Your snowflake doesn't need a snack.

[ThatBetch]

Listserv drama going around right now from the usual suspects, and I thought DCUM might have some feedback.

Larla's Mom is complaining (again). She claims that lunchtime is too early, and Dear Larla (DL) can't make it until the end of school w/o a snack. Larla's mom wants the teachers to stop instruction, and offer "a 5 minute snack break" an hour or so before school is out.

Assume DL doesn't have an actual medical need for additional calories (because she'd have a medical note on file already, and this wouldn't be everyone else's problem).

While the school lunch schedule does seem to have kids eating much earlier than they might in my home, they are offered a chance to eat during the day. They may have to learn to focus while slightly uncomfortable for a hour, but "I don't believe that having hungry children with a sugar low is conducive to a good learning environment" seems overwrought. Second, in what reality can an entire class of kids start and finish eating in 5 minutes? And who cleans up the inevitable mess? Third, what about kids who get school lunch and may not have a snack from home? Another Larla's Mom actually wrote "...teachers may need some support in providing for all (and in a way that takes food allergies into consideration)."

Am I just being betchy again, or is this some nonsense?

[Anonymous]

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That's just stupid. They need to find something else to entertain them. But you'll get a bunch of DCUM nutjobs who come up with reasons why LarlaSnowflake needs a snack, I'm sure.

[Anonymous]

Unless the kids are eating really early, this is ridiculous. Children can go three or four hours without eating. An afterschool snack is enough.

[Anonymous]

You're right! Kids (and adults!) these days are constantly snacking. I take a class from 12-3 pm and usually at least 2 x the professor has to stop and tell someone that there is no eating allowed in the lab. Ugh, people will survive without the extra snacking. I have a friend who does have diabetes and she has to keep her glucose steady, even she is able to discreetly have something to eat during work meetings unlike some people who pull out a thermos and a container of food in the middle of a 45 min presentation.

[Anonymous]

My kids school allows food. It's nice not to have to force feed them breakfast before 8, they just pull out their "snack" when they are hungry.

[Anonymous]

Let's be honest, they NEED a snack because they have been told since they could understand, that they NEED to continuously keep energy in their bodies. Yes that is true, but it isn't necessary to eat nonstop.

Looking at you co worker who brings a tote bag full of snacks to work every day because he has "a super high metabolism"

[Anonymous]

Can't comment without knowing the time and length of lunch, age of children, and time school gets out.

[Anonymous]

How long are we talking? Some kids going from a pre-k environment where they eat snacks and meals every ~3 hours probably would struggle with a 10:45 meal time, not enough time to finish their lunch, and no snack until 3 pm. I probably would be for that matter.

[Anonymous]

When is lunch? When our kid had an 11am lunchtime she was not allowed a snack.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can't comment without knowing the time and length of lunch, age of children, and time school gets out.

+1

Depending on the circumstances it's not unreasonable. From k-2 the kids had snack and everyone seemed happier (I seem to recall lunch could be as early 10:30 or 11:00, or as late as 1:00 or 1:30).

[Anonymous]

I think the age and the length of time between opportunities to eat matters. Also, at least in the younger grades, it's not just about the eating itself. It's also a chance to give the kids a break after a couple of hours of working to just relax for a few minutes and recharge before they jump back into learning.

[Anonymous]

As long as the teachers don't mind doing it, I think it's a good idea because a lot of little kids don't really eat much/at all at lunchtime. Our school has it and the kids eat when they are doing center work.

[Anonymous]

it seems perfectly reasonable to me to have a snack and lunch when they are in school from 8-3. They probably have breakfast around 7am. I'm glad my kid's school gives them snacks!

I actually remember in middle school and high school, I would start eating my packed lunch around 11:15am because I was so hungry in class. I prefer to eat more during the day and a very light dinner. I seriously have trouble thinking/being productive when i'm hungry.

[Anonymous]

My daughter is allowed a morning snack because they have a late lunch time. A note was sent home the first week informing parents they can send a snack. Seems reasonable to me.

[Anonymous]

My kid's school also allows afternoon snacking whenever kids are hungry -- and of course they are expected to clean up after themselves.