The 30-Day Lunch Plan and a Little Confessional

 

Dear Kids, 

Despite the fact that I love to cook and have an affinity for anything food related, it's time to confess that there is one thing I don't enjoy making that much. I know you're probably shocked that such a thing even exists.  I am too, for that matter.  And I'm sure you'll be even more shocked when you realize that this thing I loathe actually has to do with you.  As much as I adore you and love to do/make for you, I just can't get on board the lunch making train.  There, I've finally admitted it.  I'm sorry to say that I really, really don't like it.  

I know that many days it's possible for you to come home for lunch, allowing me to escape the clutches of the packed sandwich, however you prefer to stay at school.  While I don't always love your decision I do understand it, and think that the time you have on the playground at lunch houris one that benefits you in many ways, especially physically and emotionally as you foster and build friendships with other like-minded kids. However, each night when I ask the question "Do you want to stay for lunch tomorrow or come home?", I die a little inside as you enthusiastically inform me that the schoolyard is where you want to be.

Whenever you have a problem I try to encourage you to work through it.  I remind you that it's important to find the solution and look for the light at the end of the tunnel.  Well, guess what?  All summer long I've been doing the same thing!  Thinking and plotting and planning a variety of ways to fix my lunch-making worries. 

It started out with some paper and pens and a long conversation between us.  It ended with a plan and a variety of ideas.  The 30 Day Lunch plan.  Thanks to the two of you, we now have thirty days worth of lunches. Each contains a main component, a fruit, a veggie and a snack.  On Sundays we will look to the week ahead and decide how many days you'll stay for lunch.  Then we'll choose that many meals from the plan and add the required items to our grocery list.  We meal-plan for dinners and it works quite well, and I think the idea of doing the same for lunch time is a great one.

Oh, and the best part of all?  In an effort to encourage you to be the very best, most efficient people you can be, I'm going to let you make your own lunches this year.  You've shown such interest in the kitchen this summer, and I think it would be a shame to take that away from you in the fall.  

Thank you, boys.  Thank you for working with me on this one.  I now happily look forward to September and the lunch-making days that come with it.  

Love, Mommy

PS - Who added Tacos to the bottom of the lunch plan?

Comments

[Cheri]

What a great idea! Who says meal planning has to be limited to dinner time? Good thinking Mamma!

[Margy]

Great idea! You have completely inspired me to get orgainized with my kids too. And to turn over more lunch making activities to them.

[Jan Scott]

Thanks, Margy.  Were going to give it a go and see how it works with the boys doing it (or most of it for themselves).  Ill keep you posted on our progress.

[Retro Jordans]

Your blog are just brilliant, do you know this?