Woman Crushing Kids on Halloween

I was getting ready for work this morning when this story came on the Today Show about a woman in North Dakota handing out something a little different to kids on Halloween. The story was prepped in a way that you figured they were talking about someone giving out apples or dental floss or something most kids hate receiving on Halloween. But no, this woman has decided to hand out the following letter…

As you can see, the intent of the letter is to inform the kid’s parents that they are failing in their duties and as a result their child is “moderately obese.” Are you kidding me?

Here you have a little kid, who probably waited weeks for the moment they could put on their costume and escape the day-to-day reality they live in just to have a little fun and pretend they were something else. Halloween has a certain magic to it where you can be anything you want to be, at least for the day. Kids LOVE Halloween. The excitement is brewing as soon as they get up in the morning. All their friends are talking about it at school and plans are being made to go out and enjoy the night.

It’s a festive night as the community moves from house to house. Often this is the only time members of the community spend time talking with each other. Kids are laughing, having fun, and thoroughly enjoying their childhood. Halloween night provides pure, innocent happiness for kids.

Now imagine a poor little kid walking up to that woman’s house. Their face beaming as they prepare to yell out “Trick or Treat!” Only to receive a glare and a piece of paper. Of course the kid is going to read the letter. Of course the kid’s friends are going to ask what the letter says. That kid then has to read the hurtful words condemning them as fat. That has to be crushing to that kid who is just out there trying to have a good time. Their night is ruined and every Halloween for the rest of their lives, they’ll remember that negative moment.

The kid doesn’t buy the food at the house. They probably don’t make their own breakfast, lunch, and dinner either. Yes, parents should be blamed for much of the obesity problems in today’s kids. However, this is not the proper delivery method for that message. There is an old saying – “Don’t shoot the messenger.” In this case, the woman is shooting the messenger and in effect, crushing the poor child. There are better avenues to be an advocate for healthy eating and fit kids. Giving an innocent kid trying to have some fun a letter on Halloween telling them they are fat is not one.