BlogHer - school - Comments

soldier85 — Wed, 06 May 2009 19:36:28 -0500

Yeah I'm sure he got the point haha. Sounds like my baby brother when he was in grade school. He convinced his teacher and school nurse that he was blind and insisted that my mom come pick him up right away. Well when mom got done talking to the eye doctor lets just say his little booty hurt the rest of the night.

-*soldier85*-

Blame is an ugly word

MealMixer — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 11:19:26 -0600

It is so easy for us well educated above the poverty line moms to pat ourselves on the back for making the right choices. I grew up poor, my mother worked 2 jobs. She did not have the education, or luxury of time to scour the grocery stores looking for the best nutritional bang for her buck. She was also a victim of the packaged goods marketers. Now the the pendulum as swung back in favor of fresh foods, we must put home economics back in the schools and teach kids how to cook fresh foods. It's not enough to say "here it is, eat it," we have to be hands on teaching people how to cook and plan meals. Maybe food banks should give classes. Maybe all those Dream Dinner franchises that failed could be turned into public services where people go and are taught to cook fresh, decent food and then take home the meals.

(steps off soap box)

Marianne

Don't want to point a finger in just one direction

tobyedavid — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 12:39:30 -0600

I don't think that any one source is "at fault". I do think that we was parents, (read:me) need to take more responsibility. I look at my kids and they are all skinny, but I don't need to be resting on those laurels. My kids are thin now because they've inherited a good metabolism, but that won't last forever. I bought apples yesterday at the grocery store (and I don't buy fruit nearly enough) and was surprised at how much my kids enjoyed them. But, I have to have it available for them.

I also think our busy lifestyles don't help. I know I'm guilty of not feeling like cooking after a long day at work. I also know that it's quicker to take my daughter to McDonald's before cheerleading practice. I could do better about that.

And I'm not even going to get into the cultural reasons for obesity. But I do think we as parents need to start with personal responsibility.

I take responsibilty

Annagain — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 11:49:52 -0600

While I watched my 11 year old daughter having difficulty keeping up with her basketball team, it really hit me that I have contributed to that belly that she was struggling with. Her running was labored and her stamina was nil. It's not her fault. It's mine.

I am the one buying the ice cream for dessert every night. I am the one not encouraging more physical activity. I may be doing my exercises while my children are at school, but with school budget cuts, P.E. only happens twice a week. They aren't getting all the movement they truly need.

I finally got it through my head to cut out the rich sweets, and frequent treats everyday. I can't believe I let it happen but, I did.

Bill Clinton & American Heart Association announced...

Catherine Morgan — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 19:28:22 -0600

THURSDAY, Feb. 19 (HealthDay News)

In what they called a
"landmark agreement," former President Bill Clinton and the American Heart
Association announced Thursday the launch of a national initiative on
childhood obesity, aimed at getting up to 6 million American kids covered
for
routine visits to both primary care physicians and dietitians.

Contributing Editor Catherine Morgan
at Catherine-Morgan.com and Women4Hope

Mostly Parents

Laurie_Halo Secretarial — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 11:32:55 -0600

I'm definitely going to say it's mostly in the hands of parents. I am not the healthiest eater (working on it!) but as soon as I had kids I realized how important it was going to be to both model good choices for healthy living and to provide opportunities for activity and yummy healthy food. There are days we make a poor choice and we certainly eat fast food occasionally, but my children understand why some choices are treats, why we don't keep pop, chips, or other "junk" food in the house. Teaching moderation is important (even with the video games, lol!)

Laurie, mom of 3 boys and

blogger about my VA business and my life as a work at home mom!

We are all responsible

Cherre — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 09:29:46 -0600

The parents, the schools, and each and every one of us for the example we set and the culture we create. However if I were to point a finger I'd' like to point it at video games because they drive me crazy!

http://doesabodygood.blogspot.com

Frustrating!

KatelynsFood — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 09:16:45 -0600

I work in a hospital, and see unhealthy families on a daily basis. It's really hard to watch the adults encourage their children to have the same unhealthy life styles they have. And, they don't think what they are doing is unhealthy! Even when a RD comes in and talks to them. It's so hard to watch...

www.katelynsfood.blogspot.com

This subjects saddens me

Kathy333 — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 05:45:13 -0600

I am really involved with this issue and frustrated by the number of children that are now obese. We eat a healthy diet with loads of fruits and veggies, which we started when my daughters were young. They are very good about eating a variety of foods and we have told them what are 'special treats' that you get sometimes and what is good for you.

I've also tried to explain, as much as I can to my four year old, how food is fuel to make our body run. She gets it on her level, and she will say things like, "Soda isn't good for you. It's not a good fuel." Or, "If I eat this, will it make me run fast?" She's been told to try everything once - she wouldn't eat the sweet potatoes last night because they were orange, but she tried them lol.

The number of kids I see drinking soda, eating chips and not exercising is astounding, but I believe it comes from parents not knowing or not wanting to make that fight. Teaching kids to eat healthy is not as easy as giving them junk they want, like fried foods and cookies. Sometimes eating healthy is a fight, but it is a fight we should be making. Also, if you start it early enough it is not a fight because kids don't know the difference.

I think we have to be active as a community in challenging kids to get out and go, too. I know of one girl who never did do much exercise but stayed inside a lot to watch tv. when we invited her to take a bike ride the first time she hated it. Then, she began asking us all the time to go . She just hadn't been explosed, and I think that is a lot of it. If the parents are not going to make the effort or are ill informed, who will? It's a tough fight.

Kathy

Allbusiness:Working Mothers

Mama Marathoner

I'd like a little more diversity too

MyOnlySunshine — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 22:49:22 -0600

I live in Texas too and I can very much relate to the hard choices with regards to school. I have a 9 year old and a 7 year old who have gone to several diffirent schools already due to our nomadic lifestyle.

Both of my girls are in a small public school right now and I am glad they are there. I have to admit that the school is not as diverse as I'd like it to be. We don't consider it to be all that bad because our family is very diverse and so is the ballet school both girls go to. The thing we like best about our current elementary school is the feeling of community. The entire school is a family. We all know each other and look out for each other and I know that if I am not watching out for my children at any moment someone I know personally is. We feel like a community more at this school than we ever have before and I never realized how good that could feel.

As long as your child is getting what they need then you've made the right choice.

Schools

MITMommy — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 21:30:36 -0600

It sounds like you have everything in the right place. My oldest is in first grade now, but I did 'interview' the public and private school here. I picked the public school for a variety of reasons.

We are fortunate to have a diverse community, because my family is not blessed with the cultural diversity that you describe. But, my husband and I lived overseas before children (as did my parents - in Trinidad for awhile!) so we are very committed to raising children with a global perspective.

Congratulations on making the big decision. You have a lot to look forward to!

MIT Mommy

she's got her priorities in line...

hera314 — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 15:42:31 -0600

the playground was one of the big selling points for "big-boy school" too... we had to talk it up for months when he transitioned because he'd been in the same daycare since he was 3 months old.

If she can accompany you on a tour, and interact with a teacher or two who might have her in class next year, I'm sure that will raise her comfort level - and yours!

I didn't take her with me ...

Karen Walrond — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 15:39:21 -0600

... and she's sorry that she's going to be leaving her school now. I told her that if she would stop growing like I asked, she could stay in her current school forever! :)

However, when I told her that she'd be going to school with the neighbourhood kids, that made her very happy. And yesterday, I drove her by the school playground (which is brand new, thanks to the proceeds of an auction that was organized by the parents), she was sold. :-)

I do plan on taking her with me on a tour, however.

gotta love montessori

hera314 — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 15:34:33 -0600

Hi Karen -

We're lucky in that Duncan goes to school in a public Montessori school - he's in Kindergarten and has been there since he was 3. It goes up to 8th grade so I can completely bypass the dreaded middle school question and start worrying about high school. ;) It's also in an urban school district, so we get the benefits of diversity and still have a specialized program that isn't just a catch-all for apathetic kids. But although I love the fact that it's Montessori, I think it's more important that there's an active level of involvement on the part of the parents and an obvious love of learning and teaching from the teachers. That's the best part of his school experience to me. And he seems to thrive in that kind of an environment. It sounds like your local school would be a similar kind of environment for Alex.

Have you asked her about this school at all - or did you take her on the tour with you? What has she been communicating to you about Kindergarten next year?

Becky

Hi Karen: I have three kids,

Delaine Moore — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 11:57:26 -0600

Hi Karen:

I have three kids, 8,6, and 4. And when I started investigating elementary schools, location was very important to me, as it was to Amber (above.) i wanted them to be able to walk and come home for lunch. I wanted them to have and make friends in the community. Why?

Because so many kids don't have that these days. They're bussed off and away from family for eight hours a day. And because when I was a kid, I too was within walking distance to school and it meant the world to me - it still conjures up warm memories.

No doubt the academic side is important, but more important I think is a child's need to be challenged and have 'expectations' put on him/her to strive for 'more.' You can provide that for your child in a variety of extra activities outside of school if need be.

This school my children attend is public, however, it is 'specialized' and was created to compete with private schools. It is uniformed and children are screened every year based on their academic performance. No learning disabilities are allowed. It is very multicultural, in fact, caucasians are a minority (mainly Asians), which I love because my kids are growing up with respect for different cultures and even names - they think Adeolu or Hasmend are as natural to say as Bob or Brian were in my day. Also, my kids get homework every night - it started in kindergarten.

In all honesty, the homewwork aspect is a real pain - it interferes with family time and other activities I wish I could put them in outside of school. But over all, the advantage of the school's location overrides that downfall in my eyes. And so for now, I choose to keep them there, knowing I can change my mind in future.

Good luck with your hunting - I know it can be stressful, but trust your instincts in the end! The biggest indicator is the smile on your child's face!

Delaine Moore

www.iamdivorcednotdead.com

Because a woman's body never lies...