what age to make their own lunches?

[Canadianmommax3]

My oldest son is almost 12 and the other son is 9, i am trying to get them to make their own lunches for school. They don't like to and to be honest i hate making them myself.
This morning i said to the oldest don't forget to make your lunch, he gave me this sad story how it didn't matter he would just go hungry as he is always hungry!
He eats non stop seriously! And how i only ever make him sandwiches, well than i started getting defensive and asked what did he expect filet mignon!

I recall having to make my own lunches when i was pretty young and i don't want to expect to much from them but they also know what they like to eat!

So are they too young am i being mean?

[Shenjall]

You are not being mean and they are certainly not too young. My kids start at grade1-2 making their own lunches. It stemmed from the morning, "come on, make up your mind what do you want" and the not eaten lunches that in a few hours became unliked.

I have everything set for them. Almost "stations". Make a sandwich; a fruit; a snack and a treat. Its all in the fridge or cupboard, they just "assemble". If they dont eat it, they only have themselves to blame. And you know what? Since they've been making their own lunches, everything gets eaten.

Good Luck!

[Buddhamom]

My 15 and 17 yr. old choose not to take luch, but when they were younger (10 and 12)they wanted to make lunch and we found that it was easier for them to make it the night before in case we got pressed for time. When they were really little I did the whole colored milk during a holiday, cut the sanwhiches out of a big cookie cutter in various shapes thing and I can't wait to do that again.

[Monie]

I make lunches for dh and dd the night before, so we aren't so rushed in the mornings.

Dd (10yo) gets to choose whether to eat school lunch or take a lunch - she almost always chooses to take her lunch. If I ask her to help me make her lunch, she is expected to help or she has to have school lunch.

She is capable of making it herself, but it is something I like to do for dh and dd (most of the time!)

[Stinkerbell]

my boys are 11 and 13 and we recently started doing this. I do worry that they will pack jsut crap so for now I have them make and pack their drink and main dish:
sammich
wrap
leftovers with food thermos, to be reheated and packed in morning
sushi (packed on ice)
prosciutto wrapped around mozzerella sticks
rolled lunchmeat and cheese

They put it in the bag and put their initial on the bag (except for leftovers...they jsut get that ready for reheat in the mrning).

Then I go in and throw the fruit and sides in the bag.

For now, thats what works for us.

[SandraS]

My kids started making them around 8 years old... the oldest doesn't do it too much, but the middle one loves to make his lunches!

[amyb15]

Of course you're not being too mean! You should get your kids to start making sandwiches at a young age so when they're hungry, they can make their own food for lunch It saves you time, and helps them grow into a more responsible state

[RBinTEX]

My kids, 11, 13, and 14, have been making their own lunches for a couple of years. They pack a lot less than I did, so I'm assuming less gets wasted. I also make them write on my list the things they want me to pick up from the store. Works great!

[Canadianmommax3]

thanks!

[orangefoot]

Mine are 13 and 10 and have been doing them for about 2 years. I got fed up of washing out boxes first thing in the morning and doing sandwiches whilst eating my breakfast and breastfeeding their sister! I'm also waaay too disorganised/lazy/easily distracted to do it all the night before. (crap mummy really)

At the beginning of the week we grate a block of cheese and put it in a tupperware in the fridge. Sometimes they prepare hard boiled egg and add mayo the night before, or mash tuna with something to keep in the fridge for a couple of days.

We also have sliced ham or chicken and a box of salad too. They are absolutely banned from taking jam or honey sandwiches The rule is carbs and PROTEIN and something brightly coloured in each sandwich and however many sandwiches or rolls they want to take plus a drink.

They don't take fruit anymore but do eat fruit or veg when they get home.

My friends were and are still horrified that I *make* them do this but I don't see why; they prepare food for themselves at home and school lunch is just something to keep them going til they get home and eat my cupboards bare.

[sweetieface]

My dd has been making her lunch since Kinder and she's in 2nd now. I only hope my other two follow in her footsteps.

[applejuice]

Originally Posted by sweetieface

My dd has been making her lunch since Kinder and she's in 2nd now. I only hope my other two follow in her footsteps.

Good for you!

Make sure the others make their own lunch when the time is right.

I made everyone's breakfast and lunch from the age of ten, fourth grade, until the day I married at age 23. I was the oldest of nine. I told my mom that it was not fair for me to be making all of the meals all of the time and she told me to "Shut up"!

When I moved out, my 22 year old sister already had her own place, my 20 and 18 year old sisters were at college, and the then 16 year old was not mature enough to handle the job. My mom was overwhelmed when I left. She had relied on me too much. She was left with five minor children of school age who did not know what to do and she herself did not want to do it.

[Zonie]

My daughter started making her own lunch in 1st grade.

I just had to make things easy and availble for her to grab, or she wouldn't put much effort into it.

[antannie]

My daughter makes her lunch most of the time when she takes it. She eats a school lunch unless she doesn't like what is on the menu for that day or if they have sprts or a field trip. Sometimes I make it if she is helping me with other stuff, If it was a daily thing it would be her job for sure, just the same as making her own snacks is. She cooks the oatmeal most mornings, although sometimes she will ask me to make it especially if she has to get up extra early. She usually cooks her own lunch on the weekend and often cooks for us. She is not great at cleaning up but what kid likes that part?!

She is also responsible for feeding the dogs and cats in the morning and for now and the next few weeks, the sheep as well while my broken leg heals. I want her to grow up to be able to look after herself and she wants that too.

She gets up before 6 every morning to do all this and does a great job. She doesn't think we are mean parents. Now when we send her to clean her room that is a different story altogether!

[mommy68]

12 is definitely not too young. My oldest son was preparing his own meals around the house by age 9. Perhaps you could allow them to fix their lunch the night before so it's ready and they don't have to do it that morning...or buy them something simple like lunchables.

[3daughters]

My mother gave me the job of making my own lunch when I was around 10. I didn't take the responsibility seriously and ended up going to school with a grapefruit for lunch most days and other days I didn't take anything. Needless to say, I was hungry.

As a mom, I pack my kids lunches for them because I can't let them go through what I went through. I don't know why my mom didn't pick up on the fact that I was going to school without a proper lunch. I think that the moms that are having their children make their own lunches but having everything laid out for them have a good system.

[Katheda]

when I used to send my daughter to school, she woudl make her own luches as well. I think we started in kindergarten by letting her decide what she wanted and I assembled, making sure that we had a variety of good food. Soon enoough, she knew what kept well in her lunchbox and how much she needed and soon enough, she was making her own, knowing that she had to have a balanced meal (no, 7 differnt types of cheese does not make for a good lunch ). When she was in charge of making her grocery list for the foods that she wanted for lunch, she always ate all her lunch. It's a great opportunity to teach nutrition and meal planning, life skills that everyone needs to learn eventually.

[lauriebeth]

my dd is a toddler, but i saw this thread and decided to lurk

oh, the good ol days of my mom making my lunch!

I will tell you as a kid, my mom made our lunches til we went to college. I cant speak for my sisters, but I know that I had awful nutrition from the time I left home til I got pregnant with DD. Perhaps this would have been a good training ground for better food choices?

[momuveight2B]

My nine year olds love to make their own lunches and they do a very good job of it. My four year does not go to school but she also loves to pack her lunch when the other kids do and she makes pretty good choices. Works great when we have to do errands otherwise she picnics in the back yard or eats at the table.

[chel]

wow, wasn't expecting this when I clicked on the thread. my dd can make her own lunch. We're often rushed in the mornings so I often do, but now that the weather is nice, when my dd comes home from school she will pack a picnic lunch for her and a friend on our back deck. Even down to doing special folds in the napkins.

I agree start easy. basic sandwiches, and then fruit, crackers, cheese, etc.