Teacher’s ‘infuriating’ lunch box act leaves single mum fuming

A mum has revealed her frustration after discovering her child’s teacher had scrawled on a brand-new lunchbox with permanent marker – sparking a heated debate among parents and educators.

The woman, who said she is a single mother, explained she had bought a few different lunchboxes to see which one her child liked best, with the intention of selling the extras later.

But when her son came home, she found the teacher had written his name directly onto the box in thick black marker.

‘How can I get this out?’ she asked on social media.

‘I wasn’t sure if I was going to keep it or not. I wanted to try a couple different kinds [of lunchboxes] to see what my kiddo liked the best, and I also sell things when we’re done using them. Very unappreciative. Please help a mama out.’

The post quickly lit up with comments, with some siding with the mother and others insisting the teacher did the right thing.

‘If you don’t label it, which I know they requested, we’re writing the name on it,’ a teacher wrote, defending the act.

‘Between allergens and not wanting to mix up kids’ food, especially if he wasn’t the only one with that lunchbox, you’re in the wrong.’

Other parents were less forgiving. 

‘Sorry, but how do you think it’s okay to permanently mark someone else’s property?’ one asked.

‘This is so annoying. You would expect a teacher to have more common sense,’ another said.

Some argued there were better alternatives.

‘You don’t need to be writing on people’s stuff with permanent markers anyway. My child’s teacher makes tags – so many ways to go about it. Creative thinking clearly isn’t their best subject.’

Others pointed out the practicalities of managing a classroom.

‘Imagine one teacher trying to keep track of 25-32 children’s personal items. Could you personally remember who every single lunchbox belongs to?’

A daycare worker admitted they would never go that far.

‘I do NOT write on kids’ belongings at all. I put masking tape on their cups because it’s a regulation for cups to be labelled. I’d never just write their name on their stuff knowing it can’t come off. As a parent I’d be mad too,’ they said.

Some parents suggested the mum was overreacting, with one bluntly writing, ‘You can’t be that hard up for money if you’re buying multiple lunchboxes just to ‘try them out’.’

‘Find another kid named Samuel. It’s not the end of the world. If you can afford multiple lunchboxes, you can afford to gift this one if you decide not to keep it,’ another said.

But others argued consent was the issue, not money.

‘Why is everyone acting like the teacher was in the right? The mum didn’t want Sharpie on the lunchbox – the least she could have done was ask.’

Teachers stressed the importance of labelling a child’s personal items, particularly when allergies are involved.

‘It’s a huge pet peeve of mine – unlabelled items coming into my classroom. If you don’t like Sharpie, then label it yourself with waterproof stickers,’ a preschool teacher said.

And as one commenter summed it up: ‘It would be a different conversation if your son got the wrong lunchbox and ate something he was allergic to. Teachers never win nowadays.’