Lunchtime Superstar: A Lesson in Working the System

Recently, Anna has been coming home most days with a "Lunchtime Superstar", St. Peter's Primary" sticker on her uniform.  She used to only get them every once in a while.  She also used to live in fear of not finishing her lunch and having one of the dinner ladies tell her off.  I've shared a good laugh with another mum who tells me that her child always has a "microscopic" lunch.  We've decided that this is the way to cope on our end.

Anna told me that she discovered that it's easy to get a sticker.  You eat all of your lunch and show one of the dinner ladies who will then present you with a sticker.  Smart.  So she has learned this routine and this makes her delighted.  The other day, while walking home, she tried to share with Michael her insights on how to get the Lunchtime Superstar sticker.  I thought very cute listening to her explain this, hoping Michael will one day work the system too.

Packing school lunches this year has changed my views on food a bit.  I put smaller quantities in, but am aiming for just the right amount to be filling but not overdo it.  I find myself being more careful about my own food quantities.  I have never been good at eating everything on my plate but I try much harder now to take what I need so I have a good shot at finishing my plate and also not overdoing it.