To be worried about son's friend?

Is this after school? Isn’t he hungry for dinner?

My primary aged kids once went to the childminder in the holidays and joined her partner (registered assistant!) at the table for breakfast. At pick up she mentioned it, as in I usually give them breakfast. I'd given them breakfast that day! They conned their way into a second one!
In the absence of other signs it might just be that you have interesting food.

An assumption on your part because his parents are wealthy & they grow their own veg, you need to look the Franke children in the US she & the other systemically starved & tortured them. They were wealthy & religious zealots.

I've known tonnes of kids like this over the years.

They just want something 'different' to what they get at home most of the time.

My cat does the same thing.

Six Dinner Sid has nothing on him.

I wouldn’t be concerned some kids are always hungry some are not. My son is 7 and never really wants to eat its like a chore and im always actively encouraging him whereas my 5 yo niece doesn’t ever get full always says she is hungry especially in someone else’s hone where she knows theres going to be different foods and snacks to what my sister buys

He probably feels disadvantaged seeing everyone else he knows eating McDonald's and chocolate while he cries into his carrots. I would.

You might have food he doesn't get at home, or he might not be allowed at home.

I would maybe approach the mother and just say he sometimes eats at ours and I just wanted to check he has no allergies or intolerances you should be aware of. Or if there are any certain foods he is not allowed to eat, they might be vegan or veggie or something

Straight after school? In my experience kids are really hungry after school.

My 8 year old daughter is like a stray cat round food. Tbf school dinners are fairly small portions.

As other said unless there is other signs of neglect I would say it’s standard 8yr old behaviour. My 8yr old son eats like a horse.

A snack after school is pretty normal. However, if your spider senses are tingling then yes you should mention it to the school. Nothing will happen because of that alone but multiple reports from multiple sources (if there were to be any) would allow the school to build up a picture and help spot any problem. The first rule of safeguarding is never to ignore any concern.

Unless there are signs of neglect I wouldn't be concerned. He is just being cheeky / rude.

I think you're reading too much into it.

If I was picking kids up after school, I'd be feeding them in the playground. Wouldn't even make it home without food - and I think we are in the majority. Look around the playground at school and see if his parents normally give him a snack after school - you may find they are, and you are not

(slight de-rail, but why does he come to yours a couple of times a week if you don't know the mum very well?)

If not for the fact that I do let my son have McDonald's I would fear this was him 😬.

Some children are just remorseless eating machines. If he looks alright, he's probably just one of those.

Edit: oh and the part about being wealthy - that definitely rules us out.

Kids tend to do this at other people's houses as it's common to give guests more treats than normal at home.

Unless there are other concerns, then this is very normal.

Both my boys, especially my youngest skinny bean pole, get hungry after school! Youngest goes straight for the cereal when he gets in from school. When his friend comes over they have a snack when they arrive from school, then dinner, and then both of them pester me for more food!

Growing boys!

My son was always hungry afterschool at that age. I don't think it's a concern personally. I would be checking with the parent (so it didn't spoil main meals). Or they might prefer to provide snacks. I normally say I have got xyz for afterschool. I always provide snacks for my children's friends when they visit. They are always hungry 😅

Lots of kids of that age are ravenous after school.

Any other concerns? Is he underweight ? clean clothes/body?

I mean, most kids I know are famished after school. I usually provide an after school snack for visiting kids. Is something else making you feel he's under fed?

My 8 year old boy is ALWAYS hungry. He is constantly on the move and burning energy. I would hate for anyone to think I neglected him. Unless there are other signs of neglect, then I would say that he’s pretty typical for his age. The first poster who replied nailed what I would say to his parents. I’d bring it up just to check that they are happy for you to give food and check what to avoid. If parents have made a meal for when he returns home and he’s not eating it because he’s filled himself up at yours then they may want you to give him less etc.

My 8 year old boy is constantly hungry no matter what he eats! He’s skinny as a rake and tall so I put it down to growing.

My Son’s friend does this. He opens our fridge, always takes fruit from the bowl and whinges the whole time about being hungry. He is well fed at home and his parents are very wealthy, never let him have McDonald’s and grow their own veg. He is not remotely neglected but always makes out he’s some impoverished wee soul - he isn’t.

Does he look underweight? Are there other signs of neglect?

It's not unusual for kids to be hungry, they are growing fast and need the energy. Why would you tell the school?