Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To bring a snack to school pickup?

101 replies

cadburyegg · 12/09/2019 21:45

DS1 started reception yesterday, he’s sensitive and emotional so we’ve had tears on drop off both days, so yesterday I brought some sausage rolls at pickup time because I thought he would be hungry. Yesterday he was teary at pickup and first thing he said was that he was starving and after he’d eaten he was chirpier. Well my mum came with me today and was a bit Hmm about me bringing him a snack, started talking about childhood obesity etc. For reference DS1 is very active, 30th centile and we walk/DS1 rides his bike home which takes about 20 minutes, he still eats a good amount of dinner! So AIBU to bring snacks?! Suddenly I’m doubting myself!

OP posts:
RoseMartha · 12/09/2019 21:46

My kids ate starving after school. A snack is fine.

Crunchymum · 12/09/2019 21:47

30th centile?

WarshipWarrior · 12/09/2019 21:48

YANBU but maybe something healthier than sausage rolls.

highheelsandbobblehats · 12/09/2019 21:50

I always take snacks to pick up. My two are always starving and have been ever since Reception (Y4 and Y2 now). Most days I'm greeted with 'whats my snack?!' before I get so much as a hello.

Let your mum think what she likes. Your circus, your monkeys.

SallyLovesCheese · 12/09/2019 21:50

I find most kids in my classes are hungry at the end of the day, especially early years when they do so much active stuff all day.

Calic0 · 12/09/2019 21:50

A snack is fine, of course. But a sausage roll isn’t much beyond processed meat and fat so not the most obvious choice which might be the cause of the raised eyebrows. You know how everything balances out over the course of the day, someone witnessing that as a one off does not.

Headingtowardsforty · 12/09/2019 21:50

I always take a snack for my son. We have to walk home and it's all up hill - I'd never get him home if I didn't feed him!

barryfromclareisfit · 12/09/2019 21:52

I took cheese and fruit things, and a drink, for dgd. They’re tired and hungry after the school day.

Passthecherrycoke · 12/09/2019 21:52

There is only so much that will fill him and is portable so I think sausage rolls are a good idea.

This is really common and one of those “top tips for starting school” ime-our pick up is full of parents shoving snacks at the children before they’ve even had a chance to say hi

ChoccieEClaire · 12/09/2019 21:54

My DD was always super hungry when she came out if school. She's 13 now and still has a snack when she gets in! I found a snack wound keep her going until dinner time.

MittsMajuna · 12/09/2019 21:55

Whatever works for you two!
He could have a banana etc.

Tell your mum to zip it.

chesterdraws1 · 12/09/2019 21:58

Fuck me OP. Not being horrible but are you seriously asking an Internet forum if you should give your kid a snack when it's hungry?

CassianAndor · 12/09/2019 21:59

Everyone does it. Lots of kids eat very little for lunch.

Muddlingalongalone · 12/09/2019 22:03

Our HT suggested we bring after-school snacks coz they have lunch at 11:40 and are generally starving.
It's fine.

LolaSmiles · 12/09/2019 22:04

Don't doubt yourself. If he's fit and healthy then who cares.

I do think there's a growing obsession with snacking though where seemingly kids will die of hunger if not given something fun and snack related every hour. There seems to now be a market for snacks that must be worth a fortune and even healthy options aren't brilliant eg. pre wrapped cheese portion/ flapjacks in a plastic wrapper / mini plastic bags of fruit.
Cynically I do think this marketing of snacks around kids is all about priming them to be adults who'll buy lots of snacks.

IamMoana · 12/09/2019 22:08

My daughter started school this week & we had tears over being hungry when I picked her up. Now bring an Apple, satsuma & Banana and she can have any of those or wait until tea. Has definitely helped.

Neveam · 12/09/2019 22:11

They haven't had anything since lunch time. A sausage roll is fine. They only want something to eat when they get in anyway.

PinkFlowerFairy · 12/09/2019 22:11

We never did til we got home and had a proper sit down snack. Could be healthier like hummus and breadsticks/pita/ crumpets or chocolate bar or ice lolly sometimes.

Wed never really done eating walking aling and only a few did it at our school so I thought it was odd! A bit like the mums that tried ti feed their kids McDonalds.

But that said if the kid wants it and youre happy to do it its noone elses business.

inesj · 12/09/2019 22:13

Every child I see at school gets a snack and a drink at pick up.
It's the first thing my two ask for as they are hungry and tired.
They get fruit and biscuits and water or squash.

Blubluboo · 12/09/2019 22:14

Lol if you saw the size portions they give kids you wouldn't be doubting yourself.

PinkFlowerFairy · 12/09/2019 22:18

Wow inesj it must vary by area or school culture. Sometimes if some parents do something it spreads.

Im v pro hunger led eating but have always said wed have a snack whem were sat down at home. I guess as thats what we started with its what they expect snd they know they can sit down and eat at home.

zxcvhjkl · 12/09/2019 22:20

My DCs would eat the hind legs of a rabid dog before we've even left the playground given half a chance.

YANBU. After school snacks are totally normal.

Perhaps consider something fruit or veg based instead, but you know your DC taste best so who am I to judge.

Pumpkintopf · 12/09/2019 22:22

Snack is a good idea especially if it helps with mood/tears!

Sunflowers211 · 12/09/2019 22:23

That's exactly what I thought @chesterdraws1 !

Original poster
cadburyegg · 12/09/2019 22:23

Thanks for the comments , will rethink the snack as I know it’s not the healthiest.

30th centile is for height/weight, he is on the smaller side

OP posts:
Swipe left for the next trending thread