[Jillian_10]

I often hear about the issues related to restrictions on cakes / biscuits / lollies etc being supplied by children or parents for the class at school, kinder or even daycare.

When did this become a convention?

I attended three different primary schools and three different high schools, all in WA and all before 1990, but I cannot for the life of me remember this ever being a social convention.

Is it an Australia wide phenomenon?
When did it begin?
Why does it continue given all the issues?

[House.of.blue]

My mum always made a cake for my birthday to take to school as did a lot of other kids. I went to 5 primary schools in QLD and it was the norm but not once we got to high school.

I am 27 so it was happening 20 odd years ago although with all the restrictions it is a dying treat for the kids. I really don't think you can do it anymore although my sons daycare states that store cakes are okay just not homemade :/

[countrymel]

I was teaching at a district school (k-10) in the late 90s and it wasn't happening, it also doesn't happen at my nephew's school now. (inner city)

I suspect it is a carry over from daycare - now that children transitioning from daycare to school is so much more prevalent it has become more common.

[Banana Pancakes]

I went to 4 primary schools and 2 high schools up and down the NSW Coast and it never happened. Thankfully it doesnt happen at my ds school, or maybe it is and he just never told me I certainly hope its not happening without my knowledge!

[cinnabubble]

It certainly didn't happen at any of the primary schools I attended in the 70s.

[kpingitquiet]

We had class birthday parties, usually involving cupcakes or cookies, up until about 2nd grade. That was *groan* 28 years ago, but in a different country. Doesn't seem strange to me.

[*LucyE*]

I think it's a new phenomenon. I don't mind it because it saves me having to host a birthday party but the children still get a kick out of sharing and celebrating their birthday with school friends.

[julz78]

Been happening since I was in kindy in '83 though I missed out all the time because my birthday is in school holidays. This is south coast and western sydney. Actually at my primary school in assembly all the kids with birthdays during that week would get called up on stage where they would have a dummy birthday cake and would light the candles and they all got to blow them out while everyone sang happy birthday. It didn't happen in highschool though you would probably get your head flushed in the toilet if you did.

[Blossom77]

Happened at my pimary school in the 1980s. Might be a small bit of cake or a bit of finger bun.

[winkywonkeydonke...]

I dont know, but i hate it as my son has milk intolerance and has to watch everyone else eat yummy cake . He is 5 and doesnt understand very well.
Last week a mum brought in choc cupcakes (i was told cakes are discouraged) and my son had to sit there and watch everyone else eat them , he was in tears when i picked him up.

I have now made a batch of dairy free cupcakes to be kept for him at school. but its not the same.