Furious at DS for spending $18 for lunch at field trip today

[Anonymous]

He's 10, almost 11, and in 5th grade. Yes we discussed what to buy and how much it'd cost, and how the $20 was for lunch and souvenir.

Instead he bought junk - burger and hot dog and soda. Another I'm still mad...

[Anonymous]

You are expecting way too much from a kid. It's one thing to eat thousands of lunches at food courts and come to the conclusion it is overpriced crap, but to expect a kid on an adventure to show restraint is ludicrously controlling.

[Anonymous]

What school system has having field trips now???

[Anonymous]

I can relate. I had to work with both of my boys in what was reasonable. Issues were buying too much, buying for others, succumbing to peer pressure or "suggestions" from adults that they buy something healthy to go with their choices. The way I figure it is that if my child is making bad decisions, it's my job to work with him to do better next time. So while I view it differently, I do agree that the spending was excessive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You are expecting way too much from a kid. It's one thing to eat thousands of lunches at food courts and come to the conclusion it is overpriced crap, but to expect a kid on an adventure to show restraint is ludicrously controlling.

+1 I agree. A field trip is supposed to be a fun time! Unless the family is struggling financially, I wouldn't be concerned. If money is an issue, then that should be frankly discussed.

[Anonymous]

So OP, let's say your son went on a typical DC metro area fieod trip to the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History.

The T-Rex platter (cheeseburger and fries) costs $13.25.

Add a drink to it. He tried to be healthier and choose juice because he knows you flip out over soda and fountain drinks.

Minute Maid is $3.60.

So now we are up to $16.85.

Your son knows you aren't a fan of meals of just burgers and fries, so being the good boy he is, he decides to add an apple to his tray.

Fresh fruit at the museum is $1.25.

Which brings your son's food court lunch to a grand total of $18.10.

A cheeseburger. Fries. A bottle of OJ. And an apple.

Think about it OP, then apologize to your son about flipping out over this.

[Anonymous]

If he was hungry and ate it all, why does it matter that be spent it all on food instead of food and a souvenir?

[Anonymous]

Confucius says you will have many problem years ahead.

Let it go!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:He's 10, almost 11, and in 5th grade. Yes we discussed what to buy and how much it'd cost, and how the $20 was for lunch and souvenir.

Instead he bought junk - burger and hot dog and soda. Another I'm still mad...

OP, $20.00 is not enough to purchase lunch, a drink AND a souvenir. It just is not.

And the souvenier is would purchase would be actual junk, a $5.00 eraser or trinket that would end up in the trash. Maybe a postcard. But that is about it.

Be grateful he bought food instead of wasting the money on cheap trinkets.

Also, a burger and hot dog do not sound excessive for a boy on the threshold of puberty. If you are flipping out about this minor lunch how the heck are you going to handle $300.00/week grocery bills trying to feed a growing teen boy?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Instead he bought junk - burger and hot dog and soda.

Interesting OP, as junk usually costs less than healthier options like sandwiches or hot platters.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So OP, let's say your son went on a typical DC metro area fieod trip to the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History.

The T-Rex platter (cheeseburger and fries) costs $13.25.

Add a drink to it. He tried to be healthier and choose juice because he knows you flip out over soda and fountain drinks.

Minute Maid is $3.60.

So now we are up to $16.85.

Your son knows you aren't a fan of meals of just burgers and fries, so being the good boy he is, he decides to add an apple to his tray.

Fresh fruit at the museum is $1.25.

Which brings your son's food court lunch to a grand total of $18.10.

A cheeseburger. Fries. A bottle of OJ. And an apple.

Think about it OP, then apologize to your son about flipping out over this.

You almost have a valid point, but your armchair psychoanalysis is weird and OP already said her son bought two entrees.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So OP, let's say your son went on a typical DC metro area fieod trip to the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History.

The T-Rex platter (cheeseburger and fries) costs $13.25.

Add a drink to it. He tried to be healthier and choose juice because he knows you flip out over soda and fountain drinks.

Minute Maid is $3.60.

So now we are up to $16.85.

Your son knows you aren't a fan of meals of just burgers and fries, so being the good boy he is, he decides to add an apple to his tray.

Fresh fruit at the museum is $1.25.

Which brings your son's food court lunch to a grand total of $18.10.

A cheeseburger. Fries. A bottle of OJ. And an apple.

Think about it OP, then apologize to your son about flipping out over this.

You almost have a valid point, but your armchair psychoanalysis is weird and OP already said her son bought two entrees.

OP hadn't answered when I was typing this. OP is furious and cannot understand how one can spend $18.00 on a food court lunch. It is very easy to do as my post shows.

She is flipping out over something she should not be even a little upset about.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Man hope he at least got a joint for that

+420

[Anonymous]

I assume you guys are on a tight budget. Instead of shutting down, you should use this as an opportunity to talk to him about budgeting and how to do better next time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:He's 10, almost 11, and in 5th grade. Yes we discussed what to buy and how much it'd cost, and how the $20 was for lunch and souvenir.

Instead he bought junk - burger and hot dog and soda. Another I'm still mad...

OP, $20.00 is not enough to purchase lunch, a drink AND a souvenir. It just is not.

And the souvenier is would purchase would be actual junk, a $5.00 eraser or trinket that would end up in the trash. Maybe a postcard. But that is about it.

Be grateful he bought food instead of wasting the money on cheap trinkets.

Also, a burger and hot dog do not sound excessive for a boy on the threshold of puberty. If you are flipping out about this minor lunch how the heck are you going to handle $300.00/week grocery bills trying to feed a growing teen boy?

I remember on a trip in 6th grade decades ago, my parents gave me $60 for lunch and souvenir for 3 days. I ate 0 lunch and bought 3 $20 souvenirs. The chaperones felt sorry for me being hungry and gave me extra dinner.

OP, would you rather your DS eat lunch, or get a souvenir?