<p>I’m all for healthy snacks at snack time and healthy school lunches. But I think it is over the top to not allow a birthday treat as a tradition. Here, the elementary school classes only have about 15-17 kids, so how many birthdays is that a year (many have summer birthdays). These schools ought to put more energy into what is served at lunch and provide adequate recess and gym and after school activities. By the way, when I taught elementary school, we had AM recess and then lunch recess. They either still have that or many classrooms, particularly the older classes, don’t have the AM recess but everyone at the school has a 25-30 min. midday recess outside. PE is just twice/week. </p>
<p>But birthday treats once in a great while is not sending the wrong message. One can eat healthy but on a special occasion, have a treat. </p>
<p>Interesting that I am reading this because my kid is turning 18 later this week and I have made very special birthday cakes every year for my kids, and actually I used to do it on every half birthday too. They are often decorated or shaped in a theme, etc. She is a soph at college and I just want her to have this “tradition”, blow out the candles, share it with others, etc. even if far away. This kid is VERY into healthy eating and normally doesn’t eat cake or cookies, etc. I don’t care if she ever takes a bite of the cake but I just want her to have the yearly “tradition.” Today, like I did last year when she was in college, I am baking her a cake and decorating it on a theme and mailing it to college. Even if she just blows out the candles and has fun giving some to friends, and never has a bite, I don’t care. I see it as a tradition associated with birthdays and a little “love” from mom. It doesn’t mean serving cupcakes on a daily basis.</p>
<p>I see it the same way at school. The school should only serve healthy lunches and only have healthy “snack machines” as our elementary school does. Also, in preschool and K where parents might rotate the AM snack duty, only healthy snacks should be allowed. But like anything in life, having a treat on a special occasion, is just that.</p>