My daughter is 7, and sometimes she packs her own lunch. I think she likes doing it - gives her a sense of accomplishment and helping out. I get out the lunch box and the containers and she makes a sandwich, packs up some cherries, grapes or strawberries, throws in an apple, selects a juicebox, adds a yogurt or cheese stick and then asks me for cookies. We do it all the morning of, so the sandwich is fresher.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
OP here. Wow, I'm so impressed by your kiddos!
It never occurred to me before that I could ask mine to pack their own lunches.

One other question -
If these foods are packed the night before, which containers do you use to keep the food tasting fresh?
And doesn't the sandwich get soggy?

You don't ask, you tell. You are the parent. You are the person in charge.

I hate statements like these - so condescending.

Anonymous wrote:
OP here. Wow, I'm so impressed by your kiddos!
It never occurred to me before that I could ask mine to pack their own lunches.

One other question -
If these foods are packed the night before, which containers do you use to keep the food tasting fresh?
And doesn't the sandwich get soggy?

I use sistema klip it containers from container store.

Much, much more complicated with hot lunches. You have to take boiling hot water and our it into a thermos, let it sit for five minutes, dump it out and then out the kid's very hot main meal into the thermos.

Anonymous wrote:
OP here. Wow, I'm so impressed by your kiddos!
It never occurred to me before that I could ask mine to pack their own lunches.

One other question -
If these foods are packed the night before, which containers do you use to keep the food tasting fresh?
And doesn't the sandwich get soggy?

You don't ask, you tell. You are the parent. You are the person in charge.

I have the prek girl. We buy the cheap Tupperware from Ikea. There is a size that fits sandwiches perfectly. She doesn't like any condiments so that probably helps the sogginess. Everything is packed the night before. Older DS is more texture sensitive and won't eat sandwiches because they taste weird after sitting all day... I pack him leftover meat in a small container with a tortilla or crackers on the side. He also likes hard boiled eggs.

PP here... He grabs an apple or banana or a yogurt and usually packs a few carrots as the veggie or left over veggies from making salads for dinner

OP here. Wow, I'm so impressed by your kiddos!
It never occurred to me before that I could ask mine to pack their own lunches.

One other question -
If these foods are packed the night before, which containers do you use to keep the food tasting fresh?
And doesn't the sandwich get soggy?

My DS has packed his occasionally since kindergarten. He makes his own sandwich (usually ham & cheese), packs a fruit (either whole piece or small container of grapes/berries), and packs a little container of goldfish/pretzels/etc. He likes to do it.

She made the sandwich herself.

DD was in prek and did last year. She would frequently pack a bagel or bread sandwich (turkey or ham), baby bell or cheese stick, Apple sauce, baby peppers and cheese its or some cracker. She would never finish all of it but she's my independent child and really wanted to do it herself. My older son (3rd grade) has never packed it himself. Maybe this year but I'll still need to supervise to make sure it's somewhat balanced.

They pack it as we're cleaning up from dinner. I don't really help other than buying food for them to use and sometimes suggesting things. They make a "main dish" a vegetable, a fruit and a snack.

So it might be apple & pb, carrots & cucumbers with hummus, cashews, and yogurt.

Might be a container of marinated steak tips with orzo and peas, corn and carrots, flavored almonds, a banana, and some tomatoes.

About once a week I sneak in a piece of chocolate or something.

Anonymous wrote:Our third grader started last year. We found check lists online and labeled bins the closest ( snacks and sweets) . He has to,pack a main course (sandwich ) a fruit, veggie, one snack and a small dessert. I was supposed how fast he,took to it and enjoys choosing the items.

So he makes the sandwich himself in the morning? Are the fruit/veggies already prepped to be packed, by you?

Our third grader started last year. We found check lists online and labeled bins the closest ( snacks and sweets) . He has to,pack a main course (sandwich ) a fruit, veggie, one snack and a small dessert. I was supposed how fast he,took to it and enjoys choosing the items.

Preparing school lunches is my nightmare, I have to admit. I have packed leftovers for the last couple of years.

If your children pack their own lunch, what do they put in it, and how do you help?

Thanks.