Can you believe it’s the end of August? All moms can agree that having kids sure does make time fly.
Summer has been interesting for me. I had my fourth baby in May and this summer was my hardest one yet. I’ve worked from home throughout the summer, all while trying to entertain my other three kids and care for my newborn.
I feel a bit guilty being happy about back-to-school, but the truth is, my kids need the structure. We all do. We operate best when we adhere to a schedule, so it’ll be nice to be back in a routine.
I’ve been searching for ways to make the transition from summer to school easier and have come across some great lunch hacks. I’ve tested them and they all work. Hooray for easier lunches!
Easy Back-to-School Lunch Hacks
1. Freeze PB & Js so you have something at the ready. They will keep for about a month or so. Just take one out of the freezer in the morning, pack it and it will be ready to eat by lunch time.
(Photo Credit: Bonnie Bryden/WPRI)
2. Freeze your child’s water bottle or juice pack. This doubles as an ice pack and will keep lunches cool. It’s especially helpful if you pack your child yogurt or a cheese stick.
3. Use a lunchbox with divided compartments. A Bento box not only cuts down on trash, but it helps you remember everything you’ve packed. No more digging through the lunch box blindly trying to figure out what you’ve included in your child’s lunch!
(Photo Credit: Bonnie Bryden/WPRI)
4. Print out a list of lunch ideas and hang it on the fridge for inspiration. One day when you have time, talk to your children about the different foods they like to eat and include that on the list. Ideas range from sandwiches to leftovers, to hummus and crackers. P.S. Pinterest has some awesome free, pre-made lists. That’s a good route to go, as well!
5. Breakfast foods for lunch are always a great idea! Make extra pancakes or french toast from the weekend and pack that. Oatmeal works in a thermos, too!
6. Leftovers from dinner. This seems like a no-brainer, but, if your child will take a thermos to school, hot food is always a pleasant surprise at lunch time. We rarely have leftovers because there are so many of us eating. So, what I usually do is make a little extra on purpose. It’s super easy to do especially when you cook frozen pasta for dinner. Right now, we are loving the varieties from Parla Pasta. My daughter has already taken the tortellini to school with butter and parmesan cheese. Hmmmm! I have a full review (plus giveaway!) of our experience with Parla Pasta coming in mid-September, so be on the lookout for that! Meantime, here’s a coupon if you want to try it now.
Wishing you all a great start to the new school year! If you have a lunch hack, drop it in the comments, I’d love to hear it. ☺️
