Whose job is it?

Throughout every presentation we kept hearing about how we as teachers, nurses, administrators, etc. are continually doing the job of parents. This is especially apparent when discussing health issues. As a teacher I try to remember several things. First, the way I live my life and what I expect is not the same as every family I work with. I think this is important because different cultures view things differently. In some cultures, their traditional foods are fattening or the larger you are, the higher your status. This is not the general case in America or in our society, but it still affects some of the students we are teaching. The second thing I try to think of always, is the type of example I am setting for my children. The article about the Oregon teachers and the junk food controversy really points out how we want to preach one thing and often do another. We are such large influences in our children's lives, and we need to be setting the best example we can at all times. The obesity rates Amanda showed in her presentation were alarming. And they are on the rise each year!! I send home a newsletter every other week, and I included Amanda's resource book- Eat This, NOT That! as a suggestion for parents to pick up. Do I feel as if it is my responsibility to feed these children, and make sure each health issue is addressed? No. But I do think I can do all that I can by setting a good example and dropping subtle hints to families about healthy living. If it even makes a small difference, maybe we can see those obesity rates and life expectancy rates for the future change for the better.