I Have No Microwave So NO, Please Read And Tell Me What You Think

[familyschoolcare]

So today my I did not understand or my I thought I read that DCD, sent his DCB with a lunch just in case he did not like what I was offering for lunch

today. (BTW, this is the same DCD that Gave notice two weeks ago and DCM is still sending DCB on her days the parents use Day care as their means

of “transporting” DCB, which means that sometimes DCD will drop off even though he is no longer a DCP of mine.) That in and of itself is not a problem.

With the system I have for food little to no food is wasted even if someone does not eat and basically, there has not been any problems. Until, now DCD

sent rice and chicken in a Tupperware container and at lunch time DCB asked me will you heat this up for me. I looked at him and said sorry I do not have a

microwave I have no way of heating that up. DCB looked sad and eat some of it cold. Therefore, I have typed up the following letter to go home today.

I will mail one to DCD, as I cannot count on DCD and DCM to talk to each other. Does this letter sound OK I do not want the DCD to think I am picking

on him or making things “difficult” for him as he has put it in the past. I have no plans on buying a microwave and I do supply break/Am snack; lunch; and

an afternoon snack, I do give a schedule for lunch but not for breakfast or snack.






Dear Parents and Guardians,


During the summer and on school breaks you are more than welcome to send your child with a lunch just in case they do not like what is

for lunch or snack that day. If you choose to do this please keep my food from home policy in mind, see quote below. Also, do not send things that

need to be heated or prepared by me. I do not have a microwave and thus cannot accommodate such things.


“Food from home: Children may eat food brought from home under the following guidelines: food will only be eaten when I am already offering a meal

or snack, children will not be allowed to share food with other people, including but not limited to their siblings; and children will only be allowed to

have one serving of treat or junk food per day.”


While food from home is welcome I will not heat thins up, I will not allow the children to share food, and I will only allow one non-growing food item a day.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in this matter.


Signed ME

[cheerfuldom]

I think it sounds fine. If you dont have a microwave and dont offer cooking or heating services than thats fine. none of this should be a surprise since this kid has been with you for awhile. a reminder seems in order.

[daycare]

why cant you heat it in a pan??

what am I missing out on here??

[littlemissmuffet]

You couldn't heat his lunch in a pot on the stove??

Anyhow, I am not sure why you even allow kids to bring food, especially when you won't reheat it? The best solution to this whole situation is not allow food or drink from outside period. Simple.

[GretasLittleFriends]

You couldn't heat his lunch in a pot on the stove??

Anyhow, I am not sure why you even allow kids to bring food, especially when you won't reheat it? The best solution to this whole situation is not allow food or drink from outside period. Simple.

I certainly wouldn't want to reheat someone's lunch on the stove if I was already using the stove to cook lunch for 8 other kids. That being said, I do NOT allow food from home, unless it's a special dietary need. Otherwise Johnny brings kiwis but I am serving apples. Now everyone wants kiwi. The way I look at it, even if Johnny doesn't like what I'm serving, he won't starve. Worst case scenario he'll get what he wants to eat at home.

[familyschoolcare]

why cant you heat it in a pan??

what am I missing out on here??

My kitchen was a miss form making the schedguled lunch. For the other children and my family.

[familyschoolcare]

Any way thank you to those that responded to the letter. I will print it out ans start the sending home process.

[wahmof3]

I certainly wouldn't want to reheat someone's lunch on the stove if I was already using the stove to cook lunch for 8 other kids. That being said, I do NOT allow food from home, unless it's a special dietary need. Otherwise Johnny brings kiwis but I am serving apples. Now everyone wants kiwi. The way I look at it, even if Johnny doesn't like what I'm serving, he won't starve. Worst case scenario he'll get what he wants to eat at home.

Totally agree! I do not allow food from either, but totally understand the OP giving the option. I think its fine: if they don't like whats being served a sack lunch is fine but it better not need preparation. I know our elementary school system doesn't accommodate to heating up foods or prepping them when a student chooses to pack.

[Soccermom]

The thought of that poor little boy sitting there eating cold rice and chicken breaks my heart. I find the letter very confusing IMO. The words non-growing food sounds a little odd even though I get what you are trying to say. I would just state that you cannot reheat foods as it requires too much added work and that the things children bring from home need to be healthy and nutritious.
My rule has always been no food from home unless we are having a special occasion or something. End of story. I offer two choices at each meal and snack and the children choose 1. No fights, no problems and no sad children eating cold food.

[EchoMom]

I have 3 infants and 3 toddlers and all pack lunch from home. I know many of you have more than 6 kids but I don't see a problem with all the kids having different lunches and it hasn't been a problem for me. The kids want what the other has and I just say, "No, that's what his mommy brought, this is what you're mommy brought." And that's the end of it.

I have to spoon feed 2 infants and also supervise them self-feeding at their super slow pace while also cutting, microwaving, opening packaging, refilling water, etc. etc. for 3 toddlers and everyone packs a differnt lunch and everyone usually needs something microwaved. Toddler portions all take about 30 seconds to microwave, I don't think this is too much to ask.

I don't understand why you would do home daycare and not have a microwave. Good job to you for making fresh food on the stove, that's truly amazing and delicious, just saying, I personally think it's pretty ridiculous to not own a microwave and let the poor kid sit there eating stone cold food. I'd be sad if I were his mommy.

I do not provide any snacks, lunch, breakfast, milk, nothing. Everything is brought from home.

[sharlan]

What is a "non-growing food item"?

[laundrymom]

I personally would have popped it in a small pot or skillet with a bit of water and steamed it for him. I don't see the issue with not having a microwave. I don't typically use mine but once a week or so. I cook for 10 each day though. Only one of mine brings their food.

[SilverSabre25]

Hey, it's the line you've decided to draw and there's nothing wrong with that whatsoever! We all have our own lines in the sand; let's not quibble over the OP's okay?

OP, your letter seems a bit off to me but I'm not putting my finger on it tonight. I'm tired; I'll chew it over and get back to you tomorrow.

[daycare]

My kitchen was a miss form making the schedguled lunch. For the other children and my family.

got it!!!!

I had a hard time to understand your letter, but maybe that is just me

If you don't want to reheat food, I can understand that. Especially when you have already prep food for others. I guess I am mean and I don't allow back up food. If you don't like what I serve, hopefully there is something on your plate that you will eat. If you try at least one bite of it all, I will give you one of the items that you do like from your plate. The kids can have as much as they want, becuase I will only provide healthy options.

Perhaps you can work on the letter a little bit. I think simple and straight forward is best way to go.

[SilverSabre25]

Okay, a few of those sentences were long and needlessly wordy; I cleaned that up for you.

I think the other big issue is that the no reheating rule should be stated in your food from home policy. Perhaps you should also have a rule about not sending things that need kept cold unless the parents have ice things in the bag? Just to be fair and not use up your fridge space

Then, you basically summarize the entire letter in your final paragraph, which is unnecessary and comes off feeling redundant.

Does your policy on preparation extend to needing to open up applesauce or string cheese containers or anything like that?

Finally, you could offer the parents the "carrot" of telling them how they CAN provide warm things--namely, putting the already warmed food into a thermos in the morning. It will stay warm until lunch .

Dear Parents and Guardians,

During the summer and on school breaks you are more than welcome to send your child with a lunch just in case they do not like what is being served that day. If you choose to do this please keep my "Food From Home" policy in mind. I have restated it below for your convenience. Also, do not send things that need to be heated or prepared by me. I do not have a microwave and thus cannot accommodate such things.

“Food from home: Children may eat food brought from home under the following guidelines: food will only be eaten when I am already offering a meal or snack, children will not be allowed to share food with other people, including but not limited to their siblings; and children will only be allowed to have one serving of treat or junk food per day.”

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in this matter.

Signed ME