Why do people always want to give kids candy?!?!

swest222
swest222 Posts: 455 Member
edited September 2024 in Chit-Chat
My children are not allowed to have candy. I wont say EVER, they've had it once or twice but they are only 2.
So why is it people feel the need to want to give candy?
This rant comes from the fact my children went to daycare today and were sent home with bags of candy for easter.
(nice gesture, wrong message).
Im overweight and I do not want my children having this type of junk. I removed it from their bags, and they werent actually GIVEN any candy without my consent but seriously?!?! What is the deal with kids and candy?
Do people not care childhood obesity is on the rise?????????
Frustrated!!!
«1

Replies

  • bmontgomery87
    bmontgomery87 Posts: 1,260 Member
    People are ignorant, it's sad.
    I have a huge problem with the way parents feed their children terrible "foods".

    I read a projection that estimated 1 out of 3 children born after 2000 will develop diabetes.
  • monkeybelle83
    monkeybelle83 Posts: 141 Member
    I don't think it's fair to put all the blame on candy. I ate a TON of candy as a child, and I was never overweight until adulthood and tons of medications. Kids spend most of their time sitting on their rumps now, either in front of a computer, or in front of the television.
  • hpsnickers1
    hpsnickers1 Posts: 2,783 Member
    People are ignorant, it's sad.
    I have a huge problem with the way parents feed their children terrible "foods".

    I read a projection that estimated 1 out of 3 children born after 2000 will develop diabetes.

    Not only that but there is even an increase in larger babies being born due to what the mother eats (all that bad stuff gets passed on to the baby). So they are being born with the issue these days. It's really, really sad.
  • azlady7
    azlady7 Posts: 471 Member
    not to mention the rotted teeth. I am amazed at how many parents i see today letting their kids survive on poptarts and soda.
  • edorice
    edorice Posts: 4,519 Member
    With the aisles and aisles of candy for sale at Easter and Holloween time clearly people aren't getting the memo that we have an obesity epidemic.
  • Atlantique
    Atlantique Posts: 2,484 Member
    Maybe you could try looking at this from a different angle.

    You yourself said that you don't mean for your children to *never* have candy. Now that some has appeared, you have a great opportunity to reinforce when, if and what servings are appropriate. You have the chance to actively teach your children how to manage junk food that they absolutely will encounter in their lives.

    I understand the temptation to just shield them from the whole idea of candy, but that's not realistic. It's better, I think, to teach them how to manage these situations rather than leave them without tools for the times when they will be given candy.
  • b00b0084
    b00b0084 Posts: 729 Member
    When my son was born his dad and I were split up, I told him under no circumstances is my child getting soda or candy until he is older than 5 then in moderation. Well my son goes with his dad, when he was 2, to see his paternal grandma. Guess how my son came home...... on a sugar rush because they gave him candy and soda. I was soooooo pissed off! It took me FOREVER to get my son to sleep that night. I caved and let him have those in moderation for a while. Now he is 6 and I am trying to get him on pressed fruit snacks. The soda is a privilage but he swears by chocolate milk and juice. But those sodas as 2 really messed with him.
  • MeaganAnn84
    MeaganAnn84 Posts: 95
    I totally agree, I think it's nuts too how people are always trying to shove candy into a kids mouth!
    I read somewhere that a celebrity mom didn't let her kids have crappy foods, so they ask for healthy options. She said something like "If you don't feed them candy when they're six months old, they don't even know what it is!" It makes total sense to me!
    My boyfriend would always let his son drink Mountain Dew, etc and it would drive me insane. He was like six at the time. The pop intake has slowed down a lot though, thank goodness.
  • pilotgirl2007
    pilotgirl2007 Posts: 368 Member
    I almost NEVER give candy out on holidays especially to my niece and if I do give it to her its not very much and def not the main event in the "gift"

    She loves to draw and play with dolls so I try to feed her imagination instead of her sweet tooth. She gets more out of those gifts anyway. I don't understand it either...
  • WWE_chick
    WWE_chick Posts: 86
    I think it is assumed all kids like candy and that they are so active it really won't matter if they eat it? I'm not sure I personally don't have a sweet tooth (i have a carb tooth instead) but when i was 7yrs old I had to visit my dad. It was the first time in 5yrs after my parents divorced he had no idea what to feed me. It was constant cake, candy and ice cream......even cotton candy and when i told him I didn't like sweets his response was "all kids like sweets"
  • monkeybelle83
    monkeybelle83 Posts: 141 Member
    Maybe you could try looking at this from a different angle.

    You yourself said that you don't mean for your children to *never* have candy. Now that some has appeared, you have a great opportunity to reinforce when, if and what servings are appropriate. You have the chance to actively teach your children how to manage junk food that they absolutely will encounter in their lives.

    I understand the temptation to just shield them from the whole idea of candy, but that's not realistic. It's better, I think, to teach them how to manage these situations rather than leave them without tools for the times when they will be given candy.

    This. I think it's more important to teach children how to eat properly by giving them options. Candy isn't by itself bad, but it is bad if you eat too much of it.
  • Heatherbelle_87
    Heatherbelle_87 Posts: 1,078 Member
    Alot of people see it as a nice "treat" but dont realize the portion control aspect of it honestly. I had to break my son of a sucker habit (and Im a dental assistant so suckers sure as heck arent what I want my child having constantly!) after sending him to a neighbor for a few hours while I packed and he had 5! he was begging and screaming for them for weeks!

    I would say the only thing you can really do with daycare since they didnt actually feed it to your child is put a request in with the head of the daycare about finding non-sugar alternatives for treats or the kids. Walmart has had amazing toys in their easter section super cheap so it wouldnt have cost much more then the candy did.

    As long as you are doing the right things at home though a few sugary treats arent truly going to harm your children.

    I am VERY concerned about my sons weight because I always had weight struggles (he is in perfect heigh weight proportion and its mainly muscle!) but I make ap oint to give him sugar/candy treats because I want him to learn portion control and that it is OK to eat them as a treat NOW so he doesnt hide it or binge at friends houses like I did as a kid
  • JellyPrz619
    JellyPrz619 Posts: 172
    yeah i know!! i imagine they want the kids to feel happy and think something sweet will do the trick. I hate that when i leave my 3 yr old w her grandma or aunt they ALWAYS ALWAYS take her to MCDONALDS!! this is 3-4 times a WEEK!! I always give her a home made lunch when i leave her to avoid the whole trip to mcd but they still take her,, and they do not understand my point of view.
  • ygrad2001
    ygrad2001 Posts: 230
    I didn't eat alot of candy or sweets as a child and I still managed to gain weight. I personally dont think it is candy alone that will cause any child to be obese. I think it is not having those items in moderation that is a part of the problem.
  • bridie1955
    bridie1955 Posts: 4 Member
    Everything in moderation....what happened to the candy???
  • momma3sweetgirls
    momma3sweetgirls Posts: 743 Member
    It's a treat. Easter, Halloween, Christmas, Valentine's Day...have I missed one. That's only 4 times they're getting it from others. The rest of the time it's the parents. Just saying.
  • sillygoose1977
    sillygoose1977 Posts: 2,151 Member
    If you don't want them having it, then you did the right thing and took it away. As parents, WE are the only ones responsible for what our children eat.
  • andipandi
    andipandi Posts: 91 Member
    It's a treat. Easter, Halloween, Christmas, Valentine's Day...have I missed one. That's only 4 times they're getting it from others. The rest of the time it's the parents. Just saying.

    brilliant...lol...!!!!!
  • andipandi
    andipandi Posts: 91 Member
    Everything in moderation....what happened to the candy???

    ...lol...exactly!!!!!
  • pilotgirl2007
    pilotgirl2007 Posts: 368 Member
    It's a treat. Easter, Halloween, Christmas, Valentine's Day...have I missed one. That's only 4 times they're getting it from others. The rest of the time it's the parents. Just saying.

    brilliant...lol...!!!!!

    Multiply that by how many people will be giving them candy... sometimes it ends up being A LOT of candy
  • utes09
    utes09 Posts: 561 Member
    Another thing that bothers me are parents letting their kids ( like 4 years and younger) have soda. That's one thing my kids (when I have them) won't get....I don't drink soda, haven't for years. Candy will be given sparingly as well since I now view it as "Do I NEED that candy? Or will I be alright without it?"

    I do allow for special occasions and have cake, etc. It's all about how you choose to raise your kids I guess.
  • starboardzor
    starboardzor Posts: 312
    I ate candy as a kid, mostly on holidays. But my mom also didn't alow soda in the house or junk food cereal. And instead of fruit rolls up in my lunch like all the other kids, I'd have applesauce. If we ate out we had two choices, we could have soda with our meal OR we could have dessert. Not both. I was also very active. So I wouldn't say candy is BAD. I would say teaching moderation early on is more important.
  • monkeybelle83
    monkeybelle83 Posts: 141 Member
    My husband and I are giving up soda now, before we have kids. We think it will be easier to say no to them when we aren't drinking it either.
  • TS65
    TS65 Posts: 1,024 Member
    I hear where you're coming from. My father gave my son a coke when he was 2. REALLY?!?!? I was soooo mad! Up to that point all he had ever tasted was milk and watered down juice. grrrrr

    I do want to say that I also agree with previous posters. I was raised in a house where we NEVER had candy. As such, whenever I was around it, I would gorge because I never knew when I would have it again. (I even remember thinking... as an adult... I should eat all of it because they might stop making it tomorrow - CRAZY!!!) I don't want him to grow up with the food issues I have. So, I've made an effort to have sweets available for my son if he wants some for dessert - the difference is he normally is only allowed 1/2 (Little Debbie packaging is a good example - 1/2 a brownie, 1/2 a nutty bar, etc.). It's funny, now, when we're at a birthday party or somewhere there is candy, he'll come up with a TINY piece of candy and ask if he can have half. :wink: :laugh: To remove the temptation from me, I tend to buy sweet stuff I don't care for.
  • RoniDoll
    RoniDoll Posts: 262
    Maybe you could try looking at this from a different angle.

    You yourself said that you don't mean for your children to *never* have candy. Now that some has appeared, you have a great opportunity to reinforce when, if and what servings are appropriate. You have the chance to actively teach your children how to manage junk food that they absolutely will encounter in their lives.

    I understand the temptation to just shield them from the whole idea of candy, but that's not realistic. It's better, I think, to teach them how to manage these situations rather than leave them without tools for the times when they will be given candy.

    I agree! Also, If you nere of hardly ever give them candy, when the get older they may binge on sweets
  • ahanson6
    ahanson6 Posts: 102
    I don't think it's fair to put all the blame on candy. I ate a TON of candy as a child, and I was never overweight until adulthood and tons of medications. Kids spend most of their time sitting on their rumps now, either in front of a computer, or in front of the television.

    I agree. I think candy is just like everything else. It's fine in moderation. The biggest cause of kids being over weight is a combination of crappy food and NO exercise. You probably shouldn't be feeding your kid a King size snickers bar everyday, but you also shouldn't be feeding them fast food 5 days a week, and you shouldn't let them sit for hours watching TV or messing around on the computer. What works for adults will work for kids too. Let them have a treat every now and then, but give them a balanced diet and kick them out of the house to go play.
  • FitFrenchGirl
    FitFrenchGirl Posts: 177
    :flowerforyou: Okay I work at a bank and kids only come inside for candy. but most of the time I ask the parent before I hand them the candy jar...but i mean there kids....I ate candy all my life no rotten teeth,,,and im not over weight and my parents are not overweight too....



    ps. have you ever watched willy wonka movie....where his dad was always taking candy away...and than when he got older he started sneaking around eatting all the candy he can get his hands on... : ( i dont think you should be that mad.....kids need to learn right from wrong....ya know..idk..just my thoughts
  • PlanetVelma
    PlanetVelma Posts: 1,223 Member
    If you don't want them having it, then you did the right thing and took it away. As parents, WE are the only ones responsible for what our children eat.

    Exactly! I'm not one to restrict my kids from candy/ice cream - it's all in moderation. I had a friend in school who was not allowed ANY candy/ice cream/etc...when she went to college she went crazy and ate every type of candy, ice cream, ate at every fast food place - because she wasn't given the tools to make healthy decisions, she just went nuts.

    So I do allow my kids to have candy or ice cream on occasion. Leftover candy gets donated. If it's halloween I donate to a group that ships stuff to the soldiers overseas. For easter, i'll probably leave some in the break room @ work and freeze a bit so we have a treat when we have "movie nite" @ home.

    I am a serial diet coke drinker (which i'm working on....) but my son - he has a soda maybe once a month, he mostly drinks water. My daughter would rather have milk most times.
  • knittygirl52
    knittygirl52 Posts: 432 Member
    Yay--no, people don't think.

    My son thought whole wheat crackers were cookies until he was 3. Then I went back to work evenings, and my next door neighbor watched him for ONE hour three times a week until my husband got home to make him dinner. Seriously, it was from 4:30 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. Nearly every day he came home with a new "best food ever." Fortunately, by that time he had been under our thumbs for 3 years! To this day (he's now 31) he is the guy who will eat any vegetable, any fish (including sushi), and when he was in the throws of a divorce and had virtually no money, he was living on canned vegetables (where most of us would go for the Ramen noodles!). My daughter, who is 4 years younger, was born when my father (the original junk-food-junkie) lived with us. On top of that, he was sick and we spent a lot of time racing from doctor to doctor, so instead of home-made baby food, she got jars. I don't know whether that is the reason, or if there is something else, but she is the one who is fussy about vegetables and won't eat fish, and has more of a weight problem.


    Stick to your guns!
  • That_Girl
    That_Girl Posts: 1,324 Member
    When I give treats at my daughter's preschool (she's 2 too) I use fruit snacks and animal crackers. It's not meant to be eaten all at the same time, just like when she gets a bag of treats, she gets one a day...if that. Usually the novelty wears off in a couple days and I throw the rest out. :)

    And cavities are up in the air. I ate candy and sweets and never have had a cavity. My kids have never had cavities. My sister took better care of her teeth than I did when we were young and her mouth is FULL of fillings :smile: It depends on the strength of the enamel and then brushing techniques.

    But maybe if you tell the preschool you don't like people giving your child treats, then they won't waste the bag of goodies on you. Just a thought. You are still the mom, you still make the rules.
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