As the new school year looms on the horizon, the task I’m most anxious about is preparing my son’s lunch. Don’t get me wrong—getting them both out the door by 8 a.m. is its own special brand of chaos. Somehow, there’s always a meltdown (usually mine) before we even step outside. And let’s not even get started on the after-school hunger tantrums that have me frantically texting my partner to come to the rescue or questioning my life choices in this whole parenting gig. Homework? Oh, that deserves its own special mention; it takes my son 45 minutes of constant nagging to finish a measly 10 minutes of work, leaving me bewildered.
But packing lunch? My son’s beloved Pokémon lunchbox feels more like a nemesis than anything else. The thought of opening it later to reveal its contents is enough to make me want to weep. In truth, it’s every single aspect of lunch packing that I loathe. (And yes, I realize cafeteria food is an option, but my picky eater would probably starve rather than touch those offerings.) I know I’m not alone in this struggle—parents everywhere are anxiously anticipating the day their kids might just start packing their own lunches (if that day ever arrives).
Here are the top nine reasons I despise this never-ending chore:
- The Shopping List Nightmare
Why does every grocery run in September feel like I’m stocking a small café? From endless zip lock bags to an avalanche of juice boxes and a mountain of snack-sized popcorn, it feels like a third of my grocery bill is dedicated to lunch items. - The Daily Dread
I don’t mind cleaning, cooking, or even scrubbing toilets; it’s the relentless repetition of packing lunches every single night that drives me to the brink. It feels like I’m stuck in a loop of monotony for ten long months. Help! - The Complaints
“Why didn’t you pack chocolate milk for me on Mondays and Wednesdays?” my son moans, even if that only happened twice. And let’s not even start on the mini bagels he begged me for, only to take a single bite and declare that they’re “totally different” from last week’s batch (hint: they’re not). - Judging Eyes
Packing for a picky eater is its own challenge. My son has sensory issues and struggles in the noisy cafeteria, so I try to send what he’ll actually eat. If that means two granola bars and a rice cake, so be it. But I can’t help but worry about what other parents think. If you saw my lunch choices, you’d probably think I’m failing at this mom thing. - Facing the Lunchbox After School
Opening that lunchbox at the end of the day takes a level of bravery akin to defusing a bomb. Will it be a shocking amount of food untouched or a massive mess? Deep breath, here goes nothing. - Mystery Surprises
Every time I open my son’s lunchbox, it’s like an episode of a bizarre game show. I’ve found everything from exploded corn muffins to napkins folded into strange shapes and ketchup packets that have been creatively used as art supplies. What on earth happened in there? - The Odor
It’s baffling how a lunchbox can come home smelling like an old gym sock, even if the food has only been out of the fridge for mere hours. I mean, seriously, what kind of magic is this? - Cleaning the Lunchbox
Honestly, I’ve considered switching to paper bags just to avoid the horror of cleaning that lunchbox. There’s always some mysterious spill that leaves crumbs stuck in impossible corners. - The Cycle of Doom
Every night feels like I’m reliving the same scenario—why must this cycle continue?
By the end of last school year, I threw in the towel and made my partner pack lunches for the final week. This summer, he’s been handling it for day camps too. I’m usually all about sharing responsibilities, so why didn’t I think of this sooner? At nine, my son is definitely old enough to start making his own lunch or at least cleaning out the remnants from the day!
But let’s face it: even when we delegate, most of us moms still end up carrying the heaviest load—or at least reminding everyone to step up their game. So to all the tired parents out there facing the daunting task of lunch prep this school year—here’s a virtual fist bump. Oh, and if someone could send wine and chocolate, like, yesterday, that would be great.
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Summary
Packing lunch for kids is a grueling task that every parent can relate to. From endless shopping lists to daily complaints and the inevitable mess, it’s a cycle that can feel never-ending. Despite the challenges, it’s a rite of passage for parents everywhere, often leading us to question our sanity.