I’ve written meal plans and counseled parents to feed their kids a great lunch for school. I know all the theory behind what makes a good lunch and think I’ve taught my daughters—eight and six, well in understanding that food is fuel and they need energy throughout the day and that’s why lunch is so important. Good nutritionist – check.
Since the beginning of the year, lunch as become a tense subject in our house. I’ve seen more uneaten lunch in the past month than I did in the whole of last school year. But when my girls understand why they need their deliciously and nutritiously prepared lunch, why oh why don’t they eat it? Cause they are kids of a nutritionist? Maybe.
I’ve heard it all – “I had to go to the bathroom with Alex and she had to have a poo so it took ages”, “My friends were talking to me and so I couldn’t eat”, “I had to go to the bathroom, and when I got back, my friend packed up my lunch”, “I didn’t like it”, “It tasted funny”, “Look at this bit that was on it – ewwww” and so on.
After going to great lengths to give them what they want (we have a list of acceptable lunch options on the fridge as directed by them), last Thursday they were sent to school with fruit. Just fruit. Nothing else. I’d had it.
At lunch, the principal calls wondering if I’m picking them up for lunch, or maybe their lunch was forgotten. Nope, that was it. She told me that they have the most nutritious lunches in the school. Not that day. So she feels badly for them and rustles up some crackers and veggies for them, so guess what, their fruit came back untouched. Sigh.
Now what?
Thank goodness that parenting expert Alyson Schafer was speaking in my hood on the weekend. I took myself off for some parenting tips and tricks and came back with some new perspective on how to deal.
First on the list, a family meeting. We’ve tried this before but I really got into it this time. The girls had a say, and yes the youngest had a Hello Kitty house on the agenda—as in turning our home into a Hello Kitty house, but I digress. We talked about the lunch situation and what could be done about it. I suggested that they were old enough to make their own lunch with some help and guidance. They jumped on it! We laid out some ground rules, about what needs to be in it; protein, carb and a fruit or veggie and they get to choose what’s on the lunch menu the night before. Success.
This morning, we woke them up 15 minutes earlier than usual and they made a spelt bagel (yes with flax seeds) with tahini and honey. The older one had blueberries and peppers and the younger swapped the peppers for cucumber.
When they come home with any of the lunch is uneaten, it’s their afternoon snack.
Can you guess what happened?
Any tips?


