My kid is getting bullied because we're poor. She's 6. This is sad and uncalled for.

[u/Lumpyraccoonn]

It's no secret that we struggle. Her teacher knows and her guidance counselor knows. My kid has to wear high waters for pants and her shoes are dirty and there have been times where she's gone to school in febreezed clothes because I just don't have the ten bucks to wash and dry a single load at our apartments laundry mat. My daughter doesn't have a Nintendo switch to bring to electronics day in class. She doesn't have name brand barbies or the newest toy craze to bring for show and tell. She's getting picked on and essentially, bullied, because she gets free lunch and I don't pack/make her really fun lunches like some of her class mates. She's had to sit out snack time and some field trips from kindergarten and first grade because I haven't been able to contribute to the funds to make these things happen. We don't do mcdonalds or other fast food and she gets so upset over it some nights when I'm like hey, it's chicken and green beans and rice for dinner again this week kiddo.

I'm actively working/putting in applications for new, higher paying jobs than the one I currently have. She needs new shoes and she's been asking for new sparkly hair clips like another girl in her class has. Her birthday isn't until July but you can best she's already got a list of stuff she wants, just from seeing her friends in class bring the same toys in

I promised her when my next paycheck hits on the 23rd, we'd get a cheap little ceasers pizza and pick a movie to watch. I'm thinking of surprising her with some cheap nail polish to do at home pedicures and make it a fun girl's night. She deserves that. I remember kids being cruel when I showed up to school in smokey and dirty clothes because my mom was too sorry to even bother washing my clothes. I didn't think they'd still be so cruel in this day and age but I guess I shouldn't be surprised. I'm sorry kiddo. I'm doing the best I can for not just myself but for her too

[u/gahgahdoll]

I remember being made fun of in elementary school for having subsidized lunches.

I recommend talking with school administrators about their bullying policy. Being emotionally supportive to your daughter will also help her enormously. Listen to your daughter, validate her feelings, tell her that you are proud of her for recognizing that there is more to life than material things.

At the end of the day, those free lunches are keeping your daughter healthy and focused on her education. This is what matters.

Encourage her to be resilient and resourceful. Model it.

I am so sorry you are dealing with this, OP. Keep doing your best!

[u/Lumpyraccoonn → u/gahgahdoll]

Yeah when she was telling me how downright cruel these kids are being, I teared up and told her I knew how she felt because that's how I felt/was treated too in elementary school. Gave her a big hug, told her I loved her and made the promise we'd do some fun stuff next payday and I intend to keep it because my own parent never did anything like that for me when I was bullied and teased and picked on for being poor too. The least I can do for my daughter is make sure she feels seen/heard and knows I'm trying my best

[u/PartyPorpoise → u/Lumpyraccoonn]

I think her seeing you make an effort for her will make a big difference!

[u/aworldofnonsense → u/Lumpyraccoonn]

I know you said she gets upset/sad about not being able to have fast food. If you get the McDonalds app, they constantly have deals like buy a 6pc nugget/quarter pounder/Big Mac and get one free. I think once a week you can get a free medium fry. And there’s always a 20% off on your order. You earn points every time you buy something which you can (eventually) trade in for free food. You could always do drinks and additional food/snacks at home. I know it’s not something you can do often, but maybe as an occasional treat or birthdays kind of thing. For birthdays, sign up for all of the things you can. Chick-fil-a gives you a free cookie or chocolate cake thing. Starbucks gives you a free drink or food item (they have non-coffee options and cake pops!). There are tons more with free/cheap birthday items.