Lunch Box Battles

Madison has always been a lunch box carrier. She's always sworn that cafeteria food was "disgusting" and so I have joyfully taken the roll of lunch maker for her each morning before she heads off to school.

At the end of the last school year, I started noticing more and more food coming back home with her. Her excuses ranged from, "I didn't have enough time to eat," to "So and So was talking to me the whole time and I couldn't eat." Uh-Hu...

Finally, the truth came out. She basically was tired of everything I would fix her to eat. It seemed that no matter what I stuck in her little lunch tote, she would decide it was inedible. Finally, I threatened to make her eat the "disgusting" cafeteria food if she continued to avoid even tasting her lunch box meal.

This year, the battle has begun much earlier. As early as the 4th day of school she was bringing home complete sandwiches, totally untouched. When asked about it she said, "I am so tired of sandwiches!" She hasn't eaten a sandwich in MONTHS.

So, I've found things she loves to eat. Any fruit and vegetable will be eaten, and any type of cracker or chip. The problem is, I feel she needs protein! For a while, making a home-made lunch-able did the trick. Putting separate containers of turkey slices, cut up cheddar cheese, and Wheat Thins or Whole Wheat Ritz Crackers delighted her. Now, not so much.

I stuck a turkey sandwich in her lunch this morning and gave her a good talkin` to about how she better eat at least half of it, or cafeteria food, here she comes!

Does anyone else struggle with making varied lunch-box meals each day? Have you found some cool foods that are healthy and kid friendly that your kids love? If so, share the knowledge!