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Original poster

Extravagant Pack Lunches

535 replies

Diadrie · 02/09/2025 14:27

I am a TA in a primary school in the middle of a town, real mixed background from families who are mortgage free making well into 6 figures and families living in council homes, earning minimum wage.

As part of my job I supervise the infants half at lunchtime and I have seen the more absurd pack lunches recently from one child. It’s a bento box format, very normal fruit and veg, then greek yogurt and compote, a dip (guacamole/tzatziki/hummus). The main is really star of the show though with: salmon and cream cheese bagel, steak and onion focaccia sandwich, quiche Lorraine etc.

I’m now sat thinking what a totally over the top pack lunches recently for a 5 year old, admittedly the child does finish it, but salmon and steak in children’s pack lunches??

AIBU thinking this is totally over the top, extravagant and slightly absurd.

OP posts:
TorroFerney · 02/09/2025 15:41

CaptainMyCaptain · 02/09/2025 15:38

People in my area call it a Pack Up.

'Pendant' though?

Show quote history

Yes it’s either pack up or packed lunch. My dad used to call his bait as in bait box, not sure where that comes from.

PeachySmile2 · 02/09/2025 15:41

How strange for an adult to comment on the extravagance of a child’s packed lunch. Clearly the child’s parents care about what their child is eating and prefer them to eat what sounds like a more natural, whole food diet as opposed to ultra processed crap like chocolate bars and cheese strings. Nothing wrong with that at all.

Jenkibuble · 02/09/2025 15:41

Diadrie · 02/09/2025 14:27

I am a TA in a primary school in the middle of a town, real mixed background from families who are mortgage free making well into 6 figures and families living in council homes, earning minimum wage.

As part of my job I supervise the infants half at lunchtime and I have seen the more absurd pack lunches recently from one child. It’s a bento box format, very normal fruit and veg, then greek yogurt and compote, a dip (guacamole/tzatziki/hummus). The main is really star of the show though with: salmon and cream cheese bagel, steak and onion focaccia sandwich, quiche Lorraine etc.

I’m now sat thinking what a totally over the top pack lunches recently for a 5 year old, admittedly the child does finish it, but salmon and steak in children’s pack lunches??

AIBU thinking this is totally over the top, extravagant and slightly absurd.

It is middle class for sure but if kid eats it then no issue.

My sister and bro in law are a bit like this - my kids in contrast ate sandwiches, a bit of fruit and yoghurt with water.

TorroFerney · 02/09/2025 15:40

I dint think you are suitable to be anywhere near children to be honest. You are unable to identify good, nutritious food and the use of pack when it should be packed , well that’s a crime in itself.

charlieandthechocolatfactory · 02/09/2025 15:39

Sounds like you’re someone that lives on processed crap and a little overweight

since you’re judging, I’ll jump on the bandwagon

OneInEight · 02/09/2025 15:39

Sounds lovely - lucky child.

charlieandthechocolatfactory · 02/09/2025 15:38

Normal, healthy and good effort

CaptainMyCaptain · 02/09/2025 15:38

OnlyMabelInTheBuilding · 02/09/2025 15:33

‘Pack Up’ is even worse.

Show quote history

People in my area call it a Pack Up.

'Pendant' though?

SuziQuinto · 02/09/2025 15:38

It's certainly not "absurd" to give the child a smoked salmon and cream cheese bagel. Nor any of those other items.

the5thgoldengirl · 02/09/2025 15:36

This reply has been withdrawn

This message has been withdrawn at the poster's request

CaptainMyCaptain · 02/09/2025 15:36

When I was a Reception teacher I had to help one of my children as her drink was leaking in her lunch box. The actual lunch was a delight, lots of nice little things, all colourful, beautifully wrapped and healthy. More than that it was absolutely packed full of love - I'm not usually that soppy but it made me quite teary. Completely opposite to the twins whose lunches consisted entirely of chocolate (this was some time ago).

Shelteringfromthestorm · 02/09/2025 15:36

It sounds like a lovely lunch with a lot of thought put into it.

Imagine how the parent would feel knowing the TA was judging her child's packed lunch and had started an open debate on it. It's not as if she packed Haribo sandwiches!

SuziQuinto · 02/09/2025 15:35

jonthebatiste · 02/09/2025 15:25

It's a bit sad that an adult in a position of care for and authority over a 5yo child is judging their lunchbox contents as "too nice". I mean, if there were a mouldy half sandwich and half an apple in there, by all means judge away and raise it with the parents, bring it to the teacher's attention and see if the canteen staff can spare you something more nutritious for them. But to judge for being perfectly healthy but just by your personal (not even average) standards as extravagant...

And then people wonder about standards and respect, and why the world is upside down these days. What a ridiculous post.

Good points, I was thinking the same - I'm sure there are children whose packed lunches give proper cause for concern.

MidnightPatrol · 02/09/2025 15:35

Probably the same as the parents take for themselves.

I am always bemused by the assumption children should be eating the cheapest, processed, plain food.

I’m open to being adopted by anyone who would like to make me a multi-course bento style packed lunch, sounds lovely!

SeaShellsSanctuary1 · 02/09/2025 15:34

Are you only accustomed to a pork wellington from Greggs?

Kuretake · 02/09/2025 15:33

PrimoPiatti · 02/09/2025 15:29

I'm guessing it'll be farmed salmon. I would not serve that stuff to my worst enemy.

Weird guess - given the care taken over the lunch I would guess it isn't. We'll never know though!

OnlyMabelInTheBuilding · 02/09/2025 15:33

Topseyt123 · 02/09/2025 15:32

I seriously considered saying something too, so why not?

It's PACKED lunch, not PACK lunch. This is because it has been PACKED.

Call me a pendant if you like, but it does matter if you are teaching or supervising impressionable children in school.

Show quote history

‘Pack Up’ is even worse.

giantpurplepeopleeater3 · 02/09/2025 15:33

Wish i had a pack up like that for work tbh they would only be unreasonable if kid repeatedly wasnt eating it.

This feels a bit inverted snobbery OP

Topseyt123 · 02/09/2025 15:32

OnlyMabelInTheBuilding · 02/09/2025 15:28

Glad I’m not the only one

Show quote history

I seriously considered saying something too, so why not?

It's PACKED lunch, not PACK lunch. This is because it has been PACKED.

Call me a pendant if you like, but it does matter if you are teaching or supervising impressionable children in school.

Rhubarbandgooseburycrumble · 02/09/2025 15:32

My son used to have a pot of smoked salmon. Didn’t eat sandwiches. I’d also make him hot pasta dishes etc.

better than him starving 🤷‍♀️

Lourdes12 · 02/09/2025 15:32

It's way more nutritious than other stuff. It's the sort of lunch I would give my kids and it's the sort of lunch they are used to. My kids love steak, lamb chops, sushi, salmon/smoked cheese and eggs in various formats for lunch. It also keeps them full for a long time

VickyEadieofThigh · 02/09/2025 15:31

Gee63 · 02/09/2025 15:28

DD has loved quiche and Greek yoghurt with or without a compote since weaning so I suppose I’m an OTT pretentious sod too. 😂 Wish she’d eat smoked salmon though… We have tried. She had figs in her packed lunch today as we had some leftover. Why do kids need to eat different, often crappy toddler food only if their parents are making these lunches anyway and the toddlers will happily eat it too?

Leftover FIGS? What in the name of willpower is that? Figs don't last long enough in our house to be left over!

Floundering66 · 02/09/2025 15:31

I think it’s great that a child is eating so well and not just a cheese sandwich and crisps!
Im guessing their parents really enjoy making this kind of lunch and as long as the child is eating it o don’t think it’s a problem. I think this child will grow up and be able to look back fondly of the effort that went into their lunch everyday.

InterestedDad37 · 02/09/2025 15:31

If the child is still hungry after eating their packED lunch, you could offer them the chip on your shoulder 😂🤔

TortillaChipAddict · 02/09/2025 15:31

My daughter really struggles with food. Suspect arfid but waiting list here for help is so long who knows. One thing she will eat is dolmades (out of a tin). Unfortunately she won’t take them to school anymore as some girls laughed at her lunch. She’s got samosas today, hope nobody takes issue with them. When did it become so acceptable to judge people for eating healthy food?