- Watermelon
- SnapPea Crisps
- Sunflower seeds
- Whole Grain Ritz Sandwiches with Cream Cheese
- Water
- Snack: Graham crackers (not pictured)
What Came Home?
First day of 3rd grade and that's what came home in his lunch box.
"What happened?" I said.
"Lunch went REALLY fast," he replied.
"Fast? You didn't eat anything!"
"Yes I did! I had a cracker sandwich, some green things and some watermelon."
"Yeah, like one of each. You much be starving!"
"No, I'm not hungry."
"Really. OK, what did you buy?"
"Cheetos."
"Oh, did you?"
And the lecture began (in the calmest way possible).
We talked about wasting food and how he should focus on his healthy choices and only eat snacks if he has extra time and is still hungry. We also talked about how it's disrespectful to me, as the person who took time to make him lunch, not to eat it.
Let see how he does tomorrow.
Oh! and I should add HE chose what he brought!
Damn, I love cheetos! lol. I can't believe elementary schools have a vending machine or allow kids to buy JUNK food!? Ugh. (I didn't have that choice until High School.... and we ALL were making the wrong choices and eating horribly).
I started putting chips in the kids lunches BAD IDEA, as I saw the fruit and the bottles of water coming home! NO MORE CHIPS, and no more snackies. Sammich, fruit, granola bar, and water, THATS IT! Sammich and fruit for lunch should be enough... considering my kids use lunch to chit chat.
Ohhhhhh I can relate. My third grader has been pulling crap like this (on and off) since first grade. He gets tired of being "that kid" who brings lunch every day, so I finally relented a bit. He now brings his lunch 4 days per week, and gets one lunch per week at school. Our school is generally pretty good about offering healthy items, but sometimes it's just junk. I initially let him choose the day, but he started choosing hot dog day instead of chef's salad (which he loves). So now, we discuss each week's menu and I ask him "what's the healthiest meal this week at school?" Not perfect, but preferable to hot dogs (barf).
I told my first grader I wanted her to bring her leftovers home too. First day, she forgot. But hasn't since, and most of the time she doesn't eat much. I was including a "snack" like fruit snacks or a Little Debbie, but those are no longer going in cause that was all she'd eat. Her problem is she talks too much and next thing you know, lunch is over. She has been coming home and finishing herlunch afterschool though
damn cheetos. This is my first year packing a lunch for school for my first grader so I am thrilled to have your ideas and lunch wisdom :-} thanks Roni!!!
With six kids 23 to 12 years been there done that and am still doing "the talk". It is a tough situation you can lead by example but those darn Cheetos call to them! And there is nothing that makes me madder than a wasted lunch! I finally loosened the choke caller and let them buy hot lunch once a week.
Ahahah. The "Cheetos" response literally made me laugh. I know, that's not what you want to hear - and it's probably my worst fear when it comes time for me to have a kid too. Just keep living the best example 🙂
Roni,
I love how he knew to bring it all back home....that's a great habit that we got our kids into as well. At least then I know if it all comes back then they are buying food, "borrowing" food or are really, really hungry. Better than my friend whose daughter was just tossing her sandwich in the trash and she didn't know that she wasn't eating (or was eating off of other kids' lunches).
It always amazes me when they pack their own lunch (or pick it out) and then don't eat it.
Good luck this year -- love following the lunches that make it!
I am always perplexed when this happens in my house too... nothing was eaten?!
There are no vending machines in our elementary schools though... so my kid has truly eaten nothing!
I feel like I'm going to struggle with this as I have a Kindergartner who is so picky!
Wow, even with a bag of Cheetos I'd think he would be starving!! Must have a small appetite! Best of luck for the following lunches!! Can't believe he is back at school so early. Schools here don't start until September 3.