To think the public have the society they deserve

Having a half a banana rule doesn't stop you from being The Public.

Of course we don't have the society we deserve. If we did we'd have separate societies into which we were allocated a place based on our qualities. We have the society that has evolved in accordance with what best suits those with the power to shape it, and each one of us navigates that the best we can. Yes, some people make unwise choices within that context, because people come with a wide range of personality types and intelligence levels, but a few mums kicking up fuss about being told what to feed their kids are not the cause of the health and dentistry crisis in the UK. They just provide a handy smokescreen for those who are.

Sorry what’s the point of this question exactly?

Is it a competition?
Or are you saying one is collateral damage to resolve the other?
Or are you saying whichever is the most common is the only one to focus on?

Totally agree.
Some people are more than happy to bleat on about their rights but give no thought what so ever about their responsibilities.

Also children are fat because parents don't let them play outside anymore.

I also think this is a far bigger factor than junk food when it comes to childhood obesity. It’s not like kids in the 70’s 80’s and 90’s had super healthy diets (my mum used to make us jam and sugar sandwiches 🤮) and it’s gone downhill. However from what I see most kids don’t get nearly as much exercise as they should be getting, they’re allowed to be idle and I find hermit parents encourage hermit children.

A GP isn’t an all knowing oracle, who is able to cross all disciplines related to health, welfare and nutrition. If you want detailed supplements advice, you’d need a specialist.

We have the society we create, yes.

I don’t think it’s showing kids a healthy attitude to label certain foods as “forbidden” at certain times. On packed lunch days my kids get crisps or chocolate along with other healthy stuff. I’d never dream of telling them it’s only something to be had at home.

some people really don’t realise they’re handing their kid a one way ticket to an eating disorder unfortunately, and language/boundaries/attitudes about food are a big contributing factor.

This situation is like so many - because a minority of idiots abuse the freedom to choose, everyone is subject to a crackdown.

Most parents pack a fairly sensible lunch with the occasional treat here and there to help their child through the school day.

Blame the ignorant / feckless parents that don’t adequately nourish their kids for having choice removed, not teachers, who see the consequences of bad food choices on behaviour in their classrooms.

Trouble is no,one respects the professionals these days, because every Tom,Dick and Harry is an armchair expert 🤦‍♀️ So of course they know far more than the teacher/ nurse/doctor. After all they read something on social media so it must be true!

The "social media" and "google" made all sorts of information widely available to the masses. We no longer need to rely on "professional" word and a sole unquestionable truth. After all, professionals are only human. They don't know everything, they make mistakes, etc. And whatever they studied some decades ago may no longer be relevant.
As an example, I asked my GP's advice about some vitamin supplements i wanted to buy. She only shrugged and said "I'm not a nutritionist. Ask whoever gave you that list."
So much for professional opinion.

I’m not denying obesity is a problem - but teachers are not public health professionals and these letters are pointless, often patronising and if they had a scrap of knowledge about human behaviour, they’d know shaming parents into something rarely works.

The obesity issue does not have a blanket solution doesn’t lie with targeting parents packing a kids lunchbox.

OP does not need your sympathy.

Good because I wasn’t giving it?

You are being sarcastic because you're on the defensive.

I wasn’t being sarcastic at all

Probably because your kids are overweight and deep down you know its your responsibility and you want to reassure yourself the NHS will help them in due course.
its really weird thaw you want my kids to be overweight. I hate to break it to you but they’re far from it - they’re both skinny, have a balanced diet, very healthy appetites and both partake in active sports. I just don’t like these ineffective methods that do absolutely nothing but piss a load of parents off but tick a “Wr did something about it” box.

They can have it at home then, surely?

Yanbu OP. Trouble is no,one respects the professionals these days, because every Tom,Dick and Harry is an armchair expert 🤦‍♀️ So of course they know far more than the teacher/ nurse/doctor. After all they read something on social media so it must be true! Hence the professionals being told they are "busybodies" and "controlling" when they try to make a difference to the public health.
And I'm.amazed that anyone wouldn't be able to make the link between lunch boxes full of sugary shit and long term poor health outcomes.

Same

If there were enough social workers (there are not), every single one of those identifiable I would report to social services. Many of them have probably made comments as idle threats though, I hope.

Yeah, social workers must really have no more important thing to do.

So true. One of my childhood friends is an absolute menace and is the kind of parent that I found a complete PITA when I worked in schools

She has money to buy the kids iPhones but when the primary schools asks for a contribution to school trips, suggested donation is £5-£10 she doesn’t pay a penny but yet complains about the quality of the trips. She backed her year 3 kid when she slapped a teacher. She said it was wrong yeah but she also made a ton of excuses.

She’s constantly challenging her older kids teachers when they’ve given her kids detentions. She laughs when her teens tell her a story about being cheeky to teachers and has the nerve to share it with me like it’s a cute story.

I’m all for kids standing up for themselves if they’re being mistreated and adults are being out of line but I don’t see this as what’s happening here. Her kids know whatever they do they can get away with it as she will always back them. She even claims she “knows when they’re lying” hence if a teacher says something opposite to what her kid is saying she tends to lean towards believing her child. But having worked in schools some of the stories her kids are saying just don’t make sense. I try and tell her that and she just sticks to her guns. Then she’ll email teachers to complain about this and that and expect a response the same day. I always remind her they are busy teaching, marking papers and preparing lessons and not always checking emails from parents all the time!

If there were enough social workers (there are not), every single one of those identifiable I would report to social services. Many of them have probably made comments as idle threats though, I hope.

t I still see the at the idea of a load of busybodies (yes they are) trying to patronise other people. I won’t be convinced it’s anything other to feel superior rather than actually giving a shit about other people’s kids.

Not true, there are 100’s or kids in most schools, there has to be a basic rule - kids eating sweets and sugary things at lunch time are a nightmare in the afternoons - you should see it for yourself.

Try teaching 30 kids when 15 have a sugar rush!! Not pleasant.

we all laugh at Aunty sending the kids back full of sugar, imagine that x 10?

Feed your kids as much crap as you want, but your ultimate game here is to have them ready to learn, to sit and listen - to leave school with decent grades and able to concentrate.

Honestly i'm all for healthier eating and not packing junk in school lunches, but let's have some common sense here. When "offensive" items become home baked pasties or fruit yogurts... then yes, they can eff right off.

Also children are fat because parents don't let them play outside anymore.

It does feel like that sometimes and in some towns. I lived abroad for a few years and every time I came home I was struck by how UNCOUTH the UK is compared with where I was living. I think we are a tolerant nation but that has been our downfall. Bring back shame! Just a bit of it.
People should be embarrassed to swear loudly, shout at people, walk about in town shirtless or in pyjamas or underwear. Drop litter, shoplift.
That said, most people are decent. They’re just not so visible.

i agree. Being an MP is a hard job. It doesn’t pay well compared to what people intelligent, skilled people could get in the private sector. It’s a highly insecure job. And we the public constantly hate on them, pile on abuse and tell them they are shit and corrupt.

Is it any wonder that the bright, capable people we need to lead the country are not becoming MPs and instead going into parliamentary has become a hobby for rich kids and a home for ideologues of the right and Left. If we can’t attract high caliber people to run our country, we absolutely do have the society we deserve.