Anonymous
Post 09/11/2025 12:13     Subject: Do you make yours kids lunches?
Packing lunch is just another daily task that my fourth grader is expected to help with. We don't have set chores, more of a "everyone is expected to chip in when it's clean up time" vs. it being an expectation for mom and dad only. If she'd rather unload the dishwasher or wash the pots and pans, that's fine as long as we're all working together until all of the jobs are done.

When she packs her lunch, I usually double check to make sure it's not too many snacks.
Anonymous
Post 09/11/2025 12:09     Subject: Do you make yours kids lunches?
I pack their lunches because they need their sleep and their bus time is 7am. I have 2 most low maintenance children, this week they alternate between spaghetti or fried rice, bell pepper strips/cucumbers, orange/tangerine, 1 snack of their choice.

They do have chores, cook, and probably more responsible than some adults I know.

Anonymous
Post 09/11/2025 12:04     Subject: Do you make yours kids lunches?
Anonymous wrote:I make for elementary kids (actually DH often does) but I do make them empty them first thing when they get home.


Yeah that's where I draw the line as well, and every day requires a reminder about unpacking the lunchbox.
Anonymous
Post 09/11/2025 12:03     Subject: Re:Do you make yours kids lunches?
ADHD kids here, so I did it for them through most of high school. They eventually developed more executive function.

They liked to eat healthy food and would notice how unhealthy food made them feel. Then, they would choose healthier foods on their own. If you have not already, maybe let them eat the "bad" foods and learn for themselves.

Even now, the college-aged kid will sometimes remark how their high school did not have much "real" food on offer. Very little in the way of fruit or vegetables or fresh foods.



Anonymous
Post 09/11/2025 12:00     Subject: Do you make yours kids lunches?
I make for elementary kids (actually DH often does) but I do make them empty them first thing when they get home.
Anonymous
Post 09/11/2025 11:59     Subject: Do you make yours kids lunches?
Anonymous wrote:I have 2 high schoolers. I pack their lunches. I do their dishes.


Oh yeah, I'm a dad. This is one of the most regular ways I can connect with my kids and one of the ways that I can show them love.
Anonymous
Post 09/11/2025 11:59     Subject: Do you make yours kids lunches?
I make them for my 1st and 3rd.
Anonymous
Post 09/11/2025 11:57     Subject: Do you make yours kids lunches?
I have 2 high schoolers. I pack their lunches. I do their dishes.
Anonymous
Post 09/11/2025 11:48     Subject: Re:Do you make yours kids lunches?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Here is what would happen if my kids packed their own lunches. My high school son would say he doesn't need lunch and then be a hangry monster later in the day, which would be my problem. My daughter would pack random things, maybe. And unlike organic homemade mom, we sometimes have crap in our house. She's in middle school.

They'll figure it out in college. I plan to pack for them until they leave.


I only have two kids. So, I did have the energy to do more for them.

Sorry, no junk and crap food in our house. BUT, my kids were also not the school kids who would eat basic meals. They needed variety, taste and the homemade organic food needed to taste way better than commercial slop. If they wanted pizza and fried chicken, burrritos or sushi - I was making it at home. The taste is a million times better.

I think most kids will not figure out in the college how to eat healthfully and delicious meals. Cooking meals require a number of steps - planning, shopping, storing, prepping and cooking. If they are not raised with great tasting homemade meals - they will gravitate towards what they grew up eating. That is why there is an obesity problem.





You are exhausting. Come college your kids will eat all junk food. Its called moderation.

I still pack my high schoolers lunch. They don't have time.
Anonymous
Post 09/11/2025 11:44     Subject: Re:Do you make yours kids lunches?
Anonymous wrote:Here is what would happen if my kids packed their own lunches. My high school son would say he doesn't need lunch and then be a hangry monster later in the day, which would be my problem. My daughter would pack random things, maybe. And unlike organic homemade mom, we sometimes have crap in our house. She's in middle school.

They'll figure it out in college. I plan to pack for them until they leave.


I only have two kids. So, I did have the energy to do more for them.

Sorry, no junk and crap food in our house. BUT, my kids were also not the school kids who would eat basic meals. They needed variety, taste and the homemade organic food needed to taste way better than commercial slop. If they wanted pizza and fried chicken, burrritos or sushi - I was making it at home. The taste is a million times better.

I think most kids will not figure out in the college how to eat healthfully and delicious meals. Cooking meals require a number of steps - planning, shopping, storing, prepping and cooking. If they are not raised with great tasting homemade meals - they will gravitate towards what they grew up eating. That is why there is an obesity problem.



Anonymous
Post 09/11/2025 11:38     Subject: Do you make yours kids lunches?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Moms have it tough. Op is making her kids a nutritious hot lunch every day and somehow society has her thinking she should feel guilty for doing it!

You’re the only one saying this. Is OP’s post triggering to you?


I agree with the PP. OP is basically saying her current set up works fine but she still worries she's "doing it wrong" and needs to hear from others on what they do. There are lots of posts like this on this website, and I think it reflects the fact that moms are often told, no matter what they are doing, they should be doing the opposite. If you make your kids lunches, some people will accuse you of coddling them. If you don't, some will say you're neglectful. If your kid shows up with a less than nutritious lunch, you're a derelict parent. If your kids' lunches are carefully balanced and healthy, you're controlling.

I never understand why people are so insecure. I do what I want for my family and don’t care what others do or think. If you come asking on an anonymous board of course you’re going to get the gamut of opinions.


+1. I think it's normal, even when you've made a choice, to check in and make sure it's not time to change. This is especially true with kids, where they grow and things change and what you did last year will often be out of date. That doesn't have to signal anything wrong. Get some other perspectives and make a decision.

On the other hand, if you're actually worrying about choices you've thought through because someone might criticize them, that's a sign of a problem in how you approach the world. I make lunches. If someone thinks that's coddling, I don't care. If I started caring about that, I'd go see a therapist because it'd be a sign that my thinking around these issues was disordered.
Anonymous
Post 09/11/2025 11:38     Subject: Do you make yours kids lunches?
I make my 5th grader's lunch. I actually cook something fresh every morning. She could pack a sunbutter sandwich but I prefer she eat something a little less processed so I am happy to do it.
Anonymous
Post 09/11/2025 11:27     Subject: Do you make yours kids lunches?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Moms have it tough. Op is making her kids a nutritious hot lunch every day and somehow society has her thinking she should feel guilty for doing it!

You’re the only one saying this. Is OP’s post triggering to you?


I agree with the PP. OP is basically saying her current set up works fine but she still worries she's "doing it wrong" and needs to hear from others on what they do. There are lots of posts like this on this website, and I think it reflects the fact that moms are often told, no matter what they are doing, they should be doing the opposite. If you make your kids lunches, some people will accuse you of coddling them. If you don't, some will say you're neglectful. If your kid shows up with a less than nutritious lunch, you're a derelict parent. If your kids' lunches are carefully balanced and healthy, you're controlling.

I never understand why people are so insecure. I do what I want for my family and don’t care what others do or think. If you come asking on an anonymous board of course you’re going to get the gamut of opinions.
Anonymous
Post 09/11/2025 11:01     Subject: Do you make yours kids lunches?
Anonymous wrote:I really wanted my kids to make their own lunches (K, 3rd and 5th) but whenever they do they just pack junk. No healthy food and hardly any real “main” meal. So I just stopped and now wake up earlier and make everybody food in the morning so it’s hot and ready to go.

I sort of like it - knowing I am providing them nutritious healthy food during the day even when I am not with them. But am afraid they will be losing some sort of responsibility that might stunt them later in life.


Keep making their lunches! I have no shame in telling you that my kids are in high school and it is one way that I show them that I love them. They’re responsible and good kids. They do the chores, mow the lawn, do their own laundry. Them not making their own lunch. Is it going to stunt them in the future. That’s reading a lot into lunches.
Anonymous
Post 09/11/2025 10:40     Subject: Do you make yours kids lunches?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Moms have it tough. Op is making her kids a nutritious hot lunch every day and somehow society has her thinking she should feel guilty for doing it!

You’re the only one saying this. Is OP’s post triggering to you?


I agree with the PP. OP is basically saying her current set up works fine but she still worries she's "doing it wrong" and needs to hear from others on what they do. There are lots of posts like this on this website, and I think it reflects the fact that moms are often told, no matter what they are doing, they should be doing the opposite. If you make your kids lunches, some people will accuse you of coddling them. If you don't, some will say you're neglectful. If your kid shows up with a less than nutritious lunch, you're a derelict parent. If your kids' lunches are carefully balanced and healthy, you're controlling.