Ladybug's MMO class (Mom's Morning Out) had an Easter Egg hunt last week. Unfortunately, we weren't able to attend for a couple of reasons (not relevant to the story). For Halloween and Christmas, the kids had parties, and the parents were instructed to bring treats if they wanted to. I was not aware of bringing treats for this party, which was a good thing.
This week, I was able to pick up LB's goody bag from one of her teachers. Oh. My. Stinkin'. Word. People. Do parents really think that it is a good idea for their toddlers to eat this much sugar????? (And this picture was taken after I had already eaten some M&Ms.) (And the eggs in the plastic thing are egg-shaped sidewalk chalk - love that.)
These are TODDLERS, People!!! They are in the phase of learning good or bad eating habits, of developing or not developing a sweet tooth. I do not want LB to have a lifelong struggle with overeating, the way I have. Teaching her to make good food choices is very important to me. I don't mind the rare treat, but I really think that some of the treats were not appropriate for toddlers (choking hazards!).
When I took treats for goody bags at Halloween and Christmas, I took fish crackers, then I made applesauce oatmeal bars (wrapped individually). The homemade goodies that we received were all very good.
I think the only thing homemade in this goody bag was a chocolate bunny pop.
Am I just that naive to think that parents care about what their kids are eating? Or am I blowing this out of proportion? What do you think are appropriate sweet treats for toddlers (ages 1-3)?
My youngest is 4 and at her daycare party they had an egg hunt and it was mostly all candy, BUT they filled a small basket. At my first grader's school Easter egg hunt they also gave out things like small erasers and pencils and stickers and those little capsule foam animals that expand in water. I just go through their candy later when they are not looking and keep about half of it hidden! ;)
ReplyDeleteHalloween seems to be way out of control, though, with the candy.
I consider it just part of the fun, but you can still encourage non-candy treats to balance out the people who just go overboard with the candy.
I agree wholeheartedly! I have thought the same thing at the boys' preschool parties. I usually take a treat that ISN'T edible for the same reason!
ReplyDeleteI'm with ya. Not even just as toddlers though. Up through 2nd grade... Halloween, Christmas, Valentines,Easter, Last day of school, and all the b day parties in between. Tons of sweets! I started a goodie jar in the kitchen and eveyones goodies get put into it and they get to have one or two at a time. It goes along way that way. My husband loves it because he has such a sweet tooth.
ReplyDeleteBut I also worked at a before and after school program at my childrens school for two years. I was shocked at what parents sent with there kids for breakfast, poptarts,fruitloops, donuts. Snacks and lunches where not much better. The unfortunat thing is the kids eating like that where usually the ones really struggeling with behaviour and school work. I'm not saying it is because of the junk food, but I think that combined with over busy parents this is a disaster for the kids.
Sorry for going on and on and on. Just struck a nerv with me I guess.
Blessings!
My daughter gets all of the candy at parties and such, but we end up hiding most of it or eating it ourselves (sigh). We still have a bowl full of candy that she gathered from a 4th of July parade!
ReplyDeleteI guess it just comes with the territory.
Multiply that times 8, and that's the basket of goodies that Grace brought home from day care on Wednesday. No kidding. 4 chocolate bunnies, big and small. Bags and bags of M&Ms, Twix bars, Kit Kats, Hershey's Kisses, and other assorted goodies. I'm guilty, too. I had forgotten all about the holiday, and I ended up giving each of the other kids a pinwheel attached to a bag with three chocolate candies in it.
ReplyDeleteI don't know if there is a right or wrong answer. I think we (parents in my day care) all assume that the kids and parents will share the goodies. Last year, one mom gave each family a beautiful handmade Christmas ornament rather than goodies - a true family gift. This year for Valentine's Day, I gave each family a crayon roll that I'd made. A third mom in our day care gives a book and bag of goodies for every holiday.
I think the sentiment is in the right place, and I think that other people don't consider the volume of junk food that the holiday piles up for our kids. You're absolutely right that it's excessive, and I think that's where good parents come in. We don't let them eat and eat the candy, instead helping them to see it as an occasional treat.
And, for the record, I don't mind the sweet treats that I sometimes partake in after Grace is in bed. :)
I completely agree with you! Shiloh's preschool had their egg hunt a week ago and I let her have a couple pieces of candy and got rid of the rest. Tomorrow there will be an egg hunt at church and one at our family cookout. I'm only going to let her eat a few pieces again. I'll give the rest away. She has more fun just hunting for the eggs than anything.
ReplyDelete