Good luck! It's difficult to convince our primary aged one to have something different. Literally only one type of sandwich ever (PB&J). She's gotten pickier as she got older. She won't eat a lot of the things we used to pack for her now.

[–] Dave@lemmy.nz 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Interesting, we aren't allowed peanut butter at school (or daycare).

TBH I try to get them to pack their own lunches more often these days so they will like what is packed, but I still need to buy stuff they want.

It's kinda like the Christmas present problem. We ask what they want for Christmas, and they don't know. The things they know about largely they have, and they don't know what other options are out there. They don't really get an opportunity to see ads so they don't get their ideas from there.

Plus I don't want to load their lunchboxes up with sugar or plastic wrappings. And I don't much like the idea of putting in hummus or other things normally kept cold. They often don't finish their lunch until they get home, and it seems a bad idea to eat stuff that's been at room temperature all day when it's supposed to be in the fridge.

[–] eagleeyedtiger@lemmy.nz 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Oh trust me we take her shopping and get her to choose what she wants but still lunchbox comes back with food in it. I think it’s normal really. She says it takes too long to eat and she’d rather go play with her friends. I think eating is just not her priority during their breaks. She’s always been a grazer more than a sit down and eat a full meal type.

Our school only stops nuts if someone in their class has an allergy, otherwise we’re free to pack it.

[–] Dave@lemmy.nz 2 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

Often I've thought that whether a lunchbox comes back full or empty probably doesn't relate to whether they like the food as much as I expect it should.

Kids are hungry sometimes and not hungry or just busy at other times. Our kids also eat slow (well, it feels it but I've seen other kids slower). They also often complain they didn't have enough time to eat.

I guess that's their problem. If they were actually hungry it would have been enough time. No point eating when you aren't hungry.

[–] eagleeyedtiger@lemmy.nz 2 points 1 year ago

It’s probably a factor. We’ve actually spoken to her teacher about it, they all get a certain time to eat each break with additional time given for kids who want to eat longer. My guess is as soon as her friends are done she wants to go with them.

I’ve just taken to packing less in her lunchbox as it’s clearly enough for her.