Anonymous
Post 09/15/2012 13:13     Subject: Why can't each player just bring their own snack??
I was assigned to be a snack parent, and my goal was to give the children something nutritious, free range, yet economical and as unique as my child's name. I'm very busy with my important job, so I did not have time to cook beforehand.

During the game, I multi-tasked by clipping grass while watching my son "play."( Not to brag, but he is becoming quite an accomplished daydreamer.) I placed equal portions of grass into a snack-sized pouch to distribute after the game. There was a dog fountain nearby where I got some water. It was surprisingly easy and fun to be the snack parent, though it did not become the bonding experience I had hoped for. Unfortunately, I was not asked to bring snacks again.
Anonymous
Post 09/14/2012 23:58     Subject: Re:Why can't each player just bring their own snack??
Anonymous wrote:OP here... I'm tempted to bring boiled eggs next time. It's not that I don't want to participate, it's if I'm going to bring a snack.... don't complain about it. Don't complain that little Johnny doesn't like it. The problem would be solved if each brought their own. How is it easier for one parent to lug umpteen juice boxes and snacks from the parking lot than for each to just bring what they want? It isn't team building... the kids grab the snacks and run to the car. It's not like we sit in a circle, sing kumbaya and reminisce about the game. LOL. I can't remember the exact items I've brought, but they have ranged from sliced oranges, apples, grapes, water, juice boxes, prepackaged assorted cookies, crackers. No boiled eggs. Yet.


After running around for 45 min. I don't think I could stomach eating an egg - how would you even attempt to keep them refrigerated??

And what is the big deal with eating a bag of Sunchips and a drinking a juice box after playing for nearly an hour? What is wrong with a little sweet/salty reward? Are a no dessert household too? And no birthday cake at parties?

Besides, eating food that other people bring just tastes better - sorta like when you child plays with someone else's toys it's more fun.
Anonymous
Post 09/14/2012 23:36     Subject: Re:Why can't each player just bring their own snack??
Anonymous wrote:OP here... I'm tempted to bring boiled eggs next time. It's not that I don't want to participate, it's if I'm going to bring a snack.... don't complain about it. Don't complain that little Johnny doesn't like it. The problem would be solved if each brought their own. How is it easier for one parent to lug umpteen juice boxes and snacks from the parking lot than for each to just bring what they want? It isn't team building... the kids grab the snacks and run to the car. It's not like we sit in a circle, sing kumbaya and reminisce about the game. LOL. I can't remember the exact items I've brought, but they have ranged from sliced oranges, apples, grapes, water, juice boxes, prepackaged assorted cookies, crackers. No boiled eggs. Yet.


OP

If you don't like the snacks and don't think they have any value, just use it as an opportunity to teach your kid how to graciously say no thank you.

See, soccer snacks are a good thing!
Anonymous
Post 09/14/2012 23:33     Subject: Re:Why can't each player just bring their own snack??
OP here... I'm tempted to bring boiled eggs next time. It's not that I don't want to participate, it's if I'm going to bring a snack.... don't complain about it. Don't complain that little Johnny doesn't like it. The problem would be solved if each brought their own. How is it easier for one parent to lug umpteen juice boxes and snacks from the parking lot than for each to just bring what they want? It isn't team building... the kids grab the snacks and run to the car. It's not like we sit in a circle, sing kumbaya and reminisce about the game. LOL. I can't remember the exact items I've brought, but they have ranged from sliced oranges, apples, grapes, water, juice boxes, prepackaged assorted cookies, crackers. No boiled eggs. Yet.
Anonymous
Post 09/14/2012 22:10     Subject: Why can't each player just bring their own snack??
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I'd also rather bring my own snack. Because I'll bring my kid a hard-boiled egg, a peach and water, while someone else brings Gatorade and Doritos.


A hard boiled egg????

Hahahahahahaha! I can't stop giggling.


I don't get it???


I just keep seeing the look on the faces of twelve 5 year olds, who just received a hard boiled egg as an after game snack. It gives me the giggles.

I know, you aren't bringing it for the team, just your own kid, but it is funny picture to imagine.


It's like the kid who showed up to elementary school with liverwurst and mustard sandwiches.


That was me! I love(d) liverwurst, but usually with mayo. Never was teased about it... Hmm.
Anonymous
Post 09/14/2012 22:08     Subject: Re:Why can't each player just bring their own snack??
Anonymous wrote:Agreed. I hate the snack thing. Here we are rapidly degrading our environment, and facing a coming diabetes crisis, and yet we think kids can't go an hour or two without something salty to eat and something sweet to drink. Gah. It infuriates me! But when i tried to suggest maybe we should just eliminate the snack thing, I got shot down. People want individually-wrapped snacks too, "because lots of kids just grab it and get in the car". So, nothing team-building about it. Not like they hang out together and have their snacks. No, it's a grab-fest and then they disperse. 8 year olds are too old for juice pouches or boxes. If every kid brings water, that's plenty. One person could bring orange slices for half time. No way does every kid need an individually wrapped snack and a juice pouch.


Geez, just don't participate. It is very simple to graciously say no thanks.

Nothing is more annoying than a person who doesn't want to participate in fun, but doesn't want to feel left out, so they get mad at everyone else who won't do it their way. Many people are fine with the snacks, so if you aren't, just tell your kid no. Or bring water and eggs if you must, and say no thank you to everyone else's treats.
Anonymous
Post 09/14/2012 21:56     Subject: Re:Why can't each player just bring their own snack??
Agreed. I hate the snack thing. Here we are rapidly degrading our environment, and facing a coming diabetes crisis, and yet we think kids can't go an hour or two without something salty to eat and something sweet to drink. Gah. It infuriates me! But when i tried to suggest maybe we should just eliminate the snack thing, I got shot down. People want individually-wrapped snacks too, "because lots of kids just grab it and get in the car". So, nothing team-building about it. Not like they hang out together and have their snacks. No, it's a grab-fest and then they disperse. 8 year olds are too old for juice pouches or boxes. If every kid brings water, that's plenty. One person could bring orange slices for half time. No way does every kid need an individually wrapped snack and a juice pouch.
Anonymous
Post 09/14/2012 21:01     Subject: Re:Why can't each player just bring their own snack??
My kids started soccer and t ball last year and I was like "what's with the snacks?". When I was a kid we got orange slices at half time for actual energy. Whoever came up with this new custom should be slapped.

Signed,
Mom who was at Target tonight buying the juice boxes and chez-its for tomorrow's game
Anonymous
Post 09/14/2012 20:20     Subject: Why can't each player just bring their own snack??
Please do tell what type of snacks you are bringing that creates all this drama. What do the other parents bring on their assigned snack day?
Anonymous
Post 09/14/2012 19:58     Subject: Why can't each player just bring their own snack??
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:My son has done 2 seasons of soccer and 3 of little league. Why on earth do they force us to bring snacks for the entire team on a rotating basis? I'd rather just bring my kid's own snack to each game. I have had to deal with parents saying nasty things about what I've brought (which is no different than what other parents have brought). Kids who have allergies yet still won't eat what I've brought even though I've bent over backwards for their allergies. I even seen a parent go ape crazy on his child when I gave the kid an extra snack. Then there are games with nothing is brought for the team. Really... is all this drama necessary? Why can't I just bring my own snack and drink for my child to each game and be done with it?


Lots of kids with allergies are taught never to take food from other people or share in a group snack. There's no way you would be able to figure out what is safe for each of them to eat or not - so while it was great that you avoided the allergan in order to avoid a contact allergy from someone else eating it near them, please don't be mad because the kid didn't eat your snack. An innocent error could kill an allergic kid. Cut them some slack.


OP here ... I had abided his list of no no foods. Not that the food was something his was allergic too, but it was something the kid didn't like it so his parent had a hissy about what I had brought. Which goes back to my point... bring your OWN snack!


Totally with you OP.

Plus, I teach my kid that even if it's a snack that he doesn't like, you still have to BE POLITE and say thank you. How would it be appropriate for a parent to through a hissy fit about the food? Wht kind of example does that set?

Really, allergies or not, just be grateful that someone brought a snack. Say Thank You and leave it at that. You don't have to eat it. The kid won't die if he has a snack later.
Anonymous
Post 09/14/2012 19:56     Subject: Why can't each player just bring their own snack??
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:We once were on a soccer team with an allergic child. The mom made a strong statement at the first practice that unless we wanted to see ambulances coming no nuts could be served to anyone at the game including spectators. Not sure how she planned to notify the other team of that. She had a list of approved foods. That was the end of the snack after the game. I know she was doing what she needed to for her child. I am not sure how her child visits a grocery store or a mall..


You are an ass.


Why is that PP an ass? Sounds like the mom of the poor allergic kid was a little crazy.
Anonymous
Post 09/14/2012 19:03     Subject: Why can't each player just bring their own snack??
Hard boiled eggs gross me out because of the smell. Same with pickles. Ick!
Anonymous
Post 09/14/2012 18:53     Subject: Why can't each player just bring their own snack??
What are you bringing as snacks that other parents are finding so objectionable?
Anonymous
Post 09/14/2012 18:34     Subject: Why can't each player just bring their own snack??
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:My son has done 2 seasons of soccer and 3 of little league. Why on earth do they force us to bring snacks for the entire team on a rotating basis? I'd rather just bring my kid's own snack to each game. I have had to deal with parents saying nasty things about what I've brought (which is no different than what other parents have brought). Kids who have allergies yet still won't eat what I've brought even though I've bent over backwards for their allergies. I even seen a parent go ape crazy on his child when I gave the kid an extra snack. Then there are games with nothing is brought for the team. Really... is all this drama necessary? Why can't I just bring my own snack and drink for my child to each game and be done with it?


Lots of kids with allergies are taught never to take food from other people or share in a group snack. There's no way you would be able to figure out what is safe for each of them to eat or not - so while it was great that you avoided the allergan in order to avoid a contact allergy from someone else eating it near them, please don't be mad because the kid didn't eat your snack. An innocent error could kill an allergic kid. Cut them some slack.


OP here ... I had abided his list of no no foods. Not that the food was something his was allergic too, but it was something the kid didn't like it so his parent had a hissy about what I had brought. Which goes back to my point... bring your OWN snack!
Anonymous
Post 09/14/2012 17:29     Subject: Why can't each player just bring their own snack??
Anonymous wrote:My son has done 2 seasons of soccer and 3 of little league. Why on earth do they force us to bring snacks for the entire team on a rotating basis? I'd rather just bring my kid's own snack to each game. I have had to deal with parents saying nasty things about what I've brought (which is no different than what other parents have brought). Kids who have allergies yet still won't eat what I've brought even though I've bent over backwards for their allergies. I even seen a parent go ape crazy on his child when I gave the kid an extra snack. Then there are games with nothing is brought for the team. Really... is all this drama necessary? Why can't I just bring my own snack and drink for my child to each game and be done with it?


Lots of kids with allergies are taught never to take food from other people or share in a group snack. There's no way you would be able to figure out what is safe for each of them to eat or not - so while it was great that you avoided the allergan in order to avoid a contact allergy from someone else eating it near them, please don't be mad because the kid didn't eat your snack. An innocent error could kill an allergic kid. Cut them some slack.