Pop (soda)

[R. Smith]

Ok, I work @ a Elementry school. K-1's - grade 7's. There is 1 kid who is in Grade 1, and his Mom pack's a lunck for him. Almost everyday, there is a Pop in there for him - Root Beer, or something else.

How young is too young for kids to be drinking Pop???

[Rainlily]

Our school only allows high school kids to have sodas.
I once brought a caffeine-free, sugar-free Diet Rite Cola for my kid's birthday & the teacher said it was against the rules because it was soda!

[ausgirl]

Our school only allows high school kids to have sodas.
I once brought a caffeine-free, sugar-free Diet Rite Cola for my kid's birthday & the teacher said it was against the rules because it was soda!

I don't think it's about an age - though definitely under 2 I wouldn't give (what we call) softdrink. It is more about frequency to me - no child should be having softdrink as a daily drink source highschool primary, whatever, actually no adult should be either. These things (softdrinks, chips, chocolate, lollies, etc) are meant to be treats, not something that forms part of you daily meal plan.
Children should be drinking water as their primary fluid, and milk for calcium. I would never pack softdrink in my child's lunch, nor would I pack chips, lollies or chocolates as lunch box items either.

[Teresa79]

I kinda think it's the parents' decision. Not everyone raises their kids the same way. I mean, would you want someone telling you how to raise your children?

[R. Smith]

My school (Principal and Teachers) are not really for junk food @ the school, but yet... not much is don't about it...

[rossid]

Long rant coming...

[ausgirl]

I kinda think it's the parents' decision. Not everyone raises their kids the same way. I mean, would you want someone telling you how to raise your children?


No, but there is a huge obesity problem in the western world and if parents aren't going to be responsible, someone has to step in.

[mat1583]

Our school only allows high school kids to have sodas.
I once brought a caffeine-free, sugar-free Diet Rite Cola for my kid's birthday & the teacher said it was against the rules because it was soda!

I can see why they said no. If other kids see yours drinking a soda, they're not going to make the distinction that it's caffeine or sugar free. It just looks like a soda, and the other kids aren't allowed to have it, so it might seem unfair to them. It's easier to say no soda at all instead of checking every soda that enters the building.

[Gandalf]

No, but there is a huge obesity problem in the western world and if parents aren't going to be responsible, someone has to step in.
Should we also step in and take kids away from their parents if they are allowed to play too many video games at home, or not study enough, or if their parents don't educate them according to our preferred political or religious traditions? Why should "someone have to step in" when parents' priorities on cuisine or exercise are different from our own? Not saying obesity's a good thing, but I know it's none of my business telling parents how they should raise their children, short of actual abuse, and giving a kid a soda is not remotely the moral equivalent of abusively beating or starving him, etc.

On the other hand, if the school (for whatever reason) has a rule prohibiting soda at school, parents should either respect that or choose a school whose policies they agree with.

[mat1583]

Should we also step in and take kids away from their parents if they are allowed to play too many video games at home, or not study enough, or if their parents don't educate them according to our preferred political or religious traditions? Why should "someone have to step in" when parents' priorities on cuisine or exercise are different from our own? Not saying obesity's a good thing, but I know it's none of my business telling parents how they should raise their children, short of actual abuse, and giving a kid a soda is not remotely the moral equivalent of abusively beating or starving him, etc.

On the other hand, if the school (for whatever reason) has a rule prohibiting soda at school, parents should either respect that or choose a school whose policies they agree with.

I'm beginning to think that many Americans would rather have the government deciding everything for them so that they don't actually have to be a responsible adult. I call that responsibility Liberty and would fight to the death for it.

[R. Smith]

I'm not saying starve the kids, but they should be eating more healthy... Myself as a lunch room monitor, I can't tell the kids what not to eat. But it bothers me, when I see a kid in grade 1...drinking a Pop in school

[Salome]

You've got a good heart Roger. I'm a lunch lady at a K-8 school. We don't have a pop machine available to the kids, but there isn't a rule saying kids can't bring a pop from home. I work with the K-3rd graders and I don't see a lot of pop come in lunch boxes. It makes me sad when I see a lunch a kid has obviously had to pack themselves ..... and contains pop, chips and a goodie (we have extra pb&j for these times). Or worse, hearing 2nd grade boys talking about the movie The Hangover! hello. Need to say a prayer for that!

Working in a school you will always find things that break your heart, but it is a blessing to be able to be the hands and feet of Jesus with these little ones. There are those who need that extra comfort and encouragement, a little bit of love from us.

[ausgirl]

You've got a good heart Roger. I'm a lunch lady at a K-8 school. We don't have a pop machine available to the kids, but there isn't a rule saying kids can't bring a pop from home. I work with the K-3rd graders and I don't see a lot of pop come in lunch boxes. It makes me sad when I see a lunch a kid has obviously had to pack themselves ..... and contains pop, chips and a goodie (we have extra pb&j for these times). Or worse, hearing 2nd grade boys talking about the movie The Hangover! hello. Need to say a prayer for that!

Working in a school you will always find things that break your heart, but it is a blessing to be able to be the hands and feet of Jesus with these little ones. There are those who need that extra comfort and encouragement, a little bit of love from us.


Yes Salome, I agree it is a blessing to be a part of these young lives - I work in childcare, so mine are even younger and more hands on, more opportunites to quietly pray!
I had a child of similiar age (afterschool care) tell me of the horrible movies she watches - lots of horror stuff, and she has nightmares, well duh!

[R. Smith]

I do see myself being (even in a small way) a part of these kids lives, as a blessing. I know 1 of my callings is to work with kids...

[pamcharlie]

How about just water and fresh fruit and smoothies and ask the parents if they want their child to have soda and if the school has a dental clinic ask the dentist about healthy tooth safe options