and the man on the other door.

New Buzz ride??? Tell me more. I haven't been in about a year maybe two. I feel so out of the loop.

1. You're probably right. That, and it seems like there are a lot of tourists from other Spanish-speaking countries, too.

2. Only about 1 of the 4 kids I saw could have been a foreigner, at least from what I could tell. And that kid was running up and down the length of the stalls, banging on them, while his mom pretended not to notice.

3. Buzz ride rules! I didn't want to go at first, b/c I thought it was going to be another kiddie ride with the little car and cutouts. But it's like a video game -- you have laser guns and you shoot targets, and the car keeps track of your score and whoever's riding with you. It's way fun. The pic I have is so funny, b/c I am concentrating so hard!