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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to not want my dd to take part in a fast?

37 replies

Aimsmum · 22/03/2007 19:22

Message withdrawn

OP posts:
amynnixmum · 22/03/2007 19:23

I think that fine. She's still learning about helping others.

dueat44 · 22/03/2007 19:24

Totally reasonable to send in the cash and the snack!

RedLorryYellowLorry · 22/03/2007 19:25

No I think you're being sensible in the circumstances.

twentypence · 22/03/2007 19:25

Starving 6 year olds in school not a good idea - they eat at break for a reason. Teacher will have a really crap day - hope she wasn't intending to get much learning done.

mummytosteven · 22/03/2007 19:25

Nope! I agree. Sort of compromise - no sweets/choc/yoghurt that day maybe?

Original poster
Aimsmum · 22/03/2007 19:28

Message withdrawn

OP posts:
noonar · 22/03/2007 19:35

i'm really surprised that the school are allowing this to take place. not appropriate , imo.

nickytwotimes · 22/03/2007 19:38

i think you are absolutely doing the right thing. 6 is FAR too young for a fast! can't believe this is allowed. no treats much better.

WideWebWitch · 22/03/2007 19:40

Oh fgs, this is bloody ridiculous! Of course you're not unreasonable, what a rubbish suggestion from the school, bet you're not the only one who thinks so.

SherlockLGJ · 22/03/2007 19:41

Are we talking break ( piece of fruit) or lunchtime meal ??

katelyle · 22/03/2007 19:42

What sort of a school is it? I would object strongly - and not let my child go to school on that day if they went ahead with it.

NotQuiteCockney · 22/03/2007 19:42

It sounds like it's just breaktime snacks they're skipping, not the main meal. In which case I think it's fine for six-year-olds generally, but I can see that the OP's DD may be a special case.

madamez · 22/03/2007 19:46

I despise this sort of thing anyway, it's nothing but posturing when adults do it and totally inappropriate for kids, who actually need to eat little and often. Would suggest to the school that there are better ways to educate pupils about helping others, rather than feeding the gruesome Comic Relief mindset that putting oneself or others through either a painful ordeal or a total humiliation to raise a negligible amount of money is somehow morally better than either handing over a cheque (for those in need at a distance) or doing something practical such as mending someone's fence, fetching their shopping, cooking them a meal or just listening when they want someone to talk to (for those in need of help locally).

wanderingstar · 22/03/2007 19:47

You are completely reasonable, even without your dd's circumstances. ^6 is very young for this, though I realise it's only breaktime.

Original poster
Aimsmum · 22/03/2007 20:08

Message withdrawn

OP posts:
Caligula · 22/03/2007 20:29

Wankers.

Even catholics and muslims understand that anyone under the age of 7 is too young to participate in any act of religion that involves physical denial - hence anyone who hasn't done first communion (normally done at 7 or at least in the past it was) not participating in Lent, or any child not being expected to fast for Ramadan. From what I remember, Jewish children aren't expected to fast for Rosh Hashana either.

FGS. Six. For catholics, these guys are confused. This is a very inappropriate activity. They'll be doing scourging next.

joanna4 · 22/03/2007 20:39

I too think this highly inappropriate I trust this will be regimented right through the school - i do hope not!
Sad to think even one child may think ooh i skipped a break snack wonder if i can do it tomorrow too then it becomes break and lunch and so it becomes the vicious cycle of eating disorders.Or the child who is diabetic and bloody needs that break snack you are right not to want your child to partake.

PinkTulips · 22/03/2007 20:42

grrr.... this makes me so mad every year!

over here we have the stupid trocaire fast every year and it so upsets me that young children are encouraged to do it, especially as many of them can't go that long without food. many of them faint and are unwell and personally if i'd done it as a child it would have triggered a massive migraine.

you're totally right to be annoyed and i certainly wouldn't allow her to do it given her health

Nightynight · 22/03/2007 21:03

I think this is totally inappropriate as well. They are children, fgs!

madamez · 22/03/2007 21:39

Aimsmum: are you on sufficiently friendly terms with any other parents of kids at that school to see if they feel the same? Because having several parents approach the school and say, look, this is a bunch of stupid bullshit that we do not want you subjecting our kids to, may make the school have a rethink. Might be wroth a try, anyway.

Rhubarb · 22/03/2007 21:40

OMG I misread the thread title as fart!

losty · 22/03/2007 22:41

fasting at 6 is unreasonsable

mummytosteven · 22/03/2007 22:43

btw jewish children aren't expected to fast until bar/bat mitzvah age - 12/13. and it's fine for any child or adult to take food/drink if it's necessary for health reasons.

Blu · 22/03/2007 22:49

I agree 100% with Madamez.

Every summer people sleep out on a local green space in sympathy with homeless people and to raise money. Drives me bonkers. It isn't anything like being homeless, if don't realise that having to sleep rough as a way of life is horrible you don't deserve the brain you were born with, and they would be better off getting a good night's sleep, working extra hard the following day with refershed minds and sending a bit of their salary earned as a result to Shelter!

Blu · 22/03/2007 22:50

I'm not sure that missing a breaktime snack is actually 'fasting', but i still think it's a crap idea!