How is it the teachers business if I pack to much food for kid?

Question

I always pack extra much food just in case she doesn't like something or doesn't feel like eating a certian thing. She knows she doesn't have to eat it all. There are some people who dont feed there kids at all and the teacher says something about me giving her to much food! I would aslo like to point out I do not pack junk food. She getsa main dish, a friut a veggie, and maybe a string cheese or something like that.

She is not overweight at all. She is actully a few pounds under weight.

I would like to point out to Lydia that the teacher is paid to put up with my child and does not have the right to say anything.

Answer 1

I can't believe that people are seriously telling you that you shouldn't be asking this question! Like the guy who assumed that you had not asked the teacher about it. Listen, said guy, she's my sister and I personally know she HAS asked her why, and the teacher has been rude to her about it! I also know how the school is run. The teacher doesn't even sit with the kids at lunch. She has absolutely no reason to even be looking in the child's lunch box. She's underweight and she comes home ravenous. It's not the teacher's place to question the amount of food she's getting anyway. The whole point of being able to send lunches for your children is because you don't want the school deciding what your child should be eating. And maybe you want her sharing with those children that don't have anything to eat, the teacher doesn't know! Not only has she been rude to you and it isn't her place to butt in to begin with, but she has specifically not asked you your reasoning for sending the food. You'd think she would ask "Well, why are you sending it?" instead of being rude and telling you it's too much. Sheesh.

Answer 2

I personally don't think that you are packing too much food with what you describe. The only way that it might become a problem is if there is too much variety and your child is having a hard time deciding what to eat and then is eating nothing. My 5 year old had this problem. Then, we made a deal that he would eat his 1/2 sandwich and fruit first (at the same time); then crackers or veggies and then the dessert. Usually, the dessert is left and he is not hungry when he comes home. Kids like string cheese and I use to buy it, but it takes FOREVER to eat it (especially at school) and there's only 20 minutes for lunch- start to finish. My daughter likes cold spaghetti, but I quit sending it because it took too long to eat.

Maybe the teacher is just trying to offer some helpful suggestions that would be best for your child. Or maybe she's just a control freak.

Answer 3

Hmm I wonder why that is too much I have a 6 yr old and this is what she gets

A sandwich
chips
breakfast bar and a fruit

Most times she doesn't eat it all but she sure does come hom hungry and eats it on the car ride home tell the teacher to mind her own damn business I swear teachers are getting ballsy I got a call from my daughters teacher today saying she had a panic attack hello is she a doctor um NO then when I asked my child about it she told me an older boy cussed at her and scared the sh*t out of her!

Answer 4

You know your child more than anyone else could possibly imagine. How did the teacher tell you this? Was a letter sent home? I could see a teacher mentioning something if a student seemed to not be getting enough, but more than enough is really no concern of anyone's except the parents and the children involved. That's like complaining about your child having too many sets of clothes, pointless really.

I don't think anyone has bashed teachers on these answers, at all. It's a matter of what is considered to be right or wrong. And yes teachers can be wrong, they are humans who make mistakes just like the rest of us.

Answer 5

Ask the teacher why she said that; she may have a good reason, and she may not.

Teachers these days are being forced to adhere to all these "healthy schools" initiatives (most of them are complete crap), so she may have been asked to be a watchdog for what kids bring in their lunches. Government agencies want complete control over what kids eat at school, so that they can hold the schools responsible for children being overweight. It's backwards, stupid, and completely unfair, but the teachers are usually forced to participate. If it's not something like this, she may have other concerns that you don't know about. Or she may just be a nosy, controlling teacher. Talk to her about it!

Answer 6

That's funny. My kids don't eat very much, so I try to pack what I think they'll eat. Both of my kids' teachers have been telling the parents to pack healthy snacks for between breakfast and lunch in addition to their lunch! I wouldn't worry about it, so long as your child isn't overweight and you are only giving her healthy food. Point out that your child only gets healthy food, that she isn't overweight, and that she doesn't have to eat all of it if she doesn't want to. After that, it's none of her business.

Answer 7

Partially, the government is cracking down on schools in what they serve students and what they allow students to bring to school. Certain restrictions make the schools crack down because they want the government funding. I would try not to take offense to it til you discuss it further with her teacher. Ask what is the problem in sending a little extra food? Explain to her that you are afraid your child will not like something you pack and you don't want her going hungry. If there is no weight problem and the food is healthy, I don't see a problem in that.

Answer 8

There are a lot of people who seem to think that this teacher needs to know her place, but all too often the teacher does need to do some of the parenting as well. Obesity is becoming a big problem among school age children as well. Perhaps this teacher WAS being a busybody or maybe she sees something you don't. Not judging or anything, just try to take an objective look before getting defensive.

Answer 9

Yea..sounds awful but teachers are really just trying to teach our children healthy eating habits. Putting extra food in her sack will overwhelm her, even if she doesn't have to eat it all. You might want to put all the choices out on a table at home and make sure she picks out the things she will eat. This will help alleviate the overwhelming decisions of what to eat. The extra food may become a distraction in class if she knows she has that food in her sach during class time she may ask to have some =/ I don't know..maybe that's not a problem but I think having her help you pack her sack will help ;)

Answer 10

I think the teacher is just trying to be helpful and aware. Perhaps the teacher does not realize there is a reason behind your theory. Perhaps, she doesn't like to see food wasted. Also, does your daughter bring to food home? If she leaves it in her lunch box all day, it might be giving off an odor in the classroom/cubby area. That can make for an unpleasant classroom environment.

I don't see anything wrong in the teacher pointing this out. However, I do think you should be packing your daughter one set lunch.....and not 5 different snacks and two different sandwiches. It IS a huge waste of food and probably a pain for her to clean up and cart to school.

And STOP bashing teachers. If you don't like teachers, please home school.