\u27Sticky\u27 foods: How school practices produce negative emotions for mothers and children

This paper addresses health messages that are carried home from school - a space where childhood obesity prevention measures are being transmitted to families, and mothers in particular. We consider what emotions are being produced for mothers and children in the enactment of current school health initiatives, especially those aimed at \u27improving\u27 family food practices. Our analysis draws on interviews with parents and primary-school-aged children (n = 50) in Australia collected as part of a project on children\u27s role as health advocates in family contexts. Using Sara Ahmed\u27s work on emotions and John Law\u27s concept of \u27collateral realities\u27, we consider how clashes and confrontations in \u27healthy\u27 food practices between home and school are producing negative emotions for mothers and children. We argue that rigid school rules and their policing at school, while aimed at promoting health, are producing unintended negative affects for families and children. We conclude by offering some recommendations on how more inclusive school health promotion practices can enable and support, rather than harm, the emotional well-being of mothers and children