As the school year approaches, one task looms large on my mind: the dreaded lunch packing. Getting my kids out the door by 8 a.m. is a challenge in itself, often resulting in tears (most of the time, mine). And don’t even get me started on the post-school “hangry” meltdowns that have me frantically texting my partner or questioning my life choices. Homework is its own special circle of hell, requiring 45 minutes of nagging for just 10 minutes of actual work. But, packing lunch? That’s a whole different battlefield. My kid’s Pokémon lunchbox and I? We’re not on speaking terms.
I’m not alone in this struggle. Parents everywhere are counting down the days until their little ones can tackle this task themselves (if that day ever comes). Here are the top nine reasons I can’t stand packing lunch:
- The Endless Shopping List
Every September, my grocery bill skyrockets as I stock up on zip lock bags, juice boxes, and a ridiculous number of snack-sized bags of popcorn and pretzels—because, of course, they’re healthier than potato chips. - The Nightly Ritual
I can handle cleaning, cooking, and even scrubbing toilets, but the monotony of packing lunch every single night for ten months? Pure torture. - The Complaints
“I thought I was supposed to have chocolate milk on Mondays and Wednesdays!” my son wails, despite that happening only a couple of times. And when I finally pick up the mini bagels he insisted on, he takes one bite and declares they taste “different.” Spoiler: they’re the same bagels from the same store. - Worrying About Judgement
Packing for a picky eater with sensory issues means I often resort to whatever he’ll actually eat. If you saw a lunch consisting of two granola bars and a rice cake, you might think I’m a terrible mom. - The Lunchbox Reveal
Opening that lunchbox at the end of the day feels like preparing for a horror movie. I brace myself for the mess and the realization that barely any food was consumed. - Unexpected “Surprises”
From corn muffin explosions to ketchup art projects, you never know what you’ll find. There’s no telling what kind of bizarre concoctions he’s created in there. - The Odor
Sometimes, the smell that wafts out of that lunchbox could rival a dumpster. I mean, really, it’s only been out of my sight for a few hours! - Cleaning the Lunchbox
I’ve contemplated using paper bags instead, just to avoid the nightmare of cleaning out the lunchbox. Every time I open it, there’s some sort of spill, and the crumbs seem to have taken up permanent residence in the corners. - The Cycle Repeats
It feels like Groundhog Day each night. Why do I have to do this again?
By the end of last school year, I threw in the towel and asked my partner to take over lunch packing for the final week. I’ve even roped him into packing for summer camps. Honestly, I’m usually a fan of sharing chores, so why didn’t I think of this sooner? At nine years old, my son is probably ready to start making his own lunches—or at least cleaning out the lunchbox!
Even when we delegate some tasks, most of us moms still find ourselves doing the heavy lifting—or nagging our partners to step up. So to all the parents bracing for the school year and the daunting task of lunch packing, I’m right there with you. And yes, please send wine and chocolate—lots of it.
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Summary
Packing lunch for kids can be a daunting and repetitive task that many parents dread. From the endless shopping to the nightly rituals, complaints from picky eaters, and the messy aftermath, it’s a job that seems never-ending. However, sharing the responsibilities can alleviate some of the stress, and it’s never too early to teach kids about meal prep.
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