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AIBU?

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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:
smashinghope · 02/09/2025 14:31

No i dont think it is at all OP.

In our current health crisis I applaud it.

CheeseDanish · 02/09/2025 14:31

The 'main', as you call it, is probably leftovers. We would have given DS things like that (well, or the vegetarian equivalent -- we're not meat eaters) with a heart and a half, only, unfortunately, he is the world's fussiest eater.

There's more to a child's school packed lunch than a limp sliced pan sandwich and a cheese string.

DarkPassenger1 · 02/09/2025 14:30

It's interesting that you judge a packed lunch that a parent has clearly put some effort into. What's your thoughts on the packed lunches where it's a jam sandwich, bag of Pom Bears, Twix and juice?

hydriotaphia · 02/09/2025 14:30

I don't see the issue. We often send our child in with leftover bits of a main meal (when it's nice to eat). This seems like a nice and healthy packed lunch.

StrictlyAFemaleFemale · 02/09/2025 14:30

I'd bloody love it if my child would eat salmon. Honestly it just sounds like leftovers.

TomatoSandwiches · 02/09/2025 14:29

If the child eats it then what's the problem?

Songlines · 02/09/2025 14:29

Totally normal packed lunch if that's what they usually eat as a family

ComfortFoodCafe · 02/09/2025 14:29

Depends if the child likes it, they might not want a boring ham/cheese sandwhich!

ainsleysanob · 02/09/2025 14:28

Not really, if it’s what the child will eat and far better than a processed slice of sHam and a cheese slice!

LaurieFairyCake · 02/09/2025 14:28

I don’t think so, that’s their normal family food