A couple of days ago I Tweeted about a segment on “Good Morning America” where they featured a woman who is on a crusade to ban cupcakes at children’s birthday celebrations in school. I got several comments from friends and thought I’d open up the conversation here. The Mom in the story wants parents to have to sign a permission slip before their kids are allowed to eat sweets at school. She comes from a family history of obesity and doesn’t want her kids to have to deal with this in their lives.
Going Overboard?
While I think she’s on the right track with wanting her kids to eat healthy, I think she’s taking it too far. She gives her kids plastic containers to bring to school so that if they get a cupcake, they are to put it in the container and bring it home. Once home, they will talk about it and they might be able to eat it.
All I can think of is these kids toting home cute little frosted cupcakes, then still not being allowed to eat them. I’m pretty sure I’d scarf that cupcake down before I made it home.
Moderation
I think it’s about moderation. We can’t control everything our kids do. We aren’t with them all day. If we mandate permission slips for each and every thing our child is to ingest, it won’t teach them about self control.
- You can read the GMA story here.
What do you think?
Photo courtesy of https://www.sxc.hu.
ABOUT ALICIA: Alicia is the founder of Balancing Motherhood.com. Last year, she managed to stay sane while completing an MBA, working full-time, blogging, and still baking amazing birthday cakes — all while raising a young family at home.
Jean Lewis says
I agree with you totally. Plus, when you make something so taboo that tastes so good, it makes it even more enticing.
akeorlando says
Well, I think that cupcake in this post looks damn good, so I’m definitely not with the mom on this one!
Leanie says
kids need balance, and birthday parties is about indulgence, and if there is balance doing outdoor activities WITH the parents and other activities that form part of your life style, all sorts of events will be greatly appreciated by your kids and yourself, and you would never need to watch them with an eagle eye, because they will naturally know there is a place and time for everything.
Jean Lewis says
Each time I see that cupcake, it makes me want one:)