Candy Rant

Not to be confused with Candy Gram. But anyhoo, what is up with candy at school? I'm not talking candy once in a while for a school party or something. I'm talking candy. every. single. day. Hello childhood obesity! How about diabetes? (And that is on top of the lunch menu, which includes about as many different versions of FRIED as you can imagine.)

In our K-2 school, this doesn't seem to happen. But M3 has hit third grade and moved to a new school, where it seems candy is constantly used as a reward. She came home upset one day, because the student who finishes his/her work first every day gets a piece of candy (and that is usually not M3). She was sad, because more often she gets candy only when the whole class gets candy. In fact, her teacher has a popular reputation because he gives candy. When M3 was chosen to help clean the tables after lunch, she got candy as a reward. So excuse my language, but WTF?

It's not like I deny my kids candy! They get plenty! Y'know why? Because they are given candy when we got to the post office, the grocery store, the bank, not to mention the 4th of July parade and the Homecoming parade! In fact, those last two events provide them with enough candy to make it through the low-candy season (high-candy season runs from Halloween to Easter).

So I am proud to say, I prepared for the conference. I actually planned how I would register my complaint in a non-confrontational way. I didn't want to put M3's teacher on the defensive, because I know he's not the only one. And I did it!! (He only got slightly defensive.) But aside from mentioning obesity and diabetes, I wanted him to get that the kids need to be rewarded by accomplishing the WORK ITSELF. You worked hard and finished your math...yay for you!! You should be proud! Cuz when you get bigger, ain't no one goin' to be handing you candy...or bonuses...or compliments...or appreciation. (Well, maybe once in a while but c'mon people, let's be honest...not much!!) You have to feel good about a JOB WELL DONE!

Honestly, I could go on and on but long blog posts are boring, and this one is long enough!! More on the parts of the conferences where I actually discussed my children later. (Could I be going overboard with the italics?)