Extravagant Pack Lunches

[Diadrie]

I am a TA in a primary school in the middle of a town, real mixed background from families who are mortgage free making well into 6 figures and families living in council homes, earning minimum wage.

As part of my job I supervise the infants half at lunchtime and I have seen the more absurd pack lunches recently from one child. It’s a bento box format, very normal fruit and veg, then greek yogurt and compote, a dip (guacamole/tzatziki/hummus). The main is really star of the show though with: salmon and cream cheese bagel, steak and onion focaccia sandwich, quiche Lorraine etc.

I’m now sat thinking what a totally over the top pack lunches recently for a 5 year old, admittedly the child does finish it, but salmon and steak in children’s pack lunches??

AIBU thinking this is totally over the top, extravagant and slightly absurd.

I don’t think so, that’s their normal family food

Not really, if it’s what the child will eat and far better than a processed slice of sHam and a cheese slice!

Depends if the child likes it, they might not want a boring ham/cheese sandwhich!

Totally normal packed lunch if that's what they usually eat as a family

If the child eats it then what's the problem?

I'd bloody love it if my child would eat salmon. Honestly it just sounds like leftovers.

I don't see the issue. We often send our child in with leftover bits of a main meal (when it's nice to eat). This seems like a nice and healthy packed lunch.

It's interesting that you judge a packed lunch that a parent has clearly put some effort into. What's your thoughts on the packed lunches where it's a jam sandwich, bag of Pom Bears, Twix and juice?

The 'main', as you call it, is probably leftovers. We would have given DS things like that (well, or the vegetarian equivalent -- we're not meat eaters) with a heart and a half, only, unfortunately, he is the world's fussiest eater.

There's more to a child's school packed lunch than a limp sliced pan sandwich and a cheese string.

No i dont think it is at all OP.

In our current health crisis I applaud it.

Sounds like a nice lunch and most likely using up leftovers from the dinner the night before.

Exactly. It's dinner leftovers repurposed. Often the most straightforward way of giving a child a packed lunch that has protein, vegetables etc.

Sounds really nice and that the child is well looked after, has a balanced diet and eats great variety of foods happily.

I suppose you’d rather they brought in a Lunchables and a packet of Wotsits?

It’s “packed lunch” as well, not a “pack lunch.”

I really don't see what's wrong with that?

I'm not fancy at all, and it sounds similar to what I pack my dc.

Sounds lovely - lucky kids!

What is absurd about parents feeding their child a nutritious, balanced packed lunch and putting thought into making sure that it is a meal that they enjoy? If they eat that kind of food at home, then how is it over the top? It's their usual diet. Would turkey twizzlers and Sunny Delight be better? YABU and judgy.

It sounds a lovely healthy lunch and normal food rather then beige food.

I wouldn’t say it’s ott, sounds quite balanced tbh and if the child eats it then so what?

It sounds like a lovely packed lunch!

i think a piece or quiche or a smoked salmon bagel are completely normal things. I’m not sure I’d fancy a cold steak focaccia but if the child likes it then great.

I used to try and think of carbs that were a bit less boring than sliced bread. Focaccia, quiche, wraps, cheese scones, pasties etc all went down well with my two.

what do you consider acceptable then @Diadrie ?

Sounds like the perfect packed lunch to me.

Food isn't 'extravagant ' if you can afford it. You clearly think they are showing off, they aren't they are just giving their child a good diet.

My boys absolutely love smoked salmon they can demolish a packet at breakfast if you let them (3 and 6). I look forward to Christmas and Easter just because bigger packets come down in price!

I’m kind of amused that you’re writing this on mumsnet. Many posters think nothing of that kind of lunch for their five year old!

I say, if the kid eats it, then what’s the problem? They are fed healthy, good food, carefully and lovingly prepared.

Are there kids who turn up with a can of Monster and a bag of crisps? Those are the ones you should be concerned about.

My DD used to take all sorts of weird stuff as she didn’t like sandwiches, including soft boiled quails eggs and homemade guacamole (not together!) - why does it matter if the kids eat it?

I applaud the child's parent/caregiver for giving them a lovely lunch.