Energy Drinks and Coffee 🍵
Hello everyone and welcome back to my blog: Teacher Mom
My post today may sound harsh to some people, but I am just expressing an issue that I wish more parents pay attention to even if you are the most awesome ever and you know everything about your kids. Let me tell you that I have been accused of being a Ms. Minchin all my life by my siblings for I seek perfection in most situations where they are just Ok and normal while being mean about it 😒bullies!
In my college Freshman Year, I was jealous of all the Dorm residents who came to the 8:00 am classes in their PJs carrying in their hands the cutest Starbucks venti drink😋 of course I was that kid who woke up early, had breakfast at home and was on campus by 7:30am 🧐
Many years later, I-again- sit in my classroom at 7:45 am watching my 9-year-old students rushing into class so hyper and so alert and FULL of energy with their Frappuccino's and Lattes!!! Wait What? "My mom said it is good for kids 😪" REALLY MOM?
Nowadays it is normal for parents to get their kids a tall drink from Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts! I had my first coffee in College and it was every once and blue moon. You should see how your kids act in class not just behaviorally but also academically! What is more of a concern to me though is that my students drink ENERGY DRINKS on daily basis and more than once a day!!! why? what makes a 3rd grader drink a Monster or a Red Bull? Twice a day????!! 
I have asked my teenage students about it and they just said they do not want to sleep at all. Apparently all the fun starts after midnight when mom and dad are asleep. Doing what? That's when their Parallel universe is most active: those live video games, tiktok, and face timing. I asked the obvious question in class :" Who suggest energy drinks for you as a way to stay up late? and how do you decide which one to drink?" The answer was appalling and disgusting to me, the sponsored (and older) Video Gamers advertise these drinks. According to whoever is the best player, they attribute their success to the drink they are drinking. Scared yet parents?😒By the way I am not discussing the Drug issue, I am merely talking about energy drinks, Frappuccino's, and video games!
True story: I had a student whose mother did not know how to get him to sleep! She did not know that he was usually on his 3rd energy drink for the day by the assigned bed time. So, instead of investigating the situation, enforcing rules and be a responsible adult, she took the easy way out and gave him Melatonin (Sleep Aid Pills) sometimes 2-3 pills every night 😨 what a mess!!!
Technology and social media are providing our kids with so much that us-parents- are unaware of. We did not live it and we cannot even comprehend it. Some may say our kids are great kids and we trust them. I am sure they are BUT their time is very different and you cannot tell what's on the other side. So many researches, reports, and documentaries have been published about these issues; yet parents seem to be oblivious and many are just being the cool mom and dad and provide the tools no questions asked. Believe me, I see it all the time. I am not thoroughly discussing this topic now, I am just brushing off the surface! Our folks' way of protecting us was to keep us home and be with us everywhere, now we do that but the dangers are being provided by the parents and they are happening at home.
When I was teaching Energy at the beginning of this school year, I managed to tailor a lesson plan for all my Middle School classes; a lesson that helped me associate what they learn about Energy in Science to their growing bodies and brains (Still Science). We talked about the importance of energy for their young bodies and growth. I had received some amazing research paper proposals from my kiddos. THEY LOVED THE ASSIGNMENT. However, the school administration asked me to not even grade them because they are not required in the grade book and the school was worried that Parents will protest...HAHAHAHAH..I was generous and offered it as extra credit. That sure made parents happy...what are your priorities parents? I have attached a short YouTube video, hope you find it beneficial.
See you next week
Great blog Shaima.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely agree, that there is no reason in the world that young people of school age should ever need to drink coffee flavoured and energy drinks. In fact sale of energy drinks are now restricted in the UK. It doesn't mean they won't get hold of it but they are finally being recognised for what they are, which an stimulant.
That is great, I am glad that UK is doing so. Hopefully soon in US and the whole world. Thank you so much Abdi for reading and commenting =) I am glad you are here
DeleteWhen I was a child I used to sit near my grandmother to drink the rest of her coffee 😂☕
ReplyDelete