Do you give your kids money to buy their lunch in school... or do you give them a packed lunch...
Back in the days when i was still studying... i hated packed lunch and convinced my mother to just give me money to buy food at the cafeteria... but now that i have a baby... i think i would rather make her lunch that let her buy one... this, i think is a lot healthier and safer for my daughter...
Even if the school administration guarantees the cleanliness of how the food is prepared... we can never be too sure...
[question posted by aseretdd]
responses and comments:
Sometimes I give them money to buy food in school. Some other time, I prepare packed lunch for them. It depends on the availability of the food and if we wake up early. But most of the time, they bring their own food in school. That way, it's cheaper than buying food in school.happy [danzer]
That is another advantage of a packed lunch... it is so much cheaper... even though time is needed to prepare it... but i guess we can make that sacrifice as long as it is for the best interest of our children... thanks for the response... [aseretdd]
most days the children get packed lunches,it gets too expensive all the times.for a treat every now and then i will buy them lunch from the canteen,and when i am running late in the mornings.cheers sue [suehan1]
That is very sweet of you to treat your kids from time to time... they must be looking forward to it and are ecstatic when it does happen... everything is expensive nowadays... i just hope that we will all survive this current crisis... thanks for the response... [aseretdd]
I think a packed lunch is healthier and probably more sanitary. Having worked as a substitute teacher in the elementary grades off and on I've seen some pretty nasty refrigerators in school cafeterias. I never had a hot lunch at school in all the years I was a student, and it was hard to see other students eating yummy looking entrees, but I lived, lol. Even in graduate school, I mostly ate peanut butter sandwiches and apple, and maybe celery and carrot sticks. Sometimes I juiced apples and celery together and put a quart of it in the freezer the night before and then drank the juice as it melted. I was skinny then. [drannhh]
I was also skinny then... but i rarely pack lunch... i was too lazy to prepare... and my mother worked late nights so she was still sleeping when i go off to school... and looking back... i wished i packed my lunch... i could have saved some money... thanks for the response... [aseretdd]
You are right,I'd rather take packed lunch everyday than lunch money.Packed lunch by ourselves are more healthier and safer.I'm not married now,but when I have kids,I will make them packed lunch as possible as I can. [gxnfly]
Buying lunch is convinient only for those who are very busy... but if time permits... it is best to make one's own lunch... there are more benefits in doing that.. thanks for the response... [aseretdd]
I have no choice but to have packed luch for my kids when they are in elem and high school. I also give them some money but not enough to buy a cellphone! LOL! Come colloge, I give them money because by this time they already know how to budget their allowance and at the same time buy nutritious food. My threat is that when they grow thinner, they will have packed lunch. there is even a case when my daughter told me she prefers packed lunch when she was 2nd year college because they are too bust to buy their food. The sort of share their food and all her classmates did enjoy it. [everlasting]
I remember those days when my classmates who packed their lunch would share it to those who don't... it was like more delicious that the food we buy at the canteen... maybe because of the labor of love put into it... nice that you take time to really take care of your children... thanks for the response... [aseretdd]
hello aseretdd we used to give both of our boys money to purchase their lunch in school each day. and sometimes they want money to purchase breakfast with. but now since that we had the problem at the elementary school with the lunch lady, since last October i have been packing two school lunches everyday of the week for them. like you said, that way we do know what our kids are eating for their lunch each day. on Thursday night's is boy scout night and after scout's is over with for the night, then we always stop by McDonald's to get the boys both a hamburger for their lunch on each Friday. that gives them a change of pace from a sandwich or a hot Dog or something like that. this August when school starts back here in Tennessee, (in the hottest part of the year), both of the boys are going to need a new lunch box. have a beautiful day today! [RLFinNash]
your very welcome. [RLFinNash]
My kids eat at school. We get reduced lunches so it only costs .40 cents for lunch that is alot cheaper than how much it would cost me to pack a lunch and that way they get a hot meal not a cold sandwhich. [luvstochat]
A .40 cents lunch is quite cheap... how can the school afford that... i wish that can happen to all schools... but then... how about the quality of the food that is served to your kids... that is the main concern of a lot of parents nowadays... thanks for the response... [aseretdd]
I used to always use a packed lunch, but after my sleep patterns got thrown off and I lost the time in the morning to pack a lunch, I just started to buy my lunch outside of the school. [iamlord]
That was also one of my problems... waking up early to pack my lunch... until now... i can rarely pack a lunch... since i don't or can't wake up early... i just buy from the canteen or a fast food like Mac Donald's or Jollibee... thanks for the response... and welcome to mylot... i hope you enjoy your stay here... [aseretdd]
When I was in school we went home for lunch I've been out for a looooong time. So my Mom always had a nice lunch for us. I was always jealous of the kids that got to stay in school during lunch time. But then they discontinued the lunch program just when I went into Jr, High. so a packed lunch it was. Not so cool afterall. I ssay all this to lay the ground work for the rest of this response. When I started sending my own kids to school I had to pack their lunch. This was another job for me to da all the time not that I don't want to take the time to pack a nice lunch and cut the sandwiches into little hearts once in a while and add notes. I have done all of these things for them. For three years the city tried to get a hot lunch program into the schools by vote. I was always there on voting day saying YES. For three years it was shot down. Finally about 5 years ago it passed and we do have the hot lunch program. Yeah we won. I toured the facility where the food it produced and it is exceptionally clean. They have an open door policy so you can tour it anytime as a parent. Anyway I am thrilled with this and now I only have one child in school and we go through the menu and if she doesn't like something one day we do pack a lunch. so we have the best of both worlds. No longer a JOB to pack a lunch and I feel safe that the food my daughter eats if safely prepared. I have never heard of anyone getting e coli from schools although I am sure it could happen but not in our school district. [Purplelaurii77]
Wow... that is such a great lunch program... if the school where my daughter will study have that... then i wouldn't mind giving her the money to buy her lunch... and i would just pop in from time to time just to make sure that they prepare the food right... thanks for the response... [aseretdd]
Children are the growing citizens of the country.All cautions should be taken for their growth. I prefer to give a good home cooked food as it is hygienic in condition which is very helpful for especially children.Outside food should be totally avoided.though we kn ow that it is unhygienic how can we see our children eating that stuff. [gyaneshwarrao]
I totally agree with you... in the past... this was not really a problem... but with the growing demand... some establishments sacrifice the quality of food so that they can have more profit... so now that i have my own daughter... i prefer to prepare her food... than let her eat one that i am not sure how it was cooked... thanks for the response... [aseretdd]
When I was a kid, I always had lunch money. I hated having packed lunch because, during those times, a lot of kids consider this uncool. I would buy from the school canteen or those street vendors outside the school. Looking back, I think it would have been better if I had a packed lunch and lunch money. I would have saved up a lot of money. LOL! [jing_ocampo]
I agree with you... a packed lunch was viewed as uncool before... and a lot prefer just to buy... but i don't really buy from the street... just those cafeterias... or fast food chains... and thinking back... if i had to do it all over again... i think i would have just packed my lunch... thanks for the response... and welcome to mylot... i hope you enjoy your stay here... [aseretdd]
Everyday I pack a lunch for my son to take to school with him. If he comes home with permission slip for hot lunch days when they have hot Dogs or hamburgers then I'll give him money for it. I use to also get money from my parents for the cafeteria in school and buy friend fries all the time. My son hasn't reached the age yet where they have cafeteria's yet and I think they just eat in their classroom so we have no choice but to send a packed lunch. They do although suggestful tips on what choices we should make in order to provide our kids with healthy foods and send home flyers with the Food Guide on it as a hint. [nixxi76]
I understand... your son is still too young to buy his own food... and a packed lunch is the best and only option for now... and i think that is a good thing... especially when the school is helping you by suggesting tips on the kind of healthy food to prepare... thanks for the response... [aseretdd]
my kids usually go to their friends dad work... and they have top ramen! LOL otherwise they wait til they get home... don't have a clue how they do that! [KKKBsmom]
Top ramen... do they eat the ready to eat ones... those that need only hot water... because eating that sort of ramen everyday is not good for the kidneys... but i think they will grow tired of eat ones they have it for like 4 to 5 days straight... thanks for the response... [aseretdd]
I think a home packed lunch is better for kids. I always made their lunches until middle school. Once they were in high school, they barely got time to eat at all. I gave them lunch money everyday. I didn't worry about sanitation at the time. When kids get to a certain age, bringing a lunch from home is 'uncool'. [anawar]
I never thought about how giving my kids lunch money would help them later in life to budget their money. Very insightful! [anawar]
ever since elementary school my mom always gave me money for my lunches all the way through highschool. Well not so much my junior and senior year, then i would mooch off of other peoples food my best friend would always buy me food . [jamie08]
i didnt think taking a lunch to school was cool lol!!! [jamie08]
not to mention cheaper! my older daughter is in highschool and has the option of purchasing her lunch but she takes her lunch every day (i do pick up snacks when they are on sale such as dunkaroos and fruit by the foot) so she is not lacking for treats. i pack my daughters' lunches the night before (they make their sandwich in the morning - they are 11 and almost 15). [cher913]
Your daughter must be good at saving money if she prefers a packed lunch... good thing you are there to give her all the snacks that she needs... i would certainly do the same thing for my daughter when she starts going to school... thanks for the response... [aseretdd]
Until I found out my children qualified for reduced priced lunches, they took their packedlunches to school. It costs them .40 a day for lunch now. My aunt is the head cook so I don't worry about the cleanliness. Her grandchildren eat there as well, I'm almost positive she wouldn't let her grandchildren eat there if she kept a unhealthy kitchen, unfortunately not all cafeterias are the same way. [tarheelnancy]
I agree... not all cafeterias are monitored for their cleanliness... you are lucky to have an aunt who works where your children eat their lunch... that way... you are sure that the food they eat is as clean and safe as the ones you prepare at home... thanks for the response... [aseretdd]
i always give them packed lunch and just little money...i give them extra money just incase theyre still hungry, they could buy some more snacks and drinks. although i told them if they dont eat the food i prepared im not gonna give them money anymore. usually on a weekend i let them choose what lunches they wanna bring to school then either we buy it or we prepare it in advance and just keep it frozen. [joimarquez]
i agree...thats why we all go to the grocery amd i check the lunches they wanna buy... [joimarquez]
My children have packed lunches, it started off this way basically because we cannot afford to pay for 3 children to have a school meal every day, so packed lunch was cheaper. Also I know for a fact that my kids will not eat what the school have on their menu, they send a copy of the weeks meals out each week and I can honestly say that there is not a thing on it they will have. Plus my children have always just had a sandwich for their dinners, it has always been this way and then we have a proper meal in the evening, so a school dinner would be way too much for them. [gemini_rose]
Having all three children going to school is quite financially straining... so it is good that you are resourceful enough to prepare packed lunch for each of them... as long as they eat what you prepare them... and they are healthy... then the packed lunch should continue... thanks for the response... [aseretdd]
We do both. We have a school menu and she goes through and decides which days to eat at school and which days to pack a lunch. [cmelton]
So in your case it is a combination of buying lunch... and packed lunch... not bad... at least you get to experience the best of both worlds... thanks for the response and welcome to mylot... i hope you enjoy your stay her... [aseretdd]
when my first born started to go to high school i no longer give him packed lunch. i think he is responsible enough to have his own money. but i was wrong after a month of that he was rush at the hospital because of tummy aches. he is not buying lunch but instead just eating junk foods and them oney he used it on internet games. from then on i get back to giving him packed lunch. i was sure, that he eats. but when he was at his third year up to fourth year i still give him packed lunch and money too. i want to see if he is responsible. now he would be starting college. of course i wont pack his lunch anymore, but he has to make sure he will be eating right or else i will let him bring his lunch again just to humiliate him. lol [roniroxas]
Seven thousand for only 24 hours... oh my... it is really so expensive to be sick nowadays... so it is very important to be cautious of what we eat so that we can be as healthy as we can... i am pretty sure that your son learned his lesson... [aseretdd]
My GD is a picky eater so she only buys on certain days, but it is like $2 for a lunch and I've seen the menu and it is certainly not worth 2 bucks what they give! When I was in school, they didn't have cafeterias. YOu had to bring your lunch. You could buy milk, but that was it. (in the 60's in CA) But once back east and in middle school...i wanted to buy lunch so bad, but with 4 kids, mom couldn't afford it. So we had to take all the time, and then even bring our paper bags home to reuse again! Thought at the time it was embaressing, but then as a mom, my kids brought theirs home too! I was on the low income plan and they could buy lunch for 45 cents so they usually bought until high school, then they'd take or buy as the menu was. That was about the time the school started letting fast foods come in and cater - Taco Bell and such. [coffeebreak]
Yeah and I did the cookie cutter sandwiches and soups and a special things to make ti at least interesting to them, while they carried and everyone else bought. Got alot of comments from them tho when they'd tell me their friends liked what they had in the sack. Now a days - its a lunchable that is a "sack lunch" item. Have you seen those thigns? They are gross! I mean a cold hamburger, cold pizza makings, cold hot dog - the crackers and cheese are okay, but the supposedly more "healthy" ones are just plain gross! [coffeebreak]
I think that would really depends. When I was in school, my mom would usually give me packed lunches to make sure that I will eat and not spend the money in other things. Also, she is sure that the food is healthy but if she gets so busy, she just give me extra money for my lunch so I can buy my own food. [jesbellaine]
Time is really an essential thing if we want to give our kids a healthy lunch... but in one way or another... there will be instances when we are not able to do that... so buying lunch is the only option... thanks for the response... [aseretdd]
It all depends on the time I have to prepare it and whether we have food to make for his lunch. I started with packed lunches and still do them from time to time. Only because we just got back from holiday and have not done our grocery shopping, my 5 yr old son is ordering his lunches at school. The school sends us a menu at the beginning of each month and they offer a variety of healthy foods too. [maddysmommy]
School cafeterias in my country are not exactly run by the school... but by contractors... so a weekly menu or monthly menu is like not possible... but i sure hope the schools can work something out... thanks for the response... [aseretdd]
Sometimes I bag my lunch other times I buy it. It all depends on whats in the house, or how I feel. Somedays I want something fast and doesn't cost much so I hit the cheap fast foods. Other times I bring my lunch if I have something decent at home for leftovers or the like. [maliki2]
My brother is like that... he would search for leftover food to take to work... especially when he like last night's dinner... and sometimes just go eat at the cafeteria or the nearest fast food chain... thanks for the response... [aseretdd]
To me, I think packed lunch is much better, only only for the kids but also for those working in the company. You can make sure that your children can get enough nutrition for their growing body, and will not eat something not clear enough for them. And I think meals prepared by their mother can make them feel be love and taken care of. Meanwhile prepare food by yourself for them, can save a part of money for your family. But to many children, they may feel uncomfortable if all their classmates eat outside. So sometimes to make your children being part of them, you have to let them to buy food by themselves. [nini168]
You said it right... a packed lunch doesn't only let us save money... but the love and care that is put into preparing it one major advantage... but it also wouldn't hurt if from time to time we give our kids a break from a packed lunch and let them enjoy the experience of buying their own with some friends... thanks for the response... [aseretdd]
Hi: Unless things have changed since I went to school the food was full of transfat and that wasn't healthy. I would be taking lunch from home because I can make what I want and it tastes a lot better than cafeteria food. Have a great day. Ivor [TheSpy]
A home made meal does taste a lot better than the ones served in the cafeteria... nowadays... a lot of schools are doing its best to serve healthy food... but we can never be too sure as to how they are prepared... thanks for the response... [aseretdd]
In Sweden our kids get the food in school. You see, we pay Taxes and let the community use those money to give our children proper food. I do not had to give them any money for lunch or other stuff. They have proper food every day in school. However, I can give my son some Coins to use to get some coffee during the day. [anetteh]
Yes, it seems we do pay high taxes. But, we do not have to pay for insurance of health, children's school and lunch. We also help other people having problems like have no job´s and no pay to live by. I rather pay taxes instead of have to pay for expensive health insurance, expensive school funds, and I am glad to be a helping hand to those who need it. [anetteh]
I always pack my daughters lunch for the same reason. I think it's healthier and I know exactly what she is eating and what is in it. It is also cheaper for me to pack her lunch. She loves her Barbie lunch box anyway. :) [skinnychick]
My daughter also loves Barbie... and i plan to get her school stuff that has barbie designs... even the lunch box... this will certainly motivate her to eat the lunch that i will pack for her... thanks for the response... [aseretdd]
I don't know what you are talking about but here in my country they let you go outside of the school to eat... you can also go home and eat or somewhere else... we have like 1 hour and than we have to return back at school [skyticlus]
That is the same when i was still studying elementary and college... we have the option to go out to eat... go home... or pack a lunch... i don't go home since that is time consuming... and i don't wand to pack lunch... so i either buy food at the canteen... or eat out at the fast food near the school... thanks for the response... [aseretdd]
I never give money to my daughter unless for any field trip that they have to pay for.She has free breakfast and lunch in school and she said she like the food there. [giePortlandOR_08]
Yes it does save time and money.It made me relax in the morning.I don't have to wake up early to cook. [giePortlandOR_08]
I've never been afraid of the cleanliness of our school food. Honestly the schools cleaner than most public places to eat. I do however fix lunches for my 3 children. Each of them has access to a microwave so I make them each their meals, but it into a microwaveble container and they take them to school. Now my 15 year old is going to re-join public school next year and he'll be missing out on all the home cooking, but I'm sure he'll bring extras from home along with eating the schools food. [ljegbers]
The cleanliness in some school cafeteria is unbearable... believe me because i have seen some... it is totally nice to have access to a microwave... that way, a cold lunch is not possible... thanks for the response... [aseretdd]
actually i do not have any kid or sop. i am always in the habit of taking lunch from home. it varied only when i was away in other city for job. now i am back to hometown. i take packed lunch most days. but buy some days to change the taste. [subha12]
I also to try and pack my lunch... especially if i like last night's dinner... but nowadays... i can only go to a fast food or cafeteria to buy my lunch... saves time that way... thanks for the respnse... [aseretdd]
My grandaughter sometimes has a school dinner,thats because on a certain day they do a roast meal,and she loves a good roast dinner.Apart from that day she takes a well balanced packed lunch.Her Mum sends her off with a sandwich,and a mini cheese,some raisins and fruit,and the box always comes back empty,so she knows that she enjoys it.The other thing is affording a school lunch everyday,theres no way that she could do it every day,the once a week is enough. [ruby222]
She sure has yummy treats everyday... my lunch box would always come back empty if i absolutely love what i have inside... the roast dinner doesn't sound bad too... i also think that i will not be able to afford giving my daughter lunch money everyday... so a packed lunched is the best thing... thanks for the response... [aseretdd]
Lunch money..........my son gets a food allowance for luches at school at the start of the week. He always had a packed lunch when he was younger and he won't take one anymore. To avoid fighting about it we just give him money and it has to last the whole week!!! [pressiet]
Boys will be boys... and as they grow older... they want to show a certain image of coolness... i guess that is why he doesn't want to take a packed lunch anymore... but as long as he is using the money to buy food... and he eats healthy meals at home... i think that is okay.. thanks for the response... [aseretdd]
My kids receive free meal assistance. My daughter doesn't like the school food though. She is always begging me to pack her a lunch. I just can't afford it though. [mrsfrodotata]
A free meal assistance is a good thing... especially for those who find it difficult to make ends meet... too bad we don't have such a thing in my country... thanks for the response... [aseretdd]
what my mother did was packed lunch, she don't trust us what were going to eat in the school. she always did a healthier lunch for us to bring on school. this will also i am going to do with my child to avoid getting sickness from unhealthy foods that were serve in school. [julyteen]
I definetly understand your mother... i worked for some schools in which the cafeteria prepared food in a not so sanitary way... so i rarely bought my food there... and when my baby goes to school... she will surely be taking her own lunch... unless i see that the food in the cafeteria is very very clean... [aseretdd]
I give my kids lunch money - I have 5 kids in school so it is much to hectic for me to prepare lunch in the mornings. [kellys3ps]
It is good that you can afford to give all your kids lunch money everyday... a lot of us moms are not that lucky... but i feel that packing their lunch is more healthy... since we know what they are eating... but if the school has a policy for healthy snacks and lunch... then there is no problem... thanks for the response... [aseretdd]
Part of the tuition that we pay for our kids goes towards their basic lunch. It does not include sweets or anything other than milk or juice to drink. The school does have an a la carte line where you can purchase sweet things like cinnamon rolls, ice cream, cookies or candy and an assortment of Cokes. But our kids rarely go through that line. [MooPile]
I hope the tuition is not that expensive... i know of a school that includes lunch in their tuition... and only the rich can afford it... but that is also a good idea since it saves time for the parents to prepare lunch for their kids... and the a la carte line of sweets sounds yummy... thanks for the response... [aseretdd]
Hello aseretdd, My mother always prepared packed lunch for me when I was in primary school until I decided to tell her not to do anymore. First, I pitied her and second, I felt a bit shy whenever she came to school to send me the packed lunch *big grins* In fact, I didn't eat too much and whenever my father gave me the pocket money, I will put in my piggy bank (that's the way I could have my 'own money' ) As a mother now, I think I prefer my son to bring a packed lunch rather than buying from the canteen. First, it is safer and healthier. Second, I don't want him to buy all sort of junk food. But at the same time, I have been thinking it will be pity for him too if I don't give him pocket money. Nowadays, I don't think school children can go to school without pocket money at all. Oh, by the way... it is still a long way to go...my son is only a year plus *smiles* [gr8life]
Some of my friends do not give any money to their children when they go to school... for fear that they might buy food that is not healthy for them... of items sold by vendors outside the school... and that can be dangerous... my baby is only 2 years old... but as early as now... i have decided to give her a packed lunch when the time comes... thanks for the response... [aseretdd]
Hi, aseretdd. I have always gotten free lunch and so has my son too. I have never had to pack lunch for my son. I did one time when they was attending an outing with their class on a field trip. If I had no choice to have a packed lunch, I would choose this option, because that way I can decide what I would like for my son to eat for lunch at school. I can also let him make some suggestions too. [cream97]
Definitely, packed lunch. Once or twice a month, we give them money for them to eat what they like in school. [atv818]