MOMania

By Theresa

December 12, 2006 08:18 AM | Link to this

Hey jesse’s girl — here’s a new topic - sorry I was gone all day yesterday — My daughter has walking pneumonia - took over two hours at the pediatricians and then another hour and half to get her meds — (although they said it would be ready in 20 mins) - totally off topic but didn’t want you guys to think I was slacking!

By past50mom

December 12, 2006 08:23 AM | Link to this

A homemade baked treat is usually healthier than a store bought one that contains saturated fats, high fructose sugar, a ton of salt, and HELLO, chemical preservatives. Check out the labels or ask the grocery baker. The imperious school admins should first look at their own school cafeteria foods which are loaded with fat, sugar salt, breaded fried and full of empty calories, and scant nutrition.

By waterbug24

December 12, 2006 08:40 AM | Link to this

I’m not sure it’s so much because store bought is better nutritionally, but because store bought is usually safer. Who knows what some students and parents might (and have) put in homemade items, or how clean the preparation area and materials are.

By Melanie

December 12, 2006 09:11 AM | Link to this

THIS is the new topic? CUPCAKES???? I’ll check back next week….

By Stacey

December 12, 2006 09:13 AM | Link to this

While I don’t see banning cupcakes as an assault on tradition, I do think the ban is a little extreme. If schools want to improve the nutrition of kid’s lunches, they should do away with some of the greasy, high-fat, high-sodium food choices. That coupled with some form of physical activity will help in curbing the obesity epidemic. Still, until parents change the food and activity level at home, the downward health spiral will continue.

By Theresa

December 12, 2006 09:22 AM | Link to this

melanie — you’re welcome to send me topics —you can email me at ajcmomania@gmail.com or just post them here

By cakegirl

December 12, 2006 09:39 AM | Link to this

Doesn’t anyone remember the incident a few years ago at a local middle school where a girl put bleach and play-doh in the cupcakes sickening many children? Do we really need a repeat of this? Let your kids celbrate birthday’s, etc. at home. The school day is for instructional time.

By Momof3

December 12, 2006 10:04 AM | Link to this

Cakegirl, I don’t think many parents are bringing cupcakes to middle or high schools for birthday celebrations. Perhaps it might be appropriate to ban that type of thing in the upper grades.

But for elementary school kids, I think homemade treats are made by the parents, not the kids. If schools don’t trust their parents to bring in a sanitary, poison-free snack, then they have a bigger issue than a simple cupcake ban.

I live in Forsyth County and find the cupcake rule asinine. My kids are still in grammar school, and I have brought in cupcakes before. You simply bring in the treat at the end of the day or at snack time — either way, not a big loss of instructional time. But a huge boost of excitement for the kids.

As for allergies, the common sense thing to do is to have the teacher or a group of parents purchase a stock of allergy-approved treats to have on hand to pass out if a parent brings in an offending food. It gives the child with allergies something they know is safe to eat and it’s still a fun treat.

As for childhood obesity, I agree that the schools themselves should look inward at the foods they serve every day instead of worrying about an occasional cupcake in class. And you can’t point to an obese child and blame it all on birthday cupcakes anyway. Fifteen-to-twenty cupcakes a year do not an obese child make.

By stayinvolved

December 12, 2006 10:04 AM | Link to this

cakegirl

At work I guess you work without breaks, chit chat, long lunches, holiday celebrations, I mean it’s work time. Life is too short..btw..you can have fun and learn/work at the same time.

By SpaceyG

December 12, 2006 10:09 AM | Link to this

The Food Police are everywhere. Christmas goodies are next, if the whole thing isn’t already banned.

I sliced up a bunch of oranges for my kid’s Halloween party (they haven’t gotten to that holiday YET in the APS, go figure) and found that most of the kids had thirds and fourths of this healthy snack. Most left the little raw sugar heaps (cupcakes) partially eaten. Go figure.

And looks like Harry Potter and the Hogwarts kids will be free to patrol the corridors of the Gwinnett County schools! Official word Thursday. More here: (http://spaceygreview.blogspot.com/)

By Melanie

December 12, 2006 10:22 AM | Link to this

Possible topics: 1) In your second marraige, does your spouse disciplin your kids (not biologically his) or is it mainly your deal? 2) At home, do you supply and endless supply of sweet snacks or are you more into healthy food? 3) Are your kids given free reign to go anywhere in the house or are some rooms off limits unless they ask to enter? 4) Does your spouse (2nd marraige) bad mouth your ex in front of you and your kids? 5) Your discipline method…strict or Let the kids be kids? 6) At what point do you start to believe the authority figure (teachers, etc.) over your kids? 7) Do you think that strict house rules bring up a more respectful child or do you “Que sera, sera”. 8) Do you let your child make their own mistakes and pay the full penalty or do you bail them out every time? 9) Back talking children, Time Out or the Meet Jesus routine? 10) Are you a Rules are Rules parent or do you let things slide because you don’t want to upset the apple cart?

By smomma

December 12, 2006 10:28 AM | Link to this

I have to say that I get annoyed when moms bring them to preschool parties. Such a MESS! The kids don’t even finish them.

By smomma

December 12, 2006 10:29 AM | Link to this

Melanie - if you will look at the archives, I believe a lot of those subjects have been addressed. It can’t be all serious topics all the time.

By Stacy

December 12, 2006 10:32 AM | Link to this

I really like some of Melanie’s suggestion. Particularly when you have an incident and you have a teacher telling you one thing and your child telling you another. i think most parents would side with the child without even questioning motives and believing the child’s excuse of the teacher not liking him/her and picking on them. I would be more likely to believe the teacher 9 out of 10 times, personally.

By what the heck

December 12, 2006 10:41 AM | Link to this

Lighten up Melanie. Seems like you’re the only one with a problem with the subject. I see a lot of blogs on here that I don’t care for, so I just don’t participate. I don’t try to get the subject changed.

By Melanie

December 12, 2006 10:42 AM | Link to this

My bad. I’m new to the blog and haven’t check the archives. Merry Christmas all!

By Ashleigh

December 12, 2006 10:45 AM | Link to this

Um, it’s just a cupcake. If the kid wants sweets, then he can get them at home, if they are served. But it won’t be that big of a deal once the children get adjusted to the “no cupcake” thing at school.

By Mal

December 12, 2006 10:50 AM | Link to this

Uh oh, there’s another topic. Does “Merry Christmas” offend you! LOL

By renn

December 12, 2006 10:54 AM | Link to this

Last year, rather than cupcakes we made goodie bags for each child to take home from school that included stickers, a brightly colored pencil, a candy cane, and tiny toy. I spent under $5.00 for the whole class and my son got to pass them out as the kids left for the bus or trip home the last day before break since his birthday is during Christmas break.

By Ella

December 12, 2006 10:58 AM | Link to this

If you want to help combat childhood obesity—increase recess time; educate children on healthy eating; serve healthy meals in school cafeterias; and encourage/educate parents to have healthy fare at home.

It’s not the occasional cupcake, folks!

My daughter has severe food allergies. She doesn’t eat food at school—unless it comes from home. Sounds harsh, but that’s the way it is. Why should the school end the fun just to accommodate her?

By Slim

December 12, 2006 11:06 AM | Link to this

Ella I like your non-selfishness in your last paragraph. In today’s PC world, most parents would demand that since their child cannot have a cupcake, then no other child can have a cupcake. Unfortunately, in your situation, I am sure your daughter misses out on the treats that are brought in by others. I like the way you think!!!

By tc

December 12, 2006 11:19 AM | Link to this

Melonie, you should apply for this blog position!

By Ashleigh

December 12, 2006 11:19 AM | Link to this

All this food talk is making me hungry…

By lynn

December 12, 2006 11:28 AM | Link to this

Melonie, i have a lot of the same questions. Especially the one about how the new daddy is suppose to raise the step children without saying a word. My ex told me yesterday my new hubby should never even say a word (which most the time he doesn’t) when we are arguing just because he told my daughter she shouldn’t talk to her mother that way. I think he was right in line on time but the ex doesn’t see it that way. How can we raise the children when it’s one-sided. I feel like he pays to raise her and she lives in a home provided by him so what’s wrong with a little advise just because he’s not her bio father?

By Theresa

December 12, 2006 11:33 AM | Link to this

hey lynn — I got not problems doing a blog on step parents and how they help raise their step children — we can totally do a whole blog on that - it is a good topic

By Jennifer

December 12, 2006 11:44 AM | Link to this

I don’t remember ever having cupcakes in school! We do send them into preschool (private) because they do snack time, but I doubt I would send in anything like that once my children are in kindergarten.

Touching on the homemade vs. store-bought issue, out of my own weirdness, I won’t eat food cooked by anyone unless I really know them, so I always send in just store-bought goods. Publix makes cupcakes that are way better than anything I could cook anyway!

By Martha

December 12, 2006 11:57 AM | Link to this

Folks…we have bigger fish to fry than “are cupcakes okay in school?” I don’t allow them in my room….I have a room full of computers and don’t allow any kind of food in my room because of them. I am glad for the excuse….too many kids can’t eat without their mouths wide open and talking. Let mama and daddy enjoy THAT.

By Amy

December 12, 2006 12:07 PM | Link to this

Ella - Thank you! It is so refreshing to hear someone take responsibility for her own child! And to teach that child that she has to deal with life issues - not manipulating life to center around them! Your child may have a chance in this old world.

My son amazes me with his adaptability - when rules change or go against his wants, he accepts them. I don’t think he needs his parents to fight this battle in the school system.

As an aside - on the issue of listening to your child or a teacher - I have learned the hard way that you have to weigh it out and figure it out for yourself - we used to say the teacher is always right, and my child ended up getting in a bad situation. I will be careful about that in the future, but hope I don’t become an overprotective fussy mommy in the meantime.

By Fulton County Mom

December 12, 2006 12:23 PM | Link to this

I took cupcakes in for my child’s birthday just this morning. (oh the horror!) The rule there is I have to leave them in the front office, they are passed out with lunch, and must be store bought….no big deal. Yes, I paid about $12 for 2 dozen and could have done them at home for like $3. But since there are some concerns (the health ones are stupid — they make peanutbutter stuff in the bakery too!)…I have no problem with shelling out the cash once a year.

I think Halloween parties should be banned forever…but then if you have read me on here you know that I loathe Halloween anyway. BTW I still have a galloon freezer sack of Halloween treats in the pantry.

Birthdays should be special for the kid…parties outside school hours, presents at home, and cupcakes to share with your class. I say go for it. (I am talking the Elementary School level here).

The food should stay in the cafe not the rooms.

By Twinkie the Kid

December 12, 2006 12:52 PM | Link to this

Twinkies RULE! Cupcakes? Wimpy!

By Jesse's Girl

December 12, 2006 12:54 PM | Link to this

I personally am thankful that most schools are demanding that no home baked goods be given out. I mean…..the pressure of baking the cookies, cupcakes, what have you is gone! Now all I have to do is run by the store and grab their sugar-laden equivalent of what I would have made anyway! And there is zero guilt about not being “that mom”. So…bring it! Publix makes really yummy cookies, Sams makes awesome cupcakes, and Chick-Fil-A is the all time fave for class holiday parties!!!

By J

December 12, 2006 01:04 PM | Link to this

People are so funny. It’s so easy to get people annoyed. People would argue over bringing cupcakes to school, whose nose is bigger, if the grass is really green or just a lime hue, or whose car is fancier, etc. Complain complain complain! We need to stop being so judgmental and respect other people’s beliefs and values. Whether it’s bringing cupcakes or not. A parent shouldn’t get annoyed if another parent brings in cupcakes, good grief! It’s like all you have to do to offend someone is say one word, or just exist! Just seems comical to me.

By By me

December 12, 2006 01:05 PM | Link to this

School is for learning and not for eating. Why can’t we leave cupcakes, cakes and other food like this at home? After all how many b-day cakes you can eat? B-day at school, at home, at grandparents, etc. And cake/cupcakes come with every celebration. I think it would be nice to give a b-day boy/girl a b-day card from entire class and leave the cupcakes out. Why can’t this make a b-day special?

What also angers me is that many teachers/school bus drivers reward children with candy. And then we are wondering why kids ask for a desert after every meal and why they are so overweight.

By MA

December 12, 2006 01:25 PM | Link to this

I took store-bought cupcakes AND juice boxes to my grandson’s kindergarten this morning. Left them at the front desk — they will be eaten for afternoon snack and the kids will sing Happy Birthday to him. My grandson is very excited about the “singing song”! I asked if any children in the class had allergies, and I routinely don’t bring anything with peanut butter, nuts, or chocolate. I also always send the labels, so concerned parents can read the whole list of additives if they want too. More than that I cannot do!

By kat

December 12, 2006 01:42 PM | Link to this

I don’t think there’s a problem with an occasional treat, but if school administrators want to get serious about fighting obesity, they need to look in their own cafeterias first. It astonishes me that public schools with licensed nutritionists on staff can get away with serving such unhealthy food. It may be nutritionally balanced TECHNICALLY, but in reality it is all starch, grease and white bread, and the few vegetables they serve are so overprocessed and overcooked that any nutritional value is just theoretical. I would love to be able to give my kids lunch money instead of laboring over home-packed lunches, but that’s not a possiblility. I did try that for a while with my oldest daughter when she was first in school, but she was having a hard time with stomach aches nearly every afternoon. I switched to simple but nutritious home-packed lunches (whole wheat bread, fresh fuit & veggies), and the problem vanished. What I would really love is to compare the nutritional value that a school claims is in a student lunch, then have it tested to see if it really meets those standards. That would be a great research project for someone at the ajc! I just think it is ridiculous that schools are looking for a nutritional villian behind every rock and tree (and cupcake) while ignoring the obvious.

By Jan

December 12, 2006 02:10 PM | Link to this

I think schools have far more serious issues to concern themselves with other banning cupcakes. Other than taking proper percaution for allergies, just move on.

By Sher

December 12, 2006 02:23 PM | Link to this

I don’t really see a problem with an occasional sweet treat. However, parents should keep in mind that there is usually at least one child in the class who cannot indulge and will therefore be left out, due to diabetes, food allergies, etc. Perhaps sending in a fruit tray would be healthier and just as delicious - most kids love fruit! I bet the teacher would be pleased too.

My kids both have birthdays when school is not in session, so I never felt that I had to bake cupcakes for the class. Anyone who judges their parenting skills by competing in the cupcake wars needs to get a new perspective. It’s just a cupcake, for gosh sakes! You kid’s not gonna remember it when he’s 15.

By Louisiana Girl

December 12, 2006 02:33 PM | Link to this

Childhood obesity is not the fault of the public school system. Although I’m sure their lunches are not the healthiest, I think the real offender is being too busy and living life in the drive-thru lane. A piece of candy from the teacher or a cupcake for birthday/holiday celebrations is not going to ruin our children. We need to take responsibility for the food choices we make for our children at home and who knows, maybe they will learn to decide for themselves at an earlier age whether or not to eat the cupcake that Suzie’s mom brought.

And Ella, I also like your attitude with your child’s allergy situation.

By By me

December 12, 2006 02:53 PM | Link to this

Louisiana Girl:

School system is so much about childhood obesity. Kids spend more than half of a day at school that is “stuffed” with candy and soda machines and junk food. Want to take a 5-6 year old to the store, give 50 dollars, ask him to spend it and see what he buys?

Also, what do you think Johnny learns when every time he is rewarded with a piece of candy?

Schools have a big influence in eating habbits because kids are not even given a healthy food choise at school.

By Jesse's Girl

December 12, 2006 03:32 PM | Link to this

Here’s a thought for those of you chiding your respective school systems food choices……make a lunch for your child! The menu is not going to change to suit us…no matter what kind of fuss we make. The fact of the matter is this folks…..it is expensive to eat healthy on that kind of scale. So as parents, it is up to us to send in an alternative if that is what we deem appropriate for our children. Even the salad bars at high schools are bacteria banquets. I say brown bag it everyday…..

By Whit N.

December 12, 2006 03:38 PM | Link to this

You have got to be kidding me. In today’s world we have more important things to be meddling with. Come on, don’t kids already KNOW what they are allergic to at different points in their life? I did because my parents told and showed me what I had to avoid and what would happen if I touched or ate it. I wasn’t scared for life for it - it saved my life. It is the parents fault if a kid has become overly overweight in a majority of the situations. Sorry, letting your kid eat whatever they want, doing noting but watching TV and playing video games - what do you think happens over time?! Hello! It isn’t rocket science here….. (I would blame myself if I was in that situation…)

(Sorry….for some reason this subject has put me in a venting mood.)

By John

December 12, 2006 04:04 PM | Link to this

No child is going to get fat over an occasional cupcake or on the paltry amount of food served in a typical school cafeteria lunch. Even if schools serve a few foods higher in fat, the two or three spoonfuls the child receives of each item aren’t enough to affect everyone. Leave schools, teachers and parents alone and let tradition continue.

By ChrisD

December 12, 2006 04:42 PM | Link to this

I’m so tired of the left banning things for hypersensitive reasons. They have ruined the schools!

By Granny

December 12, 2006 05:36 PM | Link to this

If you worry about the area where homemade goodies are made being clean, you should check out the kitchen areas in your local bakery. I’ve worked in one, and it’s horrendous. Give me homemade anyday!

By sbw

December 12, 2006 05:58 PM | Link to this

Twinkies? Twinkies are for…well, TWINKIES!

By BARBARA

December 12, 2006 06:32 PM | Link to this

When my children were growing up, cupcakes and Hi-C were treats…….not an everyday occurance….a candy bar sent them out of this world…….to much all the time..nothing special and to be looked forward to.

By Alex

December 12, 2006 10:01 PM | Link to this

As a parent of an allergic child, store-bought goodies are unacceptable as they never meet his needs. I have always volunteered to make all the cupcakes for his class just so I know they are safe for him and it saves the other moms the work of having to produce homemade cupcakes. But otherwise, my child has a BMI of 15 and he can have all the cupcakes he wants, which isn’t really that many. He’s normally very active and not at all obsessed with sweets. We need to focus on the problem and not the symptoms, people.

By Kage

December 13, 2006 06:30 AM | Link to this

I echo what SpaceyG said about bringing in fruit. For my class holiday party one year, I allowed the parents to send in whatever they like. I brought in an assortment of fruit. (Some of the kids had never had cherries before.) The kids gobbled up all the fruit before touching any of the sugary stuff. I was shocked.

By Trish

December 13, 2006 08:13 AM | Link to this

no cupcakes at school. Make them at home and use them for neighborhood parties. There is no telling of the sanitary or lack of sanitary conditions in the home where the cupcakes were made. Many children lick the batter spoon and put it back in - too much exposure to unknown bacteria…..no to homemade cupcakes at school!

By Jessalyn Anglin

December 13, 2006 08:23 AM | Link to this

So spread out over the whole school year, we’re looking at about two cupcakes a month. If anything, I would say these are treats in moderation and exactly what we should be teaching our children for the frequency of eating such treats. If schools really want to get tough on these “wellness policies,” I think it needs to begin with the school lunch line. Stop feeding kids chicken nuggets and fries everyday!

By past50mom

December 13, 2006 08:53 AM | Link to this

If homemade cupcakes are so dangerous, can anybody tell me how many illnesses or deaths have resulted from eating these ‘evil’ treats? (Besides the intentional poisoning incident.)

By MOT

December 13, 2006 09:06 AM | Link to this

what about muffins anyone? usually healthier, less sugar (at least not heaped with icing), easier to manage, comes in variety to suit most any kid’s palate, and it is in the shape of a cupcake!!!

or I have done mini-fruit kabobs and the kids go absolutely crazy over those. or fruit and cheese are popular too.

lots of good alternatives and ideas on here for catering to kids.

I personally did very little of running things to the school for all of my 10 kids. I did a lot of hoopla at home: signs out front, balloons out front, signs and balloons all over house in their room, they were king or queen for the day choosing menu for dinner, etc etc. They knew they were loved and they didn’t care for being singled out or having attention called to them in school.

By past50mom

December 13, 2006 09:15 AM | Link to this

MOT, I think some school systems are banning any home baked goods, muffins included, and not just cupcakes.

By ellen

December 13, 2006 09:55 AM | Link to this

I think that it is dumb that you can’t bring cup cakes for birthdays. If they are worried about the kids getting fat then there should be real pe every day where the kids get real exercise and run off some of the extra energy that the kids all have. We had pe every day when I was in elementary school and got real exercise.

By Momof3

December 13, 2006 10:06 AM | Link to this

Forsyth County has banned all homemade foods — that would include bringing in a fruit tray that you prepared yourself. Unless it’s brought in an unopened Publix container, it’s a no-no.

That said, one thing I found interesting about the Washington Post article that sparked this was the idea that the cupcake in particular is such an American tradition that parents are especially keen to keep it going. The Post article acknowledges other foods can be brought in to celebrate the birthday or whatever, but it is our strong attachment to the cupcake that drives parents to make them for our kids. At a time when the article says many middle-class Americans feel their values and culture are being chipped away by fears of terrorism, immigration and multiculturalism, the cupcake is a small, but seemingly significant way of retaining a bit of Americana and feeling of security.

By MOT

December 13, 2006 11:20 AM | Link to this

Past 50 mom:

You can buy muffins in the store too, and not just at the bakery, Entemann’s and others now have even mini-sized muffins.

By past50mom

December 13, 2006 08:04 PM | Link to this

MOT, I thought you were talking about homemade muffins. Most store muffins are detestable blobs of artery clogging saturated fats, high fructose sugar and preservatives. Read the labels.

By Kat

December 14, 2006 12:24 PM | Link to this

I beg to differ…school lunches five days a week do amount to a significant portion of a child’s diet. Do the math. And keep in mind that for many children, it’s the only hot meal they get all day. And schools are feeding them mock-nutritious garbage that is funded with federal money. Both the kids and the taxpayers are being cheated.

Also, the idea of sending in an alternative snack if there is a diabetic child in the class is thoughtful, but fruit may not be the best choice either. It is full of sugar…natural sugars, yes, but still sugars. My daughter had a diabetic classmate in third grade, and I sent individual pakages of pretzels or goldfish crackers for special events so he wouldn’t be left out.

By meme

December 14, 2006 02:34 PM | Link to this

Mel, don’t worry. There is a small group here who will cut you to pieces if you don’t agree with them but the majority are great parents. Theresa does a good job with her topics and there are days that after I read her article, I don’t participate. Don’t let the mean folks run you off.