There was a story about a child who's mother ran out of fruits and vegetable so she packed a few Oreo cookies in her lunch. "Yay!" the little four yr. old probably thought
So I guess it's better to have your child attend school hungry than to put a "poisonous" cookie in their mouth! I am not a parent, however if I was the parent of that child I would be livid. When has a few Oreos ever killed a kid? And are we saying now that parents don't even have any say so in what goes in their own child's lunch? Some parents can't afford all the healthy snacks all the time. Or they don't have time to run to the story every time they run out! And by tomorrow, a study will come out saying that "supposed" health snack is no longer healthy anyway!!
I do believe parents should try including a healthy snack whenever possible but I know that when I was a child, that healthy snack is the one thing that would've gone straight into the trash. My mother always packed a sandwich, a fruit or vegetable and probably either a bag of chips or a dessert. I always ate it all, except most times that fruit or vegetable didn't get eaten. And guess what? I'm still alive! And I was never 1 lb. overweight growing up.
What I'd really like to know is, who knew those cookies were in that box? Does the school have "lunch" cops watching every thing that goes into every kids lunch box? Or are the teachers snooping in all the kids lunch boxes while they are out on recess? Who has time for that? Why can't we trust the child's parents to know what's best for their own kid?
This world is going too far. Parents aren't even allowed to discipline their children anymore without fear that their child will be taken from them or they'll wind up in jail for child abuse. And we wonder why so many children are in trouble today?
Don't get me wrong, I think there are many parents out there that should not be raising kids. I'm thankful when an abusive, neglective parent is caught and the child is taken from them. But I strongly disagree that in today's world it doesn't seem like a parent is allowed to raise their own children in the way they see fit as long as it's a safe environment. Giving a child an Oreo cookie once in awhile is not abusive!
We have so many children in the world that are out there starving to death and might live one day longer if they had one of those cookies to eat. But our 'warped' society chooses to throw that cookie away because it has a little sugar in it. Why oh why can't we let kids be kids while they still can!!
I for one would love to go eat a few Oreos right this minute but I'm an adult, therefore I know that I can't afford those extra pounds it will put on me. But a four yr. old child should be allowed to eat one and enjoy it for the rest of us!!
Here's the article if anyone is interested. I'm curious what you other parents are thinking about this.
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/mom-lunch-shamed-school-packing-oreos-daughter/story?id=30674158
I limit my daughter's sweets, but I do allow her to have some. I've put sweets in her lunch before and it's never been a problem. They have snack at school (though most days there's no time and it goes uneaten) and those have to be healthy. But there's nothing that says they can't have sweets in their lunches. Thankfully! I do make sure she has juice that's 100% fruits and vegetables with no added sugar. And her sandwich is usually turkey or something healthy. So I think she deserves the small piece of chocolate I usually give her as a treat for dessert.
ReplyDeleteOf course she does! Sounds like you're doing a great job, Kelly.
DeleteI think it is the business of the parent what goes into a lunch box. No one has the right to preach nutrition. If the school wants to provide a free lunch, THEY can determine what the little one can eat. Ridiculous and double ridiculous. We are not going to combat child obesity THAT way!!!
ReplyDeleteTotally agree, Genilee.
DeleteI don't think this insult to childhood had anything to do with nutrition or obesity. It's simply an issue of control. I am so tired of so called officials-teachers, counselors, congressmen, senators and even the First Lady telling everyone how to raise their kids, what they should eat, how much exercise is mandatory, and what parents should or not do! My grand daughter loves Oreos and I've sent them in her lunch as a special treat along with her cheese sticks, apple, carrots, grapes, and water. She eats them after everything else is gone. I think I'll take Oreos for the whole class on Monday.
ReplyDeleteHa ha, great idea, Sherry!
DeleteKelly, you sound like a great mom! And you're doing well with your child. I also have to say GO GENILEE & SHERRY & ALLYN. That sounds ridiculous. I agree with Genilee if they want to control the foods the kids eat, supply it, but don't you dare take something from a child that their mother put in the lunch box. It sounds like things are getting out of hand. My kids are grown. It's them who will be dealing with the schools and my grandkids lunches. I'm sure they will do their best to do what is best for my grandchild. I'm with Sherry sort of. Instead of bringing the whole class oreos, I may go get me a few. (Not really cause I don't have any -- but they are the best dipped in milk...and isn't milk good for you. Until they change that too.) Look at you Allyn - you riled me up too. Haha. Good blog!
ReplyDeleteI think I riled all of you. I was upset too. Just can't believe a kid can't have an oreo once in awhile!
DeleteThat article, I did read, and I was annoyed. I am tired and frustrated with the level of policing the schools try to enforce. My tiny dancer, is very very tiny. She eats more than I do and sometimes more than my husband does. She would prefer to be vegetarian but until she is done growing, I'm mean and make her eat meat some of the time. However, I also give the girl snacks. Cookies and poptarts and anything else she wants as the girl dances almost every single day and burns more calories than she can take in sometimes. If anyone gave me a hard time, I would direct them to her DR and/or then say maybe you should MYOB (maybe even add a D into the mix). I'm the parent. Not the school. I get to say. Not them. Ever. Teach my children to read, and write, and add and subtract, and history and things like that. Stay out of the rest. Period.
ReplyDeleteHa ha, this really got your blood boiling, huh Courtney? But you said it perfectly and exactly what I was thinking!
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