I hate making lunches

“Please … write about lunches!” I can’t attribute this quote to anyone in particular because too many friends offered up the same advice. The overall theme isn’t necessarily what to PUT in lunches, but the fact that we have to make them at all.

Such a small inconvenience seems to be a giant ‘put out’ for moms and dads everywhere. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve told myself the following: “I am lucky to be alive. I am blessed to have two children. I am going to make this lunch with a happy heart.” Unconvinced, I’ll often pour a glass of wine and turn up the music. Fake it ‘til you make it, right?

I’m jealous of the parents that don’t obsess over the details of their dear one’s mid-day meals. I’m equally jealous of the parents that effortlessly assemble creative and healthy lunches with shaped fruit and special packaging – and then post them on Instagram. Thanks for that, by the way.

I’m just doing my best to fall somewhere in the middle. There’s a lot of self-induced pressure to make my kids proud of their lunches. I really do picture them sitting amongst their friends as each unveils their parents’ offerings. “I wish my mom would pack that,” I imagine them saying to my kid.

I know my mom’s generation didn’t overthink lunchtime. Back then, there wasn’t sectioned Tupperware, boxed juices, or any conversation about providing healthy alternatives.

As a result, I’m a proud victim of the ‘ethnic’ lunch.  You know you had an ethnic lunch if it usually consisted of last night’s leftovers, the name of which was too hard for your friends to pronounce. It was laced with garlic and spices, and was not accompanied by a Twinkie, King Dong, fancy juice or a can of pop.  Your sandwiches were either on pita, a giant crusty bun, or, if lucky enough to have hand-sliced bread, it was definitely not cut in half.  Sandwiches were usually filled with homemade cured meats, not bologna or ham like the other kids.  Just my luck, my 80s lunches are now today’s on-trend lunch. Charcuterie and hummus anyone?

Perhaps my obsession today dates back to those moments in high school when Cathy Rutherford would open her perfectly made lunches (in my memory it’s in slow motion with Lionel Richie’s “Hello” playing in the background). Her sandwiches were expertly layered with lunch meat, cheese and lettuce and cut in an angle on beautiful white bread. Her picture-perfect sandwich was accompanied by an amazing treat and a special drink.  It’s been 30 years and I’m still jealous. I want my kids to be THAT kid, the one with a prize-worthy lunch, and that’s why making lunch isn’t my favourite part of the day.

All that said, there are a few things that do make a difference. If I can just grab and pack, I’m much happier. I put things into Ziplocs and plastic containers when I buy them. I spend time on Sundays making healthy muffins and nutritious cookies, then freeze them. I also try to get a start on things as I prep dinner, so that there’s less to do later on.  As I’m cutting vegetables and fruits for our meal, I’m packing extra for the kids. Making lunch is bad enough, forgetting to make lunch and realizing it in the morning is even worse, so I try to get it done right after dinner.

I ask my kids regularly what their friends bring to school.  Knowing what they see and like helps to make sure they’ll eat what they’re given.  It also feels kinda good hearing little Emma brought hotdogs or a chocolate bar. Makes me less of a mess.

I give my daughter a note in her lunch every day.  My son used to look on in horror worried that one day I’d pack the happy-faced, heart-filled note in his bag by mistake.  He and I had our own lunch bag secret, and if he doesn’t clean his room soon, I just might share it. My daughter recently informed me that my lunch notes aren’t long enough.  She actually wrote me a sample for future reference.

All this time I’ve been worrying about the food in her bag, when what mattered most to her was my words of wisdom on a napkin. I think that’s a challenge I can actually handle, just don’t expect anything worthy of Pinterest.  OH – and Cathy? Well, no surprise, she writes a food review blog called … wait for it … “Lunch Reporter”.

Let me know your thoughts on lunches.