DS1(8) and DS2(6) have up to now had hot dinners four days a week (free in DS2's case this term as he's an Infant) and packed lunch only once. But this afternoon school rang me to say that they were worried that they were both consistently not eating their lunches and would it be possible for them to have packed lunches a few more days a week. Both kids are veggie and that means they don't get any choice and the veggie options are heavy on tomato sauce, which they don't like.
We talked about it at tea tonight and agreed they could have packed lunches 3x a week but my heart sinks at the thought of all the extra work of making them in what is already a packed evening schedule (I'm not even going to think about trying to do it in the morning). DP and I have packed lunches most days, but we have leftovers from tea the night before (we deliberately cook too much) and can heat things up in microwaves at work. The kids can't.
They could do some of it themselves, but I don't think it would actually save me any time and effort - e.g. they can't peel carrots or cut bread. And it would make such a mess in the kitchen. I'm sure that's the right long-term way to go but I'm not sure I can face it. I will talk to them about them doing some of the work at least (like getting dirty boxes out of bags at the end of school).
But apart from that, has anyone got any good tips for making packed lunches less faff and quicker to assemble? Whilst still being healthy and nutritious and not costing much money?! This is probably the holy grail...