What is it about a parent posting about their kid’s lunch online that makes every troll on the internet come out and start spouting off their nutritional expertise? Shouldn’t parents be able to decide what they want their child to eat?
Many people use social media sites and apps, such as TikTok, to get ideas for their kid’s lunches to help break up the monotony and even find solutions for picky eaters. Surprisingly, what seems like a great resource for moms can actually get kind of ugly on occasion.
One mom on TikTok shares what she packs for her kids' school lunches, and someone accused her of "child abuse" for what she feeds her kids. The accusation … is baffling.
On TikTok, followers get a glimpse into the mom’s routine.
TikTok mom @tarasfarmtotable uses the platform to share cooking tips and tricks with her 612,000 followers. That’s a lot of people who are pretty interested in what she has to show. Tara often gives us a peek into her kids’ lunchboxes, both before and afters of the meal.
That box may be empty, or it could be missing only a few bites. It’s totally real and 100% relatable. She also offers a variety of lunch choices that give parents some ideas. It’s a pretty great feed.
The 'abusive' lunch seemed pretty ordinary.
Tara was accused of “child abuse” by a user (who has since deleted their profile) for supposedly overfeeding her preschooler. As she prepares lunch, an exasperated-sounding Tara says, “Just another day of being accused of child abuse because I don’t want my almost 5-year-old to get hungry while she’s at school for six hours.”
We totally get why she is exhausted by the comment. The lunch she's packing consists of three pieces of turkey, each with a cheese stick rolled inside, some strawberries and grapes, carrot chips, pretzel sticks, and about a tablespoon of Nutella. Seriously? What is the problem?
People don’t get it.
TikTok was as confused as we are. Tara put together a balanced and healthy lunch. There isn’t even any junk food. Honestly, it’s a lot better than what makes it into our kids’ lunches sometimes. Her followers agreed.
“Plz tag me in what she ate plz?” reads a comment that got more than 22K likes.
People were out for the user who made the outlandish accusation.
Someone pointed out that even the experts agree with Tara. “I’ve seen a few dietitians duet you letting you know you are doing good mama & how adults now a days aren’t eating enough! You do you for your child!” one person commented.
Her child, her choice, right?
“She doesn’t even have to eat it all her mom knows what she’s doing idk how y’all are gon tell her what to do with HER child,” someone else wrote.
Those who work in schools are appreciative of the size of the portions and the options. “I work at an elementary school & I work with pre-k & trust me some of those kids can eat. They bring their own lunch & still ask for more,” one person shared.
Guess what? Kids don't always eat all their food.
Every kid in the land sometimes comes home from school with food still in their lunch box. This just goes to show that she isn’t overfeeding and “abusing” her children with too much food. Instead, Tara is just giving them options, which a lot of people love.
"He was just way too excited to eat Mama!!! But it was a great lunch!!" someone wrote.
"Awww at least he tried," another person commented.
Tara’s TikTok doesn't just feature lunch boxes.
Not only does Tara give her followers lunch ideas for kids, but she also lets them know what they need to meal plan for the week. She often posts her food hauls from grocery stores and places like Target to give an idea of how she feeds her family.
Spoiler alert: Not everything is fruits and veggies. There are chips and tacos in there as well. You know, like lots of families.
Tara, we think your kids are pretty lucky to have a mom who cares enough to give them nutritious foods and lots of options. You’re welcome to pack our kids’ lunches any day.
