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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

School demanding packed meals for 18 hr bus trip

717 replies

Snoopmummy · 19/01/2024 17:09

DC is off on a school trip involving an 18 hour coach journey. School is demanding we drop children off in the evening having fed them (fine), equipped with nut free snacks (makes sense). We have also been asked to provide TWO meals: a packed breakfast and a packed lunch.

That means breakfast will be consumed 13 hours after they set off and lunch will be something like 17 hours later. Is there any food that can safely last for that length of time in an insulated bag or flask? DC does not like dried fruit or cereal bars.

AIBU to consider asking for the risk assessment over this and suggesting we equip them with money to get food on the way as they will need to stop anyway?!

OP posts:
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5
fuckityfuckityfuckfuck · 22/01/2024 23:04

HuntingForChicken · 22/01/2024 23:00

Add the fact these teachers are volunteering to take the pupils away during half term….

With no extra pay. Working their holidays for free.

sunglassesonthetable · 23/01/2024 00:07

they don't seem to be doing more than that, in relation to meals in this particular case though.

What are you seeing?

Fine dining on trays up and down the coach aisle? 2 courses and a veggie choice?

Afternoon tea? Brunch at the foothills of the Alps?

Nutritious yet easily prepared and cleaned up on board.

A carefully selected route of recommended watering holes that will cater for a bunch of unruly, tired, and guaranteed fussy primary schoolers? That will add HOURS to the journey?

40 odd Young children bouncing, fussing and let loose around a busy continental services unable to decide, read or order. Not understanding the money. Did you see that as the expectation?

@Anothernewname123

saraclara · 23/01/2024 00:22

Anothernewname123 · 22/01/2024 21:57

This is exactly what happens on my kids school trips that are overnight and/or abroad.
Would mean the teachers would have to do more than say 'open your packed lunch/tea' though.Hmm

Show quote history

And these are trips for 9 year olds? As a teacher there is no way I'd let a coach load of nine year olds buy their own food in a crowded foreign service station with foreign currency that they've never used before and no language skills.

Now THAT would be a safeguarding issue. How on earth could the teachers keep tabs on them?
15-16 year olds, fine (though still stressful). But it would be insane to do this with 9 year olds.

Mywhoopdeedoo · 23/01/2024 06:51

Anothernewname123 · 22/01/2024 21:57

This is exactly what happens on my kids school trips that are overnight and/or abroad.
Would mean the teachers would have to do more than say 'open your packed lunch/tea' though.Hmm

Show quote history

You forgot ‘teachers are getting a free holiday’ on your twatty parent bingo card

Spicybeanburger · 23/01/2024 07:52

Mywhoopdeedoo · 23/01/2024 06:51

You forgot ‘teachers are getting a free holiday’ on your twatty parent bingo card

Show quote history

Oooft poor teachers if that's what counts as a holiday (wrangling 100 teens) I'll stay home! 😂

VickyEadieofThigh · 23/01/2024 12:12

Anothernewname123 · 22/01/2024 22:28

@Theimpossiblegirl they don't seem to be doing more than that, in relation to meals in this particular case though.

Do tell what you think they should be doing.

HonoriaLucastaDelagardie · 23/01/2024 14:54

Do tell what you think they should be doing.

Going by the experience of a friend of mine who took a school party skiing, the first night in the hotel/hostel, they will be continually having to get up to tell over-excited kids to stop making so much noise, go to bed and go to sleep.

Anothernewname123 · 23/01/2024 15:02

@VickyEadieofThigh

Per the trips my (primary aged) kids went on:

  • supervising purchasing of food at a service station en route
  • supervising purchasing of food in the airport post-security but before flight.
The same happened with my eldest at secondary age trips but the teachers just lets them go and buy there own stuff rather than supporting/helping.

It's perfectly possible to ensure kids eat an actual meal en route, not some of the unpleasant suggestions of cheese sandwiches that haven't been refrigerated for 17+ hours and those individual-wrapped pastries that never go off. But, like I say, it would be more work for the teachers in comparison to saying 'open your packed meal now'.

saraclara · 23/01/2024 15:20

Anothernewname123 · 23/01/2024 15:02

@VickyEadieofThigh

Per the trips my (primary aged) kids went on:

  • supervising purchasing of food at a service station en route
  • supervising purchasing of food in the airport post-security but before flight.
The same happened with my eldest at secondary age trips but the teachers just lets them go and buy there own stuff rather than supporting/helping.

It's perfectly possible to ensure kids eat an actual meal en route, not some of the unpleasant suggestions of cheese sandwiches that haven't been refrigerated for 17+ hours and those individual-wrapped pastries that never go off. But, like I say, it would be more work for the teachers in comparison to saying 'open your packed meal now'.

I think this is the first time I've ever questioned the veracity of a post. But frankly, I don't believe a word of that.

Buying food on the airside of an airport? Primary school kids? The list of reasons why that's an incredibly insane idea that no teacher would entertain, is as long as my arm.

And no teacher or tour company would want to add the amount of time that service station arrangement would put on to an already 18 hour journey.

sunglassesonthetable · 23/01/2024 16:51

It's perfectly possible to ensure kids eat an actual meal en route, not some of the unpleasant suggestions of cheese sandwiches that haven't been refrigerated for 17+ hours and those individual-wrapped pastries that never go off.

No one said it was IMPOSSiBLE - just unwanted, unnecessary stress and time consuming.

And who cares apart from you?

My kids are robust and healthy - nothing I've ever provided for those sort of epic trips impinged on them a dot.
@Anothernewname123

sunglassesonthetable · 23/01/2024 16:55

But, like I say, it would be more work for the teachers in comparison to saying 'open your packed meal now'.

I really doubt teachers would bother to say that. Some kids would have been well into their lunch boxes by the time they'd left the car park.

Mywhoopdeedoo · 23/01/2024 17:27

Anothernewname123 · 23/01/2024 15:02

@VickyEadieofThigh

Per the trips my (primary aged) kids went on:

  • supervising purchasing of food at a service station en route
  • supervising purchasing of food in the airport post-security but before flight.
The same happened with my eldest at secondary age trips but the teachers just lets them go and buy there own stuff rather than supporting/helping.

It's perfectly possible to ensure kids eat an actual meal en route, not some of the unpleasant suggestions of cheese sandwiches that haven't been refrigerated for 17+ hours and those individual-wrapped pastries that never go off. But, like I say, it would be more work for the teachers in comparison to saying 'open your packed meal now'.

😂😂😂😂😂😂 tell me you’ve never done a school trip ………

Longma · 23/01/2024 18:30

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines. at the request of it's author.

HonoriaLucastaDelagardie · 23/01/2024 19:06

It's perfectly possible to ensure kids eat an actual meal en route,

How? Do the teachers stand over every child as s/he buys food, telling them what they are and aren't allowed to order, and no, they can't have chips or a burger or a slice of pizza?

CasperGutman · 23/01/2024 20:08

HonoriaLucastaDelagardie · 23/01/2024 19:06

It's perfectly possible to ensure kids eat an actual meal en route,

How? Do the teachers stand over every child as s/he buys food, telling them what they are and aren't allowed to order, and no, they can't have chips or a burger or a slice of pizza?

And no, you can't have that because (consults list of medical information) you have an allergy to celery, and the item you have chosen says it may contain traces of that ingredient. Can you imagine?

Secondary pupils, who can be expected to take responsibility for their own dietary requirements, yes. Primary pupils? No.

fuckityfuckityfuckfuck · 23/01/2024 20:10

Anothernewname123 · 23/01/2024 15:02

@VickyEadieofThigh

Per the trips my (primary aged) kids went on:

  • supervising purchasing of food at a service station en route
  • supervising purchasing of food in the airport post-security but before flight.
The same happened with my eldest at secondary age trips but the teachers just lets them go and buy there own stuff rather than supporting/helping.

It's perfectly possible to ensure kids eat an actual meal en route, not some of the unpleasant suggestions of cheese sandwiches that haven't been refrigerated for 17+ hours and those individual-wrapped pastries that never go off. But, like I say, it would be more work for the teachers in comparison to saying 'open your packed meal now'.

You sent your primary aged child on a plane without you and dare to criticise parents sending a cheese sandwich?

kisstheblarney · 23/01/2024 20:53

Anothernewname123 · 23/01/2024 15:02

@VickyEadieofThigh

Per the trips my (primary aged) kids went on:

  • supervising purchasing of food at a service station en route
  • supervising purchasing of food in the airport post-security but before flight.
The same happened with my eldest at secondary age trips but the teachers just lets them go and buy there own stuff rather than supporting/helping.

It's perfectly possible to ensure kids eat an actual meal en route, not some of the unpleasant suggestions of cheese sandwiches that haven't been refrigerated for 17+ hours and those individual-wrapped pastries that never go off. But, like I say, it would be more work for the teachers in comparison to saying 'open your packed meal now'.

GrinGrinGrinGrinGrinGrinGrinGrinGrinGrinGrinGrin

Boomarang · 23/01/2024 21:05

I wouldn’t worry too much about the import restrictions. We drive regularly to France over ski season and it’s so busy I swear I could have a dead horse in the boot and no one would notice.

I accidentally left 3kg of delicious French cheese in a shopping bag under a seat on our way home last year. Didn’t even pause to consider if it would be spoiled when I found it there back in U.K.

mmmmmmm cheeeeese.

Anothernewname123 · 23/01/2024 22:19

@fuckityfuckityfuckfuck
What a weird comment! Yes, the plane transported them there. It was within the Uk but coach trip would have taken much much longer. Why is that a problem? Or any different to them being on a coach without me? Confused

I would bet my life the teachers on the trip won't be eating 17 hour old packed lunches.

kisstheblarney · 23/01/2024 22:41

Anothernewname123 · 23/01/2024 22:19

@fuckityfuckityfuckfuck
What a weird comment! Yes, the plane transported them there. It was within the Uk but coach trip would have taken much much longer. Why is that a problem? Or any different to them being on a coach without me? Confused

I would bet my life the teachers on the trip won't be eating 17 hour old packed lunches.

Surely the teachers were in 1st class, leaving the poor students in economy? I mean they've got a free holiday, surely you wouldn't begrudge them going 1st class?

I bet you're a joy at parents evening!

sunglassesonthetable · 23/01/2024 23:09

I would bet my life the teachers on the trip won't be eating 17 hour old packed lunches.

I pack my lunchbox the night before for work tbh. It easily lasts 17 hrs.
You're very precious.

sunglassesonthetable · 23/01/2024 23:10

What are you so concerned about @Anothernewname123 ?

Teachers being lazy?

Anothernewname123 · 23/01/2024 23:10

@kisstheblarney
It was EasyJet?!

Really, are there no actual responses to the point I'm making?

Why can't the teachers just supervise the kids to buy a fresher meal en route? It's possible but not as easy as just saying bring a packed lunch (even if it's minging by the time you eat it).

Anothernewname123 · 23/01/2024 23:14

@sunglassesonthetable

That kids have to eat horrible food to make life easier for the teachers. There's not much I wouldn't eat but food that's sat in a bag for 18+ hours is something I couldn't stomach. And I don't think it's fair to ask kids to do that for convenience. The staff are being asked to facilitate a fresh-er meal en route, not solve world peace and fly to the moon 🙄

sunglassesonthetable · 23/01/2024 23:17

Why can't the teachers just supervise the kids to buy a fresher meal en route? It's possible but not as easy as just saying bring a packed lunch (even if it's minging by the time you eat it).

Lots of teachers have explained why. You're ignoring them. Admit it.

Of course " it's possible '". Just time consuming and fraught with difficulties. And for what?

Because it's outrageous to eat crackers, crisps and an apple for a change? Why won't you admit that is just as possible?

@Anothernewname123