Not eating lunch at preschool
My preschooler basically never eats the lunch I pack for him, no matter what's in it. At most he'll eat a few bites. It seems like he does not like eating near the other kids and the other day he told us he couldn't eat because there was a bad smell. He often asks the teachers for privacy during lunchtime and they're good about setting him up at a table far from everyone when they are able to. It does not matter what foods I pack, how cute I make them, etc - he likes the foods, but just does not like eating them at school.
When I was a kid I also basically never ate lunch at school because the cafeteria smelled bad and I did not like being squeezed in with all the other kids and their lunches and open-mouth chewing. I was fine, I just ate a lot of snacks after school and survived, although it wasn't nutritionally ideal. I have not mentioned this to my child, because it seems hard to empathize on this subject while also encouraging him to eat. So, for example, I probably shouldn't highlight the fact that I was totally fine and it was not really a big deal that I didn't eat at school although that's what I'm trying to tell myself about him.
But I would really like for my kid to be able to eat at school. When we pick him up on days when he hasn't eaten anything he's super tired and grumpy. Anyone had a similar situation and figured it out?
Parent Replies
My child is the opposite! Eats everything and loves food and tends to over eat. I was like that too when I was young and it has its own challenges. I wanted to share that the most important thing is to bond with your child so I would encourage you to share your experience with him. He probably feels isolated by his sensitivities and knowing you went through it and turned out fine would be a relief to him. Then you can talk together about strategies for him to get through the day better. Your experience is a gift to offer him and no one knows better than you what is likely to work and not work because you have been through it.
Oh, I feel for you! That does sound tricky. I wonder if a protein smoothie might be a happy medium? That is, assuming he would be more inclined to DRINK something at school than eat. Either way, having a cheese stick, some almonds, crackers, etc. in your car when you pick him up will surely be crucial. Get some protein and carbs into that kid ASAP! It's so hard to connect with your kid when the first thing they do when they see you is meltdown... Ugh. Been there.
~Mailisha