Not to switch DD to packed lunch in juniors after FSM ends?

[bumburlinga]

At our school most parents switch to packed lunches after FSM ends at end of Y2. I guess because of cost which is £2.10 a day. They’re good quality and she likes them. I LOVE the convenience and hate having to make a packed lunch (like now for Easter holiday club) and think this is worth my money.

DH isn’t here during the week and can’t see past the money aspect. He wants us (me) to start doing a pack up. This will soon turn into three lunchboxes I’m sure because I have 2 others at the school including one in the school nursery (I pay lunch because it’s not free until Reception) and I’m sure they won’t put up with biggest having a lunch box and their not having one just for the FOMO factor.

So AIBU paying for lunch after FSM ends when it would be cheaper to make?

£10.50 for five hot meals a week. Bargain. Also means that you can get away with lighter dinners at home. Definitely not unreasonable to not stop them.
My the time you've added up the packed lunch stuff - sandwich filling, crisps, snacks etc, they'll probably not be costing much less!

YANBU and your reasoning is sound.
Another reason not to have them is you don't have to buy multipacks of crisps, individual yoghurts, wrapped biscuits etc etc at all. If you do, they invariably get eaten at other times too. Way less junk eaten by everyone, and less plastic waste too.

But mainly I just really hate packing lunches with a passion- it's my worst chore!

I’m envious that other schools serve decent portions! Mine were always starving when they came home after school dinners.

£2.10 is a bargain. My kids school lunch is £5 a day 😒

Of course YANBU. We found primary school lunches were very meagre by the time they were in Y6, so make the most of it while they're still little.