Child never given a snack

[PhilomenaButterfly]

DS2 goes to basketball club after school. The letter for clubs clearly states that children should bring a healthy snack to eat beforehand. DS2 has heard this boy ask his mum for a snack and she says he doesn't need one. Twice now he's been crying because he was hungry and DS2 has given him half his snack. I don't want to give DS2 extra because I can't afford to feed an extra child every week.

Should I mention it to the mum or the school?

No you shouldn't. It's not any of your business. Perhaps that child doesn't eat his dinner if he has snacks.

How old are they?

Maybe he has eaten beforehand or straight after. Either way ask ds not to share, kind as it is, there may be dietary needs or allergies of which you are not aware

I would mention it discreetly to the person running the club. They could easily give a gentle reminder that the child needs a snack. They are generally ravenous after school.

No child should be so hungry around 2 hours after a school lunch that they cry.

He may not be eating his lunch, be being picky etc and mum may be saying I'm not having wasted food. Or may just feel left out.

It's kind of your son to share but as the mum of a sharer too, I think it's important they don't become a pushover so talk with my DS about ensuring he meets his own needs.

Speak to the school or club. You absolutely should raise it in case it's part of something bigger (imagine hearing in a year's time that he was being abused and having not acted). I wouldn't raise it with the mum. Just make it known to a professional.

Meanwhile DS2 gives him half his snack?

What time does the club end. I used to run a club that ran after school 4.30-7.30pm. Kids brought a snack.

The kids who attended 4-5.30 generally were given a snack by their parents en route.

For clubs that start straight after school eg 3.30-4.30pm I’d expect them to have a drink but not a snack. I never gave my kids anything.

7/8 Brillo.

I would have a word because school should be aware of this. It may be a complete non-issue. But let's not forget Daniel Pelka.

LIZS it's at school, straight after home time. The only chance he'd have something to eat would be before club.

Exactly 3 hours after a school lunch Ripple. And have you seen the size of those lunches?

The club ends at 4 Alexander.

I think school asks us to provide a snack for a reason. DD also does a club but doesn't want a snack. That's her choice.

I am worried that this boy's needs aren't being met at home.

Maybe he has his tea straight afterwards and wouldn’t eat it if he was still full of snack?

Why would he need a snack? I have never provided snack between meals for my children.

Sorry but I’m sure that one piece of fruit extra for your household grocery budget wouldn’t break the bank- I’d just send in a snack for him as I couldn’t live with the feeling that he was going hungry.

The club's 45 minutes long, they have the snack before the club. Junk isn't allowed, so some carrot sticks followed by 45 minutes running around won't fill a child up too much for dinner, unless they have a tiny appetite.

I also don’t provide snacks between meals. Imo snacking is an unhealthy behaviour. I don’t have crisps, biscuits or soft drinks in the house at all. And I wouldn’t be pleased if another child was giving my child half of a (potentially unhealthy) snack.

My kids did like loads of dance/sports clubs at school that ended at 4 or 4.30 (school day ended at 3.30pm.

I never provided a snack. I wouldn’t have been allowed as you couldn’t send food into school anyway.

If the snack is carrot sticks or a piece of fruit it’s fairly pointless. Assuming the snack is to prevent the child being hungry, neither carrot sticks nor fruit will achieve that.

Bearded don't you need extra fuel if you're exercising?

With the timings I see no issue with not providing a snack.

Eh? Why on earth do they need snacks for a 45 minute club?

The letter states "a healthy snack" Teal. DS2 takes carrot sticks and a bread roll. He gives half of each to his friend.

To those who don’t provide any snacks ever. An honest question. What do you do if your child comes out of school and says they are hungry? Do they just have to wait until their evening meal? I’m not being pissy, just genuinely interested as I don’t know any kids (infants - primary) that aren’t hungry after school? 6 year old DD’s school day starts at 8.40am, they have a hot lunch at 12pm but portions are quite small I think. She is always hungry when I pick her up at school finish time which is 3pm. She has something to eat then (sandwich or banana or crackers or cereal type bar) and then a hot evening meal later on too.

A snack?

It's 45 mins not an expedition up mount Everest.

If they are lunch and are going home to dinner they don't jeed a snack.

Funnily enough they don't keel over between the school gates and the car if made to wait til they get home for tea

Well, in DS2's case, because dinner will be late because of the club.