another school lunch one....any lunch time supervisors here?

[Glitterpearl]

This year we took the decision to send packed lunches with the DC. Up to now they had school meals (which they complained about endlessly, and now say they want to go back to, but that is besides the point.)

I generally send them in with a sandwich/wrap or pasta salad as the "main" item, and then some kind of fruit. Then I add some crackers and maybe some cubes of cheese, and/or a yoghurt.

Most days, some of it comes home, because they didn't have time to finish it all, though I think this is a case of them talking too much rather than them not actually having time.

Now I am getting complaints from them that other children bring in dairylea dunkers, lunchables, chocolate biscuits, and packets of crisps. Now I thought the school had a healthy eating policy, and one time last year the youngest wasn't allowed to eat her break as DH took her to the shop before school and let her take in a packet of crisps and a small chocolate bar as a one off as he was running late. So since then, I have made sure not to send anything like that because I don't want to run the risk of them having nothing to eat.

There is also the fact that buying those branded items would cost a fortune. So as a compromise, I sent them in with breadsticks and little pots of dairylea, and I have also given them "homemade" lunchables. They were happier with that, but still it seems, unless it comes in the branded packets, its not proper, and its not fair.

My question is this, how likely is it that there are kids who are bringing in these branded things every single day (as is consistently claimed by both DC) and generally, am I being an awful mummy by not including some form of biscuit or cake? They wouldn't get that as standard at home with lunch, so I am not sure I want to start that with school lunches.

I'd say it's pretty likely that some of them are, but it won't be all by any means. At the school I worked in I saw the whole gamut of packed lunches, from beautifully prepared bento boxes with delicious-looking hot meals through to the kids with a packet of Quavers and a Mars bar and nothing else. Yours sounds like the healthier end of 'standard' to me. Maybe you could compromise with a treat on Fridays, or something?

It's very likely they are, but I still wouldn't!

our school has a policy of only fruit or veg for break but they are allowed a small treat in lunchbox with a healthy lunch.

Mine will have a sandwich/wrap with either cheese or ham, crisps, fruit/cheese/mini sausage roll and a small chocolate bar. I really don't care what the teachers say and they can't stop them eating the treats. I work in my kids school as well and am yet to be pulled up for a unhealthy lunch 🤷🏼‍♀️

Hi, I used to be a lunchtime supervisor and I did see a fair few of those lunchables and things like that. A lot of kids had Aldi versions of brand things soi guess a bit cheaper.

I'm sure your homemade lunchables and breadsticks are much nicer.

As you've found with the school lunch/packed lunch thing though children will always find something to moan about.
My dc always come home asking for things other kids have in their pack up and saying their friends wanted something they've got.
Mine have nagged and nagged for things like pepperami, cheese strings and then decided they didn't actually like them.

I would just keep doing what your happy with and maybe add a treat now and then or on a Friday or something.

Thanks all. It is as I suspected then I think.

I do plan on giving them hot food when we get more into winter. Soups or warm pasta in a thermos. The problem with that is that the youngest can be fussy, so would most likely only eat beans/tinned soup/plain pasta. Whereas she loves crackers, cheese and fruit type lunches. The eldest will eat homemade soups and whatever I give her really.

Yes, I think a treat once a week could be a compromise, and maybe if I can find the time I can make up some batches of mini muffins, banana bread and biscuits. But again, unless it comes in a packet they will find something to complain about.

Neither DC are keen on peperami's or cheese strings. Tbh I think the youngest will be a vegetarian soon. She already practically is, but she has started becoming more vocal about not eating animals. We don't force the issue really and just let her decide. Right now, she will only eat cheese sandwiches....I have no idea what else to give her. (She isn't bothered at all with the lack of variety, but I am.)