Fern Michonski / Fern’s Music
Pre-School Music Education Expert: The Children’s Advocate for Love and Kindness, Inspiring Creativity and Joy.
October 30, 2013—Happy Halloween! 
A woman from Fargo, North Dakota, decided that this Halloween she would hand out letters rather than candy to children that, in her opinion, were somewhat obese. The letter tells the recipient that the reason he/she is receiving a letter rather than candy is because of their weight. (I am not going to share the letter here.)
In an interview on a local radio station in Fargo, she explained why she decided to do this. She said, “I just want to send a message to the parents of kids that are really overweight, that I think it’s just really irresponsible of parents to send them out looking for free candy just ‘cause all the other kids are doing it.”
The Today Show has posted this letter on the Internet and asked the public if they thought this letter was going to help fight childhood obesity. The results at this time show 86% saying “No”, while 14% say “Yes.”
I must comment. There is no doubt that childhood obesity is a major issue. We, as parents, need to fight this epidemic by example, not by finger pointing. There are a variety of options parents can utilize to deal with childhood obesity before it even becomes an issue.
- Offer healthy meals utilizing all of the food groups.
- Have healthy snacks available in the fridge set up in an entertaining way. When your child says, “I’m hungry,” have baby carrots at the ready, celery stuffed with peanut butter, and possibly cut up apples laid out on a plate to make a face, to name a few. Offer raisins and let your children design something and then eat it.
- In my house, television was not allowed the minute the children walked in the door. It was time for a snack and then time to go outside and play for a while. Sitting in front of a television for hours on end reduces movement, creativity and exercise. Plus the endless commercials fill children’s minds with reasons why every cereal loaded with sugar is good for them!
Giving an overweight child a letter on Halloween night will only damage that child’s self -esteem and actually make the situation far worse. That letter will damage the heart; it will not put a dent in the obesity crisis.
So, in my opinion, go on out there and have a Happy Halloween—Everybody!! However, once the piles of candy are dumped out of the Trick-or-Treat bags; parents should be there to share the experience and offer guidance to their kids.
Have your children show you each and every piece of candy they have received. Check all the packages for tampering. And finally, make some rules. Tell your kids to choose a few pieces to eat right then. As for the rest, it should be put away and rationed out—a little bit at a time. Another great idea is to suggest to your kids that maybe they could donate some of their candy to the local food bank.
I think the most important message we all need to share with our children is to be kind and not to say hurtful things to anyone, ever.
Happy Halloween! 