The cost of lunch, for the 2nd Grader

If you ask HeaBug or JT about the FIVE RULES, they'll list them for you.
1. Don't Lie
2. Don't Cheat
3. Don't Steal
4. Listen
5. Be Respectful

I figure everything falls under one of those rules. Mr. B and I do our very best to parent intentionally. It doesn't mean we've got it all figured out but we do try hard to address everything... The good, the bad, the average. JT and HeaBug have a constant flow of feedback. Our family talks, a lot.

There are constant life lessons woven in to daily happenings for the Booth Ohana. Think before you speak, speak when you have something important to say, save and spend wisely, don't waste, pick up after yourself and sometimes that means picking up after others too.
Mr. B has recently taken over making the lunches. He's super consistent and pack the way he enjoys eating. Fresh, quick, easy, healthy. Seriously, our family could survive for days on nosh and crudités.
We tell the kids their bodies are like cars and you have to put the good gas in the good cars. They participate in serious physical activity so we teach them that they need serious and good fuel.
All that said and done...
JT has not been finishing his lunch. Although he's been "implying" everyday that he has. I told him how much it hurts us that he is wasting our time and money but also that he's wasting food.
I had a humble upbringing and while I don't want my kids to have to experience that, it has given me authentic appreciation for ALL of my blessings.
We've also been working on money lessons with JT. Earning, saving, donating, spending. He is a saver saver saver and doesn't like spending his own money. Who does?
Hurt feelings aside, we told JT that until he learns to eat his lunch, at lunch, he will need to pay for his own lunch. If he can manage to do it for a week, I will go back to providing him lunch, free of charge.
Yesterday he gave me $0.90 for his 1/2 sandwich, carrots and cheese-its. Today it was $0.85. He questioned why it got cheaper and I said I gave him less food. I offered a treat/dessert. He said yes, I told him it would be $0.10 extra. He agreed, gave me a dollar and I gave him change.
Rushing out of the car this morning, he wanted to know if I got his lunch off of the counter. I said No. Because it was not my responsibility. My frustrated son, walks... backward... ACROSS the street (!) not paying attention and narrowly avoid a car that was backing up... (Thank you Mom Sprint Ability).
He is upset because in general, I won't bring lunch or homework or other things that are forgotten  because I need to get to work and I spend a good 10 minutes before leaving asking over and over and over if you are prepared and have everything you need for the day.
If you forget it suffer the natural consequence, chances that you'll forget it again are slim.
Last minute I realized that he might not have money in his cafeteria account. So I did grab it from home and bring it back, leaving it in the office.

I did put this note in his bag though:

Every thing we do with and for our children is because we love them and want to raise them to be responsible, aware, empathetic, smart, kind, safe, independent,

 passionate, courageous, wise, contributing adults. 

Some lessons are hard to learn. I know that as a grown up. 

Sometimes, I still have to learn the hard way.