It finally occurred—the moment I had been anxiously anticipating. Just yesterday, my beloved son, Max, hopped off the school bus, expressing his displeasure over the apparent lack of creativity in his packed lunches. My initial thought? “Oh no, has he discovered Pinterest?” My second thought was, “We definitely need to tighten our parental controls to block Pinterest.”
It turns out that a more resourceful mother, undoubtedly with a Pinterest profile, has been sending her child to school with a lunchbox brimming with delightful creations—think Disney-themed meals and whimsical vegetable shapes. Max has certainly taken notice of this competition. Thank you very much, fellow mom.
According to Max, his recent Wednesday was spent observing little Emma savoring a noodle dish crafted to resemble a character from a popular animated film, while he munched on a plain sandwich and a handful of pretzels, burdened by an overwhelming sense of mediocrity. His account was genuinely disheartening. So, like any guilt-ridden parent, I resolved to attempt this trendy Bento Lunch phenomenon.
I promised Max an Olaf-themed lunch, but when I read the first three ingredients—Japanese Nori noodles, purple seaweed, and edible modeling clay—I thought, “No way!” Preparing a lunch shouldn’t necessitate sourcing ingredients from various specialty shops while I’m juggling daily challenges. I haven’t had time for self-care, let alone driving around town for gourmet ingredients.
Despite my reservations, I pledged to deliver an Olaf lunch, so I pivoted to Plan B. Unfortunately, I didn’t have a Plan B until I enjoyed a couple of glasses of Cabernet Sauvignon.
Thus, exhausted and overwhelmed, I present my simple yet effective solution to this elaborate lunch trend: The “I don’t have time for that, here’s some lunch money” Bento Box.
Step 1:
Retrieve lunch money from your purse.
Step 2:
Arrange the money neatly and tape it down.
Step 3:
Use a Sharpie to add a personal touch.
Forget about crafting intricate vegetable sculptures or elaborate food designs. Instead, this straightforward approach fosters genuine communication between you and your child.
Consider these messages in your Bento Box:
- Addressing school-related concerns
- Offering friendship advice
- Encouraging them to communicate openly
While the “I don’t have time for that, here’s some lunch money” Bento Box still requires some effort, it’s minimal compared to the alternative. Just envision your child’s reaction when they discover something like this in their lunchbox—a simple note can turn their day around.
Even if your child opts to buy lunch, I urge you to step away from excessive food preparation and embrace the simplicity of a classic cheese sandwich. Remember, you don’t need to achieve the “PARENT OF THE YEAR” accolade; in your child’s eyes, you’ve already won that title.
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In summary, the Bento Box approach doesn’t have to be time-consuming or extravagant. It allows parents to express love and care in a manageable way. Simplicity is often the best solution, ensuring that you remain connected with your child without the pressure of unrealistic expectations.