Dear Amy: I have four children under the age of 9. My three youngest children play baseball and soccer with county teams. After each game, a not-so-healthy snack (fruit snacks, chips, cookies) and drink are provided.
I’m OK with each child getting a snack (I prefer healthy snacks), but usually siblings are invited to have a snack as well. This means that my kids are each having three treats every Saturday in the spring and fall.
At first I used to only allow my kids to have a snack at their respective games, but it is difficult to enforce when all of the other siblings are chowing down. I was the only parent at games saying “no” to their children.
With childhood obesity on the rise, I believe having unhealthy snacks defeats the purpose of staying active through sports.
At the end of the season, there is usually a party with food and cake, and that’s fine with me.
Is it common for kids to get treats after each game, or is there another way to “treat” the kids after a game that does not involve food?
– Trying To Stay Healthy
Dear Trying: I was at a peewee soccer game just last week and was somewhat surprised to see doughnuts passed to the kids afterward. As much as I LOVE doughnuts, it seemed excessive to provide them after a game that didn’t involve very much actual “play.” Your tough job as a parent to four kids is to police your children and crack down on anything that needs cracking. You cannot expect other parents or coaches to change their generous sibling-snacking policy to conform to your policy.
I hope that you will get involved in your county league, then advocate for healthier choices for the kids.
…
Dear Amy: I spend a lot of my free time shopping in malls, trying on clothes. Usually I try on around five items at a time. Afterward, the bench in the fitting room has accumulated a massive pile of unfolded clothes.
At this point, I become torn. Should I take the clothes that I’ve just tried on and put them back, folded, from where I picked them up? Or should I let the store’s employees do their jobs and put them away themselves?
– Distressed Dresser
Dear Distressed: Most stores don’t want customers to return clothing to the rack after trying them on. Employees can track inventory and check the condition of the clothing when they return clothes to the store floor.
Nor should you leave clothing in a “massive pile” on the bench of the fitting room.
If the clothes arrived on a hanger, then you should re-hang them and leave them in the fitting room or hand them to a salesperson.
If in doubt, ask a sales associate.
Send questions via e-mail to askamy@tribune.com or by mail to Ask Amy, Chicago Tribune, TT500, 435 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611.
