Visiting your friend's house is one of life's greatest adventures when you're a kid, and parents are normally all too happy to host a couple of their child's pals. But while you can leave the little ones to entertain themselves, it is important to make sure they stay safe, watered and fed.
As such, one mum has been left shocked after her 11-year-old returned from a play date feeling 'ravenous'. The youngster had been at his friend's house for several hours, from 10am to 3pm. However, she doesn't think he was offered any food during that time.
She's certain the family have 'no money issues' and knows one of the child parent's stayed at home.
She can't work out why her son went without, as she explained in a post to Mumsnet explaining her confusion.
"[My son] was cagey about whether his mate had lunch while he was there but he wasn't offered anything. His dad was home," she wrote.
Baffled, the mum was keen to know if she had been unreasonable to expect the hosts to provide lunch.
"[My son] had his bank card and I've reminded him he could have nipped to the shop by his mate's house or to the chippy but tbh I did think they'd maybe offer him some lunch!" the parent explained. When asked if her son told her whether or not the dad or friend ate lunch, she clarified: "He's all about boy code and would never say a thing to get anyone in trouble."
Regardless, most commenters thought her son should have been offered food. "I'd always offer friends food. Poor lad," read one reply. "That's really awful," a second agreed.
Another added: "Hope he had a big tea when he got home!" But someone else said: "At eleven, I'd think the boys should be capable of sorting out a snack or sandwich for themselves without Dad needing to be involved."
A second revealed: "I do not make lunch for my teenagers or their friends, they can sort themselves out."
Meanwhile, a different person commented: "It's not the end of the world is it? A few hours that's it, hardly worth stressing over."
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