UPDATE: The winner is…Rachel Blackburn!
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Today’s the 1st! The kids go back to school on the 14th. We’re ready, I think. We’ve bought new clothing, and in the absence of a school supplies list (because our district doesn’t publish their lists—you have to wait for orientation!), we have purchased items we’ve bought in the past. All of it’s in a huge tub, ready to be parsed out, with lots of extra items for resupplies.
Our kids are picky eaters. They despise cafeteria food because mom’s a good cook! They love homemade food, and we believe in making enough dinner to have leftovers for lunch bags. So, of course, we also have containers to keep food hot and cold. I’m the meal packer. I love putting lentil soup in thermoses, fruit in baggies, and adding yogurt and utensils. I fill water bottles with ice and filtered water. My mornings are chaos during the school year because not everyone likes the same items, but I know them well enough I don’t make many mistakes. I give apples to the 14-year-old, orange slices to the 9-year-old, for example.
Yes, I’m gearing up for the morning rush.
This year, I’d like to add something special to their lunchboxes. I’d love suggestions. Also, if there is a special school supply that might make them feel special or loved, I’d love suggestions for that. For a chance to win a $5 Amazon gift card, share any ideas you have for making their back-to-school adventure a happy experience!
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The best advice I can offer is organization and not procrastinating. I went through a lot of notebook paper and spiral notebooks. I used the same spiral for all my classes but took time every night to rewrite the notes, maps and diagrams onto notebook paper separated into a 3 ring binder with a separate tab for every class. By rewriting my notes, they were still fresh in my head, and I could add more to them that I didn’t have the time to do in class. It was a second reinforcement of the material. At the end of the 9-weeks, if we didn’t need them at that time, I moved them into pocket 3 prong paper binders and started anew. Keep the notes because some finals cover the entire class material.
For procrastinating–if you have a report or big assignment to do, DON’T wait until the night before to do it. Less stress and a better product in the end.
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We don’t pack lunches often, but I always add a special treat and a note in their lunch boxes! My 9 year old loves getting her notes, even if it just says “have a great day”
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a little note in their bag to make their day better and for me it was teh new ink fountain pen i got not that i brokethe one from precedent year but i collected them so getting a new was always a pleasure even if it only once a year
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Smiles, encouraging notes, stickers.
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I don’t know, sounds like you have a pretty good handle on this lunch thing. Wanna adopt me? 😀 I was watching Medium the past week. Allyson wrote a little note on the girl’s napkins. Sometime just “thinking of you” and sometimes “Good luck on your math test.” Whatever little thing she wanted to say to each girl. Just a little love note. Thought that was rather special.
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Sounds like you’ve got it all pretty much covered. I always try to find those small packs of tissues for my Granddaughter to put in her backpack & keep in her desk. It’s not always easy to get to where they might be in the classroom & that way she has them always. If I bake things that they really like, I always make sure they get that for in their lunches
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New clothes are always a hit.
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I think you have a very good handle on it. It has been such a long time since I ever had to deal with these issues. I am sure anything I have to say is very outdated.
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My daughter does a wonderful job with her little man. He is not a good eater so she gets creative with the lunch box.
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An upright file folder to keep in their bookbags (like this one
https://www.amazon.com/Vertical-Expanding-Accordion-Organizer-Backpack/dp/B0BB7FH8B1/ref=sr_1_5?crid=2D27QLZZRGBY&keywords=upright%2Bmulti%2Bpocket%2Bfile%2Bfolder&qid=1691026004&sprefix=upright%2Bmultipocket%2Bfile%2Bfolder%2Caps%2C86&sr=8-5&th=1). Before you think I’m crazy let me explain. I was always on the search for that special something for my kids and the kids I taught. I got one of these for my daughter and it was a game changer. She still uses one in college because it keeps absolutely everything organized and easy access. She told me recently that she was so glad that we stumbled across one of these years ago.
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new office supplies
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I haven’t had to pack lunches in a long time. But healthy snacks are liked by some but guess you have to be careful as some kids are allergic to things like nuts etc. School supplies just about anything now a days especially things like tissues, wipes, hand sanitizer since many of our teachers have to provide those for the classroom. For the kids folders, pens, pencil papers. And if they take lunch include a happy note in lunch bag or lunch box.
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I think as others have mentioned, you’ve got the lunch thing under control! I think the best thing you could probably add is a little note to say hi or I love you or a joke or you could tell a five-sentence story, one sentence at a time…
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I think a little note to let them know how much you care / have a good day, etc. would be nice.
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I think a little sticker like you got this or a little sticky note of you are loved, you rock, have an awesome day any kind of inspirational reminder… such as you’ll ace this test… will be beneficial.
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I use to pack a special treat of a mini chocolate bar once a week but varied the day of the week so it was a surprise. They did not normally get candy at home so great surprise each week. And the mini candies were not big enough to worry about sugar.
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A special note and a wet wipe. Cutting sandwiches fruit and veg into fun shapes ie bento box artistry.
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I use to love making homemade granola bars or protein bars to put into lunches. I’d make a batch on Sundays. Fresh fruit sliced up was always a hit. Pineapple, oranges and watermelon. Make sandwich roll ups. It’s fun and a great way to hide lettuce, carrots, bell pepper and any other veggies along with meat and cheese.
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I used to put little messages in my daughter’s lunches. It’s always fun to remind the kids that you love them and give them encouraging words for the day or a test. You can create your own little card & messages. It will brighten up the day.
I completed the puzzle. Yeah!
https://puzzel.org/en/wordseeker/play?p=-NalW59A3m8rPO6HuYoE
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I like the idea of a note or maybe one of little inchie/art squares with a message on the back. See? I found a purpose for my tiny art. LOL
Thanks for all your suggestions! The winner (chosen by a random number generator) is…#2 — Rachel Blackburn!