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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To go the Head with this.

34 replies

SteadyEddie · 03/06/2014 16:54

DS2 has SN and attends a mainstream primary. We are very happy with the school and DS is happy there. My concern is lunch time.

His diet is extremely limited and its worse when he isnt at home, so he eats just 2 things, rice cakes (those baby ones from Boots) and baby bels.

The problem is that DS cant unwrap the babybels, and neither can he ask for it be done. We have had problems with his three babybels coming back unwrapped on and off, so I have taken it up with the class teacher and the main LS and its been okay for a few days. For the last 2 days they have not been unwrapped and so he has come home upset and 'off' probably because he is starving.

If I email the Head, will she think I am wasting her time? I am at the end of my tether and DS's weight is an issue as it is.

OP posts:
Original poster
SteadyEddie · 03/06/2014 16:55

He has been taught to pack up his things when he finishes and go out to play. So if he cant eat his babybels he just packs them right on up and scoots off out.

OP posts:
ThinkIveBeenHacked · 03/06/2014 16:56

Cant you unwrap them before putting them in his lunchbox.

Scholes34 · 03/06/2014 16:56

Can't you unwrap them yourself before packing up his lunch?

thornrose · 03/06/2014 16:57

I would try the SENCO first.

Georgethesecond · 03/06/2014 16:57

Unwrap them at home!

AllDirections · 03/06/2014 16:57

Can you unwrap them before putting them in his lunchbox? I know that the school should make sure that they get unwrapped but they're obviously not and the important thing is that your DS eats his lunch.

itiswhatitiswhatitis · 03/06/2014 16:57

Can you unwrap them and put them in a plastic tub I'm sure they would stay fresh? Sympathies though when I was told ds couldn't bring peanut butter sandwich's due to another child having a severe allergy I wanted to weep.

OwlinaTree · 03/06/2014 16:57

Unwrap the babybels and put then in a sandwich bag/small tub he can open.

OwlinaTree · 03/06/2014 16:58

X post with everybody!!

itiswhatitiswhatitis · 03/06/2014 16:58

Ooh x post a lot there.

Original poster
SteadyEddie · 03/06/2014 16:59

If I unwrap them he doesn't eat them (should have put I had tried this). I think if they are unwrapped he doesnt recognise them and then wont even entertain them.

OP posts:
overmydeadbody · 03/06/2014 16:59

Does he have one to one support at lunch time? If not, I can see how this could happen without it being anyone's fault, with your DS packing it up and going out to play before someone has noticed. Lunchtime supervisors are not mind readers.

How about unwrapping them before you put them in his lunchbox? Or giving him other cheese that isn't wrapped up?

itiswhatitiswhatitis · 03/06/2014 17:00

I would also suggest some intensive unwrapping practice at home. I had to spend a long time getting ds to practice opening things for his lunch box. He's yet to master if you don't finish the yoghurt drink then put It in the bin don't leave it in the lunch box to go everywhere!

itiswhatitiswhatitis · 03/06/2014 17:02

I understand Eddie ds is very similar in that he will eat ham and he will eat bread but god help us if we make a ham sandwich

BitOutOfPractice · 03/06/2014 17:02

I'd ask to speak to the lunchtime assistants. At DDs' school theyare lovely and like to help the kids. I'm sur ethey will help him. I felt so sorrry reading this that he had struggled alone and missed out on his babybel Sad

itiswhatitiswhatitis · 03/06/2014 17:02

I think in the mean time you need to speak to the SENCO again.

Original poster
SteadyEddie · 03/06/2014 17:04

He can just about unwrap the paper, but the waxy skin is beyond his skills and despite much practice he still cant get it because his pincer grip is so poor.

OP posts:
YouTheCat · 03/06/2014 17:05

Pull the waxy seal bit but leave the cheese inside. That way it's not quite unwrapped.

itiswhatitiswhatitis · 03/06/2014 17:06

Could you unwrap it peel the waxy skin strip off and then put the plastic wrapper around it again?

sleepyhead · 03/06/2014 17:07

Would he still recognise them if you pre-tore the little strip that runs round the middle of the waxy covering and then re-wrapped them loosely? So that he only had to pull the waxy covering off?

But yes, if you've already spoken to staff already about this then I don't think going to the Head is ott.

sleepyhead · 03/06/2014 17:08

Massive xpost...

KinkyDorito · 03/06/2014 17:09

This is a SEN issue and you need to contact the Head if the SENCO hasn't resolved the problem. Your SEN child not eating at lunch and not getting the extra support that he needs is a very serious issue and they should have this sorted by now.

Perhaps they could train a classmate to either open them or remind someone else to help him.

KinkyDorito · 03/06/2014 17:12

but god help us if we make a ham sandwich

I just love the logic. ASC? My daughter is Aspie and we have great fun negotiating this kind of stuff.

I'm also a teacher and have worked for over a decade in schools. It winds me up when very simple things that can make such a difference to the well-being of a child are neglected.

chocolatemademefat · 03/06/2014 17:13

Please speak to the nursery as I'm sure they would be upset that this is a worry for you. I'd put it in writing too for any new staff - if they are the only thing he enjoys I'm sure the staff will understand and want to help. I work with children and I'd hate to think something as simple as this was so worrying for you.

LottieJenkins · 03/06/2014 17:16

Can you ask for him to have a lunchtime buddy to sit with him? I know of this happening at local schools with children with SEN.