Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Life's Not Fair
Avery came to me this week asking for 50 cents. He was told that he could buy a snack in the lunch room on Tuesday's and Friday's. It was his classes day. I asked him what kind of snacks and if there was anything that was healthy.
He listed off packaged cookies, fruit rolls ups and chips.
I asked if they had anything that was good for him...but nope. Not a thing. I said no thanks. But he was persistent saying that It's Not Fair that he has to watch the other kids in the lunch room eating things like that when he can't.
I have given it a lot of thought to all the things that my kids have been through with me on of food revolution journey - they are mostly drinking white milk at school, taking their lunches all the time, eating fruits and veggies for snacks instead of junk after school, eating a healthy breakfast and dinner with their family.
I don't agree with it, but am giving him 50 cents a week now.
But It REALLY ISN'T FAIR.
It's Not Fair that my kids are told that they can buy packaged cookies, fruit roll ups and other junk food in the lunch room right after lunch. Seriously - they only have 15 minutes to eat anyway. So they would either have to shovel it in or just not eat much in order to have time and room in their stomachs for anything else. I would never have agreed with the choices of snacks but I might be able to see the reason for the snack.
It's Not Fair that my kids are made to watch the other kids in the lunch room eat Doritos and drink Pepsi.
It's Not Fair that by doing what's good and right by my kids that I am making them outcasts.
It's Not Fair that fruits and veggies aren't cool.
It's Not Fair that all my hard work and hard earned money spent will lose out to Twinkies, peer pressure and the cool table.
It's Not Fair that my kids are old enough that what they take for lunch matters to the kids sitting next to them.
It's Not Fair that other parents aren't concerned with the foods they are feeding their kids making it next to impossible to convince my kids that the foods we eat make a difference in how we feel.
It's Not Fair that there are no rules or regulations on what you as a parent can include in your kids lunch.
It's Not Fair that the public school system has learned to work the numbers nutrition wise convincing parents, students and the government alike that kids can eat chicken nuggets, pizza and hamburgers everyday with no consequences.
It's Not Fair that pizza, chicken nuggets and hamburgers are so much yummier through a kids eye than salads, sammies or celery.
It's Not Fair that I am thinking of giving in to my kids a few days a week and letting them eat junk at school even through I know better.
It's Not Fair that while I will still be fixing their breakfast, some lunches and dinner every day that it will be years before they learn that they can think by themselves - make their own choices.
It's Not Fair that I think it may be to late when that days rolls around.
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I could not agree with you more. School lunches suck. My mom tried to get the schools to change when I was a kid. I bitched about it when I was a teacher. And now you have to put up with it. We as moms should stage an over throw of the nations school lunch programs! Hmmm now there is an idea!
ReplyDeleteI feel for you sista! Gulp. Can Avery suggest that there be a healthier alternative available so it doesn't compromise his or his family's belief in eating nutritious food? Easier said than done but would others join the band wagon?
ReplyDeleteI can relate. I kind of told my husband the same thing when I overhauled what the kids and I eat. I told my husband not to be upset with me, but to be upset with our food supply and society for making it acceptable to eat "food" filled with artificial ingredients.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you completely (I find myself saying that to a lot of your posts).
ReplyDeleteWould he be amenable to making those coveted snacks? We make our own fruit roll-ups, granola bars, cupcakes, whatever it is that they really want because everyone else has it, I'll try to make it for them. Faith told me that the homemade fruit roll-ups taste better and taste like real strawberries. No kidding, it might just be because they actually have strawberries in them! ;o)
You tell 'em, Sister! It's just an uphill battle all the way and schools should be leading the way in healthy eating, supporting the parents, but no....
ReplyDeleteI agree with you. It's NOT fair, however I would have done the very same thing!
ReplyDeleteHave you sent a letter to the school board about providing healthy snack choices for purchase, as well? Tell them the same thing you just told us, and let them know the effort your making at home. Take a stand for what you believe is right.
ReplyDeleteYou're right, having no option but to let your kids either fight the peer pressure and go without or contradict the efforts you've made isn't fair at all.
Raise some healthy hell, sister!
I think it's great that your family is eating healthier, and it's appalling what schools serve. I'm just wondering if you were serious about regulating what parents put in their kids' lunches. People do have the right to do things like smoke cigarettes and eat Twinkies. It doesn't mean they should, but they do have that right. Anyway, I'm really happy you're teaching your children good habits. :)
ReplyDeleteYou are so right that it isn't fair...AND letting him have a treat at school isn't going to ruin him. You do such a good job of healthy eating at home, you could adjust some of the treats there and he won't even notice. He is really just happy he gets to do the things he sees the other kids doing. You are raising smart, healthy kids...keep fighting the good fight and encourage healthy eating and good choices. You'll come out on top, for sure. Just my two cents :)
ReplyDeletecan't you send him with a portable small item like you would find in a dispensor like that but with granola or nuts or something healthy dried fruit?
ReplyDelete