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My 9-year-old came home from school yesterday, dropped his bag in the hallway (why can't he remember to hang it up is beyond me), and strolled into the kitchen for his usual after-school snack. I joined him as this is often the best time for us to catch up and talk about his day.
While he's munching away on some grapes, I ask him about his new snack routine at school. "Do you have it before lunch? Are there assigned seats? Is it a working snack?" You know, nosey mom questions. That's when he told me the kids said they felt bad for him.
Me: "Why do they feel bad for you?"
9 yo: "Because they asked why I never bring chips or Doritos for a snack and I told them we never have that at home."
Me: "That's true. It's okay to have it once in a while, but too much junk food is not good for you."
9 yo: "I told them that. Then they asked if I've ever had Burger King or McDonald's and I told them never. They couldn't believe it and that's when they said they felt bad for me."
Me: (wheels turning) "They just don't understand because maybe that's what they have often. We just never go to those places when there are so many great restaurants to choose from around here. It's okay to have that stuff once in a while. But like junk food, too much fast food is not good for you."
9 yo: "I know. Then they asked what is my favorite thing we have for breakfast. I told them Belgium Waffles. They all agreed... Food from scratch is the best, right?"
Me: "Right. And yeah, it's hard not to like Belgium waffles."
My 9-year-old really doesn't care what others think or say and will be the first to set you straight. I know his classmates were probably more curious than really shaming him for never eating that crap. We don't deprive our kids of treats and we try to limit how much processed foods they eat. This is just another sad reminder why there's a childhood obesity problem. I'm now scheming ways we can start getting these other kids excited about real food.
I wondered if this happened to my girls, but I don't think anybody is supposed to have unhealthy snacks at school. They have told me that they notice other kids' unhealthy meals at lunch time and they report back how unhealthy it is. It's a shame, but sounds like your son handled it well.
ReplyDeleteI think so too Krystyn. The school does try to encourage families to pack healthy snacks, but also sell chips and flavored milk at lunch. So I can see how it's confusing for kids. I'm hoping we can educate our kids and have them influence their parents!
DeleteIt's so interesting - in general I see kids in my daughter's circles eating much healthier than we did as kids. We always had chips and snack cakes around the house. But our kids don't, and don't really miss them. Sure, my kid likes chips now and then and was excited that her friend brought her a home baked cookie today. (She saved it for dessert tonight.) but last weekend we had a bunch if kids at our house for a sleepover. We bought soda and chips (because isn't that what 8th graders want?) but also veggies with dip and sliced strawberries, pineapple and kiwi. Most of the kids drank water, and in the morning the chip bags hadn't even been opened and all of the fruit was gone. And my daughter is grossed out by McDonalds. It's taking time but I really think things are changing.
ReplyDeleteI agree Dawn. I have seen some changes, so that's encouraging. But there is still surprisingly a lot of families in our town that rely on convenience. Glad to see things could improve by 8th grade!
DeleteI like Belgian Waffles :-) I could have had this very same conversation with my kids. Stay strong young man, your mother is right. It would seem that he is too! He's a smarty pants.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the words of encouragement! I hope he does stay strong. But I have a feeling he'd be over Doritos after a few bites.
DeleteMy daughter's "trick" to get a snack is to ask for something she knows is healthy and then say "Mommy, can I have ________ because it's healthy fr my body." She's three but I love that she is aware of what she should and shouldn't be eating already.
ReplyDeleteLove it! If kids learn early on what's healthy for them, it sets them up for a lifetime of healthy habits. I'm a huge fan of nutrition education early on in schools :)
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