Ugh! My daughter's 4th grade teacher

[pavlovskitty]

Told her today that she needed to make sure she got enough protein as a vegetarian. :think: So I did the math. For her size (and she's skinny) I've found the requirements to be 21-22 grams per day.

Wednesday she got 25 grams.

Today she got 36 grams.

So I wrote all this down for her teacher. We haven't had conferences yet, but you can bet I'm gonna bring this up. :stinkeye:

Sometimes it really gets to me the implication that raising your child veggie in unhealthy. I'm betting she's one of the healthiest kid in her class.

[Miss Meg]

That is too bad you felt you had to defend yourself. You know your daughter is healthy and that is all that counts.

[CarbLover]

Sheesh, she's a teacher not a doctor. I don't see how it's any of her business.

[rabid_child]

You should include in the note a question inquiring as to whether she's getting too much saturated fat and cholesterol as a meat eater.

[CountessKerouac]

*In the voice of Stephanie Tanner* How rude!

[missleigh]

You should include in the note a question inquiring as to whether she's getting too much saturated fat and cholesterol as a meat eater.
Heh. This is what I would say too. Her telling your daughter that was way out of line.

[lijahbaby]

The nerve! That is none of her business at all. I would tell the principal that she is giving unsolicited nutrition advice to her students. Don't feel like you need to prove that she eats enough protein! It is none of the teachers business.

[kristadb]

Actually, it is a teacher's business to ensure that the parents are looking after the children in her class.

Take it as a kind gesture, nothing more. Considering that there are vegan children out there that aren't getting enough of what they need to grow - heck, we even have a someone who's child has ricketts here - I don't think the question is out of the ordinary.

[rincaro]

What's ricketts?

[kristadb]

Basically, bone weakening (bowleggedness) caused by a lack of Vit D.

[Schoska]

I'm with Krista on this. When I was at school there were a few teachers who were concerned that I was getting enough nutrients on a veggie diet. 99% of the time such comments are made because the teacher really does care.
I'd just give thanks that the teacher is informed enough on the kids, and cares enough to want to ensure they're healthy and happy.
Take it as an opportunity maybe to have a discussion in class about how to make sure kids get enough regardless of what dietary restrictions they may have.

[Gashlycrumb]

I'm with Kristadb. Take it as a sign of caring, not a criticism. I think it is wonderful that she wants to make sure your child is getting enough protein. We all know there are some unhealthy vegetarian/vegans out there (we've all read the articles), so it is good to know that she is being watchful.

Plus, at fourth grade kids are smart enough to start to understand nutrition. Maybe she mentioned it to impel your child to think on her own (I'm not implying that she doesn't - please don't get offended). Not to just depend on her parents to provide a balanced diet. Maybe you already work with your daughter on figuring these things out, but if not, it is a wonderful time to show her how she can use her math skills and apply it to real life (counting calories, figuring percents on labels, etc).

Sometimes I worry that people are too defensive when the intention of the speaker was only a form of curiosity or caring...But I'm guilty of this too.

[pavlovskitty]

As a single mom, I guess I am pretty easy to rile when it comes to percieved parenting criticism. I've calmed down a lot since my post last night. I do plan on discussing it with her still, though, but I'll attempt at a more educational than angry tone.

My daughter is the shortest and skinniest in her class, but I was like that at her age too, and I was raised omni. She knows a lot about nutrition, but I did show her last night how she is getting enough of the good stuff.

Thanks guys for letting me vent.

Pav

[veg*nfrog]

Maybe use an upcoming conference to as an opportunity to enlighten the teacher.

I would be annoyed as well. She spoke to your child about this because she is veg*n, again perpetuating the stereotype that vegetarians don't get enough protein/can't be healthy. I'm assuming she has little to no knowledge of your child's diet.

You can bet she's said nothing to the omni children that eat fast-food, chips, and soda everyday and rarely eat vegetables. That's "normal" and not seen as a problem.

So maybe a conversation is in order where you thank her for her concern and assure her that your daughter is receiving adequate nutrition for a growing child. Also, bring up problems with the SAD and how many children without dietary restrictions are not receiving vital nutritents.

Maybe she won't be so quick to judge the next veggie child and will begin to focus on the health of all her students.

[colorful]

pavlovskitty,

I completely understand why you were upset about that. I agree with the others, that the teacher probably had good intentions. But it is frustrating that she seems to have assumed that your daughter needed to be more careful with her diet than the omnis in the class. The truth is, every diet has potentional nutritional pitfalls, and it irks me that people are always concerned about a veggie kid's diet and not about anyone else's.

My son is veggie, and he eats tons of fruits & veggies, beans, whole grains, soymilk, etc. He is so incredibly healthy. His little cousin of about the same age, drinks juice all day long and the only things he will ever eat are froot loops and vanilla wafers and occasionally chocolate milk. Yet the grandparents are always voicing concern over MY child's diet. It's very very frustrating. :wall:

I think it's great that you are going to meet with the teacher, and I agree that a friendly, educational tone will do a lot more good than an angry, confrontational tone. :yes:

Good luck!

[Daral]

Told her today that she needed to make sure she got enough protein as a vegetarian. :think: So I did the math. For her size (and she's skinny) I've found the requirements to be 21-22 grams per day.

Wednesday she got 25 grams.

Today she got 36 grams.

So I wrote all this down for her teacher. We haven't had conferences yet, but you can bet I'm gonna bring this up. :stinkeye:

Sometimes it really gets to me the implication that raising your child veggie in unhealthy. I'm betting she's one of the healthiest kid in her class.


I always thought the general requirement was 1 gram of protein per 4 pounds of body mass...

[kristadb]

Maybe use an upcoming conference to as an opportunity to enlighten the teacher.

I would be annoyed as well. She spoke to your child about this because she is veg*n, again perpetuating the stereotype that vegetarians don't get enough protein/can't be healthy. I'm assuming she has little to no knowledge of your child's diet.

You can bet she's said nothing to the omni children that eat fast-food, chips, and soda everyday and rarely eat vegetables. That's "normal" and not seen as a problem.

So maybe a conversation is in order where you thank her for her concern and assure her that your daughter is receiving adequate nutrition for a growing child. Also, bring up problems with the SAD and how many children without dietary restrictions are not receiving vital nutritents.

Maybe she won't be so quick to judge the next veggie child and will begin to focus on the health of all her students.

How do any of us know what the teacher says/doesn't say to other students or their parents? I know that we've gotten letters sent home addressed to all parents from a teacher last year that was upset at the amount of junk food in lunches and snacks and she started taking the food from the kids. Yes, she took the food, threw it in the garbage and said in the letter that it would continue anytime junk food was sent to school.