At what age (or grade) did your child start packing their own lunch?

[Anonymous]

One of my favorite books (for many reasons) is "How to Raise an Adult"...at one point, the author has a list of things kids should be doing for themselves at different ages. I don't exactly remember the ages but at around 6 and 8 my kids were making lunches and within another year or two doing their own laundry. It was quite liberating.

https://www.julielythcotthaims.com/how-to-raise-an-adult

[Anonymous]

3rd grade

[Anonymous]

My oldest will be in 3rd next year and it seems like a good time to move this chore to her. Of course, she eats the school lunch. Except for the 2-3 times a month she really doesn’t like what’s offered. I think shifting this to her would be a great idea.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Probably never. I never did until I was in college. My father found it easier to just prepare everything himself in the morning. I never had chores either. And yet, as soon as I was on my own, I never had any trouble doing everything myself, cooking, cleaning, laundry, etc. It's laughable how people on DCUM fall all over themselves trying to have the youngest kids doing chores and being independent, when it really doesn't make any difference in the end when they're adults.

I have to agree with this. I didn’t have chores growing up, and I never packed a lunch either. I was fine on my own. My 15 yo has been packing her own lunch for years. It’s all the same in the end.

I would LOVE to talk to your college roommates and I would bet big money they do not agree with your assessment.

[Anonymous]

I still make lunch for my 12 year old. She is hard to get moving in the morning.

Also my mom loves to talk about how I always packed my own lunch starting in K. It is like a parenting medal for her. I remember eating a peanut butter sandwich and being starving

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Probably never. I never did until I was in college. My father found it easier to just prepare everything himself in the morning. I never had chores either. And yet, as soon as I was on my own, I never had any trouble doing everything myself, cooking, cleaning, laundry, etc. It's laughable how people on DCUM fall all over themselves trying to have the youngest kids doing chores and being independent, when it really doesn't make any difference in the end when they're adults.

I have to agree with this. I didn’t have chores growing up, and I never packed a lunch either. I was fine on my own. My 15 yo has been packing her own lunch for years. It’s all the same in the end.

I would LOVE to talk to your college roommates and I would bet big money they do not agree with your assessment.

PPs should’ve included a trigger warning

[Anonymous]

I remember doing this at grade 2 or 3 and aged 7 or 8 since I was always a responsible kid. I will NOT take this approach with my kids. I had a terrible diet and made terrible food choices. My kids should not have to worry about this as children. If they want to do as they get older, that's fine, but I'm not going to delegate to them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I remember doing this at grade 2 or 3 and aged 7 or 8 since I was always a responsible kid. I will NOT take this approach with my kids. I had a terrible diet and made terrible food choices. My kids should not have to worry about this as children. If they want to do as they get older, that's fine, but I'm not going to delegate to them.

I'm the PP with the 5 year old boy.

I don't think that kids need to pack their own lunches. I think it's one of many things a kid can do that might make them feel capable and proud, and for my kids it worked.

But in my house, it wasn't a free for all. There was a formula, and my kids followed it. It was multiple choice not free response.

So, you pick either a protein and a carb, or a sandwich

You add a fruit

You add a vegetable

You add a dairy product of some kind (yogurt, string cheese, milk juice box)

You add a small treat

Like I said my kid took the same sandwich for years.

[Anonymous]

My kids are in high school and they do a ton of chores, but I still pack their lunches. I give them excellent lunches and I don’t want them eating crap. (Yes I have a full time job too.)

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks for all the helpful comments.

I’m beginning to think it’s time for our 7th grader to take this chore on. Seventh grader is asserting independence in other ways, so why not this way?

Plus, honestly, I’m tired of having to do it.

[Anonymous]

I still make my 7th grader her lunch. Sometimes she helps, though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

One of my favorite books (for many reasons) is "How to Raise an Adult"...at one point, the author has a list of things kids should be doing for themselves at different ages. I don't exactly remember the ages but at around 6 and 8 my kids were making lunches and within another year or two doing their own laundry. It was quite liberating.

https://www.julielythcotthaims.com/how-to-raise-an-adult

That’s so sad. The miserable slog of adulthood, extended by another 10 years.

[Anonymous]

I have a 7th grader and I still pack her lunch. Honestly, I'd rather she just sleep as long as possible in the morning and I have more time anyway.

[Anonymous]

middle school

[Anonymous]

Just always did it together