Need Lunch Packing Advice for Obstinate Son!!

[Christine]

DS10 likes the big soft frozen pretzels. They are in the freezer section near the pizzas. I take 1 or 2 out in the AM, sometimes leave plain or you can add a little water then sprinkle with the salt that's included. Put them in a Ziploc and they're thawed by lunchtime. Add a string cheese, some fruit and dessert and there's lunch.

Thanks, I'll have to check on them. I know that many years ago their was some cross-contamination issues with the frozen pretzels (my son has a peanut allergy) but it wouldn't hurt to check them out again now that the labeling has gotten better.

 

[Cass]

Make him pack his own lunch from now on.

 

[Christine]

Make him pack his own lunch from now on.

Ummm...he already does. Guess I didn't make that clear. But I do the grocery shopping and I already ask him what he wants. He has no idea. We've run through the ideas of what other kids are eating and have tried them. There is something about the quality or texture of the food by the time noon rolls around. Disgusts him for some reason.

Sorry if I didn't make that clear.

 

[Christine]

Yesterday, he decided that he would have an Uncrustables Grilled Cheese. He microwaved it first. I put boiling water in his steel thermos so it would be hot. We wrapped the sandwich in foil and stuck it in the thermos. This was all at 5:30 a.m. He told me that by lunch (noon) the sandwich was no longer warm. He ate it though. Yuck.

 

[Cass]

Ummm...he already does.

Oh, sorry... Imissed that part.

In that case, make sure he has a dynamite, healthy big breakfast and dinner and he can have an apple or something he likes at lunch.

 

[momof2inPA]

Christine, you don't think someone at school might be teasing him about his allergies, do you? Maybe they've threatened to put peanut butter in his lunch. I hope this isn't the case. Or could he be nervous about eating around the other kids at lunch who might have peanut butter?

How are his allergies handled during lunch at school? Does he have a peanut free table?

 

[Christine]

Christine, you don't think someone at school might be teasing him about his allergies, do you? Maybe they've threatened to put peanut butter in his lunch. I hope this isn't the case. Or could he be nervous about eating around the other kids at lunch who might have peanut butter?

How are his allergies handled during lunch at school? Does he have a peanut free table?

No, no one is teaing him and, actually, he handles his allergy (or his sensitivity about it) quite well.

He does not have a peanut-free table but if I asked for one, I could get it. We used to do that when he was in preschool and the lower grades, but I don't feel the need for it now and he doesn't want it. We are also very fortunate that he does not seem to react with other eating peanut butter around him.

Basically, he is just REALLY particular about his food and the way it tastes. He wants it freshly made. And, I know exactly where he gets it from--ME! I will hardly bring a pre-made sandwich to work myself. And if I do, I don't assemble the sandwich until I'm ready to eat it. There just something "nasty" to me about the bread getting soggy. I used to have a terrible time with PB&J and the jelly "soaking" through the bread. Uuugggh...nauseated me.

I think most kids just put up with it, but he's being persnickity.

 

[Disney Doll]

Time for him to do his own lunch shopping. Give him a budget (is $20.00 about right for a week's worth of lunches?) and drop him off at the door of the grocery store (sit in the car and read a magazine while you wait.) Mkae him responsible for his lunch meals - both shopping for and preapring.

Honestly, he's not going to suddenly say, "Mom! I just had some great ideas about what you can get for my lunch!!" So remove yourself from the battle. Make it his responsibility. If he's starving, them he'll have to learn that there is a relationship between what he chooses and how hungry he feels throughout the day.

If he complains, simply say, "Yes, it was too hard for me to make decisions for you, too. How are you gong to handle this issue?" Then walk away. He'll either figure out five simple meals he can fix and eat, or he'll really be hungry for your dinner!!!

I hope you don't think this is mean-spirited - it's not meant to be at all. 11 year olds are tricky, aren't they??? You sound like a great mom - but this is a a fight you won't win, so let him be in charge of it for a while.

What great advice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sounds like this not eating thing is garnering him a significant amount of attention. If he has to be completely responsible for it and you completely walk away from it, he'll eat or starve.

My guess is that an 11 year old boy will only starve for a couple of days befor he suddenly finds stuff he likes to eat that is eithin his allergy limits etc.