Mum divides opinion over ‘stinky’ lunchbox item – but son loves ‘antisocial’ snack

Parents have been left divided after one mum asked for advice on whether or not she could send her son to school with a favourite snack – as some love it and some hate it

Packing school lunchboxes is no easy feat. First, you’ve got to make sure to follow the school’s rules and regulations. Next, you’ll want to pick something healthy to fuel your child’s busy day. After all that you’ve got to figure out if it is something your little one will continue to enjoy.

Even the least picky eaters are prone to change their minds, and what works one week might not work the next. What’s more, you’ve got to work your magic twice – since schools often work a snack break into the daily routine, as well as a lunch break.

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Well, one mum might have thought she’d found the perfect snack for her son until she took to Mumsnet, where the “antisocial” suggestion proved to be a controversial pick.

The mum divided opinion when she asked if she could send her child to school with a boiled egg for his morning snack. Initially, she was concerned the egg might go “nasty” when stored outside of a fridge.

The parent wrote: “I’ve just read that boiled eggs last for a week in the fridge. WIBU to cook 5 eggs on a Sunday and send my son in with one each day for his morning snack?

“In his words he’s ‘so lucky’ any time I give him an egg so I’m not concerned about that… Just about if you would think that by Friday if the egg would still be okay? Taking into consideration being out of the fridge for 2 hours or so before it’s eaten…” She then asked people to vote whether or not she was being unreasonable, based on the following criteria:

“YABU – that’s a terrible idea and the egg will be nasty by then

“YANBU – go ahead and feed your egg fanatic 4 year old that cheap snack every day and save time on prep.”

However, people were quick to warn her against the snack for a different reason than suggested. While many thought the egg would be “fine from a health perspective”, and agreed it made a cheap, healthy snack, they took issue with the potential smell.

“Oh good heavens no,” wrote one parent. “The smell of a boiled egg is pretty unsociable.” A second agreed: “Hard boiled eggs smell disgusting so I would say totally unreasonable! I mean, it won’t harm your child at all but it’s very antisocial.”

“Boiled eggs smell like farts,” added someone else. But other commenters did like the idea.

“I always think fruit is a rubbish snack in the winter. A boiled egg sounds lovely,” read one comment. And someone else wrote: “I don’t think the smell would be much of an issue if you send it in in something airtight. But then I am biased in favour of eggs!”

However, the mum was left unconvinced due to the differing opinions – and it sounds like she might be on the search for a replacement snack.

Replying to commenters, she said: “Maybe I should play it safe with a babybel at first,” and she clarified: “The school actually provides fruit.”

“A few have a mentioned the smell and I don’t want him to be the boy with the stinky egg so I might steer clear for now,” she added.

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