School Lunches Made Easy

The internet is buzzing with back-to-school lunch suggestions, organizational tips, and photo shoot ideas (so many chalkboards). Many of you found my Summer Calendar For Kids post a real lifesaver (it was pinned at least twice – my head is still spinning). So I thought I’d create a budget-friendly, simple, and nutritious meal plan for all those lunches we parents need to pack for our little darlings. Don’t worry, I snuck in a little treat each day, because life should be enjoyed, right?

Busy families do not have time or energy to create a new lunchtime meal every day. To maximize simplicity I’ve carefully selected four items that will keep your offspring nourished and ready to learn.

Convenient and affordable
Convenient and affordable

You might be worried that your children will become bored with the same items each day. No. You can keep things fresh and exciting by cutting the cheese sandwiches into triangles, then squares, and if you’re feeling really Pinterest-y, go ahead and try rectangles. Kids are easily duped.

Feeling a litte adventurous? Go ahead and swap out the apples for bananas. You be you.

Bonus Feature:

Breakfast for the parent on the go. All in less than ten minutes.

photo 2

Coming soon: Afterschool Snack Ideas

Crocs, S’mores, and Dirty Feet

Food, coolers, ice

tents

sleeping bags

Pack up contents of the house

Sunscreen

Matches

Wienie roasting sticks

Did we bring the pop and chips?

The kids!

We arrived with six, now only four

Search party

Breathe easy, they’re found

White rabbit White rabbit

White rabbit White rabbit

Stop adding paper to the fire

Seriously

Lost kids againIMG_0584

Where could they be?

Buddy system

does not work

Dirty feet

Unwashed faces

Relax

Camping is hygiene-free

Night falls

Fire’s out

Into nylon huts we go

Sleep

Hissing

My will to live seeps out

No

Air mattress has a leak

(Same thing)

IMG_0587

P.S. Camping is growing on me. I went willingly this year.

That’s Okay

Mission Impossible theme plays. You sense the tension mounting. It’s only a matter of time. This thing is going to blow. Take cover!

Okay.200-1

Okay? That’s it? This house is about to self-destruct in an epic way and you come back with “OKAY”?

Okay.

What does that even mean? Aren’t you going to intervene? DO SOMETHING!

Okay.

There you go again, just calmly sitting there. We want to see some action. Panic. Even a raised heart rate. GIVE US SOME REACTION, WOMAN.

Okay.

________________

It has taken me years to get to this point, and I sometimes still fall into the snare that those little tyrants set, trying to pull me into the dark abyss that is “Their Problem”. I am mostly certain that this technique evolved out of inertia, nay laziness, but it works. Trust me.

He took more chips than me.200-2

Okay.

He won’t pass the grapes.

Okay.

He called me a dummy.

Okay.

She’s breathing on me.

Okay.

It’s my turn to choose a show/use the iPad/sit in the front/

Okay.200

He didn’t take the one he touched.

Okay.

This mustard is too spicy.

Okay.

He pointed at me.

Okay.

He picked his nose.

Okay (but wash your hands, that’s gross).

He peed on the floor.

Okay. Wait, what? (there are some exceptions).

For added effect, just shrug without making eye contact. You’ll foster more resiliency, problem-solving skills in your children, and your wine budget line will decrease significantly. It’s science.

Okay?

Okay.

_________

200-3

*This technique also works with adults, but with varying results. More testing is needed.