How did this happen??
When I attended grade school, children simply exchanged little cards or notes for Valentine’s Day. Somehow, in the years since, Valentine’s Day has morphed into a feeding frenzy with loads and loads of candy and other sweets taking center stage. I was SHOCKED when my two boys came home from school on Wednesday with literally, a shoe box each FULL of candy given out by classmates for Valentine’s Day.
Not only that, each class had a party with juice, cookies, and other refined carbs to stuff the kids with before sending them home with enough candy to keep their sinuses clogged and noses running at least until the Easter candy fest starts all over again.
What are these people thinking? Don’t they know we have a childhood obesity crisis going on in the Western world? Don’t they realize that children as young as 10 are regularly being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, a degenerative disease once only found in adults primarily over the age of 50? Don’t they realize that children’s bodies are increasingly made out of “mush” (exact word used by my chiropractor to describe the bodies of children he treats) where injuries and broken bones occur for seemingly little to no reason at all?
These types of injuries rarely occurred years ago when kids played outside a lot more and played a lot harder, for that matter. A friend of mine whose 13 year old daughter plays competitive soccer told me that last year, every single girl on the team with the exception of one or two suffered a fracture of some kind during the season! I played a number of competitive sports growing up including speedball (a cross between football and soccer), and I never saw a broken bone. Not one.
Could people really be that oblivious to the serious and shocking degeneration of our youth that is occurring right before our eyes? Am I the only one who can see it? I don’t think so. I think most people see it but feel powerless to stop it. So, they ignore it.The commercialization of Valentine’s Day is so complete that folks take it for granted that giving a shoe box full of candy to a child “is just what you are supposed to do”. This is simply not normal, folks! Just because everyone does it doesn’t make it “normal”. Giving that much candy to a child, many of which already show signs of weight issues is just plain crazy. Until “the tipping point” is reached where enough parents rebel and refuse to participate in the sugar madness that has taken over our schools at not just Valentine’s Day, but ANY day that is even remotely a cause for celebration, then the degeneration will continue.
I am happy to report that when my kids came home with all this candy, they each requested one or two special pieces to keep and then promptly threw the rest in the trash. They did this on their own with no comment on the situation from me. I hope more than just my kids did exactly the same thing or something at least similar!
“You teach, you teach, you teach” .. the final words of Dr. Weston A. Price.
Sarah, The Healthy Home Economist
Today is one of those days I’m particular grateful we homeschool. We don’t have this issue. Whew!
This is one of the reasons why I love homeschooling!! We have one who went through a year of school, so he knows the drill unfortunately…However, I made some ‘healthy’ rice crispies (peanut butter, honey and brown rice cereal) into the shapes of hearts and bought them one small choc. heart and they all seem quite happy! And I have to agree, when my son was in school, this type of sugar feast seemed to happen monthly. Any holiday they can, they turn into a party. And then, at my sons school, each parent was asked to bring in a healthy snack each month. Their version of healthy was alarming! Pop tarts, fruit snacks, boxes of cereal, etc. Yikes! (Oh, then they would encourage the kids to each these ‘healthy’ snacks instead of running around on recess! Insane!!
Around here it has been big news that some schools are banning candy this year. Our district has had a “wellness” policy for the past few years. They do not allow food for any celebrations at all. No candy, no parties w/food etc. I don’t think that banning is the way to teach kids anything when it comes to food. However, in my opinion there is NO place for candy in school. In place of sugar laden parties, the kids watch a movie and are allowed to bring an extra snack from home. Don’t get me started on the movies!
Sarah,
First of all, thanks for reposting this. It’s not just Valentine’s Day. It is at least a once a month occurence if not weekly for those of us whose kids are involved in a team sport. Us adults seem to be the root of the problem and I think it points to our own addictions. I am convinced our senses are DULLED. Unfortunately, most of the parents I know don’t care. They have relinquinshed the freedom they have to convienence or fear or laziness or being brainwashed. They know all the facts you stated but lean on the crutch of “I’m too busy,” or “I’m overwhelmed and don’t know where to start.” OR, they think that what they are bringing to these events/activities IS healthy because the package says so.
This is a great post. This year my kids are just giving the little cards. Last week my 7 year old son threw away his Valentine’s Day box from last year that still had candy in it and a 3 weeks ago, both of my kids threw away their Halloween candy-at least 2lbs worth each! Yay! My kids are “getting it!!”
What is the connection with the softness of the bones?
I’m with you. I really hate how commercialized and meaningless most holidays have become. I often just opt out or do something meaningful and simple but I also have no kids yet … No idea how I will effectively deal with the candy situation in the future if I’m blessed with children.
In answer to your questions, “don’t these people realize…” No, they don’t. I was in charge of my 4 y.o.’s Valentine’s Day party yesterday. I made cupcakes (using all organic ingredients) and even tinted the frosting (organic food coloring) and served organic apples, organic strawberries and hormone free cheese. My daughter’s “bag” was full of junk. When we came home, I read her all the valentines and told her it was full of “artificial” and peanuts (some parents sent home things with peanuts which I don’t understand since they are made aware of allergy issues – my younger daughter) and threw it all in the trash. I had some organic lollipops on hand for special treats and I don’t feel bad. When I sign her up for school next year, I’m going to put a sensitivity to artificial food coloring – not untrue and it is a place to start educating parents.
I read this article today after my son brought home his whole Valentine bag full of candy! I was shocked. When I was a kid, there were a couple people who would put a piece of chocolate with their valentine’s to hand out. Now, almost everyone gave out candy. Aside from my son, there was only one other kid that JUST gave a card. There were a few who had pencils or tattoos attached, but 90% had candy. I’m going to talk to my son today and give him the option. I’m going to explain what kind of effect all this candy will have on his body and give him the choice. Luckily, he’s in 1st grade and still mold-able 🙂 Anyway, great article!
Right there with you. I cannot believe how the sugar pushers are there at every opportunity to try to find a way to shove it down kids' throats (and adults too, for that matter). The more I learn about true nutrition and the evils of sugar, the more it all makes me angry, and I don't even have children! Great post I recently read by another real food blogger was called "Sugar does not equal love" and was about her desire to keep her kids away from sugar. Her post title should be a mantra!
I enjoy reading your blog; I'm in the area, and plan to soon join WAPF. I'd love to attend local meetings! 🙂
–Sara