or should I say "nothing sweet".
based on the current trend to ban sugary concoctions - I guess this is about as sweet as it gets.
I've been listening to several news stories about schools banning any and all candy and/or sweets from school Valentine's Day parties. I don't disagree with the goal to steer the next generation towards a healthier lifestyle - but I think administrators tend to throw the baby out with the bath water with their all or nothing approach to everything. I think we would better achieve the healthier lifestyle objective by teaching children moderation versus complete and total abstinence. That might work with sex, but I don't think it is a realistic approach with food.
I said it when my son was in elementary school, and I'll say it now: one party cupcake will not cause my child to be overweight. If there are daily or weekly parties, that is another story; but 3 parties in a 9 month period is not the problem. Plain and simple, poor eating habits start at home. This doesn't mean it is not important for the schools to serve healthy meals - but there has to be a more realistic approach than what I've seen to date. I live in the county where Jamie Oliver filmed his TV show. The elementary school selected was the extreme of the county - I promise you, if you went to 4 of the local elementary school close to me, silverware is present for every meal, the majority of children knowing how to use a fork, and are very familiar with fruits and vegetables. By the time the program team (not Jamie Oliver himself) got around to the high school my children attend, I think it had been pretty well established that schools run on a tight schedule and with only 2 lunch periods for over 2,000 kids in this school alone, too many choices are not realistic. The kids did like the varieties of chicken, but unanimously felt the home made yogurt was hideous - revolting - nauseating.
they have to like it or they won't eat it.
Sorry for the diatribe -
but my point is
get realistic
and stop with the all or nothing approach to everything.
(and don't get me started on the gender segregated classes at the middle school ...)
err!
based on the current trend to ban sugary concoctions - I guess this is about as sweet as it gets.
I've been listening to several news stories about schools banning any and all candy and/or sweets from school Valentine's Day parties. I don't disagree with the goal to steer the next generation towards a healthier lifestyle - but I think administrators tend to throw the baby out with the bath water with their all or nothing approach to everything. I think we would better achieve the healthier lifestyle objective by teaching children moderation versus complete and total abstinence. That might work with sex, but I don't think it is a realistic approach with food.
I said it when my son was in elementary school, and I'll say it now: one party cupcake will not cause my child to be overweight. If there are daily or weekly parties, that is another story; but 3 parties in a 9 month period is not the problem. Plain and simple, poor eating habits start at home. This doesn't mean it is not important for the schools to serve healthy meals - but there has to be a more realistic approach than what I've seen to date. I live in the county where Jamie Oliver filmed his TV show. The elementary school selected was the extreme of the county - I promise you, if you went to 4 of the local elementary school close to me, silverware is present for every meal, the majority of children knowing how to use a fork, and are very familiar with fruits and vegetables. By the time the program team (not Jamie Oliver himself) got around to the high school my children attend, I think it had been pretty well established that schools run on a tight schedule and with only 2 lunch periods for over 2,000 kids in this school alone, too many choices are not realistic. The kids did like the varieties of chicken, but unanimously felt the home made yogurt was hideous - revolting - nauseating.
they have to like it or they won't eat it.
Sorry for the diatribe -
but my point is
get realistic
and stop with the all or nothing approach to everything.
(and don't get me started on the gender segregated classes at the middle school ...)
err!
"teach them correct principles and let them govern themselves" How will they be able to choose wisely (as the sage said) if they aren't taught??
ReplyDeleteI completely agree!
DeleteI'm totally with you, Nicki. I think banning all sweets at school, especially for school parties is taking things too far and doesn't really accomplish anything. Some of my fondest memories as a kid at school are class parties -- and the treats they involved. And those are some of my fondest memories of helping at schools as a mom, too. And isn't finding a treat inside the envelope the best part of opening Valentines from your classmates? :)
ReplyDeleteOh, and in answer to your question on my blog about Parker....yes, BYU will defer his enrollment at the university for two years while he serves his mission.
ReplyDeleteVery well said and I agree!
ReplyDeleteCute Valentine. :)
I agree with Pat - you got to learn from your mistakes. And I agree with you - it's not the one cupcake - it's the accumulation of many many cupcakes!! LOL!
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you. Don't throw the baby out with the bath water.
ReplyDeleteI agree, also. In some way, I think it's another example of laziness on the part of our society. It takes more time and effort to actually teach children valuable lessons than it does to just give all or take everything away. Sad, isn't it? Thanks for writing this, Nicki :)
ReplyDelete