We don't and DC has never asked, not a big deal to him.

Thanks everyone, your really has been really helpful to me.

Nope. I never do it, never will! You are not alone.

One year I forgot to purchase treats for my son to take to school for his birthday. He did not care since we celebrated his birthday at home. However, some of his classmates wanted to know where the treats were. He didn't get a Happy Birthday, just "Where are the treats?!" He never wanted to bring treats again for his birthday.

Our school doesn't allow treats for birthdays. LCPS

Our school allows treats at the four parties (Halloween, Christmas, valentines, and end of the year) but no treats for birthdays. People can (and do) send in new pencils, erasers, glow bracelets, etc for each child. Or you can donate a new board game to the class etc.

This is a public elementary school in Loudoun.

'm fine with a birthday cake, but no way am I going to have my kids eating sugar crap 22 or 24 times per year in the name of "celebrating" birthdays.

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Oy vey. You people are too much. Teach your child good nutritional habits at home, and they won't be affected by the "sugar crap" at school. 22 times a year is not a big deal.

Yes, it's true food is often part of a celebration, but usually not at school. I grew up outside of the US and treats were never brought into school. I'm fine with a birthday cake, but no way am I going to have my kids eating sugar crap 22 or 24 times per year in the name of "celebrating" birthdays.

Anonymous wrote:We pick a book for my child's to donate to the class and share it on the birthday. We have sweet treats at home and/or at a party. Constantly linking food to celebrations is part of why we have an obesity problem in the United States.

Every culture links food treats to celebrations.

Every last one of them.

Our Ffx Cty school banned birthday treats a few years ago. I was bummed at first but am used to it now. Not a big deal, and I am, in fact, surprised that it's not more widespread in the county. It was part of receiving a "healthy school" designation that we are awarded every year.

Anonymous wrote:We pick a book for my child's to donate to the class and share it on the birthday. We have sweet treats at home and/or at a party. Constantly linking food to celebrations is part of why we have an obesity problem in the United States.

Other (most?) cultures link food to celebrations. It's not unique to the U.S.. Try another theory.

We pick a book for my child's to donate to the class and share it on the birthday. We have sweet treats at home and/or at a party. Constantly linking food to celebrations is part of why we have an obesity problem in the United States.

Anonymous wrote:Yes, I think it is pretty bad of you to not want to make your child's birthday special. We always send in treats.

Yeah, I'm sure OP's objective is to make sure her child's birthday is not special. Because it couldn't possibly be special if there's no treat brought in to school, right?

My child has had classmates with the nut allergies and egg allergies. I have opted for Starburst or Skittles (mini-size bags like you get at Halloween). It's nothing but sugar -- which apparently kids are not allergic to these days!

As for not sending in treats -- I think that is perfectly fine! There are a lot of treats at school for one reason or another. No one is going to suffer for not bringing in a treat for their classmates! BTW -- there are a lot of summer bday kids who don't bring in treats and live productive normal lives nonetheless.

I'd leave it up to the kid. Does he or she care? If not, then go on without a second thought.

Our school doesn't allow treats either and I think it's fantastic. My kid is already celebrating his birthday at home. He doesn't need to eat cupcakes at school for each of the 26 birthdays in his classroom plus Halloween, valentine's day, winter "holiday" party, etc.