WWJ14D: Valentines Day Treats

chickpea912 · February 2014

Since we don't really do the whole Valentine's Day thing, and M's school certainly doesn't do anything for it, this is more of an intellectual curiosity than looking for answers or advice.

A FB friend posted this on her way, saying she couldn't wait to make these for her son's preschool friends.

Now, even if M's school celebrated the holiday (it doesn't, nor did it do anything for Halloween), I probably wouldn't opt for something like this. I've seen other friends post pictures of non-food giveaways they do for their kid's classes, but this was the first twinkie I'd seen. Definitely a cute little minion.

So, if you have a kid, or if you want to consider what you WOULD do for your kid once they're of an age, would you opt for something like this - cute, of course, but involving a high sugar item - or would you go in a different direction? Does junk food matter if it's a once-in-a-while thing?

Just curious.

bumpuser9343355 · February 2014

I'm kind of in the once in a while doesn't kill you boat for holidays like Valentine's Day and Halloween, but there are also so many things you can do that don't involve candy and sugar. I would probably opt for chocolate or something gummy rather than Twinkies. Not that candy is better for you, but Twinkies kind of weird me out with their lasting longer than Cher and cockroaches properties.

hjl050308 · February 2014

That's a cute little idea, I have no patience to do anything like that for Valentine's Day this year, when I'm usually pretty crafty.

For my son's preschool class, I'm getting the little Valentine cards and a heart lollipop for each child. That's all I got...

temursgirl · February 2014

That's really funny! At first I thought someone had made a minion-shaped rice krispy treat.

I think sugar and treats are fine on occasion, but I'm with @BeesTimesThree about twinkies being a little scary and not quite a food substance. I'd feel more comfortable with candies or cookies.

Kinipela7 · February 2014

People (especially nowadays) will have all sorts of opinions about this. I remember we would get special cupcakes or cookies for certain holidays and it made our day! I remember the days when people weren't so dang uptight!

MollySm · February 2014

I don't think junk food is terrible every once in awhile. But I wouldn't be the one to decide that for her classmates parents. And I wouldn't do anything tv related either, at least at Lucia's age.

chickpea912 · February 2014

I'm very aware of what I give my daughter - even today, putting together her lunch, I considered putting a smallish brownie in that we made together last Saturday, and decided not to. Partly b/c I have a feeling other kids don't bring in stuff like that, even for a small treat, partly b/c despite swimming competitively 5 days a week, I was always overweight as a kid and have horrible eating habits.

I'm partly mollified by the fact that M seems to have perfectly fine self control - something that I discussed with the doctor since her BMI is on the higher side (she's solid, but definitely not overweight - stupid BMI), and her pedi said that as long as she exhibits good self control (ie if she is eating her favorite thing ever, she stops when she is done), I shouldn't worry. And while there are times that she would eat all of the <insert delicious food item here> she can find, she more often will have a few bites of a brownie, cookie, ice cream, and then say she is done.

So I do struggle to balance this in our lives. Her Halloween bucket is still half-full, and we do enjoy treats, although my kid is the kid that would have pomegranate arils every day of her life if I could find a source for fresh poms all the time.

If we did the V Day thing (which, like I said, we don't), I'd probably do fun non-edible treats. But that's just my crazy living in middle class suburban DC anti-HFCS insanity.

JNerd · February 2014

Whenever daycare/home gives DS treats for a holiday, I eat them. He doesn't need the sugar - he has too much energy as it is.

I do remember when we got treats at school - was always a good day. Heck - still is a good day when we get treats at the office.

But, will I (hypocritically) give young kids junk? No. It's fine for me to eat, not them

nikki0808 · February 2014

BrightEyes112 said:

Mmmmmmmmm Twinkies.

This made me laugh so hard. :-)

momof5sept18 · February 2014

I don't think I'll be doing food/candy things for my boys' for school. Too many allergies to worry about, milk, nuts, gluten, etc. I don't wanna endanger anyones kid not even on accident. So they will do crafts or I will talk to the parents of the class and make something safe for EVERYONE. I would hate for a candy/ food item to have something a child is allergic to and have that kid end up in the hospital because of me. I'm kind of paranoid about that sort of stuff. So I'd have to check with every kids parent or have my boys make some cool craft thing for their classmates.

babygabe614 · February 2014

I think they're cute. I wouldn't make them myself but I'm the "mean mom" (okay, mean stepmom for now, and future mean mom) who dislikes junk food, believes dessert is only for very special after-dinner occassions, and assumes kiddo will get enough sugar from all the other kids' treats that I would choose something healthier to bring into school.

kibean · February 2014

I know at the school I work at you cannot bring any kind of food, and nothing that is specific to Halloween or specific holidays. Things have to be "seasonal" or nondescript.

JNerd · February 2014

BrightEyes112 said:

JNerd said:
Whenever daycare/home gives DS treats for a holiday, I eat them. He doesn't need the sugar - he has too much energy as it is.

I do remember when we got treats at school - was always a good day. Heck - still is a good day when we get treats at the office.

But, will I (hypocritically) give young kids junk? No. It's fine for me to eat, not them
The moral of the story: please pack your kids junk so jnerd and I can get ours.

Current preferences include sour candy and a craving for lemon Oreos. If toucan find a way to make soft serve ice cream last- that would be ideal

nunzchucks · February 2014

We always had to do those little card valentines. I don't think we were allowed to bring in candy. I did see a cute on on Pinterest with goldfish crackers that said "I'm glad we are in the same school". I'd probably do that instead.

nunzchucks · February 2014

Oh and speaking of card Valentines. Did everyone else go thru the pack to give the best one to the cute boy?

liberty95 · February 2014

I say not a big deal. I won't be doing anything quite that complicated, but holiday treats are okay in my book.

Valie18 · February 2014

chickpea912 said:

I'm very aware of what I give my daughter - even today, putting together her lunch, I considered putting a smallish brownie in that we made together last Saturday, and decided not to. Partly b/c I have a feeling other kids don't bring in stuff like that, even for a small treat, partly b/c despite swimming competitively 5 days a week, I was always overweight as a kid and have horrible eating habits.

So... what are the brownies for if not for a small treat?

MrsCase1 · February 2014

I wouldn't bat an eye if my kid got a sugary treat on Valentine's Day. He doesn't have much desire for sweets outside of fruit snacks. I think sometimes people take themselves way too seriously. Lincoln's treat will probably come from a box like it did when I was a kid simply because I am not creative. Last year someone gave him bubbles and some Hershey kisses during music class.

chickpea912 · February 2014

Valie18 said:

chickpea912 said:

I'm very aware of what I give my daughter - even today, putting together her lunch, I considered putting a smallish brownie in that we made together last Saturday, and decided not to. Partly b/c I have a feeling other kids don't bring in stuff like that, even for a small treat, partly b/c despite swimming competitively 5 days a week, I was always overweight as a kid and have horrible eating habits.

So... what are the brownies for if not for a small treat?

We made them for a Super Bowl party we were going to. When there, she had approximately two bites of one brownie. She did ask to try the brownie batter after I had a little bit, and she promptly spit it out. But the kid maintains she loves chocolate - I think she just loves Hershey Kisses (I have them on my desk at work, and when she comes to my office, she gets a couple).

snowpants · February 2014

Moderation is key for sure, but I still wouldn't do this. If kids are exchanging V-day treats then they'll be getting a lot more than 1 twinkie...in a typical classroom they might get 20-30 or more treats that one day. And while you can moderate them once they are home I'd still prefer that my kid not get 30 treats in a day.

I loved it when school did something like a cupcake or cookie for a special holiday treat and would support that, because it's one treat.

Just my opinion and not my hill to die on. I wouldn't be angry at the parents who gave a small treat, in fact I'm sure I'd compliment them on how cute it was, but I would privately wish that non-edible treats were the norm.

LadyMacaron · February 2014

Too many allergies to worry about. I'd do a cute card with a little silly gift (toy ring, or heart sunglasses, or stickers), if it was something they did in school.

chickpea912 · February 2014

snowpants said:

Moderation is key for sure, but I still wouldn't do this. If kids are exchanging V-day treats then they'll be getting a lot more than 1 twinkie...in a typical classroom they might get 20-30 or more treats that one day. And while you can moderate them once they are home I'd still prefer that my kid not get 30 treats in a day.

I loved it when school did something like a cupcake or cookie for a special holiday treat and would support that, because it's one treat.

Just my opinion and not my hill to die on. I wouldn't be angry at the parents who gave a small treat, in fact I'm sure I'd compliment them on how cute it was, but I would privately wish that non-edible treats were the norm.

I so agree. In my afterschool program, I'm having parents complain about the occasional Hershey Kiss handed out. I have no problem with treats in general, and my child certainly isn't missing out on fun stuff (she's currently obsessed with freezen' yogurt), but it's tricky.

Like I said, I don't really care a ton - I probably would opt for a more creative thing, but since we don't do Valentine's Day, it was more an intellectual curiosity (this entire thread) than me looking for advice on what to do.

Our next holiday coming up does have a fun gift giving component to friends - this would be the first year I would consider doing it with M, and one of the things I like about it is that there is a stress on the different types of things you include, so we get to be creative.

LilyGracesMommy · February 2014

I would prob opt for Annie's 18pk of valentines day gummies ( sweet and candy-like but somewhat healthier than a Twinkie)

robbinrl · February 2014

DD's preschool class is doing a party and exchange. Everyone tends to do healthy or non food treats in this class since they are 2.5 - 3 year olds. I plan to do one of these:

kittenslove · February 2014

I think this is cute, but I wouldn't do it. I don't like twinkes. While I do agree with occasional treats, working in a school it has been my experience that these "special celebrations" occur a lot more then occasionally (think birthday cupcakes, 100 day celebrations, plus holidays). I am a fan of the 90/10 rule (good 90% of the time) but I know how it is a struggle, and think a lot about how to handle the additional pressure of a child's diet.

Our neighborhood elementary school does not allow junk food or soda to be packed in lunches or for parties. I have helped my sister make a lot of cute fruit and veggies themed items, as well as helped pack nonfood related items. She also does the candy buy back system from 100daysofrealfood. Basically, after Halloween, her kids pick out the candy they most want. Then the Switch Witch comes and trades their candy for a toy. My nephews love it. Valentines are home made items. Easter they get a little candy, but the easter bunny hides eggs with change and they get pajamas and a small toy in their baskets. We all eat dessert, but I would much rather my child eat a home made cake with all local real food then junk like twinkies.

MrsNunes · February 2014

I was going to add what @snowpants said too, from a 2nd grade teacher perspective. Though the treats are cute and fun, when all of the kids bring them in, it turns into 25-30 treats plus whatever "special snack" they had that day (my class is usually cupcakes and/or cookies and/or some candy-themed Pinterest idea). This year I don't have any food allergies in my room (a rarity nowadays!), so I'm anticipating a lot of junk. Christmas was ridiculous! (I'm at a Catholic school, so we get to celebrate holidays)

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