I would have him demand a snack bar meal per shift as a fringe benefit. Negotiating business terms a better life skill than learning how to pack lunch with Mommy.

Anonymous wrote:I had 2 lifeguards that worked at different pools and it seemed everyday it was different shifts. I would pre-make sandwiches on those little Hawaiian Rolls with meat and cheese and wrap up individually and place in a bowl in the frig. This way, they could grab as many as they wanted quickly. If they wanted mayo or mustard, they had to put it on themselves.

We did similar, altho often I premade the sandwiches as roll ups on tortillas (the tortillas didnt get soggy). And they brought a lot of oreo packs, chip bags, and cut up fruit.

Haha. Thankfully since he’s a junior lifeguard he won’t be responsible for lives. He’ll mainly check the chemicals in the pool, sign people in, clean the bathrooms.

Just got back from traders joes together so we’re set for the week! He has enough for sandwiches, yogurt, snacks, veggies. Thank you to those that have actual advice. And congrats to all the parents whose kids are already so independent!

Anonymous wrote:They can't eat dinner because they would need to wait an hour afterward before they could swim.

Please tell me you're joking and don't actually believe this is a real thing.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If he's old enough to save lives, he's old enough to pack his own dinner. The end.

Really? My son is home for a few days from college and we enjoy cooking together. We look at recipes and go grocery shopping and meal plan. I see nothing wrong with a mom of a fifteen year old shopping and preparing some meals for her child who is working his first job. I swear some of you are just mean. Why even have kids if you don't want to support them.

Talking about ideas and shopping together and working together in the kitchen side by side is quite different than "I'm helping my DC pack lunches," which is literally what her OP says.

My oldest is 12 and she likes packing her own lunch. She may ask for ideas, ask me to buy certain things at the grocery, or ask for help on a busy morning if she forgot to pack the night before, but I stand by what I said: old enough for a job, old enough to save lives? Pack your own lunch. Land the helicopter.

Anonymous wrote:If he's old enough to save lives, he's old enough to pack his own dinner. The end.

Maybe OP wants ideas for what to stock in the fridge at home. Nobody is saying OP's teen can't pack their own dinner.

I had 2 lifeguards that worked at different pools and it seemed everyday it was different shifts. I would pre-make sandwiches on those little Hawaiian Rolls with meat and cheese and wrap up individually and place in a bowl in the frig. This way, they could grab as many as they wanted quickly. If they wanted mayo or mustard, they had to put it on themselves.

I have two teenagers working as lifeguards.

Last night they both had fried rice with sauted zucchini that was leftover (but I intentionally made extra) from dinner the night before, plus a peach, a brownie, and some popcorn.

Tonight only one is working. He is bringing two wraps made from the remains of a Costco rotisserie chicken, lettuce, diced tomatoes, and Caesar dressing. All wrapped in a tortilla. Then a peach and a brownie again.

Anonymous wrote:If he's old enough to save lives, he's old enough to pack his own dinner. The end.

Really? My son is home for a few days from college and we enjoy cooking together. We look at recipes and go grocery shopping and meal plan. I see nothing wrong with a mom of a fifteen year old shopping and preparing some meals for her child who is working his first job. I swear some of you are just mean. Why even have kids if you don't want to support them.

If he's old enough to save lives, he's old enough to pack his own dinner. The end.

Haha. OP here. My kid is pretty independent but he’ll still need help getting groceries and making sure we have the ingredients available. He gets up every morning at 6am to train in the summer for his sport (which means heading to bed early) so I’m happy to help him out with this one.

He just said he’ll eat a proper dinner when he gets home at 830 and go straight to bed. Lol

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If he’s old enough to lifeguard, he’s old enough to figure this out himself. I would let him.

This times 1000.

NP. So if you're 15 yo came to you and asked you to help them with ideas of what to bring to work for lunch you'd say - figure it out yourself?

I'd say, "You're a smart kid who's creative and good at problem solving. What are you thinking of bringing so far?" I'd prompt them to figure it out themselves.

Anonymous wrote:They can't eat dinner because they would need to wait an hour afterward before they could swim.

Not unless that's an actual pool rule.

That was my mother's rule, which I broke the moment I left her house. I swim right after eating all the time. No problem.

Pizza slices, cold sub with chips, ham and cheese rolls ups, orzo salad, chicken tenders, taco bowl and cut up fruit.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If he’s old enough to lifeguard, he’s old enough to figure this out himself. I would let him.

This times 1000.

NP. So if you're 15 yo came to you and asked you to help them with ideas of what to bring to work for lunch you'd say - figure it out yourself?