As the new school year approaches, one of my biggest challenges is packing lunch for my children. Getting them ready and out the door by 8 a.m. is already a feat in itself—there’s always some sort of meltdown (usually mine). Once they get home, the “hangry” episodes often leave me texting my partner for an early escape from this parenting whirlwind. Homework? Don’t even get me started; it’s a battle that takes forever for minimal progress. But when it comes to packing lunch, it feels like I’m gearing up for a war. My child’s Pokémon-themed lunchbox and I have a complicated relationship, and just thinking about facing it in the afternoon makes me cringe.
It’s not just me, though. Many parents share the same loathing for this daily chore and eagerly await the day their kids can take over lunch-making duties. Here are nine reasons why I truly dread packing those lunches:
- The Shopping Hassle
With the start of school, my grocery list becomes a saga of juice boxes, snack bags, and countless ziploc bags. I often find that a significant chunk of my budget goes toward stocking up on lunch essentials. - Endless Repetition
I can handle cleaning, cooking, and even scrubbing toilets, but the monotony of packing lunch every single night for months is what really gets to me. It’s a never-ending cycle that tests my patience. - Endless Complaints
Listening to my child whine about their lunch choices is a special kind of torture. “But I thought I was getting chocolate milk!” they insist, despite it only happening once last week. And the mini bagels that were highly requested? Only a few bites before the complaints start pouring in. - Judgment from Others
Packing a lunch for my picky eater can be a minefield. With sensory issues complicating matters, I often resort to what I know he’ll eat, even if it means sending him with two granola bars and a rice cake. If anyone judged me based on those choices, they’d certainly think I’m failing as a parent. - Facing the Lunchbox After School
The moment I have to open the lunchbox at the end of the day is filled with dread. I brace myself for the typically disappointing results, wondering how much food was actually consumed and what mess awaits me. - Unexpected Surprises
It’s always an adventure looking inside the lunchbox—corn muffin explosions, or ketchup packets turned into art projects. I’ve encountered bizarre mixtures concocted from whatever was left over. - The Odor
Despite only being out of the fridge for a little while, the smell that wafts from the lunchbox can be downright unpleasant. It’s a mystery how it can sometimes smell so terrible! - Cleaning the Lunchbox
I’ve seriously considered switching to paper bags because the cleanup process is a nightmare. Spills happen, and the crumbs that get stuck in the corners of those plastic lunchboxes seem impossible to remove. - Starting All Over Again
Packing lunch feels like Groundhog Day every night. Why must I go through this again?
Towards the end of the last school year, I finally relented and had my partner take over lunch duties for that last week. I realized I should have shared this responsibility much sooner. At nine years old, I think my child is more than capable of preparing their lunch—or at least cleaning out the lunchbox!
Let’s face it: even with delegation, many moms still end up doing most of the work or nagging others to pitch in. So, here’s to all the moms bracing themselves for the upcoming school year and the lunch-packing chaos that comes with it! A virtual high-five to you all—and if you could send some wine and chocolate my way, that would be great.
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Summary
Packing lunches for kids can be an overwhelming task filled with complaints, shopping frustrations, and the dreaded cleanup process. Many parents share this sentiment, feeling the burden of the repetitive nature of the chore. However, with a little delegation and a sense of humor, we can tackle this challenge together.