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I worked in food services at our school district (300 schools). We had a central kitchen/warehouse and nutritionists on staff. Before I retired they had already gotten all students on the free breakfast, regardless of income. They were working on getting all students on free lunches (free being paid for by the state). I rarely saw any kids bringing their own lunches.
The 2 meals, and snacks, provided by the school were all the food many of the students had all day. During the summer we also ran feeding programs at the local rec centers. We provided nutritious well balanced meals.
But those pics appear to be lunch from home. If that is what the parents are sending - it is none of my concern. I do not know their situation and certainly do not have enough information (or the inclination) to judge.15 -
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These are typical lunches I see on my students consume everyday.
Curious if you are concerned or not at all?
Yes, I'm concerned.
If this is a photo of an actual student in your classroom or school and you posted it here without their guardian's consent you're likely breaching student confidentiality and violating their privacy ("redacting" some info/cropping out most of their face doesn't change that you took a photo of them and their belongings seemingly with the intent to share it online).
There are proper channels to go through if you are worried about abuse, neglect, malnourishment, etc. of students in your classroom or school community. Taking specific examples with images to social media to vent or seek validation would be inappropriate and unethical.
Its frustrating to see parents repetitively make poor food choices for their children. But none us here know or are in a place to know how repetitive this behavior is, what the child eats at home, if they routinely share those large quantity of snack items with classmates, how active this child is overall, what their parents budget and work hours look like, etc.16 -
These are typical lunches I see on my students consume everyday.
Curious if you are concerned or not at all?
Yes, I'm concerned.
If this is a photo of an actual student in your classroom or school and you posted it here without their guardian's consent you're likely breaching student confidentiality and violating their privacy ("redacting" some info/cropping out most of their face doesn't change that you took a photo of them and their belongings seemingly with the intent to share it online).
There are proper channels to go through if you are worried about abuse, neglect, malnourishment, etc. of students in your classroom or school community. Taking specific examples with images to social media to vent or seek validation would be inappropriate and unethical.
Its frustrating to see parents repetitively make poor food choices for their children. But none us here know or are in a place to know how repetitive this behavior is, what the child eats at home, if they routinely share those large quantity of snack items with classmates, how active this child is overall, what their parents budget and work hours look like, etc.
Thank you! I got disagrees when I and some others posted similar thoughts about posting pictures of students on a semi-public forum, which boggles my mind. I can pretty much guarantee that if the person who posted this is their teacher and his/her school found out, he/she would be reprimanded by administration in some way.11 -
Theoldguy1 wrote: »
I have done years of child care. And gone through actual child abuse cases. Involving the stuff of nightmares.
Yes. This diet, if it is daily fare, is sub-optimal.
No. It is not even close to abusive.
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The more I look at that pic, the more I think it's about product placement.
What happened to the op? It's not like she's a hit and run poster.7 -
I have no idea what they are eating the rest of the day, so I have no business evaluating their lunch choices.
I have no idea about the larger family situation/dynamic, so I have no business judging their food choices.
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MargaretYakoda wrote: »Theoldguy1 wrote: »
I have done years of child care. And gone through actual child abuse cases. Involving the stuff of nightmares.
Yes. This diet, if it is daily fare, is sub-optimal.
No. It is not even close to abusive.
My wife has a long career in education so I am familiar with the "official" definition of child abuse.
Of course there isn't immediate physical/psychological damage from eating this stuff occasionally.
If a habit, this will most likely lead to a lifetime of obesity and poor health, i.e., long term impact.3 -
Theoldguy1 wrote: »MargaretYakoda wrote: »Theoldguy1 wrote: »
I have done years of child care. And gone through actual child abuse cases. Involving the stuff of nightmares.
Yes. This diet, if it is daily fare, is sub-optimal.
No. It is not even close to abusive.
My wife has a long career in education so I am familiar with the "official" definition of child abuse.
Of course there isn't immediate physical/psychological damage from eating this stuff occasionally.
If a habit, this will most likely lead to a lifetime of obesity and poor health, i.e., long term impact.
I was with you until you chose the words "most likely"...8 -
You know, I'm a very easygoing guy, even to a fault.
But if I found out that a school staff member had done the following:
- Posted a photo of one of my children on an internet discussion forum
- Without my permission
- Even with said child's face excluded
- With the express purpose of shaming me for how I feed my child
I would be livid, and would be demanding to meet with the principal and potentially the school board.22 -
Theoldguy1 wrote: »MargaretYakoda wrote: »Theoldguy1 wrote: »
I have done years of child care. And gone through actual child abuse cases. Involving the stuff of nightmares.
Yes. This diet, if it is daily fare, is sub-optimal.
No. It is not even close to abusive.
My wife has a long career in education so I am familiar with the "official" definition of child abuse.
Of course there isn't immediate physical/psychological damage from eating this stuff occasionally.
If a habit, this will most likely lead to a lifetime of obesity and poor health, i.e., long term impact.
If one doesn't like the term child abuse for this substitute child neglect.1 -
Theoldguy1 wrote: »MargaretYakoda wrote: »Theoldguy1 wrote: »
I have done years of child care. And gone through actual child abuse cases. Involving the stuff of nightmares.
Yes. This diet, if it is daily fare, is sub-optimal.
No. It is not even close to abusive.
My wife has a long career in education so I am familiar with the "official" definition of child abuse.
Of course there isn't immediate physical/psychological damage from eating this stuff occasionally.
If a habit, this will most likely lead to a lifetime of obesity and poor health, i.e., long term impact.
I was with you until you chose the words "most likely"...
I used the term "most likely" because absolutes get one in trouble. Almost everyone has heard about someone's great uncle Joe or great aunt Edna that has smoked cigs for 80 years and no lung cancer, can it happen, yes, but not likely.
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Theoldguy1 wrote: »MargaretYakoda wrote: »Theoldguy1 wrote: »
I have done years of child care. And gone through actual child abuse cases. Involving the stuff of nightmares.
Yes. This diet, if it is daily fare, is sub-optimal.
No. It is not even close to abusive.
My wife has a long career in education so I am familiar with the "official" definition of child abuse.
Of course there isn't immediate physical/psychological damage from eating this stuff occasionally.
If a habit, this will most likely lead to a lifetime of obesity and poor health, i.e., long term impact.
And of course online posting of a child's photo for the purpose of shaming them and their family will "most likely" have no negative impact at all?7 -
lynn_glenmont wrote: »Theoldguy1 wrote: »MargaretYakoda wrote: »Theoldguy1 wrote: »
I have done years of child care. And gone through actual child abuse cases. Involving the stuff of nightmares.
Yes. This diet, if it is daily fare, is sub-optimal.
No. It is not even close to abusive.
My wife has a long career in education so I am familiar with the "official" definition of child abuse.
Of course there isn't immediate physical/psychological damage from eating this stuff occasionally.
If a habit, this will most likely lead to a lifetime of obesity and poor health, i.e., long term impact.
And of course online posting of a child's photo for the purpose of shaming them and their family will "most likely" have no negative impact at all?
Not part of my discussion point.
Don't think the kid should have been part of the picture, but that doesn't negate the point, this type of food, served on a regular basis, for a child's lunch, will most likely impact their long term health.3 -
Theoldguy1 wrote: »Theoldguy1 wrote: »MargaretYakoda wrote: »Theoldguy1 wrote: »
I have done years of child care. And gone through actual child abuse cases. Involving the stuff of nightmares.
Yes. This diet, if it is daily fare, is sub-optimal.
No. It is not even close to abusive.
My wife has a long career in education so I am familiar with the "official" definition of child abuse.
Of course there isn't immediate physical/psychological damage from eating this stuff occasionally.
If a habit, this will most likely lead to a lifetime of obesity and poor health, i.e., long term impact.
If one doesn't like the term child abuse for this substitute child neglect.
If leaving your infant in their car seat all weekend and not changing their diaper - resulting in a combination diaper rash and bedsore - (from one of the actual cases I testified in) doesn’t constitute neglect, then feeding your child a hot dog and some sugary yoghurt definitely doesn’t.
(the parents did lose custody a year later, after even worse…)9 -
MargaretYakoda wrote: »Theoldguy1 wrote: »Theoldguy1 wrote: »MargaretYakoda wrote: »Theoldguy1 wrote: »
I have done years of child care. And gone through actual child abuse cases. Involving the stuff of nightmares.
Yes. This diet, if it is daily fare, is sub-optimal.
No. It is not even close to abusive.
My wife has a long career in education so I am familiar with the "official" definition of child abuse.
Of course there isn't immediate physical/psychological damage from eating this stuff occasionally.
If a habit, this will most likely lead to a lifetime of obesity and poor health, i.e., long term impact.
If one doesn't like the term child abuse for this substitute child neglect.
If leaving your infant in their car seat all weekend and not changing their diaper - resulting in a combination diaper rash and bedsore - (from one of the actual cases I testified in) doesn’t constitute neglect, then feeding your child a hot dog and some sugary yoghurt definitely doesn’t.
(the parents did lose custody a year later, after even worse…)
Don't really give a *kitten* what the court calls neglect. Feeding a child that crap on a regular basis is neglect in my book and the book of anyone that has any common sense.
7 -
Theoldguy1 wrote: »MargaretYakoda wrote: »Theoldguy1 wrote: »Theoldguy1 wrote: »MargaretYakoda wrote: »Theoldguy1 wrote: »
I have done years of child care. And gone through actual child abuse cases. Involving the stuff of nightmares.
Yes. This diet, if it is daily fare, is sub-optimal.
No. It is not even close to abusive.
My wife has a long career in education so I am familiar with the "official" definition of child abuse.
Of course there isn't immediate physical/psychological damage from eating this stuff occasionally.
If a habit, this will most likely lead to a lifetime of obesity and poor health, i.e., long term impact.
If one doesn't like the term child abuse for this substitute child neglect.
If leaving your infant in their car seat all weekend and not changing their diaper - resulting in a combination diaper rash and bedsore - (from one of the actual cases I testified in) doesn’t constitute neglect, then feeding your child a hot dog and some sugary yoghurt definitely doesn’t.
(the parents did lose custody a year later, after even worse…)
Don't really give a *kitten* what the court calls neglect. Feeding a child that crap on a regular basis is neglect in my book and the book of anyone that has any common sense.
::shrug::
Personal opinion that this food is unhealthy doesn’t make it neglect.
As has been pointed out here already:
1) We don’t know what these children eat at home.
2) Posting this picture without parental permission is a big problem.
3) It’s food. And enough of it.
4) Shaming parents who are very likely doing their best under very difficult circumstances is really not OK.
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MargaretYakoda wrote: »Theoldguy1 wrote: »MargaretYakoda wrote: »Theoldguy1 wrote: »Theoldguy1 wrote: »MargaretYakoda wrote: »Theoldguy1 wrote: »
I have done years of child care. And gone through actual child abuse cases. Involving the stuff of nightmares.
Yes. This diet, if it is daily fare, is sub-optimal.
No. It is not even close to abusive.
My wife has a long career in education so I am familiar with the "official" definition of child abuse.
Of course there isn't immediate physical/psychological damage from eating this stuff occasionally.
If a habit, this will most likely lead to a lifetime of obesity and poor health, i.e., long term impact.
If one doesn't like the term child abuse for this substitute child neglect.
If leaving your infant in their car seat all weekend and not changing their diaper - resulting in a combination diaper rash and bedsore - (from one of the actual cases I testified in) doesn’t constitute neglect, then feeding your child a hot dog and some sugary yoghurt definitely doesn’t.
(the parents did lose custody a year later, after even worse…)
Don't really give a *kitten* what the court calls neglect. Feeding a child that crap on a regular basis is neglect in my book and the book of anyone that has any common sense.
::shrug::
Personal opinion that this food is unhealthy doesn’t make it neglect.
As has been pointed out here already:
1) We don’t know what these children eat at home.
2) Posting this picture without parental permission is a big problem.
3) It’s food. And enough of it.
4) Shaming parents who are very likely doing their best under very difficult circumstances is really not OK.
Check what the CDC and USDA has to say about this type of food on a regular basis.
The scientists working for those organizations are smarter than anyone posting on here about nutrition. No knock to anyone on here, just fact.2 -
I ate like that as a child. My kids eat school lunch like that now. Most kids move enough that eating like that isn't a problem.
If you're really sitting here judging other parents that you don't know for how they feed their children that you also don't know, you need a new hobby. If you take and post a picture of one of my children in this manner then your prime concern just became me.
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Theoldguy1 wrote: »MargaretYakoda wrote: »Theoldguy1 wrote: »MargaretYakoda wrote: »Theoldguy1 wrote: »Theoldguy1 wrote: »MargaretYakoda wrote: »Theoldguy1 wrote: »
I have done years of child care. And gone through actual child abuse cases. Involving the stuff of nightmares.
Yes. This diet, if it is daily fare, is sub-optimal.
No. It is not even close to abusive.
My wife has a long career in education so I am familiar with the "official" definition of child abuse.
Of course there isn't immediate physical/psychological damage from eating this stuff occasionally.
If a habit, this will most likely lead to a lifetime of obesity and poor health, i.e., long term impact.
If one doesn't like the term child abuse for this substitute child neglect.
If leaving your infant in their car seat all weekend and not changing their diaper - resulting in a combination diaper rash and bedsore - (from one of the actual cases I testified in) doesn’t constitute neglect, then feeding your child a hot dog and some sugary yoghurt definitely doesn’t.
(the parents did lose custody a year later, after even worse…)
Don't really give a *kitten* what the court calls neglect. Feeding a child that crap on a regular basis is neglect in my book and the book of anyone that has any common sense.
::shrug::
Personal opinion that this food is unhealthy doesn’t make it neglect.
As has been pointed out here already:
1) We don’t know what these children eat at home.
2) Posting this picture without parental permission is a big problem.
3) It’s food. And enough of it.
4) Shaming parents who are very likely doing their best under very difficult circumstances is really not OK.
Check what the CDC and USDA has to say about this type of food on a regular basis.
The scientists working for those organizations are smarter than anyone posting on here about nutrition. No knock to anyone on here, just fact.
But nobody claimed it was the best nutritious choice. You don't need to appeal to the authority of any organisation for that.
Not optimal nutrition, sure - and even then, depending what else is in the child's diet elsewhere
Do they say it is child abuse??
I doubt it.
6
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