The Lunch Box Dilemma as a Mom
Something happened this week.
My kids wanted to pack their lunch for school.
We had some extra things in the fridge they could take to lunch, so I was like, sure. Why not. So, my oldest helped me pack up all three kids lunch boxes one morning this week. I put a little note with each on and zipped them up and in their bookbags they went.
And here is what happened…
My middle child asked if I was putting a note in it. Other kids had notes from their mom in their lunch boxes, she told me. Yep, I assured her that I did!
My oldest wanted to add some things herself. Um yes please, I will take the extra hands!
My youngest wanted me to remind his teacher that he brought lunch today. Gotta love my 5 yr old!
Then when I picked them up from school, they asked if they could pack it again the next day. My youngest asked me to read the note I wrote him, he kept it in his lunch box. I read it to him.
And then the next morning… they helped me pack the lunches again.
My oldest added her own items.
My middle made sure I wrote a note for them.
My youngest made sure I reminded his teacher he brought a lunch.
And they asked if they could bring them all week. Of course, after first checking to make sure the lunch option of the day wasn’t something they really wanted. :) I said, ya know - why not, sure. We have extra things from the store that we could use in their lunches.
All of this felt so sweet, right? Sure yes, it kind of warmed my heart how much they were looking forward to a haphazard lunch box of random things from home thrown in (we don’t make a picture perfect lunch box over here). It felt like a taste of home and they loved getting a little note from me - maybe a piece of home in the middle of the school day?!
And at the exact same time, sadness and mom guilt took over…
Having three kinds really close in age, getting the hot lunch every day at school has been a life saver for me. There was no question about it - my kids were getting the school lunch.
Getting school lunch was one less thing for us to pack up each morning and wash each night. And I would recommend it to every parent!! To stop stressing over packing lunches and delegate it out to the school lunch provided… it seriously is such a blessing if there is lunch offered at your school! And plus, at ours, they get a variety of different foods at their school lunch, always with at least 1 veggie and 1 fruit, even if they don’t touch it, at least it’s on their plate exposing them to it, right!?
But this week, as my kids were SO excited to bring their lunch, I couldn’t help but wonder if I should do things differently? Is packing up their lunch something that comforts them? To read a small note from me in the middle of the day (well, for my kids who can read it). Should I be doing this more!??!
As if as parents we don’t already have more pressure to make sure our kids feel loved… i couldn’t help but think: was I missing out on this way to show more love? By simply packing them a lunch!? Or am I completely overthinking everything as usual? (most likely LOL).
This is exactly why as moms we are so hard on ourselves!!!!
Here is the thing….
Am I still a huge fan of the school lunches? YES! Gosh YES a million times again and again, it’s saved us as I could barely keep up with life and home and kids and work. Packing three lunches every day of the week is still not something I want to do or want to try and fit in.
But, doing it sometimes? I can get behind moderation. It feels special, my kids look forward to it, and I guess it’s not that bad when it’s not all the time.
As parents we have so much pressure to do ALL the things. I don’t know why but it’s this inner feeling. Did our parents feel this way? Is social media to blame? Are we comparing ourselves to the parents who seemingly do it all? Maybe a little of all the above.
So this week, I decided that I either have been doing it ALL wrong, or that I am learning this motherhood thing as I go. Packing three lunches every day of the school year would stress me OUTTTTT. And that in turn would not make me very fun to be around. But doing it sometimes… I can do that! And if it ever becomes too much and I have to go back to school lunch more often, I will do that because there are so many other ways to show love… and I will not let mom guilt overtake me on something as simple as packing a lunch :)
Okay so those were my random school lunch mom thoughts for the week!
Do you pack your kids lunches or get hot lunch at school? Would love to hear if anyone related to this thoughts around it! Comment below or follow me over on IG at @urban.apron and we can connect over all the mom things like school lunch : )