Should I Bring Food or Donuts to an IEP Meeting? (Spoiler Alert: NO)

I understand you want to be nice. You want to be the cool parent that all the teachers like.

But I still think bringing donuts to an IEP meeting is a bad idea. Here’s why.

A reader recently asked me:

I was talking with a coworker and she said I should never go to an IEP meeting without donuts. I never even thought about bringing anything. We want your opinion.

So here we go, my opinion.

Should I bring donuts to the IEP meeting?

First of all, it is my understanding (and I could be wrong) but somewhere out there, there’s a group that does IEP workshops or something, and their advice is to always bring food. Coffee, donuts, bagels, whatever.

That information spread like wildfire, all across chat rooms, list-servs, and Facebook groups. And it is why many parents feel obligated to do so. I’m glad that you phrased it as “we want your opinion” instead of “do I need to bring donuts?”

I have not and don’t ever plan to bring any food or gifts to an IEP meeting, either as a parent or as an advocate. And here’s my reasoning.

(FWIW, when you read this you will probably think that I have waaayyyy overthought this. I probably have. I overthink a lot of things.)

According to the law and Procedural Safeguards, parents are an equal members of the IEP team. In my opinion, bringing in food or gifts of any kind changes that.

Are they bringing you any food or gifts? No, they’re not. See how that’s uneven?

It also makes the setting informal. Again, my opinion. While I want the tone to be comfortable, this is very much a formality, not a party.

I am here to discuss my child’s goals, education and future, not have a continental breakfast. This is a business meeting. Sure, it’s not unusual to have donuts or snacks at a business meeting. But when that happens, it is usually catered.

Of course, the thinking is, if you are “nicer” by bringing donuts, then they will be nicer and “give me what I want” as far as changes to the IEP. That just doesn’t sit well with me.

I want us all to change the IEP collaboratively because we agree it’s the right course of action. Not because I pumped them up with lard and sugar beforehand.

I want my child’s IEP to be based on his needs and abilities, not constructed differently because I’m a “cool parent, easy to deal with.” (By the way, I doubt those words are next to my name in any school’s book.)

I think it’s a bit sexist.

Yeah, now you think I’ve totally lost my marbles. But think about it. Only moms ever want to bring donuts. I have never once seen a dad do this. To me, it will help perpetuate that we’re just IEP moms and not equal members of the IEP team.

Arguments for Bringing Food to IEP meetings

A few group members have said that they will continue to bring food.

Their reasoning is that they usually have afternoon meetings and that they want the team to be focused. On one hand, yeah, ok, I kind of get it.

On the other hand, not my job to bring snacks. If you know you have a late meeting, you prepare. And I’d just try for a different IEP meeting time.

Gifts for your IEP team

All of this being said, I have a holiday gift-giving list that is tremendously long. I give holiday gifts to dozens of people. All the teachers, aides, therapists, and everyone.

Heck, I even give gifts to our trash collectors, mail carriers, newspaper carriers, and delivery people. There is a time and a place for gift-giving, and for being thankful for your team.

The IEP meeting isn’t it. This meeting isn’t about them, it’s about your child.

Of course, this is for my family and my setting, and why I don’t do it. I suppose if you’ve been a jerk for the past few months and just realized that you’ve been an unreasonable jerk, then perhaps a peace offering isn’t a bad idea either.

So there you go. Sorry you asked?

This post was originally published in 2012 but was recently updated.