I'm just trying to make healthy choices for my family!

[cookiemonster80]

Dear preschool,
I'm frustrated that you serve junk to our toddlers every single day. The little Debbie's snacks and pop tarts are convenient and cheap but they are not conducive to healthy kids when eaten daily. I appreciate that you allow me to send my own snack with my kids that they happily eat- but when you tell me today, after 3 years of being in your school that I can no longer send fresh or dried fruit or homemade granola bars and can only send dry cereal I am frustrated! My kids need fuel to keep them going so they aren't crashing when I pick them up and won't eat lunch. Dry cereal will not do this. I'm annoyed that I even have to deal with this in the first place and livid that you clearly do not have my child's health as a priority- they fact that you need a doctor note on file explaining that he recommends a healthy diet for my children is beyond my comprehension! And stop making me feel like the crazy mom- I know you warned dd1s new teacher this year about me- and now she will barely talk to me. I'm not crazy that I want my kids to eat healthy food- the occasional little Debbie's treats is fine- not every day. I don't bother or annoy you with anything else I am as quiet as a mouse. I am not the problem.

Oh yeah, I'm also frustrated that you are the only preschool option for me and I can't even yank my kids out of your antiquated program.

Gaaaaahhhhh

[echoesofspring]

That really sucks! Don't they know their life would be easier w/out tanking the kids up on sugar? (To say nothing about all the other reasons you should be able to give your kids a healthy snacks)

[sandwish]

That is so wrong. I'm so sad for you.

Do they realize what they serve is horrible. Dry cereal is pure sugar. Do they not deal with any behavior issues? I would fight them.

[kep]

I would be so upset. I also would be reaaaaly tempted to send your letter on to said teacher and cc the principal. But that's just me. ;)

[cookiemonster80]

I would be so upset. I also would be reaaaaly tempted to send your letter on to said teacher and cc the principal. But that's just me. ;)

The principal is the one getting on to me..........unbelievable

[SnuggleBuggles]

Dang. That's crazy. Our preschool had NAEYC accreditation and one of the things they were evaluated on was healthy snacks.

[cookiemonster80]

Dang. That's crazy. Our preschool had NAEYC accreditation and one of the things they were evaluated on was healthy snacks.

Apparently this is the real issue- they are a top rated school in the state and last year lost points because dd1 was given special treatment because she brought her own snack... If they would just serve healthy snacks in the first place I wouldn't have to make her have special treatment.

[JustMe]

Argh! I feel your pain! I hate when schools serve junk!

[Liziz]

OMG I *completely* feel your pain!!!! DD's daycare is like this.....Toaster Strudels are not an acceptable breakfast to serve once a week!!!! I'm totally "that mom" too, who is always sending in my own food and getting upset when the teachers "forget" to serve it to her and she gets the cruddy food instead. I would be livid if I were you.

[WitMom]

Ok, I know this is the bitching post, but I just have to giggle that your user name is CookieMonster80 and you're upset about junk food. Please don't hate me.

But, yeah, it's annoying that they won't let you send fresh fruit/healthy snacks. Really, why would they want prevent that? If nothing else, you're saving them money b/c they don't have to provide snacks for your kids.

[123LuckyMom]

It's APPALLING that they're feeding that stuff to the children in the first place and truly horrendous that they're trying to dissuade you from making better choices for your own child. I'd go to the waaaay top. I'd send a letter to the First Lady and cc the accrediting agency of the preschool. No school should be serving that "food," and no school should be penalized when a parent wants to send in a healthier alternative. I would think that with all the work the First Lady is trying to do to combat childhood obesity she would be very interested in a top rated preschool serving junk and being penalized in its ratings when a parent protests.

In our neck of the woods that preschool would be out of business very quickly. Our preschool gets flak for serving fruit juice three times a week (many of the parents opt out and choose water, which they are absolutely allowed to do) and giving the kids occasional ice pops in the summer for extra hydration.

I sorry the school is interfering with your better choices. Preschool is really too young for the school to be undermining the parents' choices. It's bad at any age, but it's really unconscionable in preschool.

[dogmom]

Wow! All the schools my kids have attended actually serve better stuff than I do at home sometimes! I'm the Mom that sneaks oreo cookies or chips into lunches sometimes and I would be appalled at that. What state do you live in? I know our state has a special initiative to improve nutrition in preschools and daycare centers that places can sign up for.

Both of the preschools/daycare my kids went to had sign up for parents to bring in a fresh health snack for the kids each day. It helped add daily fresh fruit and veggies to the class. The schools would provide the longing keeping snacks, but they were healthier than pop tarts. I understand that trying to balance out the cost of providing daycare on a budget is rough for many child care places, I don't see many people getting rich on it. Plus I realize that it is hard to get fresh stuff for an entire school everyday. Do you think they would be open to that suggestions?

[wellyes]

Apparently this is the real issue- they are a top rated school in the state and last year lost points because dd1 was given special treatment because she brought her own snack... If they would just serve healthy snacks in the first place I wouldn't have to make her have special treatment.

Where is that mouth-dropping-open smiley? Pop Tarts and Little Debbie get "points" at all??

[Mommy_Mea]

:yeahthat: !!!

[belovedgandp]

Wow, I can get ease, but those are awful choices.

While at the same preschool my youngest has a different teacher. My older two had parent rotating schedule but we knew the day. Most were good about cheese, fruit, veggies. New teacher asks for parent volunteers but it is stored at school, so lots of goldfish, dried fruit, cereal.

[Globetrotter]

You have to get a doctor's note to bring a healthy snack yet the little debbies passed their standards? Now I've heard everything. I agree with PP - Michelle Obama needs to hear about this!

[sste]

I would freak over pop tarts. I am not even sure I know what little debbies is?? Is it like the twinkies of our childhood?

I am with you. I def. allow treats, special muffin breakfasts at the coffee store on weekends etc but it is not an every day type of thing.

[kep]

I would freak over pop tarts. I am not even sure I know what little debbies is?? Is it like the twinkies of our childhood?

I am with you. I def. allow treats, special muffin breakfasts at the coffee store on weekends etc but it is not an every day type of thing.

Little Debbie's is similar to Hostess. Pastries and sweets. Pure junk.

[doberbrat]

Wouldnt those packages of cheese crackers w/pb or that cheeze spread be just as cheap? I cant believe they cant find anything better than little debbie snacks!!!

[Myira]

That is so crazy OP. If our preschool did this, I am certain my kids would not even touch the healthy snacks I sent from home when they see all this sugary junk available. I hope you can get the school to move to better snacks.

[boltfam]

Wow, that's unbelievable!

I can't imagine any dr. would object to giving you a note allowing your child to eat healthy snacks. If a dr. note is what they want, a dr. note is what I would give them. If they want to play that way, I would too.