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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

DS made fun of at school for having Aldi packed lunch!

161 replies

bimbabirba · 17/09/2013 22:17

More of a WYBU.
DS started at a private school last week. He's in YR 6. Everything was going well until we decided to switch to packed lunches because he hated the hot lunches the school provides for £3.50 a meal. Some kids have been noticing that the drinks and snacks in his lunch box are Aldi's and have been saying things like "Ewww... Aldi, that place is horrid! How gross!".
DS is so embarrassed that every morning he tippexes the Aldi brand or he goes over it with a marker pen but they recognise the packaging and still make fun of him!
I can't believe I have to deal with this! WYBU to mention it to his teacher? He's new and I don't want to make it worse by making him unpopular.

OP posts:
Tasmania · 18/09/2013 15:05

Why buy Aldi-branded food?

I'm sure you can get other stuff for the same price...

bimbabirba · 18/09/2013 15:08

Thanks for all the replies!
I haven't read them all (but almost!)
I should make clear that we changed to packed lunches because he (and his DB) thought the hot lunches were terrible. In previous years at our community primary school they had nothing but praise for school lunches (which cost £2.10 per meal as opposed to £3.50 per meal in this private school).
I should also add that I don't do all my food shopping at Aldi but I do find drinks, crips, cereal bars and other bits really good value and DSs generally prefer them over the leading brand.
I can't get over a child saying a supermarket is "horrid". Must be something they heard at home for sure!
Anyway this morning I asked him if he was ok with his packed lunch as he didn't try to cover "Aldi" on his "Sun shot" drink and he said that it was fine and he didn't care if he got teased, he likes the drinks and doesn't want me to stop buying them.
Good boy! Smile

OP posts:
giveitago · 18/09/2013 15:45

Oh good on your son bimb. Mature beyond his years.

Shame he has had to learn the (social) value of supermarkets so young, really.

Keep an eye on him.

Just goes to show that the main divisions in are country are still along so called 'class' lines'. Makes me laugh.

bimbabirba · 18/09/2013 15:56

He's quite sensitive and prone to be bullied, bless him, so I guess people on here saying if it wasn't his packed lunch it would be something else were spot on.
He did act very maturely this time so perhaps it's a sign he's growing up.

OP posts:
nickelbabe · 18/09/2013 16:01

I agree with those that say decant.

get a really nice lunchbox, and put everything into it in small paper bags.

and i would put the drinks into a small bottle too.

some children can be horribly mean.

giveitago · 18/09/2013 16:11

Yup and kids are getting it from their parents.

Most of the bullying I've seen (I'm talking younger years) have been due to parents.

nickelbabe · 18/09/2013 16:16

yy, i agree.

the easiest way to make sure prejudice and hatred spreads to the next generation is by allowing parents to tell their children.

merrymouse · 18/09/2013 16:36

You would have to be really socially insecure to look down on Aldi. Bet the Queen would shop there if it weren't German.

Parmarella · 18/09/2013 17:28

Isn't the Royal Family German?

merrymouse · 18/09/2013 17:46

Good point. She definitely shops at Aldi and lidl.

Rockinhippy · 19/09/2013 09:16

That's fantastic to read Bimba you have obviously already done a great job of working on his self esteem when he's suffered bulling before, so he's coping really well with this low level bullying now - his "& I should care about your oppinion because" attitude now should deflect their attention nicely:)

My own DD sounds very similar in that she is (underneath her boslshy take no cr** exterior) a very sensitive caring soul & she also has been a magnet for bullies, I do wonder if that's the attraction for these often damaged kids, that somehow they sense the caring soul, but don't know how to interact healthily - even DDs school have commented on that.

I've lost count of the number of problems she has had, both in school & out, some quite serious - but she's never ever lost sight of the fact that its a problem with them - not her & she has stood her ground & not followed the herd just to fit in, even when it's meant being ostracised by the whole group as they weren't as determined to stick by their own morals as she has been & thankfully it's come good in the end & it's done wonders for her confidence.

Along with the book mentioned up thread, we also bought DD THIS both have been a big help to her, along with the pep talks if course.

DD prefers Aldi juices & snacks too - we all do, nothing to do with the price, more the quality - not something she's ever been picked on for though.

& yes I agree it's sad that DCs spout such bigotry so young, but IME it's not always down to their parents, they pick it up from other DCs too, even though their own parents would be horrified, so it could well be something this boy has been picked on for himself & just passes it forward - seen that happen many a time in DDs school - still doesnt make it right of course :(

Sparkle As I've already said in my posts above & highlighted a phrase from another poster too - working hard to rebuild your DCs self esteem if they are suffering with bullying is VERY important & I don't actually see how you can do that whilst changing to fit in with the bully

& yes, to whoever highlighted in, my DBs example is pretty extreme & I don't doubt there are other things at play too, but it did definitely play a big role in where he is now - he is still a walk over, but frequently lies about standing up to people people & how he goes along with things because the situation suits him - when it clearly doesn't - his work situation being an example if that - his boss seriously takes the pee & as a result my DBs work situation is very vulnerable

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