Kids To Obama: Read Books, Eat More Ice Cream

Ah, if only life were this simple. A collection of letters written by children to President-Elect Barack Obama were highlighted in the New York Times last week.

Their number one pick? A series of junk food suggestions from a little girl who thinks the president elect needs to put on some weight.

The letter is, of course, pure kid – “You look too skinny. You should eat more food. this is what you should eat:” followed by a list of foods I’d love to eat but only let my daughter have on special occasions. You can get all upset that this child doesn’t value “healthy” foods, or you can look at it purely from the eyes of a child. She thinks the president looks hungry. She likes him enough to suggest he eat better. And, hey, who wouldn’t want a buddy to fatten up on ice cream, buttered popcorn and cotton candy?

Others in the list were written by older children, and with that comes a bit more worldliness. Most moving to me is the letter from a twelve-year-old who says her parents are split down political lines, with one highly conservative and the other ultra-liberal. “Thank you for bringing my parents somewhat closer together. You are my idol Mr. Barack,” she says.

I admit it; it doesn’t take much to get me all weepy about the future of the U.S. But that letter in particular brought on the little pricks in the corner of my eyes. Because after reading about the parents who refuse to let their kids attend school on Tuesday lest they see the wrong (in their eyes) president inaugurated, it’s nice to know there are parents out there who don’t agree with the president-elect and are still raising kids to be thoughtful, accepting, and productive members of society.

To read the whole list – from suggestions that he get more kids reading to requests to help their families get jobs, check out the Times piece. Bring the tissues.

Image: New York Times

Via Jezebel