I have to admit the one thing I am MOST dreading about my kids going back to school is not that I will miss them (but believe me I miss them so much when they are gone) but it’s making their lunches. Haha. Yup, I’m that mom that hates packing lunches. I sometimes beg my kids to get hot lunch. I get super excited when there is leftover pizza I can throw in their lunch bag with a few other things. But the very best is when my husband says, “Don’t worry honey, I’ll make their lunches before work in the morning.” Now that’s what I call love!
I recently found a blog where a lady put together a list of 31 Days of School Lunchbox Ideas. Brilliant! I’ll take any help I can get! Check it out if you need some ideas too.
I also read a really great idea the other day. If you have a kindergartner or a little kid who has never had a school lunch before, practice a school lunch at home. Pack a lunch and have them eat it at home. Make sure they can open all the containers and wrappers. Set a timer, as they may only have 10 to 15 minutes to eat at school and that may be stressful. Teach them what leftovers to toss and what can be brought home to repack the next day or to have for an after-school snack.
Some other tips I have picked up in my nine years of packing lunches:
- If possible do it the night before, makes mornings a little less stressful.
- Make sandwiches in bulk and freeze them.
- Have your kids help. Ella loves to help most of the time. You work on the main item while they grab the sides.
- Don’t pack too much. They really don’t have a ton of time to eat. Ty finally told me last year that I was packing way too much. I’d rather not pack too much than have them waste it.
Happy lunch packing friends! We are all in this together. We can do it!
