Teacher thinks I need to give DS bigger lunch

[HealthyLunchBox]

Name changed for this.

So picked DS aged 5 up from school today and teacher asked for a word.

She said after lunch, they were talking about healthy eating and made healthy wraps as part of the lesson. DS pilled his full of cheese, peppers ect. Huge apparently. When all the kids went out to play he decided to stay in and eat the whole wrap. She said he seemed absolutely ravenous and she found it strange as he had just had lunch. I didn't know what to say so just said okay... Then she said well maybe it's just a growth spurt.

I feel really embarrassed and judged. So this is what he had in his lunch today. Tuna mayo salad sandwich on seeded bread, a big slice of crust less quiche made with broccoli, spinach, cabbage and cheese, a pear and box of raisins.

He did eat all his lunch today but will often come home with stuff uneaten. I dont want to put more food in for it just to be wasted.

Sorry I don't really know why I'm posting. I just feel like a bad parent.

It sounds like you made him plenty for lunch. What a weird thing to say to you. That's more than I usually eat for lunch!

How many slices of bread?

2 slices of bread. I think it's plenty too but I'm doubting myself.

My 7yr dc had a ham wrap, two slices of wafer thin ham. Half a pepper sliced and a matchbox size chocolate cake and a teeny Banana . I thought that was loads, but you’ve given him far more.

what you describe sounds a good amount if he eats it.
I wouldn't overthink it, one of my dc has phases where they eat a lot.

I should add that he's a healthy weight. Slim but not skinny.

I’d say if he has never mentioned lunch not being enough then it’s probably fine. Is it a whole or half sandwich? Is he starving when he gets in? Did the teacher actually see his lunch? Maybe he just really fancied a cheese wrap?

That sounds like a decent and large lunch for a 5 year old! Maybe he is having a growth spurt, or was just extra hungry that day, or just really fancied the wrap he had made?
You're best placed to judge how much to give him based on what comes home and how hungry he seems straight after school. Try not to stew on it or feel bad! The teacher was doing the right thing to let you know as it is unusual to be able to scoff a whole wrap just after lunch but kids can be weird sometimes!

That sounds more than enough. if you'd have said one slice then maybe but two is fine.

Ask the teacher if she's ever eaten if she's enjoying something. It sounds as if you've just found a new way to get loads of healthy veg down him. Ask for exact details of what was in it.

over eaten

The food police and I wonder if his teacher has children of her own. It sounds strange that she allowed him to stay in and actually eat it in the first place when usually they are so keen for them to get fresh air. That said in most reception classes they usually have continuous provision which means no set breaks as such.

He says he's hungry when he gets in but don't all kids? He normally get a snack of cheese or fruit when he gets in then dinner later on. He's never mentioned wanting more in his lunch. He does get milk and fruit in the morning at school too.

I'm not sure if I should speak to the teacher again? She doesn't ever go into the lunch hall. There are different staff on duty during lunch times.

I have an 8yo and a 9yo and they get a sandwich, a babybel, 3 pieces of fruit/salad (e.g. an apple, carrot sticks and raisins) and either crisps or a cake. Honestly it sounds like your 5yo had nearly as much.

What does he have for breakfast and dinner?

The point remains he was hungry enough to Eat a huge wrap and forego play with the other kids to do so. So something was up.

Is he getting enough food at breakfast and dinner?

She didn't actually say that you should provide a bigger lunch, you inferred that? The amount you provide sounds fine.

Wraps are one of his favourite foods. I can see why she mentioned it but I feel like she should have checked his lunch box for a few days first to see if I had been starving him. I feel so judged. I'm trying to not let it get to me but I can't help it.

You need to talk to the staff who go into the lunchroom with your DS and ask if he actually eats his lunch or if he gives it or throws it away. DN had to be switched to school dinners as she was giving her sandwiches away in exchange for yoghurts and the staff present didn’t notice until I asked them to observe her.

@HealthyLunchBox I'm a primary school teacher and I agree that this is really odd! The only time I have ever spoken to parents about lunchboxes is when the child has been throwing away their lunch (and clearly not telling their parents!).

Op. Stop making this about you. You need to make it about your child and why he was so hungry. She was right to raise her concern. He shouldn't have been,

And it's not about lunch in isolation it's about the whole day's food intake.

She didn’t say anything about the size of his lunch, though?

Is he just the type if kid who likes good more than extra playtime?

I’d be wondering why they made wraps if not to be eaten!

My goodness they are all hungry! 9am "any questions?"
"When is lunch?"
Every day.
It seems a bit of an overreaction if that is all the evidence she had to form an opinion

It honestly just sounds like your DS enjoyed making the wrap & then enjoyed eating it, absolutely nothing to worry about. . Ignore the teacher’s comments.

Thanks everyone I think I just needed someone to tell me it was enough. This is what he had for breakfast and dinner yesterday which is was a pretty average day. Breakfast porridge with flax seed, strawberries chia seeds added in. Dinner was steak, jacket potato, spinach, coleslaw and roasted broccoli (bit random I know!) snacks were a peperani (those little sausage things) and a square of chocolate. He would have had fruit too but I can't remember what. Strawberries I think.

Just like adults children sometimes eat for reasons other than hunger. Unless she has seen what your son has each day for lunch she didn't really need to comment.

Teachers fault . She’s being a bit judgemental about your child just because he enjoyed the wrap .

Forget it . Not worth stressing about .