A prevalent critique of today’s youth is that they’re too sheltered and lack resilience. I find myself torn between annoyance and agreement with this viewpoint. On one hand, I’m grateful my children have been spared from the trials of war, famine, and genuine fears—apart from a few harmless spiders. On the other hand, I can’t help but worry that when real obstacles arise, they might be caught off guard. And what’s one thing that could be missing in those moments? You guessed it—snacks.
Yes, parents, this is a legitimate concern: our kids’ incessant need for snacks every half hour is fostering a mindset that treats snacks as not just culinary treats, but as essential meals.
I begrudgingly accepted the trend of post-game and post-practice snacks. You know the drill: if your child participates in any sport, you’re expected to sign up to provide snacks for the team. I distinctly recall playing for hours as a kid and receiving nothing more than a handful of Cheerios. But hey, times have changed, right?
And just when I thought I had a grip on the snack situation, the dreaded snack bag appeared. After my 3-year-old’s so-called “game” each week, he receives a bag filled with a juice box and at least two snacks, like pretzels and fruit snacks. Yes, a bag of snacks for toddlers who mostly stand around and do little more than pick their noses!
Fast forward to this week when I dropped my 5-year-old off at art camp. The camp lasts a mere 90 minutes, conveniently scheduled between breakfast and lunch—a time that has practically been erased from our snack-obsessed culture. As I walked her in, the instructor casually mentioned, “You can put her snack on the counter there.”
“What do you mean, am I supposed to bring a snack?” I asked, incredulously.
“Well, it’s not mandatory, but you can if you’d like.”
I took a glance at the counter and noticed an array of nine snacks lined up, ready for ten kids. Math isn’t my strong suit, but even I could see the problem here. I didn’t genuinely believe my daughter needed a snack, especially since she had just eaten breakfast less than 15 minutes ago. Plus, I was a bit frugal and thought she should be creating masterpieces during the entire 90 minutes we paid for. However, I also didn’t want her to face embarrassment, especially being my only daughter and often overshadowed by her older brother’s activities and her younger brother’s tantrums.
“The vending machine downstairs has snacks if you want to grab something,” the instructor suggested.
Great! I thought, until I realized the vending machine only accepted cash, and of course, my purse was devoid of any coins. Determined not to give up, I searched the depths of our car, where my boys and I bravely delved into the abyss of crumbs and granola bar wrappers. We found a few nickels, and excitement surged when one of the kids discovered a quarter—until we learned it was a Chuck E. Cheese token. Nevertheless, after some persistent hunting, we amassed enough change to snag a snack for their sister. Score!
We then drove around for an hour—no time to go home—and returned to camp to pick her up. She emerged, beaming, and holding the popcorn from the vending machine that she didn’t even have time to eat.
Tomorrow, I’ll be packing a “real snack” for her 90-minute indoor art camp. I’m hopeful that the craft for the day will somehow earn me a “Mom of the Year” award, because, let’s be honest, I could really use it.
If you’re navigating the tricky waters of parenting and snack culture, check out this insightful piece on snack expectations or consider investing in at-home insemination kits for your family planning needs. Additionally, for comprehensive information on pregnancy, visit this excellent resource.
In summary, the snack epidemic among our children is a real concern, fostering a sense of entitlement that could hinder their preparedness for future challenges. As parents, it’s crucial to strike a balance between meeting their needs and encouraging independence.
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