DEAR CRABBY,

Holidays are here, and I'm again facing this same problem of buying candy and eating baked goods. I know the majority of Americans are overweight and so am I. My problem is my kids. I buy fresh fruits and vegetables, try to set a good example, and teach them to eat sweets in moderation, and all things balanced. I'm losing this battle because of teachers, doctors, bankers, hardware stores, grandparents, and everyone else I can think of. The kids are given so much candy and sugar that as a parent, I can't give them dessert myself with out a tremendous amount of guilt, knowing what they've already had each day. What can I do?

BATTLING SUGARBUGS

DEAR BS,

You are so not BS-ing. I too, have wondered why a teacher would gripe about a boy's' behavior, then fill him full of candy. She then (after getting freaked out about his bouncing off the walls) suggests we medicate him into submission (so she can give him more candy?). I am not making this up- it happened to me! These same teachers had sent home notes in the fall asking that parents not give the children sugar cereal in the mornings, and to please send healthy, (not candy or pop), snacks to school.

This does not have to be all bad. There are times when a hyper-flying where-did-he-go-so-fast child can be of benefit to you. For instance, I ran out of gas once, and didn't have to get out in the rain or even leave the car to go to the gas station. The kids pushed us to the filling station- and in record time, I might add! There have been times when it was extremely cold out and we were at the car wash. 30 seconds, and Presto! Done! If you keep paint, brushes, brooms, mops, and laundry soap handy, there is nothing you can't have done when the kids come home all sugared up. Hold out the video games or roller-skating sessions, and you'll have more help and cooperation than you have dishes and dirty laundry for.

DEAR CRABBY,

Bad grammar irritates me to no end. I often hear people using improper terms, and one in particular that really gets my goat is, 'tons'. When a store clerk says, "We have tons", instead of "a lot", or "several", it is not only inaccurate, but makes the speaker sound ignorant. Many adults, as well as teens, are guilty of this. Please tell your readers to listen to the way they speak.

LANGUAGE LOVER

DEAR LL,

I get tons of letters all the time telling me about this, and tons of other things that bother people as well. I will help spread the word, and save a goat.

crabcakes@sitnews.org

 

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