I must say though that bringing in Subway and even a healthy choice from McDonalds was better than what the school served. It was a small private school, but the lunches were extremely unhealthy. My kids did not buy at the school and my Mc'Ds was their treat. I actually feel sorry for little ones and parents now. It was a very nice treat being with them and giving them a little special something.
In our case, the school walks the walk-the quality of food is excellent, the kids can always pick a salad with/without meat, lots of fresh veggies, no crazy milk with a ton of additives. It's consistent-no garbage food in the cafeteria. The teachers voted to remove the soda machine from their breakroom as part of a "Biggest Loser" school challenge. One of my kid's teachers said they about lost their minds after the first week of no Coke...
Our school cafeteria is also putting this rule into place, because apparently there are some parents that are very rude when eating in school with their kids!
One day when I was eating with my Kinder. daughter, there was a lady eating with her daughter a few tables over. SHE BROUGHT McDonalds (no biggie...)she got a big mac and fries...BUT she ALSO BROUGHT A LARGE SHAKE!!!! I was ready to go ask her how mean she was trying to be!?!?!? All the other kids around her were just staring at the shake. I felt bad. All these kids have to eat school food and she brings a shake bigger than their heads!
There's this this one family from India that comes to eat with their son at school. When they come, they bring a whole tables worth of food all in these special containers. It always smells good- but people question if that should be allowed- because this mom sets up an entire table with dishes, cups and bowls- then dishes everyone of her kids up (she brings 3 more that aren't school age yet) and then her son that's in school comes to sit with them.
I don't think it's wrong of a parent to bring 'outside' food in for lunch- I've done it myself (still respecting the fact that I'll be around kids and I don't want anyone to feel bad)...but when they come and set up the entire table- I (and many others) think that's not a good thing. Especially when the lunch room is so cramped for space as it is already! The principal asked her if it's a 'special traditional thing' to do- she said 'no' so I believe this will not be happening past this year!
I can see it now, a ban on foods that smell good
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or anyplace else you could be alone with other peoples children without close supervision.
I would not be happy with random parents/relatives showing up to have lunch at school. I don't know who these people are and it would be difficult for the school to monitor it. Security is very tight here and you cannot go into the school just to walk around etc. I like it that way.
We have to check in on an automated system (monitored by the lady at the front desk who I swear knows every parent!) with our driver's license, and then wear the sticker that pops out with our name and image on it and where our destination is. There are too many darn kids in that school to ever be "alone" with any of them
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Everyone needs to do what works for them, but I have a different theory. I DO care how often other parents do things and keep myself in check to provide "normal" support for my child. Since I am involved in PTSA and band boosters, I might be there more than the average parent but I work hard to make sure I am not more visable than the average parent. I basically ask my child permission every time I'm going to be visible at their school. Otherwise I stick to things where I'm not seen by students.
I feel the same way-school is my kid's turf. They have a delicate balance of where they are on the social totem pole there. I'm not going to upset it by embarrassing them, so I'll usually say, do you want me to come in for xyz? Sometimes it's yes, sometimes it's no. I respect that, and they appreciate me respecting them. I also try not to look like a goof when I show up.
I eat with him a couple times a year when I am volunteering at the school for the book fair or Santa's Workshop or whatever. I think it should be a special thing and not a regular thing. Kids need to learn to be their own little people and function in the lunch room on their own.
I completely do not agree, though, with the parent bringing in McDonald's, Subway or anything else like that. It's just not fair to the other kids. If you want your child to have McDonald's or Subway for lunch, come get them and take them out.
For some parents its a regular thing if their kid needs it, for some it's a special thing. I don't judge how often others want to come in.
I do not agree with the idea that bringing in outside food is not "fair". I agree with not bringing in outside food that's unhealthy, but a turkey sub from Subway on whole grain bread is tasty and healthy. That's like saying the school should mandate what I can send the kids in with in their lunchboxes (ok, they do, but beyond no crap, I mean).
I sent one kid in with hot spaghetti and meatballs that I had made in the crockpot over the weekend and she said everyone was drooling and saying how hungry it made them. I don't see where that's a problem. Or the garlic bread that went in the box with it. The next day she got PB&J, and some other kid had something cool. It's no big deal, kids are not so fragile they can't take someone else having a treasure trove in their lunch box every now and then...
OP here. I went today. She loved it she was happy to show me off. LOL
Yay! Did you get a headache? I do, those kids are loud.
It's been a while since we've posted on the same DIS thread!!!!
