Lunch at school?

GingerSB

We live within walking distance of DD's school, and walk to and from every day. She is currently in half-day kindergarten, so next year she'll be in grade 1, full days. Since she is not bussed, she doesn't automatically qualify for lunchroom supervision.

We can pay for lunchroom supervision if we want her to stay for lunch, or I can pick her up and she can eat at home every day. 

Advantages or disadvantages? 

Jessys_Girl

That's silly, that kids who don't take the bus don't qualify to eat lunch at school?  I mean, just because you're within walking distance doesn't necessarily mean a parent is home during the day to pick up and do lunch.

 

But i digress:  I feel like her having lunch at school at least a few times a week (if not all week) would be beneficial to her because that's part of the socialization involved in school, it teaches her to make friends, have social interactions.  I'd think that only going to class (where she shouldn't really be able to talk/socialize as much) and then coming home for lunch (where she's only got you to socialize with) would be a disadvantage to her.

neverblushed

How long is the lunch break?  Would you have to walk up to the school to pick her up for lunch, walk home, walk back at the end of lunch, walk home, walk back to pick her up in the afternoon and then walk home?  Would she be able to walk home on her own by, say, age 7 or so?  

That's a LOT of disruption to a mom's day, especially if there are younger children who have to be toted along for the ride.   Even if the walk is only 5 minutes, that's FOUR times a day that shoes and coats have to be put on and off, etc.  

FWIW, my kids really enjoy some downtime in the cafeteria with their friends.   

ValAndRyan

I would have her stay in school and eat lunch. I feel like that is a time spent chatting with friends so they aren't doing it (supposedly. lol) during the school day. However, are all her other friends going to stay for lunch too? Is there recess as well?

GinandTonic

I have never heard of this.  What happens when both parents work?  I guess they have to pay.  That sucks.  I think I'd let her eat lunch at school with her friends.

ccm1203

I would probably pay to have her eat at school.  The socialization factor is key.

littlemermaid

If you can afford to pay for the lunch I would have her stay.  It's great for the kids to get together and socialize plus it gives you a little more time so that way you don't feel like you just dropped her off and now your turning around to pick her up.

jlw2505

ccm1203:

I would probably pay to have her eat at school.  The socialization factor is key.

This

blueshirt2003

I see you are in Canada and that's why we are like "Wha???" towards your post.

I'd pay for the socialization factor alone, if you can afford to do so.  

GingerSB

blueshirt2003:

I see you are in Canada and that's why we are like "Wha???" towards your post.

I'd pay for the socialization factor alone, if you can afford to do so.  

LOL!

I agree, I think it'll be nice for her to have more time with her friends.

 I am surprised that people are so surprised! I went home for lunch every day when I was a kid. 

evaazalea

I didn't realize this was how it worked until we started looking into schools for next year for DS. Then saw your post and thought 'wow, someone else is dealing with this to', only to realize we are in the same city... so no wonder. The lunchroom costs factored in to deciding to put him into the further french immersion school, if I have to pay either lunch fees or bus fees I might as well do bus and get him into french (which I wanted, DH did not).

GingerSB

TysMomPlusOne:

I didn't realize this was how it worked until we started looking into schools for next year for DS. Then saw your post and thought 'wow, someone else is dealing with this to', only to realize we are in the same city... so no wonder. The lunchroom costs factored in to deciding to put him into the further french immersion school, if I have to pay either lunch fees or bus fees I might as well do bus and get him into french (which I wanted, DH did not).

LOL! That makes sense. We thought about doing french immersion but it's a pretty far drive on a bus. The other factor is that she has a decembee bday so i was worried about her struggling with the immersion. And, we want her to have friends in her own community. Her classmates all live pretty close and when she's older she'll beable to walk/ride her bike to her friends homes.  

katieisawesome

This is so weird to me - how long is your child's lunch break at school?  Ours are about 20 minutes - even if you live in the neighborhood that is ridiculous to walk home and eat and walk back.

GingerSB

katieisawesome:

This is so weird to me - how long is your child's lunch break at school?  Ours are about 20 minutes - even if you live in the neighborhood that is ridiculous to walk home and eat and walk back.

50 mins.