Wednesday, February 13, 2008

I am stepping up....

onto my my soap box, that is. The is a particuliar situation with regards to John's school that utterly pricks my side. I really tried to ignore it and that's why I haven't posted about it previously but with Valentine's Day tomorrow, it has surfaced again. The issue is regarding the school's new wellness policy that came into effect last month. I wish I saved the notice outlining it, but I was trying to just forget about it so off to my recycle bin it went. We were asked to sign and return it. In summary it states that do to the ever increasing obesity epidemic (yes that was the word!), no items containing flour or sugar could be sent in for holiday celebrations at school! Can you believe we were asked to sign and return it, as well. Well like I said it was filed in the bin!!!

Additionally the principal requested that items such as cheese, vegetable trays, and fruit trays be sent into school school for school festivities. It is not as if they are celebrating daily, albeit consuming cakes, cookies, and chocolate. Couldn't these sugary treats, then be reserved for parties? Though the statistics for childhood obesity levels are alarmingly high, is this really the way to deal with it?

This policy is infuriating. Wouldn't it be more prudent to emphasize moderations and portion size to children when teaching them the food pyramid, which by the way changes with virtually every political administration (that is a post for another day!!!) I am all about healthy snack choices, and we pretty much stick to this daily, but in times of celebration does one really want to celebrate with a cube of cheese and a carrot stick? Serioulsy, give me a break! Let me be responsible for what my child eats, thank you very much!

I view this action as yet another example of government infringing on our daily lives. It's a control thing. It's going to get worse, far worse. Sooner or later we as parents will be told what we can and can not pack for lunches.

I feel this edict is actually discrimminatory. Historically, home-made confectionary items have been considered special. They are comforting. Traditionally, home-made sweets have been something you make for others and they symbolize giving. It is also something one can do when they can't go out and actually buy a present for someone. Similary, these items are part of our culture - chocolate chip cookies and apple pie! That means no more cupcakes too! Now they no longer have a place in schools, so we have been told.

In today's world too much is taken away from our childrens' childhood. For reasons out of their control, they are growing up much too quickly. I say just let them be little. If it means having some sugary foods once in a while so be it. Then let them run around and burn it all off, like we did.

I just want to shout it, LET THEM BE LITTLE!

40 comments:

Mary said...

Amen! This infuriates me as well.
"oh here little Timmy, nibble on this little cauliflour." The school probably only has about 3 paries a year.....a Halloween Party, a holiday party and a Valentine's Day party? Are three days out of the year really going to make a difference? Seriously, you should have voiced this to the PTO. I'm sure you would have received a lot more support than you think. Those other mom's are just too chicken! Curbing the "obesity epidemic" starts at home!

Happy Days said...

I hear you sista!!! I am all about letting them be little! You are right. They already have to grow up far too fast! I think Mary is right about people being too chicken. I also think people are not stopping to think about things these days and before you know it their cupcakes are gone!

just jamie said...

Oh, this is a tough one. I think the intent behind the message is sound, but you have brought a new light to it for me.

As a teacher, it's so hard to send those notes home to parents, "Hey, let's make fruit-ka-bobs! Won't that be a treat?"

But you're right, let the parents do the parenting. Sweets, especially on special occasions, are part of what make it special.

Maybe you can talk with the school's policy planning committee. I especially love what you said about gift-giving. Home-made treats are the purest form of giving a gift.

Good post Amy!

Cecily R said...

Oh, I agree! There's nothing like bringing home your Valentine's stash and sifting through the treats looking for chocolate!

I agree that there is a problem that needs to be addressed with kids and obesity, but you're right. If we don't teach them portion control and moderation in all things, who will?

Family Adventure said...

That would make me mad, too. Everything in moderation for sure, but this is a case of good intentions being taken much too far. And more over, it attempts to curb parents' rights to parent their own children - and that is NOT right.

Heidi

jessica said...

i am seeing this creep into my son's school also. it is a bit ridiculous. it hasn't gotten too out of hand yet but yes, let kids be kids! my blog

Lizzy in the Burbs said...

That is so rediculous! I agree with you 100%, Amy! The kids in America may be getting bigger, I'll give them that, but it certainly isn't from having a cookie or a cupcake at a Valentine's party! You should tell the school administrators that there is a greater risk of a child contracting salmonella or e-coli from eating dairy products like cheese and fresh veggies! We as a society need to stop advertising to our children that they need to eat Doritos, Coke and Oreos if they want to be happy. That of course would take money out of the pockets of advertisers, so that ain't gonna happen any time soon!

BTW, thanks for doing the meme, I appreciate it!

Lizzy

♥♥♥ A- Licious ♥♥♥ said...

amen sista!

wonderfully put.

we too practice good eating and snacking etc...

but Holidays (specially for little ones at school) is a TREAT - so let them be treated - and like you said RUN IT OFF AFTER...we sure did growing up.

moderation is key....and like you said i doubt they are eating FLOUR and SUGAR daily at school...come on.

great post ~ and i vote for YOU!

heheheehheeee

a-licious xoxoxox

Wonderful World of Weiners said...

I really enjoy cupcakes and cookies too much to buy this BS. Fine, limit sugary snacks to just holiday parties - ban it from bday celebrations cuz, considering how many kids are in a classroom, that could be a lot.

Let them eat cake!

Hallie

Michelle Leigh said...

God, that sucks! I am a sugar fiend so I would absolutely die. It does seem ridiculous that they can actually enforce something like that. I also find it hard to believe that this policy is something that is widely accepted. I know people are very into eating healthy and natural nowadays, but you can't tell me that their child has never had a birthday cake, or christmas cookies. Wow, I say send 3 dozen frosted sugar cookies to school tomorrow and see what they say! That would be great!

girlymom said...

Oh let them eat a cupcake~ for crying out loud.

You girls ok, just read your sisters post and she got me worried about you all.

Kellan said...

I totally agree! Our school has done the same thing - forbidding candy exchanges on Valentine's Day, etc. It is just a little crazy how far they go with things. Take care - Kellan

kim-d said...

Make room for me up on the soapbox, too! That is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard of, and I'd be darned before I'd send a fruit or vegetable tray. You take what I want to send or you get nothing.

For one thing, this obesity epidemic? Well, I am part of it. But I wasn't as a kid! As a kid, I didn't even eat sweets. As a kid, sweets were grapes, orangesand canteloupe. As a kid, my drink of choice was water--with an occasional glass of Kool-Aid if it was grape. And now I'm obese--but I gotta say, it wasn't a cupcake that got me. It was the potatoes, pasta, rice and other white stuff, and the AMOUNT of it!

Furthermore, why can't we deal with the "obesity epidemic" with the ones who have the problem? What is with this that everybody always has to be lumped together. I am obese, but all of my grandkids are skinny little rails. None of them should get a cupcake cause there's one fatty in the family? That is ridiculous, and I think that somewhere along the line, a lot of people just need to dial 'er back a bit on some of these "epidemics." There are times I feel like "they're" not gonna be happy until we're all marching off to work in the factory, in a single file line, all of us wearing our matching gray work clothes and all doing the same thing and being the same way--SO AS NOT OFFEND ANYBODY OR BRUISE THEIR TENDER LITTLE FEELINGS OR SOME SUCH. I just don't think the schools need to be worrying about sugary treats; it seems to me they have their hands full with all of the kids who manage to go all through school and never do learn to read.

Okay...takes deep breath...I'm sorry. I'm done now...takes dainty step to remove obese self from soapbox...but apparently I feel pretty strongly about this. Thanks, Amy, for giving me a forum. HAHAHAHA.

GIVE THE KIDS A CUPCAKE!!!!

jenny said...

this would totally tick me off.

kids should be kids. that is half the fun of these celebrations in school is knowing you will get 'goodies'. who tapes a grape to a valentine? geesh. parents should be parents - let them decide what they want their children eating. i think the school systems probably have a lot of other irons in the fire they could concentrate their time on? i would voice my opinion to the PTO or school administration. that is just craziness! i know if it happened here, i would be angry.

if you are celebrating then the time is meant to be special - let them have some of that and not have to worry about how many calories they just ate! ergh!

Amy said...

I so agreee with you...our school doesn't allow anything homemade to be brought in at all...apparently we're at the point where we have to worry about parents trying to poison other people's kids...nuts

Life As I Know It said...

Yeah, it is too bad.
At my son's school, we're not allowed to bring in any food at all for parties or birthdays! Both for nutrition purposes and allergies.
I make sure they get their treats at home though ;)

OHmommy said...

AMEN! What are the teaching? We should be teaching moderation, I agree.

AMEN!

kimmy said...

I'm right with you on that one! Luckily, my kids are going to have their Valentine parties tomorrow at school. There is a school policy though against sweets in the classroom, but I've found that most of teachers "turn the other cheek."

Kimmy

Robyn said...

I agree that on holidays sweets should be allowed. Maybe the problem is schools cutting gym and recess. And the scare tactics that your child will be kidnapped if they play outside.

MamaGeek @ Works For Us said...

Wow, what a sad commentary. What's next? No more recess?

*le sigh*

Abbie said...

AWESOME. I'm pretty sure carrot sticks are my favorite way to celebrate I heart you day! NOTTT!! :)

Amy said...

I'm so with you on this one! It drives me crazy! But somehow we are managing to make ice cream sundaes tomorrow in Emma's class. I'll take it! But I'll never get to make those cute heart shaped cupcakes with the lollipops that my mom always did. And I'm sad about that.

Amber said...

I'm sorry, I blacked out for a second...they don't want sweets at school for a celebration? I can't even process that. I loved Valentines day at school, it was fabulous. What a crappy rule!!! I will just have to eat 2 desserts tomorrow. Don't worry, I will sprinkle some on the floor for all my little homies.

girlymom said...

How are ya all doing?

kim-d said...

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY, AMY!!! :)

Denise H. said...

I completely agree! The more you take away and forbid a child from the more they want it! I think that taking it away completely will only make the problem worse.

just jamie said...

P.S. Amy, I'm adding you to my blog-roll. Hope that's okay.

Mom said...

I share in your frustration. Though we haven't been told not to bring in certain things yet. If schools are that concerned about obesity (which they should be) then how about adding some more physical activity. I remember growing up that I would be able to play outside after school till my mom came home. But today it is a different story due to some of the freaks we have out there. So now kids are holed up in their homes and because of technology they are happy and satisfied about it. So how about if the schools in their controlled environment put more focus on Physical education instead of cutting those programs due to budget issues. Don't get me wrong parents need to be involved too. Sorry didn't mean to rant!

KG said...

That is thorougly disgusting and pathetic. Is the principal overweight? If so, I would suggest that he and his other school administrator friends donate their sugary stuff to the kids and forego it themselves . . .

Lizzy in the Burbs said...

Hi, Amy!

Happy Valentine's Day to you and your family, too! Have a good one!

Lizzy

♥♥♥ A- Licious ♥♥♥ said...

thank you for your comment today!

yea when i post i POST mama....lol

no one answered the quiz question though - so im sad....

or maybe i ramble so much everyone missed it? LOL

a-licious xoxxoxox

tracey.becker1@gmail.com said...

My kids' school has a total "no food" policy. No food for parties or birthdays. Actually, the rule is that the kids can't eat them IN CLASS. So, I just finished making chocolate chip cookies that I need to bag up for 25 kids for my son to bring into school tomorrow (his birthday!) Our school uses food allergies as a main reason, though, which I completely understand.

Maria said...

I totally agree with you, and I'm actually surprised at how many people who commented feel the same way. I just assumed most people went along with this idea. Our schools have the same policy. They also state that nothing homemade at all can be passed out. So anyway, I asked my John what he had at their party to eat. Guess what he said? Cupcakes! Yep! I don't know how they got around this one. I remember getting the paper saying healthy snacks years ago. I think the principal secretly agrees with us and is pretending not to notice.

Nicole said...

Wow... I can not believe that! I wonder how many parents send in sugary, fat laden crap for their kids snacks. Whats next... they're going to start inspecting lunches?

As far as an "obesity epidemic"... how is cutting out 3 or 4 sugary celebrations going to eliminate (or cut back) on any obesity? Obesity isn't created by a few sugary snacks at parties. Its formed by bad eating habits EVERY DAY.

I say load em up for holidays. Let them chow the candy and cookies and junk. So what. Its one day every few months.

Laski said...

I see you around all the time--love your comments! I had to post on this! I couldn't agree more. This is crazy. And you are right--it is about control. Working in the school system (a teacher), I see it all the time. What are we trying to prove? What are we trying to do? Have we forgotten the reason behind SCHOOL? What is the purpose of education?

I guess there are a lot of parents who don't take part in truly caring for their children, but why must everyone be "punished" for this?

I'm gonna bet that you aren't the only one a bit peeved!

shay said...

so stupid! It's not actually the school's responsibility to fix the obesity problems.

Weird and strange. Okay back to my chocolate eating:)

Hope your v-day was awesome!

Wonderful World of Weiners said...

Where you been hiding? I've missed your blog? You missed a day or two and I don't like it!

Have a great dinner out!!

Hallie

Corey~living and loving said...

What an interesting discussion. I'm glad to have found it. actually you found me...and I followed. thank you for your nice comment on my blog. :)

I'd like to add, that although I agree that FOBIDDING sugary treats for celebrations is a ridiculous way to fight the obesity epidemic...sometimes I feel that as parents we should try to place less importance on the unhealthy food for celebrating. Healthy foods can be considered a treat, if it is presented as one.
I am NOT saying that sugary treats should not be allowed. I am saying that providing FUN healthy alternatives should be offered as well.

I find that as adults, many of us eat unhealthy foods to make ourselves feel better, and I wonder if we think these foods are the magic remedy because they were offered up as foods for celebration. Just a thought.

I want to say again, that I don't think banning sugary sweets is the answer, but possibly some healthier treats could be encouraged as well.

Thank you for starting this wonderful discussion.
have a great weekend.

BlueBella said...

OMG!!!!!

Hell yeah for sending that directly to recycle!

Wow. Unfortunately not every child in school is blessed with an amazing and conciencious person such as yourself, and schools are forced to take on more child rearing type tasks . . .but seriously, this one goes over the top!

Let kids be kids. Amen.

K.M.L said...

I can't believe that....I think the parents should get to choose for their child at least what they get to eat during a holiday party. Geesh! What next? No parties at all! Craziness....sorry about the no sweets party for you son.