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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Not sure if I'm being an unreasonable and grumpy old bag about this.

53 replies

Callisto · 02/03/2011 08:21

It is pancake day next week and the school have asked children to bring in a frying pan and a pancake. Luckily we have a little frying pan that DD (6) can take in so she doesn't have to lug in our cast iron one, but a pancake fgs?

I feel really pissed off at this - partly because I think it is a bloody stupid idea to have 100 kids running around on a tarmac playground with heavy frying pans and not looking where they are going and partly because I don't want DD to have to take a bloody pancake to school.

So is this an unreasonable request by the school or am I just a miserable killjoy?

OP posts:
Grabaspoon · 02/03/2011 08:22

Killjoy

What is the problem with her taking in a pancake and frying pan to enjoy a fun day at school

Original poster
Callisto · 02/03/2011 08:23

Because I have to make/buy a pancake which will ultimately end up in the bin. Having just read an Economist article about the amount of food the West wastes, this grates on m a little.

OP posts:
curlymama · 02/03/2011 08:24

YABU, but a homemade pancake would probably be a bit yucky if not eaten straight away wouldn't it?

Original poster
Callisto · 02/03/2011 08:24

Also, we luckily have a little, relatively suitable frying pan. If we hadn't then I would have to go and buy one.

OP posts:
Original poster
Callisto · 02/03/2011 08:25

Maybe a tortilla would be better?

OP posts:
HecateQueenOfWitches · 02/03/2011 08:26

I think it will be fun.

What's the worst that could happen? A kid falls over? One of them gets clonked?

Worth it.

God, the number of scraped knees and elbows I had as a child! And scars on my knees from more serious injuries Grin

I suppose this is the whole 'let's stop children from doing anything that has any risk at all' argument.

For the record - I'm against it. I think trying to prevent all risk has caused our children to become more afraid and to lose the ability to risk assess as they get older.

RealityIsKnockedUp · 02/03/2011 08:26

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Ooopsadaisy · 02/03/2011 08:27

Why aren't they making the pancakes? It's a good opportunity for some basic cookery surely?

Some Health and Safety bloke has probably banned it FFS.

YABU about the pan.

YANBU about the pancake.

HecateQueenOfWitches · 02/03/2011 08:27

pah. You're looking at it through adult eyes, Reality.

I bet the children will think it's loads of fun!

RealityIsKnockedUp · 02/03/2011 08:28

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

woollyideas · 02/03/2011 08:28

Better a pancake and frying pan than a last-minute Tudor costume.

BecauseImWorthIt · 02/03/2011 08:29

What's the point of taking in the pan if they've already made the pancake?

HecateQueenOfWitches · 02/03/2011 08:29

They're probably going to have a pancake race.

DiggingDeep · 02/03/2011 08:30

Safety wise - the running around with pancakes is fine imo - but taking in a piece of kitchen equipment is odd, as you say, what if you don't have a spare one.

It reminds me of my primary's policy on wellies - leave them there and over weekends etc. in case they are needed at school - but alot of parents can't afford two sets of wellies.

Vallhala · 02/03/2011 08:31

I'd have the perfect excuse... wanna borrow it (cheques and PO's accepted). :o

Okay... free of charge this week, just for you.

I don't eat, buy or keep eggs in the house, I'm vegan, sorry Teacher. :o

Sorted!

YANBU - it's a bloody ridiculous, pointless idea and on top of dressing up for World Book Day and what have you is no doubt a nuisance for busy parents of primary-aged children. I'd be telling them to take a hike even if I wasn't vegan.

AtYourCervix · 02/03/2011 08:32

Shock surely not a pancake? horrific Shock Shock

RealityIsKnockedUp · 02/03/2011 08:33

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Grabaspoon · 02/03/2011 08:33

You're telling me that you can't make pancakes for the kids and send in a pancake Callisto. Not really a waste of food is it? In fact it's a whole meal using store cupboard ingredients and a fresh egg Hmm

coraltoes · 02/03/2011 08:33

pancakes are made with flour, egg and milk, you can probably get 12 out of an average recipe...taking 1 into school is not really a big waste of food is it?! Sounds to me like you don't want to make them to start with. Can you buy pancakes in the supermarket?

coraltoes · 02/03/2011 08:34

Grabaspoon has a point, the whole idea of pancakes was to empty the larder of things before lent. So really it is a frugal recipe!

Ephiny · 02/03/2011 08:36

It sounds silly to me, since when could schools make demands like that about what parents do in their own time? Not good to be encouraging children to waste/play with food either. Personally I wouldn't have the slightest idea how to make a pancake anyway...

squeakytoy · 02/03/2011 08:37

you can get little frying pans in the pound shop :)

RealityIsKnockedUp · 02/03/2011 08:38

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

RealityIsKnockedUp · 02/03/2011 08:38

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

DiggingDeep · 02/03/2011 08:38

Comic Relief costumes, world book day, wear a box to school day (yes, really) are all happening this term at our primary. It gets very costly and wearing (see what i did there) after a while esp if you have alot of children or work full time or in the evenings.