Most kids struggle with the start of the school week. As parents, it’s our job to psych them up, even if it means doing a funny dance and acting a fool.
Let’s not get it twisted. We were as demotivated when the alarm clock went off on Monday morning. Actually, scratch that; we’re still demotivated, only this time there’s a lot more at stake.
Our children have enough on their plates. There’s class, extramural activities, sports, and friends. The list goes on and on. So it would be wonderful to remind them. A little “You’re doing great, kid!”.
And that’s why we’re such big fans of lunchbox love notes. Those little affirmations or quirky one-liners can make a huge difference to how they approach the day and brighten their mood.
These printable or reusable note ideas are meant to be shared in a lunchbox.
Don’t be Mediocre, Mom and Dad
You incline to reach for the sticky notes. Don’t do it. Rather go all out. If your kids are in kindergarten, cutting out the notes in animal shapes will bring a smile to their faces.
Online publication Parents suggests using paper shaped like a bear, lion, or the family’s pet dog. Or, depending on your creativity, try heart or star shapes.
By now, you know what your kid’s into, so lean into their current phase, whether it be Barbie or KPop Demon Hunters, and tie it to that theme.
And no, your kid won’t think a heartfelt note is silly. California-based clinical psychologist Regine Muradian tells Popsugar that lunchbox notes are a cute surprise. Firstly, they won’t expect it. And when they find it, it’s an instant dopamine boost. The best part is knowing how much you care about them.
You’ll feel weird doing it at first, so write the notes in advance. Try different angles. One day it can be a joke, the next a profound quote you read somewhere and instantly thought about them.
And keep it private. These days, people share their whole world on social media. A little note is an intimate moment between you and your child.
Healthy Minds that Get the Joke
Sometimes, a school cafeteria lunch is not the same as a packed, wholesome lunchbox. We get it. The morning rush is already chaotic. Preparing a school lunch is a time-consuming exercise that you can’t afford.
Think of it this way. Would you want to know your child’s eating habits when you’re not around? Grocery shelves are packed with ultraprocessed foods. They may claim to be healthy, but shoppers may find a brand’s reputation tarnished in a massive lawsuit about misleading consumers.
Last year, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published its final rule to update the definition for “healthy” claims on food labels. Even infant formula brands have been in the spotlight because of the Similac lawsuit.
For years, the cow milk-based formula was given to preterm infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of hospitals. Families claim that the products produced by Abbott Laboratories and Mead Johnson significantly increase the risk of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in premature infants.
TorHoerman Law states that formula manufacturers allegedly failed to adequately warn consumers about the baby formula, leading to severe health complications.
So, moms and dads, read the nutritional label. Our rule of thumb: If you can’t pronounce the word, it ain’t worth it.
Knock, Knock
Knock-knock jokes will always be a perennial crowd-pleaser, no matter if you’re five or 55.
Think up something that will have them in fits of giggles at the lunch table and eager to share with their friends. Don’t worry, if you weren’t born with a funny bone, you can always steal, we mean, borrow a few jokes from the internet.
Check out a few below, compliments of Mom Junction:
Knock, knock!
Who’s there?
Doris.
Doris who?
Doris locked that’s why I’m knocking!
Knock, knock!
Who’s there?
A broken pencil.
A broken pencil who.
Oh never mind. This joke is pointless.
Knock, knock!
Who’s there?
Canoe.
Canoe who?
Canoe help me with my homework?
Your Teen Magazine has some suggestions that won’t make your eldest cringe with regret:
“Every day you make me proud.”
“You’re my favorite reason to pack lunch.”
And our personal best: “You don’t have to be perfect to be amazing.”
Burn After Reading
When they get home, your kid will probably give you the bombastic side eye or smile from ear to ear. They might not say it, but they appreciate the gesture more than anything.
And in our books, a win is a win, no matter how it’s tallied.