School dinners

newlysingle_2

DD and DS1 have both asked to move onto school dinners after the easter half term. They are both good eaters and have picked the menu they want-all things that I cook at home anyway. Told OH about the move to dinners who then stated the shopping bill would go down as they wouldn't need to have two fully cooked meals a day. I wasn't happy with this idea as I like to cook them their tea and they have plenty of veg with it. But on the other hand there are two nights a week when I am at college and it is a struggle to get the tea ready and the kids fed before I leave, and they end up eating it on their own.

A little part of me thinks if on those two days could we have what the kids call a 'fun' tea, such as egg and beans on toast, we would have time to eat it together and do all the homework and everything else that needs doing before I leave.

But the other part of me is thinking its not right, I just wondered what everyone else does?

M_A_R_I_E

Your shopping bill might go down slightly but you will be paying £20 a week for school dinners won't you?

I wouldn't worry about cooking a 'proper' meal everynight anyway - beans and egg on toast sounds great!

kegg_2

nothing wrong with beans on toast or egg on toast a couple of times a week if they are eating a school diner.
And there are plenty of variations of it you could do if they start getting a bit bored with it.

[Deleted User]

I don't wish to be rude but I am not quite understanding your question? Please could you clarify some more?

Do you mean it just doesn't seem right that you should be having beans and egg with toast for your dinner? Cos if the children are having school dinners and then that for tea, it sounds great to me.

angelicmary85

As long as it's filling and the kids enjoy it, then why not?

DevilsAdvocate1

I've just gone the other way - taken my 2 off school dinners and put them on pack lunches. Cost wasn't an issue for us, as Durham is one of the trial counties for free school meals. However, my children were coming out of school starving each day - so I still had to do a big tea. In fact, my youngest was often crying when he came out of school because he was so hungry - despite the dinner nannies telling me that he had eaten everything he was given. The portion sizes were too small - I mean, he shouldn't be that hungry just 3 hours after eating, should he?

Perhaps, because all of the county are on free school meals, but we also had problems with the school running out of food (this happened on more than one occasion).

Also, the menus sounded great, but were not all they seemed. For example, on a Friday they have sausage plait and chipped potatoes. In layman's terms this is sausage roll and chips - not a healthy combination imo.

Sorry, I've ranted a bit there, but feel a bit misled by the school regarding these healthy meals.

D.

lady_wolfs_head

My two have packed lunches cos the costs and the portions are rubbish!!. They get a main meal at home at night.
But the school still seem to think they can dictate what we put in them!!. My two have balanced and healthy meals at home and I will put in crisps and a chocolate buscuit, as I will not be dictated to. My son even took in sushi and was told not to as it is raw fish!!!.
As a parent (responsible one) I will put in what I feel is right, not what some busy body thinks I should feed my children.

Mupette

Do your kids really need 2 cooked dinners a day.

Nothing wrong with sandwiches or salad or something else....

newlysingle_2

Thanks for all of the replies, the cost of the school dinners doesn't bother me as I spend that much on their packed lunches. Before DS would not try any different foods but now he knows to try something before you say you don't like it. They both love veg so I know they will eat it all and have a pudding- i'm a bad mum because I don't put sweets or crisps in their lunches.

I think I have been subjected to too much of this healthly eating. I always had a 'proper' cooked meal after school, so am feeling a little bit guilty that I am putting the ease of doing their tea first lol.

I know the kids would love to have egg and beans on toast every night, so quick easy meals would be ease to do for them.I am just trying to get orgainised before I start uni in September, as the kiddies will be with a childminder until I get home and the teas will be a rush then!

*Louise*

newlysingle wrote: »

A little part of me thinks if on those two days could we have what the kids call a 'fun' tea, such as egg and beans on toast, we would have time to eat it together and do all the homework and everything else that needs doing before I leave.

But the other part of me is thinking its not right, I just wondered what everyone else does?

Stop worrying

If they are getting a meal at school, then a lighter dinner isn't going to hurt them a couple of nights a week and you have nothing to feel guilty about.

Plus, they will benefit from a less stressed/rushed parent those two nights as well

newlysingle_2

Thanks for all your replies I guess I am just feeling mummy guilt.

It will be so much easier, on the two college nights as well.