School Treats?

Warning: I am going to vent a little. Or a lot. Who knows? Here goes!

Andon's birthday is tomorrow. He turns 7. I know...where did the time fly? I ask this every time one of my kids has a birthday. So I've been thinking of what to bring as a birthday treat, besides the same old cupcake. For one, it's extremely messy, and I have been in the classroom helping on those days that a parent brings in cupcakes and the teacher just sighs and says, "I hate those things." So cupcakes were out before it even got started. I'm not particularly clever in the food department. Love to eat..hate to cook. I joke that I should have been a food critic. Now that would have been fun!

So I get online to see what other people have been up to. (Seriously you guys, I google EVERYTHING:) The internet, and especially blogland always have great ideas. Seriously, people are so dang clever! I thought for sure I'd find SOMETHING. And I did. I was looking for something easy, not altogether unhealthy, but definitely something the kids would like without the proverbial "It's a birthday. We have to eat crap for a birthday, don't ya know?" Well I came across a blog and I'm thinking that this site will have lots of great ideas, cause that's what the name generates right? Weeell..no. Google failed me:) This actually is a blog of some domestic diva spouting off her ideals on politics. Well, after all, it is free speech. Just like this blog is too, so really, whatever rocks your boat. Say what you will, I don't have to read it. But I was intrigued because she had posted a letter from her child's teacher that her daughter had just brought home. This is what the letter said:
Dear Parents,
This year I am trying to give the students only healthy treats and snacks. Please do not bring cupcakes or cookies for birthday treats. They are very messy and hard to get out of the carpet. Other ideas for treats are: crackers, fruit snacks, fresh fruit or veggies, pencils, or erasers.

I thought that sounded like a cool idea, we've even had teachers that have requested that very thing over the years. I continued onto the comments section and was amazed at what was shared. There was comments like "school's are sucking all the joy out of childhood," and "My wife is a teacher and I know she'd never get picky with parents like this....pencils, erasers for snack food? I'd think the teacher's an idiot."

REALLY!?!?! Sucking the joy out of childhood because the teacher asked for healthier treats???? Mocking some child's parent because they wanted to bring in something that wasn't food or sweets???

So I am completely incensed by now and keep reading on. I come across a comment from some woman named Sandy and here's what she said:

"Really? Is it so offensive to request that kids have a healthy snack at school? Sucking the life out of their childhood? Oh, what a horrible life. Crackers and cheese. An apple. Please, Rebecca. Give'em the hostess at home; kids won't have a miserable childhood because they eat one less cupcake a week. Maybe, as adults, they will thus learn to lead a more balanced life. Sandy. "

I am thinking, "FINALLY!" Someone with some sense. I'm also thinking that there are going to be more people that agreed with her.

Nope.

Not a one.

She got blasted. And I was so mad!! I tried to leave an anonymous comment but it wouldn't let me, and I didn't want any backlash on my blog here.

She then quotes the bible: "Proverbs 24:13 My child, eat honey, for it is good, and the honeycomb is sweet to the taste. I wonder what God is trying to tell me."

Pause.

Say WHAT????

I just shake my head sometimes because that's all you can do.

So here's my opinion, and you can tell me if I'm way off base here. What is so HORRIBLE about the teacher wanting to have healthier snacks? What is so bad about a teacher requesting that there be items that she doesn't want brought in to her classroom? And if that means healthier treats being brought in from home, what is the problem? I don't see anything wrong with this. It's certainly not hurting anyone for pity sake. You want to serve my kid an apple? How dare you! (Really?) I understand the schools have to provide healthier lunches than they did 20 or however many years ago. I really don't think it's a bad idea to ask parents to bring in healthier choices for birthdays. Especially when there are food allergies, or religious restrictions, or you're simply just trying to eat healthier. Just because it's tradition to bring in the sweets doesn't mean we can't bring in an alternative option without the idea being ridiculed. I think that's what's got me so up in arms; that the idea of not being allowed to bring a treat into someone's classroom is so very offensive to some.

I for one don't remember all the crap I ate as a kid. I remember the memories. And honestly, those memories wouldn't be tainted because a cupcake wasn't involved!!

Was I thinking of taking in veggies to school tomorrow? No. If my school had a policy about the healthier snacks being brought verses the junky ones, I would abide by that. However, I was thinking of trying to minimize the amount of sweetness in whatever food I decided to bring and thus am giving to other people's kids too. I actually was thinking of taking in smoothies, or something that didn't have a ton of sugar in it, or some small little toys instead of food. There are quite a few religious restrictions and allergies in Andon's class. Do I think less of you if you bring in cupcakes? By all means, NO. I've brought in more cupcakes than I care to count. I just think that if the teacher asks that there not be messy foods brought in, she shouldn't be ridiculed for it.

What do you think? Am I way off base here?

Hopefully this hasn't offended anybody. It is solely my opinion, but I welcome comments if you have an opinion. You can disagree, just be nice about it. My fragile feelings can't handle it:)

Oh, and if you have an alternative idea other than cupcakes for birthday treats to school, I SOOO welcome the idea.