Mum fuming after strict school lunchbox rules sends bills soaring
A mum is having to spend an extra $45 (£25) a week on her son's packed lunches after his school implemented strict lunchbox guidelines.
Jennifer Louise Ireton, 30, was shocked after receiving the list of rules from her son's primary school, which asked for 'homemade cakes and sausage rolls'.
Jennifer, from Exeter in the UK, was sent the list ahead of her eldest boy Robin, four, starting in kindy at his new primary school and said she felt belittled by the rules.
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"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,” Jennifer said.
"I would normally just feed them a sandwich, packet of crisps, veggie sticks and then a chocolate bar as a treat at home.
"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.”
Jennifer said that while Robin has a nut allergy there didn’t seem to be any guidelines on nuts on the list, which she found ‘unusual and worrying’.
The mum-of-two took to Facebook to ask other parents what they thought, with one person saying: "You are not allowed to bring up your own children how you wish any more".
However, another person argued: "They are just trying to keep the kids happy and healthy".
Mum-of-two Jennifer said: "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 went on to say that the family’s shopping bill has now increased due to the school’s rules.
"We're spending $9 (£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.”
Reporting by Caters News
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