Self Esteem

I remember when my kidlets were in elementary school, the BIG buzz was self esteem. The really smart kids were not supposed to be given special attention as this might make those students that struggle more feel uncomfortable. When students were identified at "Student of the Month" they were only allowed the honor once a year in order to spread the honor around to as many students as possible. This was all bad enough. I feel that children should be rewarded for hard work, and rewarding one child will give the other children something to strive for, because after all isn't that what we are really trying to accomplish? is to help each child be the very best they can be? Not all students are straight A students, but effort is always a better grade than letters.
Now I am watching the constant barrage of news about the obesity epidemic of today's youth. I will admit, I have always struggled with my weight, and yes I will admit I am obese. But the one thing I do not need is to be constantly reminded how my obesity is going to shorten my life, I don't want to be this way. I have tried all kinds of diets but have always been unsuccessful. My insurance does not cover weight reduction surgery. Rather ironic when you think about it, if I lost the weight my health would be better and therefore my health care expenses would be less.
I don't bring my weight problems up because I like drawing attention to myself, I mention it because I am an adult and I know how deep the sharp edges of the blades of criticism go. If as an adult I feel this degree of pain imagine what our children with weight issues must feel. Not only are they getting bombarded by the media and adults but they are also humiliated by the cruelest of all critics, their peers.
It is important that we teach our children healthy food choices early in life as well as encourage physical activity. Computers and video games have taken the place of good old fresh air activities but our parents battled with television when we were kids and yet somehow they managed to encourage us to "play" outside the better part of a day. Parents today are lazy, rather than stepping up and controlling computer and video game time it is easier to ignore the situation.
We need to teach our children to appreciate their bodies and to treasure life. Making good food choices and increasing physical activity is only part of the solution. We need to stop trying to fit every child into the same mold. I am not promoting obesity, what I am promoting is tolerance.