to be shocked at pre-school handing out sweets?

[RidgewayLass]

DD did not know what "sweets" meant until she started pre-school. Since then she has been offered 1 or 2 fun-size Milky Ways twice, both times just before lunch ffs, and yesterday it was lollipops and chews. It looked like all the other children were having sweets, and there was no alternative treat for children who are not allowed sweets. At home we do have sweet biscuits, cakes, puddings, icecream, but we are very wary how much pure glucose or sugar DD gets in one go.

I told her the lollipop and the chew were very bad for her teeth, and she asked "well if they are so bad for my teeth, why did my teachers give them to me?" Why did they? I thought the schools were supposed to do healthy eating - where does this fit in?

lol! OP, how did you keep a tally of the words? did you have an ongoing spreadsheet, which you completed on her 2nd birthday? I am taking a wild guess that she is your pfb? as for the sweets, not ideal, but not really worth stressing over. You may find the coming years a little easier if you wind your neck in a bit

wonderstuff - I agree that moderation is the key (and home cooking!).

It's more the associations being set up at such a young age that I object to:

Something to celebrate? Yes, do have some of these sweet/fatty/salty "treats".

Why not offer some alternative treat instead? It can't be hard to thrill a group of pre-schoolers with something other than chocolate.

If this is happening most weeks at the OPs school, I think that's way too much, and actually will make kids think that almost every event is an excuse for a treat. Also, you get "treat inflation" (my phrase ) - the kids will get higher and higher expectations of bigger and better treats.

Treats should mean "rare" as much as anything imo.

Giving out sweets/treats at school is not just about eating junk. My DS is 8 tomorrow. He is fructose, sucrose and milk protein intolerant. He has asked to take in some treats for his friends in his class. He chose them - fondant fancies - because he used to like them when he was able to eat them. For him it is not about the munching - its about the giving to his friends something nice to celebrate his birthday.
DS3 is in pre-school and cannot swallow. He was delighted to be given a packet of jelly babies after school. He sat and sniffed every single one, with such a joyous expression. He was so pleased with what he had been given that he actually remembered the event to tell my DH when he came home that night.
Can't we just accept these gifts as just that - a gift. You don't have to eat it, or let them be eaten.

I have no idea how many words DD has in her vocab. But I know if she hears a word, she can pretty much recall it and use it in a sentence even if it takes her a couple of goes to pronounce it correctly. I'm not being smug- it's just how she is. Not 3 yet (though I can't say that for much longer)!!!

I credit her incredible vocab & memory to very low consumption of random sweets.

my dd is 2.6 and doesnt have that many words at all and I see now its because I dont restrict her diet enough.

ROFL at shocked

Now if they were handing out cocaine or carving knives I'd be shocked.

RidgewayLass, I know how you feel.

Now my 3rd DC is in Y1 I have learned to turn a blind eye to random sweet sharing.

DS1 went to a brilliant nursery where sweets would never have been given out. But then all snacks/drinks were organic and they did weekly yoga.

Healthy eating in schools? Well, yes, but also rewarding of children with sweets by the Head. Such is life, apparently.

How funny.

Wasnt there some research that said that high sugar in childrens diet as a one off (such as at a party or having sweets) did not send them do dally and it was in the parents mind. If I am wrong I apologise - but seem to think I have seen it somewhere - but maybe it was just on supernanny!

In my experience, children whose parents are silly over sweets etc, end up with older children who crave them and take them out of other parents handbags without asking and then eat them behind a tree or curtain!! (can you tell I am talking about children I know!).

Everything in moderation is best imo.

frogetyfrog, I heard that too,

But sugar gives me an energy boost, so I don't quite belive it.

If it's every once in a awhile or even every few days I don't think it's a big deal. If it's every single day I'd find it odd. Was it a birthday or Halloween treat?

Have image of OP stood outside of the pre school, arms outstretched, screaming 'Won't somebody think of the children!'

Make anything forbidden and it will become very much desired.

As others have said, everything in moderation.

If you make them a forbidden fruit you will end up making it something that they will 'want' all the more.

in my case its the grannys who dish out the sweeties- don't mind that much, but my ds1 won't really brush his teeth too well, definately showing chipped baby teeth already which does worry me

I think to a certain extent, the OP is feeling a loss of control over her DCs sugar intake.

She does give her DC sugar in moderation, but it's always been at the OPs descretion until now.

It can be quite hard for some people (myself included) to let other people decide what your child eats/wears/does.

I'm going to go against the grain and say YANBU. I'd be annoyed too. It is ridiculous to hand out sweets in class with no consideration for what the child's parents may feel about it. Also, what about children with diabetes? Is it fair for them to have to watch people scoff chocolate and sweets all around them? Totally unnecessary. If you want to give your children sweets and chocolate then fine - let them gorge on them at home.

um bubbleymummy why say ''let them gorge on them at home'' ? VERY emotive language

I must admit I'd prefer my DC not to gorge on anything

bubbleymummy the words i really want to say are - get a grip. Diabetes is a life long medical condition that requires the parent to educate their child as to what food can do to their body and the harm it can do. A parent choosing to moderate a child's intake of any particular food is just that - a choice.
Trust me, as children get older, those that have medical reasons why they cannot have certain foods, do not object to others having treats - they would like to join in - but gain an understanding of the consequences.

I honestly think there is unnecessary hysteria surrounding food and children in this country.

My kids eat sweets and chocolate fairly regularly. They are not overweight, quite the opposite. DS1 is 9 and has never had a filling. Sugar is not a problem as long as you are sensible.

I've said it many times on here before but lack of adequate exercise is the real culprit in the issue of childhood obesity. Children who run around, walk, play sport a lot will burn off energy.

For the record I cook every meal from scratch (not because I'm great but because I like cooking). Chickpea and spinach curry tonight. Having said that the bloody food fascists in this country and parents who think sugar is the root of all evil get on my nerves.

Actually auntevil - I know an 11 year old who struggles with watching everyone around him eating sweets that he can't because of his diabetes. It is pretty awful. Even though he knows the risks, he still wants them and has weak moments when he gives in - sending his readings all over the place. the fact that this could be starting in primary school with even younger children is even worse.

Pixie, sometimes parents have to make decisions for their children's own good. Would you give your child chocolate for breakfast if they wanted it? Some parents don't like the idea of their children having sweets randomly - I'm one of them. It would not have any impact on your child not to have sweets in school - they can have them at home at your discretion. Why should my parenting choice have to be undermined?