Parents shocked over controversial lunch box item

“This just doesn’t sit right with me,” one person commented. 

There are plenty of dos and don’ts when it comes to packing your child’s lunch box for school.

Do make sure your child has fruit or veggies for Crunch&Sip. Don’t pack any nuts, or other allergens.

But, there’s one more thing an Aussie mum has discovered to be a big don’t, and it’s kickstarted a debate online.

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Image: Facebook.

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“First day of Kindy!”

An Aussie mum has taken to Facebook to post her little one’s lunch box in the Kids Lunch Box - Australia Facebook group.

“First day of Kindy lunch box,” the woman said.

“Since many of you have asked what it is tot will add.

“Idly - a south Indian dish made by steaming a fermented batter of rice and lentils.

“In the syringe I sent sambar which is a lentil dip.”

“Amazing lunch box!”

Many parents in the comments were obsessed with the spread, complimenting the mum on her efforts.

“Ummm cute,” said one commenter.

“Kudos to the amazing lunch box!!” another commenter said.

“Is that idli?! I was thinking of sending my daughter some for lunch as well she loves them,” said a third.

“Prize goes to you hands down!! First one without any single-use plastics and looks delicious too. Good for everyone. I likes it!!” said another.

But, it turns out one item is far more controversial than she first thought.

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“This just doesn’t sit right with me”

A number of parents flooded to the comments questioning the mum’s use of a syringe in her child’s lunch box, saying that it’s sending the wrong message.

“Just food for thought using a syringe for anything other than medicine may not send the right message. I don't mean to be that person but just something to reflect and think on. Not trying to be negative. I work in childcare and have seen it all,” said one commenter.

“first thing I thought was encouraging drug use! Keep medical instruments for the correct purposes,” another agreed.

“absolutely one hundred percent agree, raised both my children to never touch a syringe unless it's the doctor giving it to them, so this just doesn't sit right with me,” said a third.

“The mum or dad or both of them must be nurses or medical professionals....I'm a nurse myself and it's so normal to use syringes or little pair of scissors or forceps anywhere in the house. In saying that though...I do understand your point, it could send a wrong message not the her kid but to other kids. We usually don't use outside of the house . But you know what they are soo darn useful and handy,” another said.

“Such a reach”

Others disagreed entirely, saying that there’s no correlation between the syringe and encouraging drug use, and many even complimented the poster’s creativity.

“it's not encouraging drug use. Thats such a reach,” said one commenter.

“Idlies chutney in a syringe is big brain stuff,” another said.

“Omg my son would absolutely LOVE this I’m totally stealing the syringe idea he always gets one out the draw and uses them to suck up his water or juice and drink it that way,” a third said.

Use an alternative!

But, if you’re unsure, there are plenty of other options out there.

“plenty of little dipping containers around instead,” one commenter suggested.

“you can buy so many cute squeeze bottles to put sauces in. Aldi just had a 4pk? For a few dollars,” another said.

Originally published as Parents shocked over controversial lunch box item