MORRISON, Ill. – An Illinois kindergarten teacher sparked a viral TikTok discussion by sharing a self-proclaimed “unpopular opinion,” urging parents “please don’t bring cupcakes” to celebrate their children’s birthdays.
Ann Brackemyer teaches in the Morrison CUSD 6 School District in Morrison, Illinois near the Illinois-Iowa state border. She promotes her experiences and offers advice to teachers through her social media platforms, most notably TikTok and Instagram.
Her case against classroom cupcakes isn’t necessarily to discourage birthday treats entirely. Brackemyer very much supports the idea of birthday treats for children, but she prefers something that’s easier to manage and less of a cleanup hassle.
“These make a ginormous mess, and the kids honestly don’t eat them that great,” said Brackemyer on cupcakes in a recent TikTok video. “They are just a mess. The frosting gets all over, and the kids aren’t sure what to do. It’s too much for them, It’s too messy.”
Instead, she recommends alternatives like cookies with frosted icing, non-powdered donuts, ice cream cups, or Little Debbie snacks.
“These are just simple, easy snacks you can bring for your child in the classroom that are not as messy, but also that the kids love,” she adds.
Brackmeyer’s video sparked mix reactions from parents in the comments. Some felt children should have the right to choose their own birthday treats, while others saw her remarks as a suggestion rather than a rule. A few parents proposed alternatives like mini cupcakes, cake pops or animal cookies, and at least one mentioned that her school bans birthday treats altogether.
Various blogs over the years have advocated both against and for birthday treats in schools in recent years. Some advocates feel that that birthday treats present too many risks with sugars and allergies, while supporters feel that providing birthday treats for children in school is crucial to help young children build positive social experiences.
