nimhly

From the archives of These Times:

the wiggles.
spongebob squarepants
Barbie swan lake
Disney's Princesses
Kid's shows? maybe. Tools for taking over the world? without a doubt.

I was innocently hanging out with my best friend and fellow editor, Missy at her
boyfriend's (and my um....I'd have to say he's my third best friend) house. I
was feeling a bit peckish, so I go to the snack cupboard, and what do i see?
barbie swan lake fruit snacks. so i grab one. Little did i know, these little
opaque pieces of ambrosia would take over my life.
yes, you heard me. fruit snacks are now OPAQUE. not the harmless little
translucent piecest of fruit shaped goodness i remember from my childhood. no,
these new snacks are completely opaque. what do they have to hide? Nothing but
their black black hearts, that's for sure.
i found myself reaching for another packet. they are clever, these fruit snacks.
They only provide you with ten tiny nodules, whetting your appetite, making your
taste buds beg for more.
Pretty soon, i was sending the kids to bed early as i surreptitiously nabbed cat
in the hat fruit snacks from the cupboard. Pulling empty bags from my pockets
when I got home, not remembering how they got there. making shady deals on
street corners with oompah loompahs.
I was hooked.
Only through the friendship and support of my friends and family, and FSA (Fruit
Snacks Anonomous) have I come to terms with my addiction and admit i have a
problem.
The cravings will never end. I have accepted that. But I am good enough, and
smart enough to overcome this evil.

So parents, TALK to your kids about fruit snacks. If you're not sure where to start, pamphlets are available.

Be smart, don't start.