Don’t you just hate it when you’re about to walk out the door and suddenly you remember that one or all of your kids need lunch? While we usually try to handle this kind of stuff ahead of time, sometimes the time just gets away from us.
As we’re signing papers and putting up ponytails, finding jackets and zipping backpacks, we realize that lunches need to be made and the bus will arrive (or we need to be in the car) in a matter of minutes.
Of course, making lunches the night before is a great strategy when you have time, but these two-minute tips will help you get it done quicker and easier anytime, whether you’re planning ahead or ready to run out the door.
First, grab a container such as a large plastic basket or a divided caddy with a handle if you can find one that will fit in the fridge. Wash it and dry it before adding food. Place ham, cheese, mustard, or peanut butter and jelly into the caddy or container. Placing all your sandwich making materials together in one container means you can pull it all out and put it all back in without juggling. Next, add juice boxes, Jell-O, pudding cups, fruit cups, or fresh fruit to the caddy.
In the pantry or cabinet, arrange another container or caddy with lunch-sized packages of chips, crackers, or pretzels (or bag up snacks yourself and place them inside). Add things like granola bars, cheese and crackers, and treats. Add sandwich bags, lunch bags, plastic silverware, and napkins.
If you have room in a cabinet near the fridge, that’s even better. Pull out both containers and start an “assembly line.” Pack up the lunches and hand one of your kid’s a marker to start writing names on the bags while you put the containers back.
In Pursuit of More Organized Mornings
Organize Your Mornings: Get Clever with Clothing
Organize Your Mornings: Build up to Breakfast
Organized Mornings: Papers, Pennies, Permission Slips
Organize Your Mornings: Get in Gear
Organize Your Mornings: Stick to the System