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would you be concerned if your child skipped lunch at school every day?
My LO has been at her new school for almost a month now. she refuses to eat lunch there. I give her a nice breakfast and they give a morning snack and afternoon snack. They open her lunch up at lunchtime and she just refuses to eat it. I try to pack her favorites and it doesn't help. She waits till we pick her up and then eats it in the car on the way home at 6 pm. She is 2 yrs old and weighs on the higher end, so it's not a big issue with her pedi. Would it bother you? The daycare teachers told me they cannot spend a lot of time with one child trying to convince them to eat as they have too many other kids to tend to. I'm sure if an adult put some effort into it, she would eat. But I don't know if it's worth disputing with them, as she eats enough for the day, just skips lunch. Thoughts?
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Re: would you be concerned if your child skipped lunch at school every day?
My son doesn't eat at school (we are on Summer break). To me it is isn't a big deal b/c he is eating well the rest of the day. I've learned when kids are really hungry they eat.
If I were in your shoes I would stop letting her eat in the car. If she knows she has to wait for dinner and her lunch (filled with favorites) goes away after a while she might more inclined to change.
This exactly.
It will be hard for a few days, she'll be upset and hungry, but if you stick with it she will figure it out quickly. Also, she shouldn't be too hungry assuming you go straight home and have dinner.
I would just continue to communicate with her preschool. It's only been a month and although kids are super adaptable it can take some longer than others to feel comfortable.
Some questions for her teachers (that you may have already asked): What exactly are the snacks? How much is she given? Does she get seconds/thirds until she's stuffed? How are snacks and lunch give? Does she get to pick her spot at the table every time or are there assigned seats? How does she act during lunch?
There could easily be something about lunchtime or what happens after lunch that is causing her anxiety (is lunch right before an activity she really loves or hates? Outdoor play vs. nap and so on). I would make sure, with her teachers, that she is at least actively participating in lunch even if she isn't eating (chatting with her peers etc).
Married since 06/19/2004|Anna born 11/19/2006|Charles born 11/1/11
Double undergrad graduation May 2011| Me: Psychology, DH: Communication| A long journey!
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I went through something similar with DS at our old school and those morning snacks were a problem for us. My concern is them filling up with a morning snack and then skipping a healthier meal. However, if she is eating a nice, healthy breakfast, snacks and then a healthy lunch as dinner at 6pm, and she is not unhealthy, then I would not be too concerned. It is not ideal but she may be getting the nutrition she needs. My 2 year old does not eat too much.
Our previous school offered morning snack and DS would then still be full at lunchtime. I did not want him to be the only one without a snack either so we let it go until we switched schools. The new school offers a balanced breakfast and then lunch at 11-11:30 followed by afternoon snacks. It has worked better for us that way.