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Mum Felt 'Belittled' By Strict Lunchbox Guidelines And Monthly Shop Goes Up By £100

Mum Felt 'Belittled' By Strict Lunchbox Guidelines And Monthly Shop Goes Up By £100

Jennifer Louise Ireton was shocked when she received a letter from her son's school outlining what she could and couldn't send for his lunch

Rebecca Shepherd

Rebecca Shepherd

Back when we were in school, you had a selection of Animal biscuits, Timeouts and Clubs for snacks, no one had heard of hummus, and it was almost illegal to turn up to class on your birthday empty-handed.

How times have changed? Especially for Jennifer Louise Ireton who is spending an extra £25 ($32) a week on her son's packed lunches following a strict letter outlining guidelines on what children could and couldn't bring to school with them.

Robin's lunch didn't confirm to the school's rule.
Caters

The 30-year-old was shocked upon receiving the letter from her son's primary school which asks for a whole host of things including 'homemade cakes and sausage rolls'.

Jennifer, from Axminster, Exeter, was sent the guidelines ahead of her eldest boy Robin, four, starting reception at his new primary school but felt belittled by the rules.

The mum-of-two took to Facebook to ask other parents what they thought of the rules, with one person commenting: "You are not allowed to bring up your own children how you wish any more."

But another person argued: "They are just trying to keep the kids happy and healthy."

The letter than Jennifer was sent.
Caters

Mum-of-two Jennifer said: "He's just started school and when I first received the guidelines, I felt condescended to.

"It seems unnecessary to tell parents exactly what they should be putting in their lunch boxes - we all try and feed our kids healthy stuff. It's very dictated.

"I would normally just feed them a sandwich, packet of crisps, veggie sticks and then a chocolate bar as a treat at home.

Jennifer's children with their usual lunch.
Caters

"It's a lot of pressure; it gives me a lot of anxiety knowing they will take food off the kids if it doesn't fit the requirements.

"If I had the time, I would bake cakes and sausage rolls but I have an 18-month-old toddler that I need to look after, as well as other household chores."

Jennifer is a full-time mum and lives with her husband Matthew, who works as an industrial waste operative, but struggles to fulfil the lunchbox requirements on a low income.

Jennifer and Matthew.
Caters

Jennifer added: "We're spending £5 a day on his school lunch which really does add up.

"We have to get a variety of different ingredients and it's difficult to plan everyday.

"The lunchboxes are my responsibility so my husband has left it up to me but he also found the guidelines very condescending."

Featured Image Credit: Caters

Topics: Food, School, Community