TBH:TO BE HONEST - An unheard voice in education
A PARENT WRITES . . .My children's school claims to have a healthy-eating policy. We were told at the induction evening that crisps, sweets, fizzy drinks and other junk foods are not allowed. Unfortunately, the policy is not being followed, and some children seem to bring in whatever they want.
My children are always asking me why they can’t have crisps or chocolate bars or biscuits in their lunch box. When I tell them that the school doesn’t allow it they can list off all the different “treats” that their classmates bring into school, and they want to know why they can’t too.
It’s a difficult one to explain. Several children in their school are quite overweight. If I left mine to eat what they wanted, I think they would be too. One of my sons, in particular, would always choose bad food over good, and I have to say no to him often. He never takes it for answer: he wants to know why.
Do I explain to the kids the dangers of obesity and becoming overweight? How do I do that without drawing attention to their classmates who are struggling with weight? I want to avoid using words like “fat” or “overweight” or even “big”, as I don’t want them to look at their overweight schoolmates as if there is something wrong with them.
All children are capable of bullying behaviour, and I don’t suppose that mine are any different. If I start talking about how extra weight is not desirable, will they pass that message on to unfortunate children in their class already dealing with this?
Then there is the whole business of body image. I don’t want to make the children anxious about their weight and appearance. This can lead to an unhealthy, obsessive relationship with food or, worse, an eating disorder.
I agree with those who say that the buck stops with parents. You can’t expect schools to deal with everything from reading and writing to diet and health. But parents have to say no so many times a day – in the supermarket, at the cinema, after dinner, at the playground, at vending machines in every possible location from swimming pools to car parks. Explaining why is getting more difficult as obesity issues become more widespread.
I have mentioned this issue to the school principal, and he says that he cannot actually stop people from bringing in junk food; he can only advise them that it’s not recommended. He also points out, and I understand, that many parents in the school are under all sorts of pressure and are coping as well as they can without the school harassing them about what’s in their children’s lunch boxes. I get that, but what’s the point in having the policy if it can’t be enforced? Schools insist that children all wear the same clothes; is it such a leap to make them eat similar food too?
This column is designed to give a voice to those within the education system who wish to speak out anonymously. Contributions are welcome; e-mail sflynn@irishtimes.com
