It’s school time again! This is what some parents have waited for all summer. Others love the carefree days of summer and no tight schedule and are dreading the return of waking their children up no less than six times in 10 minutes and forcing them to eat a breakfast that they are not hungry for.
Whether it is getting your kindergartner, high school or college age child ready and off to school this year, we would like you to share how you are preparing for this new and exciting school year. Maybe it is even you preparing for a new adventure and career change and are headed back to school this fall. Please share your experiences with us.
Also be sure and check our CarftyMomof3’s Back to School Organizational Craft Tips.
My daughter is starting first grade so she’ll be in school all day. She doesn’t really eat sandwiches. Does anyone have any good non sandwich lunch suggestions?
My youngest son would not eat sandwiches either. He is turning 25 in the next month so this was quite a few years ago but I just had to go with cheese, crackers, pudding, fruit, carrots, raisins and I am sure it was quite boring for the little one. He still doesn’t eat sandwiches other than a grilled cheese. It took him forever to eat his hamburger in a bun….maybe like when he was 20. LOL
I am interested in reading what others suggest on this.
Pam@IW: It took him forever to eat his hamburger in a bun….maybe like when he was 20. LOL
Boy, can I relate. My 18-year-old is the same. She has always preferred grazing/snacking to sitting down and actually eating a meal. Sigh.
Teresa, not sure how open-minded your daughter is about her diet? I assume you want to stick with food that doesn’t have to be heated up?
-Hummus with crackers or pita bread might be one way to go.
-If she is open to eating what is contained in a sandwich, perhaps some strips of turkey or chicken?
-Does she like pasta? Perhaps a cold pasta salad (maybe make enough for a few days). You can toss some healthy ingredients in there. Of course, it does involve packing a plastic fork (hope those haven’t been banned yet!)
-Not hugely healthy, but I used to make and pack my daughter a toasted bagel and cream cheese. That was something she would eat at least (if only half of it!)
Congratulations to your new first grader! My daughter has her first college class today. She is attending school locally, but it is still feels kind of momentous.
My daughter loved tuna salad plain, no bread. She also would eat strips of cold chicken, roast beef and turkey. Had to send plastic fork in lunch box, and she could just throw it away everyday after eating lunch. I also made chili and put it hot in a small wide mouth thermos on cold days, any soup with a few crakers fills them up with a piece of fruit.
I guess you could also wrap the cold chicken and turkey slices in lettuce or a cheese slice?
No! No! I want more time. (I think I said that last year too). Is it really the end of summer? I am busy taking in the waist of my little one’s new school clothes. She is a skinny mini. Teresa E., mine is starting first grade too. This will be her first time going all day. She is not a picky a eater, but much like Pam said about her son, she is a grazer. I am worried she won’t eat enough of her lunch at school. My one consolation is that she eats her blueberry oatmeal pretty fast in the morning. I love all these lunch suggestions. I never thought about packing her a bagel w/cream cheese, she eats those pretty fast. Carrots w/ranch dressing is another one of her favs. I also like breakfast bars as a lunchbox snack, she eats the Quaker Oatmeal ones. Regardless, I’m sure she’s going to spend more of her lunch time gabbing instead of settling down to eat.
Justpoor, I did use to send plain turkey in my older son’s lunchbox, he loved it that way, but didn’t like it on bread. (I would love to have a nickel for every tunafish sandwich I packed during his school days).
My kids eat everything. I still had non-sandwich options that made the lunches less boring.
When they were little I sent cold cheese tortillas. Sometimes I sent ring bologna slices (“meat circles.”) I would roll up a slice of lunchmeat and cheese together to make a “meat and cheese stick.”
Now I add in mixed dried fruit and nuts and seeds. They all said that is surprisingly filling for how little you eat. I also make whole wheat quick breads, banana nut, pumpkin-craisin, and others to slice and send in. My middle child likes the most variety (or at least she speaks up about it the most.) Don’t forget a hard-boiled egg if she’ll eat that.
These are all great ideas. She is my first full day schooler so I am not sure what she will like. I will try all the suggestions. I am excited that I have so many options now. Thanks everyone.
My 4 girls are in school! Puffman and I are sad and happy. The girls are totally into IT and come home chattering like chipmunks. The almost 4’s are in Jr. K for 1/2 day and the almost 6’s are in first grade. Since they are so into this adventure (they started 8/11) we are glad we decided not to homeschool. I’m also happy to report the dressing as identicals disappeared the lst day of school and each on decides on their own which uniform to wear. Bottoms can be long pants, capri’s, skorts, skirts, bermuda shorts or a jumper in khaki, navy, or black. Tops are polo’s in gold, green, cranberry, blue, or black. What was I worried about??????
While I am not as nutrious conscience as I should be I do try to limit sugar and concentrate on fruit and protein. The almost 4’s chose the option of eating lunch at school probably just so they could carry lunch purses like their big sisters and since I am big on involving the girls in decision making I place items on the counter after dinner and allow each to choose what to pack. Big choices so far have been apple slices, cheese cubes, oatmeal to go (Quaker), Ak-Mak crackers with Chicken salad, and to spread it they each get a wooden old fashioned ice cream stick. My girls also enjoy the Mission Flour Tortilla (the one with 11 grams of fiber) which we spread with FF cream cheese and taco seasoned chicken or beef , roll tightly and slice for pinwheels or bigger for a rollup. We also do a BLT roll up they enjoy but have not tried for school lunchs.
“Lunch purses.”
I love that phrase. I have never heard it, but I will be calling my “lunch bag” a lunch purse from now on.
Lindsey, what a great idea- letting them just choose the night before from an array of options. Great idea!
Ann, they really are lunch purses! They are shaped just like a small clutch but have a zipper and keep their water bottles cold as well as the other items. They come in pks of 2, one solid color and one with some sort of pattern at BJ’s. Puffman found them and showed the girls and let them decide. They each have a different one and have already been trading. So far no squabbles on that issue. I have actually seen the rubberized like material at JoAnn’s and I bet Crafty Mom could probably make them easily especially if she has a HD sewing maching with a serger. BTW, the lunch purses are really cute and quite stylish. My MIL liked them so much she purchased for herself and gave one to my mom for the days that they teach at the community college. Both of these ladies are formidable as well as kinda “prissy”. I say that with total love for both.
Puffman said the price for 2 lunch purses at BJ’s is $14.99. The rubberized material is flexible, washable, and lightweight and I know it works because one of almost 4,s drank her water but not her juice box and when she got home it was still chilled.
I want a lunch purse. However, I am retired now so when would I use it? Maybe next semester if I decide to do some part time work. I really want one. What is BJ’s?
Where I live when we talk about BJs we talk about this place. I don’t think they sell lunch purses but they have great food and beer!
I want a lunch purse. That’s the best kind of purse! A purse with food in it!
They must be stylish if they go from pre-K to Community College and are still fashionable!
BJ’s is the shopper’s warehouse store, right? I really want to see one. Can craftymom make them? Craftymom, can you?
Lunch purse on Amazon!
BJ’s is a membership shopping place much like Sam’s except that you can purchase many things at BJ’s in smaller packages that are more suitable for a family of 6 rather than 12 or more people.
Mom said that if I could sew I could make these on her Bernina and go into business but alas I can’t sew but I do want to learn and one of my goals is to help with the costumes for plays the girls might participate in at school.
Very cute! I must get one.
I’m emotional…my daughter starts kindergarten but lucky I don’t have to worry about sending lunches with her because she will go half a days…very emotional even though I’m trying not to admit it to my family but I’m also so proud she’s starting her school career!!
Darlene,
Is she your first to go off to school? It is an emotional time but I am sure she will love it!
I also wanted to mention to everyone that I read a review by Nina Frye from Living the Dream Moms on ISafe Backpacks. I had never heard of this product before but some of you might want to click on the link and take a look. It is a beautiful bag and it has a pull cord that sets off a very loud alarm if your child feels unsafe for any reason. Here is the link to ISafe’s website. These bags are good for adults too!
Yes Pam she’s my first off to school. My daughter was never the kid who cried. I’m sure she’ll be like you can go now, see you later!! The Isafe website is good. Will have to look into getting one.
Last evening we had Spinach salad for dinner complete with crumbled bacon, boiled egg, Toastette croutons, and mixed dried fruit, served with Sweet Vidalia Onion dressing and wonder of wonder one of the girls asked if she could have it in her lunch purse today, and then the others wanted the same!!!!!! Sooooooooo……….I got out the extra small zip lok containers and we all put it together. Spinach and dressing into the 8 oz container, egg wrapped in saran wrap, and the dry stuff, mixed fruit, bacon bits, and croutons in the small zip lok containter. Each had a trial run and it worked. Everything fit into their lunch purses nicely along with a Blueberry Nutri-grain bar and an individual 3.9oz container of Granny Smith natural apple sauce, water bottle & juice box. They each have a spork to eat with that came with the purse.Since we packed the lunch purses after dinner and stuck them in the fridge overnite they were ready for pick up this am. If all goes well will advise .
I have another question. Recently, my 6 year old daughter has been asking about how different animal babies get born. I am sure that soon she will be asking how babies are made. I have no qualms telling her about “the birds and the bees” but I like having diagrams. Can anyone recommend a good children’s book that explains human reproduction-not too scientific but not too juvenile either.
Teresa, every question asked by your child is an opportunity for special interaction between parent and child and handled well will give your child precious memories. The type of question you are asking about is an opportunity for you and your child to go exploring together for the answer.The exploring together lends itself to a teaching and learning experience also. Planning ahead in anticipation of this question is wise on your part. Keeping the answer simple , true, and age appropriate is the best course to follow. While I don’t have a specific children’s book to recommend I would suggest you contact a book store in your area and ask for the children’s books employee expert. They can quickly become one of your best go to sources for excellent advice in many areas of child development. Good luck with this first of many questions that will more than likely worry you needlessly.
I do have an excellent book to recommend for packing fun and nourishing school lunch that my children enjoy looking through and planning. Annabel Karmen is the author of “Top 100 Finger Foods.” My girls loved making and eating the Tuna Melt Muffins and the Salad Lollipops. There are many recipes that even the picky eater will partake of if encouraged to participate in the preparation.
You are so right, Lindsey. I feel the way I handle this question will determine whether my daughter (or any of my kids) will feel comfortable enough to talk to me about any other “taboo” subject. My mother did not give me “the talk” and as a result I did not find her approachable. I do not want that for my kids. I borrowed a few books from the library but haven’t looked them over yet. I will keep in mind “simple, true and age appropriate.” Thanks.
I saw an article in a parenting magazine about healthy and creative school lunches. There are puzzle piece sandwich cutters that looked pretty cool and all sorts of other neato lunch contraptions. I sound old when I say, “Kids these days…” but its true. When I was a kid, I got a peanut butter sandwich every single day.
Teresa E. I haven’t looked at any books yet (mine is 7). We did watch a couple of baby stories where they show the birth. I know some might think it was age-inappropriate, but she was curious and I thought she might as well know what it’s like. I also think it’s just amazing to see. I know there are nature videos w/animals being born. It’s a balance between traumatizing and information. 🙂
Learning to manage new and bigger tasks is part of the growing and maturing cycle and having an insight to that process can only help foster good parenting skills. Learning to identify, recognize, and anticipate is an inborn and automated process for mothers, but you have to nurture it daily to make it grow with your child. Recognizing this and keeping it in the forefront will lighten your load.
With effective communication at home and at school you will have a balance that will allow you and your child an experience of productivity that has no limits. Keeping yourself and your children fresh and open to new experiences requires a team effort and encouraging children to be responsible for tasks helps them become independent. If you are a working mom who is also managing children and a household and find little time for anything else then step up to the plate and bring your child into your world so that you will have time for theirs. With a small investment of precious time your rewards will multiply infinitely.
Sorry so late in getting back to y’all….I have been getting ready for back to school! I have been researching a non sewing machine way to make this craft because mine is in storage right now (I am between houses) and don’t have access to it. If I find a good one I will write a post about it…I was really intrigued when Ann asked me about it. I have a wedding this weekend and I am back to work but I promise I will try asap! 🙂 I also have two crafts in the works that I am going to try next weekend after I am done going through my girls outgrown clothes. (intrigued???) LOL
Oh and Puff I miss BJ’s. They don’t have them out here and when I lived in RI I went to mine weekly. We have Costco now but it’s not the same!