As the new school year approaches, I find myself feeling particularly anxious about packing lunch for my son. Sure, getting my kids out the door by 8 a.m. is a whole ordeal—there’s always a tearful moment (usually mine) just before we leave. And let’s not even get started on the after-school “hangry” outbursts that have me frantically texting my partner for backup or questioning my decision to dive into this parenting gig. Homework is its own special kind of hell, where 45 minutes of nagging leads to just 10 minutes of actual work. But packing lunch? My son’s Pokémon lunchbox and I are not friends. The thought of opening it in the afternoon and confronting the chaos inside fills me with dread. It’s not just a chore; it’s a battlefield. I know I’m not alone—many parents loathe this never-ending task and are eagerly awaiting the day their kids can start making their own lunches (if that day ever comes).
Here are nine reasons I truly dislike packing lunch:
- The Shopping List
With a never-ending need for zip-lock bags, juice boxes, and lunch-size bags of snacks (as if they’re healthier than chips), it feels like a third of my grocery bill is just for lunch supplies once September hits. - The Daily Grind
I don’t mind cleaning, cooking, or even scrubbing toilets, but it’s the monotonous repetition of packing lunch every single night for ten months that drives me crazy. - Complaints Galore
Listening to my kid moan about what I packed is a real joy. “I thought I was supposed to have chocolate milk on Mondays and Wednesdays!” he complains, despite that only happening a couple of times. And the mini bagels he insisted on? He’ll take one bite and decide they’re fundamentally different from last week’s batch. Spoiler alert: they’re not. - Judgment from Others
With a picky eater who has sensory issues, I find myself packing random combinations—like two granola bars and a rice cake—just to make sure he eats something. If you based my parenting on lunch choices, you’d think I was failing miserably. - The Lunchbox Reveal
Opening that lunchbox at the end of the day takes real courage. I brace myself for the inevitable shock of how little was eaten and the mess that’s sure to follow. Deep breaths and maybe even rubber gloves are required. - Unexpected Surprises
Every day brings new surprises in the lunchbox. From a cornbread explosion to strange ketchup art and bizarre concoctions, it’s never a dull moment when I peek inside. - Unpleasant Odors
I know the food has only been out of my fridge for a few hours, but somehow, the lunchbox often comes back smelling like something died. Just eww. - Cleanup Nightmares
The thought of cleaning out the lunchbox makes me consider switching to good old paper bags. There’s always some spill or crumb lodged in impossible corners of those plastic lunchboxes. - The Cycle Begins Again
It feels like Groundhog Day every night. Why do I have to do this again?
By the end of last school year, I threw in the towel and had my partner handle lunch for the final week. He’s been on lunch duty for summer day camps too. I typically embrace sharing chores, so why did I wait so long to delegate this? At nine years old, I’m pretty sure my son could start making his own lunches—or at least help with the cleanup!
To all the parents out there dreading the lunch packing chaos as the new school year rolls in—here’s a virtual fist bump. And yes, send over some wine and chocolate, please. In bulk.
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In summary, packing lunch for kids is an exhausting routine filled with complaints, unexpected messes, and a constant need for supplies. Most parents find themselves wishing for a break from this relentless task, hoping for the day their children can handle it themselves.