The Children Are Our Future

Now before anyone gets his/her panties all in a bunch, let me say: I do feel that ADD/ADHD is a legit disorder. However, I also feel that it has been WAY over-diagnosed. I do NOT advocate medicating children for it either. IN MOST CASES. Only in extreme Hyperactivity when nothing else has worked, do I agree with medicating. (i.e. Ritalin, Adderall, etc) Check for food allergies, adjust the child's diet, limit or eliminate sugar/caffeine, white flours, etc. Many times what appears to be ADD/ADHD is in fact a food allergy...or some other type of disorder with the child.

With all the above being said, here I go. *steps up onto Soap Box* While at work today I had a little boy come in, purchase a KING size pkg of Sweet Tarts and a 20oz bottle of Pepsi. He was a very cute and polite little fella and I chatted with him for a bit. Turns out that he is 9 years old and was home alone. (Mom and Dad were at work) No more than 5 minutes later, here comes lil man again. He was buying a 16oz coffee!!! I would not sell it to him. (I was not mean to him but I told him how bad that was for him after he informed me that it was in fact, all for him.) My boss was not pissed at me but did have to give me a verbal warning for refusing a sale. Sorry Jack but I refuse to poison kids for minimum wage! Its the principle! I'm NOT saying ban certain foods/drink. Absolutely not...government already has too much control! My issue is with the Gum Darn PARENTS!!! #1 WHY is this little 9 yr old home alone...AND running around to convenience stores by himself! #2 WHY is he permitted to drink and eat copious amounts of sugar and caffeine? (Btw, he was not fat...quite the opposite-not that it matters in this particular instance) And don't come to me with "Well, you know, kids will be kids." Sure we all pigged out on junk food as kids, not the extent that THIS generation is, though. Its epidemic! PARENTS...PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR FRIGGING KIDS!