what would you do?

[Mariposa]

hi all! my dd1 is in grade 2 at school and we have a little bit of a problem.

in the group that she plays in, one of her friends is always wanting some of my dd's lunch. my dd shares with her as this girl always says shes hungry ( and my dd has noticed that she doesnt get much lunch). i have spoken to the mother on a couple of occasions but its still happening.

i tell my dd that it is lovely of her for sharing, but she cant always share her food. we are now only on one income, and i have 3 children.

what would you do??

[RaryGirl]

My dd was doing this in grade 1, because she said the other child was hungry. I explained you couldn't share because we don't know if this other little girl is allergic to anything or if there was a reason she wasn't allowed more food. In the end I had to bring it up with the teacher - which is hard because you don't want to sound petty. The teacher then discussed the importance of not sharing your food from others (unless it had been discussed with the teacher first) with the entire class (reactions, diet concerns etc) and I didn't hear anymore about it.

[the_queen]

oh that is some good points there Nic71. I was going to say that I'd pack an extra sandwich for the poor wee mite, and have a chat to her mum.
But you're right, there could be food allergies/issues - and if not for her, maybe for other kids in the class, and you don't want it to become the "norm" for lunches to be shared.
So I agree with Nic71 :)

[Seekrit]

My dd was doing this in grade 1, because she said the other child was hungry. I explained you couldn't share because we don't know if this other little girl is allergic to anything or if there was a reason she wasn't allowed more food. In the end I had to bring it up with the teacher - which is hard because you don't want to sound petty. The teacher then discussed the importance of not sharing your food from others (unless it had been discussed with the teacher first) with the entire class (reactions, diet concerns etc) and I didn't hear anymore about it.

:yes: Even tho' I'm not in your situation, I've been told a few times about kids not eating their lunch/sharing lunch with others and you have to be so careful these days with allergies and what-not.

I'd go straight to the teacher and tell them about it - and ask them to ask the staff member on lunch-duty as well... as sometimes what's said in the classsroom isn't followed up on the grounds :)

[xkwzit]

Yep, I also think this is a good one to tell the teacher. You shouldn't have to spend your money feeding other ppl's children, and even if you didn't mind at all, it is not really a good idea.

Kudos to you for discussing with the other mother first though, shame she (or the daughter) didn't take the hint.

Cheers

[Mariposa]

thanks lovelies

i will go and speak with dd's teacher tomorrow, and let her know. but i still feel for the little girl. sigh*

[Ky]

My dd's friend does this to her every day - she sits almost on top of her and begs for everything out of my dd's lunch!

I have told dd that she is to tell her friend to go to the office as they will supply a sandwich for children who have no lunch.

The excuse we get is that her Mum hasn't got any food so she doesn't get enough lunch. I know her Mum and although she is a single Mum, she earns more than we do with her centrelink and child support. It is frustrating because the food this little girl takes to school is all junk! She has lcm bars etc when it would be cheaper to make sandwiches and buy her some fruit/veges!

I am now at school for 2 mornings a week helping in the classroom and stay for lunch so that ds can have lunch with the big kids ... I have witnessed the way this little girl goes about guilting dd into giving her the food - it is soooo manipulative! And, you know the funny thing ... she is after dd's carrot and jam sammies! Not even anything interesting like the piece of choccy cake!