Guest guest Posted June 8, 2003 Report Share Posted June 8, 2003 It wasn't so much the content of the meeting, for my daughter's sake- although her father is an active alcoholic, and it is a very touchy subject for us... It was that we went on with it for ten minutes- no exxageration. I do not want to talk about any unhealthy activity for more than a couple mins in a meeting. I no more wnat to go on about alcohol for that long than i want to talk about chocolate cake for that long. I trained as a leader and I know how a meeting should go...and I know that ten minutes on any one topioc is far too long. And my daughter is very well behaved. She is 11. Sits next to me in the meeting, reads her book, very quiet. And has come with me to finals, when she has had no school days. Not a problem for us- or for anyone around us. If the meetings aren't family friendly, then how are we gonna get our family on board with this new way of eating and living? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 8, 2003 Report Share Posted June 8, 2003 I understand your frustration. I still think the meetings should be dictated by the needs of the people there, and not by making them family friendly because someone might bring a child. Did someone specifically ask about alcohol, or did the leader just bring it up? In any situation there are going to be things that apply to you and things that don't. While it's boring to sit through someone else's information, it's just part of being in a meeting. As for making WW family friendly, it is the parents' responsibility to teach their children to eat properly so that they never NEED WW. ~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~` Tory Klementsen, MCP A+ Career and Technology Educator The successful person will do things that the unsuccessful person will not. > Tory and Doogie... > > > It wasn't so much the content of the meeting, for my daughter's sake- > although her father is an active alcoholic, and it is a very touchy > subject for us... It was that we went on with it for ten minutes- no > exxageration. I do not want to talk about any unhealthy activity for > more than a couple mins in a meeting. I no more wnat to go on about > alcohol for that long than i want to talk about chocolate cake for > that long. > I trained as a leader and I know how a meeting should go...and I know > that ten minutes on any one topioc is far too long. > And my daughter is very well behaved. She is 11. Sits next to me in > the meeting, reads her book, very quiet. And has come with me to > finals, when she has had no school days. Not a problem for us- or > for anyone around us. If the meetings aren't family friendly, then > how are we gonna get our family on board with this new way of eating > and living? > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 8, 2003 Report Share Posted June 8, 2003 When I was living in Dunellen, NJ (as a nanny), there were certain meetings that were actually designated as " children welcome. " I remember that specifically because I would bring the little boy that I took care of occasionally. It wasn't that you couldn't bring kids to the other meetings, but they had a handout that basically explained that the meetings were for members who took losing weight seriously and that children were distractions from the meetings. (Children AS members were allowed at any meeting.) Now, this was a little over 10 years ago, so I don't know if they still do that, but it did make sense to have meetings this way. RE: Tory and Doogie... I love kids. I work with them every day. But, I do not believe that we need to turn every single adult related activity into a Mcs play place because someone can't find daycare for a child. If I attended meetings where kids were brought with any regularity, I would stop going. When I go to a meeting (which I don't, I do this at home) I want to be able to concentrate on getting what I, the paying adult, needs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 8, 2003 Report Share Posted June 8, 2003 That's VERY cool ! I'm not anti-kid (although I'm sure many won't believe me on that), but there are many people who find the presence of children distracting. I would love to know going in that either kids would or would not be there. That gives me more of a choice, and is fair to the parents as well. I mean you don't want to bring your kid in and find a bunch of hostile people, any more than someone who is older and not used to having small children around wants to go into a meeting and find 10 kids running around in the back. ~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~` Tory Klementsen, MCP A+ Career and Technology Educator The successful person will do things that the unsuccessful person will not. > RE: Tory and Doogie... > > > I love kids. I work with them every day. But, I do not > believe that we > need to turn every single adult related activity into a > Mcs play > place because someone can't find daycare for a child. If I attended > meetings where kids were brought with any regularity, I would stop > going. When I go to a meeting (which I don't, I do this at > home) I want > to be able to concentrate on getting what I, the paying > adult, needs. > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 8, 2003 Report Share Posted June 8, 2003 ----- Original Message ----- From: " Ritchie " Tory, I am sorry but I find your Hitleresque views on children ... . As I said, God knows that we all have learned our eating habits from someone and I would assume our parents were the culprits. --------------------------- Amusing ... well, I guess now that Hitler has been mentioned, this thread is really over, but ... Kids (and I have three grown daughters) learn from their parents not only and not especially by what they hear with them at WW meetings but by what they *do* with them day in and day out at home. Then they go to high school and reassess everything in light of what their peers say -- that's only partly a joke. -:|:- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 8, 2003 Report Share Posted June 8, 2003 ----- Original Message ----- From: " Ritchie " .... God knows ... ------------------------- By the way, , I'm still wondering: what would Jesus drink? -:|:- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 8, 2003 Report Share Posted June 8, 2003 Well, she doesn't have kids, and works with teenagers, as I recall. Not exactly infants. Her views are certainly clear, but " Hitleresque " ? I have 4 kids, 10, 8, 6, and 3. I do bring them along to certain things, and not to others. I think most of us " know " when we should bring them and when it would be better to hire a sitter. When I am doing volunteer work, for example, I like to bring them, and anywhere they aren't welcome, I don't give my time. I think this teaches them a good lesson. Often I do this when working with homeless families, and it works well because children play together. We do go out to eat, and luckily for me, my kids are very quiet. (When they aren't, we take that child out). Still, the places we choose are neighborhood, family places... casual. We've had people stop us several times and comment how well-behaved the kids are, and no, we don't see the same at the other tables very often. There are a few meetings for moms and children, and I would avoid them like the plague. Nothing sounds more annoying. I don't currently attend, but when I did, the kids stayed at home. My sister did attend WW at around the age of 12 or so, as a paying customer, along with my mom. In addition to being a stay home mom, the past few months I've been working. I spend roughly 60% of my income on babysitters, even though I try to work around the time my husband is home. I know how hard, and expensive it is. That is one reason why an online group like this is helpful to me. I don't pay a babysitter to attend meetings, if they aren't for work. This has been inconvenient, to say the least, and there are lots of things on the list when the kids get older. (Of course, during the year, 3 kids are at school, but I still have my youngest all day) Now political events... I try to always bring the kids... just like going to church:) It is more work, but I'm hoping worth it! (I'm thinking of installing a Keep Left sign somewhere around the house) I'm all for teaching good nutrition, we even have a health food co-op out of the house, but kids will learn from their parents! You wouldn't believe what my kids will eat. On Sun, 8 Jun 2003 17:07:40 -0700 (PDT) Ritchie writes: Tory, I am sorry but I find your Hitleresque views on children to be very concerning to me. Your message expressed nothing but absolute disdain for kids. We all have things happen in our lives after having kids that we have absolutely no control over, such as a lay off or illness or weight gain. Therefore, to say that we HAD our kids and need to be responsible for them is the most obscene statement that a person who works with children could ever make. I feel that a parent taking a child to a WW meeting is not only a responsible move, especially for someone who does not trust child care persons, or have family nearby with whom they can leave their child or just simply cannot afford daycare, but also teaches the child that they can be around adults and perhaps learn to be responsible themselves. There are kids all over the planet who may need to be at these meetings so that they can learn proper eating and meal planning for the future. As I said, God knows that we all have learned our eating habits from someone and I would assume our parents were the culprits. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 8, 2003 Report Share Posted June 8, 2003 When I first read the comment about children learning from their parents, I really had to laugh. My parents both loved veggies and ate them all the time. They set the perfect example. I can't stand veggies. I remember having to sit at the table in front of a bowl of stewed tomatoes for over an hour being forced to eat to eat them....and I didn't. My poor eating habits were picked up from my friends. Now, everyone is entitled to their opinion, but on this list we don't allow name calling or labeling. So please refrain from it in the future. " Hitleresque " is inappropriate. You are absolutely allowed to disagree....but in certain circumstances, we must agree to disagree. Thanks. Listmom Lyn Re: Tory and Doogie... ----- Original Message ----- From: " Ritchie " Tory, I am sorry but I find your Hitleresque views on children ... . As I said, God knows that we all have learned our eating habits from someone and I would assume our parents were the culprits. --------------------------- Amusing ... well, I guess now that Hitler has been mentioned, this thread is really over, but ... Kids (and I have three grown daughters) learn from their parents not only and not especially by what they hear with them at WW meetings but by what they *do* with them day in and day out at home. Then they go to high school and reassess everything in light of what their peers say -- that's only partly a joke. -:|:- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 8, 2003 Report Share Posted June 8, 2003 Thanks . I think you understood what I meant. Incidentally, I have worked with children of all ages and loved them at all ages. I was a nanny, worked in a daycare, and was a very popular highly respected substitute teacher in many elementary schools. ~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~` Tory Klementsen, MCP A+ Career and Technology Educator The successful person will do things that the unsuccessful person will not. > Re: Tory and Doogie... > > > Well, she doesn't have kids, and works with teenagers, as I > recall. Not exactly infants. Her views are certainly clear, > but " Hitleresque " ? > > I have 4 kids, 10, 8, 6, and 3. I do bring them along to > certain things, and not to others. I think most of us " know " > when we should bring them and when it would be better to hire > a sitter. When I am doing volunteer work, for example, I > like to bring them, and anywhere they aren't welcome, I don't > give my time. I think this teaches them a good lesson. > Often I do this when working with homeless families, and it > works well because children play together. > We do go out to eat, and luckily for me, my kids are very > quiet. (When they aren't, we take that child out). Still, > the places we choose are neighborhood, family places... > casual. We've had people stop us several times and comment > how well-behaved the kids are, and no, we don't see the same > at the other tables very often. > There are a few meetings for moms and children, and I would > avoid them like the plague. Nothing sounds more annoying. I > don't currently attend, but when I did, the kids stayed at > home. My sister did attend WW at around the age of 12 or so, > as a paying customer, along with my mom. > In addition to being a stay home mom, the past few months > I've been working. I spend roughly 60% of my income on > babysitters, even though I try to work around the time my > husband is home. I know how hard, and expensive it is. That > is one reason why an online group like this is helpful to me. > I don't pay a babysitter to attend meetings, if they aren't > for work. This has been inconvenient, to say the least, and > there are lots of things on the list when the kids get older. > (Of course, during the year, 3 kids are at school, but I > still have my youngest all > day) > Now political events... I try to always bring the kids... > just like going to church:) It is more work, but I'm hoping > worth it! (I'm thinking of installing a Keep Left sign > somewhere around the house) I'm all for teaching good > nutrition, we even have a health food co-op out of the house, > but kids will learn from their parents! You wouldn't believe > what my kids will eat. On Sun, 8 Jun 2003 17:07:40 > -0700 (PDT) Ritchie writes: Tory, > > I am sorry but I find your Hitleresque views on children to > be very concerning to me. Your message expressed nothing but > absolute disdain for kids. We all have things happen in our > lives after having kids that we have absolutely no control > over, such as a lay off or illness or weight gain. > Therefore, to say that we HAD our kids and need to be > responsible for them is the most obscene statement that a > person who works with children could ever make. I feel that > a parent taking a child to a WW meeting is not only a > responsible move, especially for someone who does not trust > child care persons, or have family nearby with whom they can > leave their child or just simply cannot afford daycare, but > also teaches the child that they can be around adults and > perhaps learn to be responsible themselves. There are kids > all over the planet who may need to be at these meetings so > that they can learn proper eating and meal planning for the > future. As I said, God knows that we all have learned our > eating habits from someone and I would assume our parents > were the culprits. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 8, 2003 Report Share Posted June 8, 2003 I'm so sorry Lyn. I think what I meant and what came across were two different things. I'm going to just go ahead and apologize because I don't want to keep this going any longer. I will agree with you, though, that it isn't the kids...it's never the kids. It's the parents. I didn't mean to come across as harshly as I did. I also didn't mean it in the context of WW meetings specifically. I know they are probably a little more family friendly than other places where adults gather. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 8, 2003 Report Share Posted June 8, 2003 > Tory, > > I am sorry but I find your Hitleresque views on children to be very concerning to me. Your message expressed nothing but absolute disdain for kids. < Tory, I didn't think you expressed disdain for kids. I totally agree with you. I agree that kids do not belong everywhere. We don't usually have them (maybe one now and then) in the meetings I attend and I also like it that way. Last week, a boy about 10-11 years old was there and the leader had to make him go in the room and sit because he was standing at the counter trying to see how much everyone weighed. I am sure your kids don't usually behave this way, but as the parent of 2 (girl 11, boy 16) I KNOW that they just don't always behave the way I plan. >>We all have things happen in our lives after having kids that we have absolutely no control over, such as a lay off or illness or weight gain. Therefore, to say that we HAD our kids and need to be responsible for them is the most obscene statement that a person who works with children could ever make. >> I agree with the personal responsibility point of view. It is hard for me to imagine getting through my children's growing up years and never having left them with someone else. How in the world can anyone stay sane this way? Yes, I am lucky enough to have a hubby who supports what I do, but if I were a single mom, it would be even more important to me to have either friends, relatives, neighbors, etc. that I trusted to watch my kids. I believe very strongly that parents need time without their kids and that kids also benefit from this. My main point of this whole thing is that the same thing isn't what everyone needs. I think whoever said there WW center posted special times for meetings with kids has a great center. It's nice when those needs can be accommodated, while also accommodating those who would rather not have kids at their meetings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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