The bell rings and school is OUT!

Kids swarm the halls heading toward the waiting cars of parents and friends or the long stream of school busses lined up, parade-style, nearby. Students who were falling asleep only moments before, are now giddy with the excitement of another day’s end. And as a parent, you take comfort in knowing that they are safely on their way home.

But what happens once those same children reach their destinations?
Studies show that our kids are becoming increasingly fatter each year. It’s a growing phenomenon that has caused alarm among researchers, parents, and physicians, alike. Type II diabetes – once only seen in adults – is striking more and more young people under the age of 20. There are several contributing causes – less activity, too much TV, carb-laden school lunches, and the high sugar and carb content of today’s snack foods.

But there is another factor that has recently come under fire. Boredom.
Children who have little or no supervision after school are more likely to eat out of loneliness or boredom than children who are supervised or enrolled in an after-school program. It’s a fact and, more than likely, the foods these children are reaching for are not the most nutritious choices.

But what’s a working parent to do? Not every mother can work from home or be there when their child returns from school. Many schools do not offer after-school programs and small towns provide fewer opportunities for after-school activities. It’s estimated that “latch-key children” spend anywhere from 2-4 hours alone each day. That’s a lot of free time that can lead to a lot of boredom and a lot of eating.

Mind you, I’m not talking about an after-school snack; I’m referring to the after-school binge – which is becoming increasingly common among today’s children.
And I speak from experience.

I was a latch-key child whose seeds of binge eating were sown on lonely afternoons. If I had experienced a particularly stressful day at school, I knew I could find comfort in a box of ice cream sandwiches in our home freezer. If it was raining outside and there was nothing good on TV, I could count on a variety of chips, crackers, and snack cakes to keep me occupied. Little did I realize, I had begun a miserable journey that would last well into my thirties. I don’t blame my mother. Like most moms back then, she was working and she tried to instill good eating habits in us kids. But her verbal pleadings were no match for endless hours of monotony.

There are several steps that parents of latch-key kids can take to curb after-school binging. The most important of these – obviously – is to try to find something for your child to become involved with. Is there a sport your child would be interested in trying? Perhaps an after-school choir or art club could account for some of these empty afternoons? Even finding a neighbor or family member to monitor your child can be beneficial. Perhaps they could “hang” with grandma or a close friend a couple of afternoons a week. For older kids, an after-school job might be the answer. Mowing lawns, babysitting, tutoring other children, volunteering, etc., can help while away those empty hours.
Another important step is to rid your house of junk food and to stock up on healthy alternatives. This is imperative if your child has already developed a weight problem or if you are aware of binging behavior.

I have heard so many parents resist this step with some of the lamest excuses!
“Amy” is an overweight ten-year-old, but her mother refuses to stop buying cookies and snack cakes because Amy’s brother, “Jason” is not overweight. Or maybe Amy’s father keeps the freezer stocked with ice cream because he’s “not on a diet!” If white bread and sugary cereal is all that her parents will buy, that is what Amy will eat. After all, Amy’s too young to go out and buy groceries for herself! Other children often tease Amy because she is overweight, and when she comes home, she consoles herself with what is most readily available. It’s a vicious cycle not likely to rectify itself.

Whether your child is a latch-key kid or not, uncontrolled snacking can lead to disastrous, long-term consequences. Even homeschoolers can fall prey to this temptation! Set limits on your child’s snacking and enforce those limits. If they are to have only ONE toaster pastry after school, make sure they know to eat only one… and enforce the consequences if they don’t comply. Better yet, make the snack a yogurt cup or a piece of fruit. Our children’s diets are, indeed, an area that requires parenting – as much as any other. Don’t be afraid to set limits. But don’t let food become the primary focus, either. Obsessing and fussing over your child’s diet can cause more harm than good. It’s best to set the example by making healthier choices for yourself. Let your children see you practicing portion-control, making healthy food choices, and exercising regularly. There is no doubt that children learn best by example so be careful of the example you set. It’s irrelevant whether or not YOU can eat cookies every day and still be slim. Your child is not you and if they are born with a slower metabolism, it’s unfair to expect them to understand this. If you simply must have your cookies, hide them well and eat them when your child is not around – or better yet, leave them at the office so that they are not a temptation for your struggling child.

We all want what is best for our children. We want to see them grow healthy and strong and to lead long, productive lives. Parents who have weight issues may despair when they see their children beginning to struggle with those same issues. But now is not the time to lose heart. Take the initiative: set the example, enforce the rules, and provide healthier alternatives. Your supportive actions could be the key to help your child overcome a struggle with weight.