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Lunch Lady Blues
Practical back-to-school lunch tips for busy families, from bento boxes and lunch stations to leftovers, grab-and-go snacks, and letting kids pack their own.
Time is strange, I feel the older we get the faster it goes. In Richmond, we are in the closing stretch of a hot, wet, American summer. The World Cup is behind us, we are a Quarter Millennial years old, and we are prepping for one of the most important times of the year—BACK TO SCHOOL!
Since 2019, we’ve had to expedite our transition from an after Labor Day start to a Dog Days of Summer one. This means, we have to prep our homes earlier for the celebratory mimosa salute. And while there's the whole business of organizing and designating school supplies, plus the swimsuit-to-backpack transition, there's also the matter of LUNCH.
My 13 year old step-daughter is infamous for making mascara and “fit” time priority over wise lunch choices. Let’s be honest, I really hate that she eats a “chicken thingy and a piece of lettuce” for lunch. I’ve also never met a child who wasn’t into a sandwich—ham and cheese on Wonder bread were my mainstays! I honestly think kids have just been spoiled with a myriad of food choices in restaurants. I also have the dilemma of throwing away tons of uneaten food leftovers due to forgetfulness and dining schedules.
I have decided to do this new school year a little differently so she gets the nutrition she needs and the food she wants in an efficient manner. Let’s go…
Invest in a Insulated Bento Box or Food Thermos
This will not only provide your kid with a variety of meals, but also help you get rid of leftovers and keep their meals warm!
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They Can Make Their Own Lunches!
I was making sandwiches at five. It isn’t rocket science.
Teaching kids to make their own lunches helps enormously on crazy mornings, but it’s also one of those little life skills that builds independence without them even realizing it.
Make lunch prep part of the bedtime routine. Little ones can use fun sandwich cutters, choose their fruit, or help portion carrots, chips, crackers and cheese into snack bags. Older kids and teens? Hand over the reins. If they’re old enough to perfect winged eyeliner, they can assemble a wrap.
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Designate Fridge Space
Get a few fridge organizers that have your pre-cut and pre-bagged items, cheese and deli meats, and dips. This will make it easier for them to grab and go if there is a morning rush. They also feel like it’s their space. Speaking of dips, don’t be afraid to collect their favorites at frequented local restaurants—that’s a money saver. If they get “embarrassed” by that, just pick up a few condiment containers to transfer them to.
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Stop Buying What They Don’t Eat
She used to eat PB&J like it was going out of style, but now baby girl wants muffalatas and sushi. Trust me, stop buying them what they won’t eat and replace it with something they enjoy. Stock up on their favorites, but make sure they hit all the important food groups including a little dessert.
The goal isn't to pack the lunch that looks the healthiest when it leaves your kitchen. The goal is for them to actually eat it.
Utilize the digital family calendar, a shared Note, or a posted sheet for letting them add the things they want on their lunch menu.
Noteworthy
I think it’s super cute and also just a good way to communicate with your kid to leave a note in their lunch. Doesn’t have to be a lot, just a quick post it to let them know you think about them. You can make it fun by letting them fish it out of a bowl before they jet out of the house. Here are a few good ones:
In case nobody told you today: you’re pretty damn great.
I hope something unexpectedly good happens today.
Bad morning ≠ bad day.
Be kind. Be brave. Show ‘em what you got.
Whatever happens today, home is waiting.
Your eyeliner is probably perfect. Now eat your lunch.
No, there are no extra snacks.
This lunch cost approximately 1/14th of a DoorDash order.
Eat the fruit. I’m serious.
Yes, there’s dessert. No, you may not eat it first.
Consider this your formal reminder to hydrate.
Enjoy this lunch, pizza may await you later.
At the end of the day, back-to-school prep isn’t about creating a perfectly organized refrigerator or sending your kid off with a lunch worthy of Instagram. It’s about making the house work a little better when life gets busy again.
Give them a space, give them some choices, teach them to do a few things for themselves, and stock the kitchen with food they’ll actually eat. If we can cut down on the morning chaos, waste a little less food, and keep our kids from surviving the school day on a chicken thingy and a piece of lettuce, I’m calling it a W (ugh that felt gross writing). You can teach them to say complete words as well!