Tip #5: Prepare some lunch box notes!
Day 5 of our 10 days of tips for back to school for parents series.
So far we have had:
Tip #1 – getting back into our school routines. Read it here.
Tip #2 – was buy school supplies AND build executive function skills. You can read that one here.
Tip #3 & 4 was about Mindfulness tools and Just breathe! You can read that one here.
Today is a really short and simple one: prepare some lunch box notes for your kids!
One tradition that I have started with my kids, is that for the first week or two of a new school year, everyday they get a little lunchbox note stuck in their lunch box. This simple little gesture can go a long way in supporting our children at school and building connections with our children.
I also give them notes infrequently throughout the year for special occasions, such as coming up to Easter or Christmas or for exam weeks.
Why lunchbox notes?
There are lots of different reasons I started this tradition right back when my son was in pre-kinder (11 years ago now!) Some of my reasons are:
1. Connection when we are apart: I love my kids so much and a lunchbox note is a little heartfelt reminder that I am thinking about them when I’m away from them. It can be a simple little message like “I love you” or “I’m thinking about you!” or even “Enjoy your lunch!” It seems simple, but little things like that can give them a little sunshine in their day.
2. A reminder that they are doing great: My girls really struggle being at school due to their multiple neurodivergences. I love sending little notes of encouragement to give them a little boost of confidence or resilience. Little notes like “You are a superstar!” or “Repeat after me. I am BRAVE!” can make a great difference to their days.
3. It increases the chances they will open their lunch box: I don’t know about you, but my kids rarely eat at school. But they will always open their lunch box to read their notes… and they might see something they might eat while they are in there!
4. It increasesthe opportunity for social connections: I love when my kids come home and say “Mum, Ethan said your joke was so cringe today!” I love that it gives the kids something to talk about, even if it’s for a couple of seconds!
5. I can give them a pep talk: I love that notes can give my kids a little pep talk when I’m not around. I usually save those for when they have exams or something they nervous about, like a speech or performance.
Types of lunch box notes
There is no specific type of lunch box note that is better than any other. It really just depends on what your child likes. My kids love jokes and puns and nothing too serious most of the time. But they also like getting reminders about how much I love them. A couple of examples are below.
Where to get your lunchbox notes
You can write a simple note, make up your own notes or jokes or even google lunchbox notes to print off. But if you want a copy of ours – download them from our shop for FREE!
Have fun with it!
