Dad ‘Refuses to Cater’ to Son’s Classmate’s Dietary Restrictions When Bringing Weekly Snacks
The father asked Reddit if he was being too harsh
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Dad preparing a daughter's school lunch (stock photo)A Reddit user is in a bit of a pickle when it comes to bringing snacks for his son’s class.
The dad posted on Reddit to ask for opinions about a situation in which one classmate has dietary restrictions that he thinks he shouldn’t have to accommodate. He explains, “My son’s in the 3rd grade, and his teacher asked if parents could help by bringing snacks throughout the year ... It’s all voluntary, and the only request was to avoid peanuts.”
The dad writes that he’s brought in a “variety” of snacks, including “Cheez-Its, beef jerky, fig bars, and Ritz crackers.” But then, his son mentioned that “one girl in the class didn’t like any of the snacks.” The dad didn’t change the snacks he was planning and brought in “madeleines and apple sauce pouches” this week, he says. “My son came home saying that this girl is now claiming allergies, being gluten-free, avoiding meat, and having a bunch of other dietary restrictions,” he explains.
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School lunchbox (stock photo)The father told his son, “If her dietary needs are so strict, maybe her parents should be the ones responsible for her snacks," he continues. His son told the girl and teacher, and the girl’s parents complained to the school.
“The teacher, who has always been grateful for my contributions, is now in a tough spot and gently asked if I could bring snacks that fit this student’s restrictions,” he writes. “Based on what I’ve heard, this girl’s ‘approved’ snack list is basically saltine crackers, butter noodles, and fruit snacks. To me, this seems more like a case of pickiness than medical necessity.”
He told the teacher that while he’d “love to keep helping with snacks,” he won’t change the snacks he’s been bringing," he adds. “If one student can’t partake, it should be up to that student’s parents to provide for her." But now his wife thinks he’s “being an a------ for putting the teacher in a tough spot," he adds.
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Kids eating snacks at school (stock photo)The commenters mostly agree that the dad isn't wrong. “With that kind of a restrictive diet, her parents should supply her snacks,” one person writes. Another notes that saltines and butter noodles are not gluten-free, and one parent who has a child with a peanut allergy notes that they always send in nut-free snacks. Others advise the dad to just send in a box of saltines with the regular snacks.
“My nephews and niece are vegetarian,” one person writes. “For every parent catered event their mum would provide their ‘share’ so that they don't feel left out. A tough position would be for the teacher to lose your contribution to pander to one child's entitled parents.”
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A first-grade teacher also chimes in with their perspective. “I would clarify with the teacher what the true restrictions are since you said it is based on what you heard,” they write. “Regardless, you may decide to generously donate something she likes, and ask the teacher to hold it to the side just for her. This is a little kid, AND, she may be a really picky eater, AND maybe her parents don't give her a snack (which breaks my heart). I have had picky eaters that could deal with going without a snack and some that couldn't.”
