AITA for refusing to cater to one student’s dietary restrictions when bringing snacks for my son’s 3rd-grade class?
A Reddit user sparked a debate after refusing to cater to a single student’s dietary restrictions while bringing snacks for their son’s 3rd-grade class. While the user has been contributing snacks that the majority of kids enjoy, one student’s strict requirements have caused tension, with the teacher gently requesting accommodations. The user believes it’s the responsibility of the child’s parents to provide snacks that meet her needs. Read the full story below to weigh in on this classroom dilemma.
‘ AITA for refusing to cater to one student’s dietary restrictions when bringing snacks for my son’s 3rd-grade class?’
My son’s in the 3rd grade, and his teacher asked if parents could help by bringing snacks throughout the year. Lunch is later in the day this year, so these snacks help tide the kids over. It’s all voluntary, and the only request was to avoid peanuts.
I’ve contributed a variety of snacks so far: Cheez-Its, beef jerky, fig bars, and Ritz crackers. My son mentioned that one girl in the class didn’t like any of the snacks I brought. I didn’t think much of it at the time. This week, I brought madeleines and apple sauce pouches. 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.
I told my son, “If her dietary needs are so strict, maybe her parents should be the ones responsible for her snacks.” Being the good-natured kid he is, he mentioned this to both the girl and the teacher, which got back to her parents, who then 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. 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.
I told the teacher I understood her situation and that I’d love to keep helping with snacks, but I’d like to continue to bring the type of snacks I’ve been supplying and if one student can’t partake, it should be up to that student’s parents to provide for her. My wife thinks I’m being an a**hole for putting the teacher in a tough spot. I just want to keep bringing snacks that the rest of the kids enjoy. AITA?
Here’s what the community had to contribute:
whatev6187 − She isn’t gluten free if saltines and butter noodles are on the list.
Lucky_Six_1530 − “ saltine crackers, butter noodles, and fruit snack” Yet the first two are certainly not gluten free. Applesauce packets sound awesome and certainly fit the criteria.
MothraDidIt − NTA. With that kind of a restrictive diet, her parents should supply her snacks.
KatFrog − NTA. If these were real food allergies, the parents would have told the school about them at the beginning of the school year. I think that the student is a picky eater, and her parents need to supply her snacks if she needs special food.
PatentlyRidiculous − NTA. The exception should not make the rule.
corgis_flowers − I’m dying to know how people are supposed to provide buttered noodles as a snack.
xavdin − My nephew’s and niece are vegetarian. 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 loose your contribution to pander to one child’s entitled parents.
HMS_Slartibartfast − Get a nice big box of saltines and send it JUST FOR HER. Make sure to then bring in something cool, like fresh chocolate chip cookies. See how long she sticks to juts crackers.. NTA.
LionessRegulus7249 − All the holes have been punched in her “dietary restrictions”. Gluten free? No saltines or noodles. Avoiding meat? No fruit snacks (unless you are getting the kind made with pectin, which are way more expensive).. Next.
ru_fkn_serious_ − Never understood how someone could complain about something they’re given for free. Entitled people are big meanies.
Do you think the user should accommodate the student’s dietary restrictions to make things easier for the teacher and the class, or are they right to suggest the parents provide their own snacks? How would you handle this situation if it involved your child or class? Share your opinions in the comments below!
NTA but i would as a mom bring in a box of saltines and fruit snacks also. I am
Just that kind of mom, dont want people to feel left out. I would get the snack pack saltines and make a special little bag for the little girl. I am Not doing buttered noodles as with Covid over the years I would mot want my child eating that because you also do not know how the person cooks.
If it is health-related, her parents need to provide her snack. If it is any other reason, the parents are simply looking for attention and need to be told to provide her snack. Either way, the parents don’t have the right to expect the rest of the world to cater to one child
How about instead of taking turns providing snacks for all the kids, each kid bring their own snack each day. Seems like it adds a lot of stress to have to figure out a rotation for daily group snack provisions. And if some parents want to voluntarily contribute $ to a fund for the teacher to stock a pantry of neutral snacks for kids who forget a snack or can’t afford one every day, then everyone is covered and parents aren’t stressed out by one more responsibility catering to their neighbor’s kids.