Kids pack lunches (school)

hello007007

How do you make your kids pack lunches - in the morning, the night before, how much do they cost, what do you put in them etc...

I have three kids and school lunches cost me £30 a week. I have a disability, clinic depression and sleeping problems so ideally, I would like to make all the lunches once a week so the kids can take them each day.

elsien

How old are your children?

hello007007

13, 12 and 10 years.

In the past I have asked them to make their own lunch espcially when I was very unwell - however soon afterward notice they would only take the chips packet and chocolate and wont make a sandwich or take a drink. This went on for a few months so I gave them school dinners so the can have a balanced meal which is important for their age and school.

I am feeling much better, I want to start over and learn from others.

DomRavioli

Do you mean you would freeze the sandwiches and then defrost the night before?

I can't see what a hardship three sandwiches/lunches are each evening, especially as they are old enough to do it on their own (with your supervision). They can always take an extra portion of their evening meal before, or one you have frozen previously if you take it out the day before.

There are a lot more rules regarding packed lunches nowadays; some schools won't allow any chocolate, crisps, fizzy drinks etc, so please enquire with the school before you make the change.

Perhaps have a google/pinterest to see what your children might enjoy? Do they have access to a microwave (some schools do), fridge etc? What will they eat - salad, wraps, sandwiches, pasta salad, cous cous?

hello007007

I never thought about frozen sandwiches.

Its a good idea but how does it work? - make all the sandwiches, say on Sunday and take one out in the the night before? will they defrost in time for lunch? how do you stop them from getting soggy?

theoretica

hello007007 wrote: »

13, 12 and 10 years.

In the past I have asked them to make their own lunch espcially when I was very unwell - however soon afterward notice they would only take the chips packet and chocolate and wont make a sandwich or take a drink. This went on for a few months so I gave them school dinners so the can have a balanced meal which is important for their age and school.

I am feeling much better, I want to start over and learn from others.

They don't do the shopping. If you don't buy crisps and chocolate they can't take it. There will be water at the school.

PeacefulWaters

1.Three hard boiled eggs or some meat such as chicken. Chopped cooked chicken in the freezer section can be really easy to use as it can defrost in a lunch box overnight - it takes nil effort.

2. Three or four small potatoes in their skins microwaved for a couple of minutes provide carbohydrates with nutrients.

3. Chopped salad such as spring onions, cucumber, lettuce and peppers. Possibly a few pieces of chopped apple too. Sprinkle a bit of lemon on the salads like you would use for pancakes. This keeps the salad fresh.

4. Maybe sprinkle some grated cheese on top.

Prepare for two days at a time and store in the fridge. Let the kids decide what they have for the fifth day (within reason) and prepare it themselves. Supervise them!

The above is tasty, healthy and costs around 80p per child per day with a banana too. Water to drink, hopefully free at school.

emsywoo123

hello007007 wrote: »

13, 12 and 10 years.

In the past I have asked them to make their own lunch ....however .... wont make a sandwich or take a drink. .

I might sound crazy here, but now you are feeling better can you not just tell them to do it?

rach_k

As they're all old enough to make their own lunch, could you give them each a day to prepare the lunches for? Introduce a bit of competition into it (and also peer pressure - I'm sure they'll let each other know if it's rubbish!). Give them a budget and let them request what they need when you do the shopping for the week. Then you just have two days to do, one of which could easily be leftovers/extra you cooked the night before e.g. if you've had pasta, cook some extra then make a simple pasta salad with it (pasta with a little oil mixed through on the bottom, grated carrot and cucumber, some tomatoes and lettuce, a nice layer of mayo then a good layer of grated cheese - yum!).

Becles

I just make them in the morning when I get up. It only takes five minutes to make a few sandwiches. I make a box up for the youngest and add some fruit, yoghurt and a cereal bar. The older two grab their own snacks to go with the sandwiches.

JIL

I make our packed lunches the night before usually whilst I am cooking the evening meal.