Won't eat dinner at school

[dippymare]

Hi, I haven't posted before but could really do with some advice. I have a four year old (August birthday) who has lately stopped eating at school. I have chatted with school teacher about it who says otherwise dd seems happy at school. Dd says she just misses me and doesn't like school. She is off sick at the moment after half term and keeps begging not to go back to school. I think part of the problem is she's lately been sidelined by her best friend after being off sick. But this is breaking my heart. Any suggestions or cheery stories about similar situations being resolved.

[NorksBride]

Hello dippymare!

Isn't school ghastly sometimes? It is horrid when your DCs don't enjoy school. Usually the best method is to carry on regardless, your DD has to go back to school when she's better and although you can sympathise with her that her friend is playing with someone else, you can suggest to her that she asks if she can join in or plays with someone else. The teacher ought to be aware if DD is on her own at playtimes.

When this has settled down again (and it will) she'll start eating lunch again. Given that they've all just had a holiday & some sick days, you may find that it's all blown over as soon as she goes back. Fingers crossed eh?!

[thelittleElf]

Oh dear...i understand how worrying this must be for you. How about, inviting her friend to a special afterschool tea! It's amazing how differently children can act with eachother when they are not with their other piers? My youngest charge is always falling out with her 'best' friend, but whenever she come to tea, they play really nicely and it seems to resolve things
Good luck!

[NorksBride]

Now that's a very good idea!

[thelittleElf]

Why Thankyou Nork I do try...sometimes! lol

[nearlyfourbob]

My brother brought his sandwiches home every day of primary school. To my knowledge he ate at secondary school, and is now vegan and eats heaps of veggies. All my family are what may be concerned emotional eaters, eating or not, depending on what happens in their life.

[dippymare]

Thanks for advice. She will be going back tomorrow come hell or high water so just have to grit teeth. Have invited a little girl she sits next to during dinner time (or should I say hunger strike time) for tea next week in the hope this might help. Fingers crossed she eats this week because the teacher is hinting that they will have to send her home for lunch if things don't improve and don't think this will help anyone.

Will let you know...

[pirategirl]

HI wondering how you got on?

My dd went on school dinners,( we get them free) she's an awful picky eater, and i had them make her a sandwich each day, and tried to get her to try other bits.
Then it just got to the point where she didn't like that either, cos i think it singled her out a little, she was at the packed lunch table but all the others had home packed lunches.
I said would u like it if mum made your packed lunches each day,and she nearly went thru the roof with happiness.

Result-empty lunch box every day.

Just wondering if your little one was a fussy eater?

[dippymare]

Result! First day of hot school dinners and she loved it, think it helped that they had jelly and ice cream today. She was also probably very hungry cos she wouldn't eat much breakfast.

Fingers crossed that this lasts...

[NorksBride]

[dippymare]

Dd came home with certificate Lunchtime Star of the Week. Hoorah and thanks for help x