Parents often find themselves standing up for their children in unexpected situations. One mother shared how she took a bold stand after a 6-year-old girl took her daughter's bento lunchbox—only to have both the teacher and principal side with the culprit.
Here’s what happened.
My sister had bought my 6-year-old daughter a $50 bento box, which she loved. But on Thursday, after school, as I unpacked her backpack like I always do, I noticed it was missing.
When I asked her about it, she hesitated before explaining that a girl in her class, Audrey (not her real name), had taken it and refused to return it.
"Did you tell your teacher?" I asked.
"Yes," she said, "but she told me it's just a lunchbox and that it doesn’t really matter."
I was livid. Audrey’s name wasn’t new to me—she and a group of girls had been bullying my daughter for a while. Despite multiple complaints to the school, nothing had ever been done.
The next day, I decided enough was enough. I went to the school 30 minutes before lunchtime and requested a meeting with the teacher and principal. They brought my daughter in, and I explained the situation. A staff member was sent to get Audrey.
Audrey brought the lunchbox to "prove" it was hers, but I calmly asked them to open it. Sure enough, inside was my daughter’s name, clear as day.
When I asked for it to be returned, Audrey burst into tears.
The teacher, instead of addressing the issue, asked if Audrey could keep it for the day since her lunch was already inside. I refused. I told them they had five minutes to find another container for her food, or I would be throwing it out myself.
Rather than solving the problem, they started arguing with me. So I stood up, took the bento box, and—right in front of them—dumped the food into the trash.
I took my daughter’s hand and walked out, leaving them to comfort Audrey.
Later, when I told my sister what had happened, she said that while I had every right to be angry, I could have just let Audrey keep the lunchbox—she would have bought my daughter another one. But why should I replace something my daughter already owned just because an entitled child decided to take it?
For context, Audrey’s family is well-off—she could easily afford her own bento box. She took my daughter’s simply because she’s a bully.
And to make matters worse? People defended her behavior.
My daughter will be switching schools at the end of the semester.
I love that your daughter got to witness you standing up for her like that! As someone who was bullied as a kid, I know how much it would have meant to have my mom defend me so fiercely. Keep being an amazing parent!
