“Your $2 is on the table…” August 17, 2006
Posted by TimTheFoolMan in Family, Food, Love, Parenting/Children.trackback
For years, both of my sons have bought their lunch at school. This is in part due to their intolerance for a daily dose of peanut butter & jelly, but possibly due to laziness as well.
Lunches at the high school cost $1.85. For as long as I can remember, I’ve given both of the boys $2. (And as a result, I have been razzed by friends and family for “starving the boys.” The youngest, as of this writing, is about 5’11” and 220 lbs. Definitely malnourished.)
Today, as my youngest sat at the breakfast table, munching quietly, I pulled out two $1 bills and laid them on the counter. “Here’s your lunch money.”
As I started to put my wallet away, I realized that it was the first time in a very long time that I’ve only put $2 there. (Instead, I’ll be writing regular checks to the University of Kentucky.) I know this is just the first of many “I’m never gonna do _____ again” moments, but even so, this one left a lump in my throat.
I was so moved by the moment, I almost left another dollar on the counter for my youngest to buy some extra food at lunch.
Well… almost.
A Fool and his Words are Soon Parted 
I’m curious: Does the school not have an automated systemt that lets you deposit lunch money in an account? (We write a check for each child periodically, and they punch in an account number at the end of the lunch line to pay, kind of like a debit transaction.) Or do you choose not to go that route, because your son might break the bank in the first week? 🙂
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed reading your entries about YOUR transition as your son moves on to college. 🙂
I wonder what his response will be when you put that other dollar down, do you wonder?
I believe school lunches are a bargain and not bad nutritionally. What’s so great about the items usually sent in lunch boxes? Jelly, cookies, bread, etc.? When I was a teacher, I saw the kids trade their lunch items with each other. Moms, get a life!