Starting School....
My youngest is starting high school and I'm excited for him and am also able to let go of the primary school years. It's made me rather nostalgic for the simplicity of a little one starting school for the first time. Now that I'm older and wiser, I'd love to share some insight...
If your child is starting school, everyone has an opinion. It's very valuable to listen and take things in, but don't take action right away. Let things settle and see what resonates with you and take those things on board. Pick and choose the things you like and leave those you don't. You have choice here.
After over 15 years with Fridge-to-go, I do feel like something of a school lunch expert. Launching our School Starter Pack, was meant to give you some basic lunch tools to get started and then you can add to these as you discover how your child likes to eat. Are they a sandwich kid or definitely prefer lots of snacks and options to keep them going all day? Do they like it all together in a bento or separated in multiple containers?
My children still love coming to the supermarket with me so they have a chance to tell me first hand exactly what they'd like in their lunch bag. Then it's my job not to buy too many of these items so they get sick of them, but ensure some variety. We discuss meals and leftovers and things they like eating so they get excited about lunch. Growing kids need yummy and healthy food. If they like what they're going to have for lunch they get excited and know that no matter how they're day is going, lunch is planned and it gives them some control.
Listen to your child and give them a break. Starting school can be so scary and also exciting. Get them to tell you how they feel and some ideas of things they want to do to keep the anxiety levels down. Lunch might seem like a little thing, but knowing there are no scary surprises at least for part of the day during lunch might just help them keep it together and distract themselves to manage really well.
We made our kids lunches, with their input, for them throughout primary school. No more, they're responsible now to make their lunch in high school and they need to be even more engaged in telling me what they like and ensure options are available. It's going to be interesting... What am I going to do with all this free time?
Happy back to school and make sure you have cheers and minimal tears! x