I’m a New York City teacher, and it is time to for me to rethink my packing lunch routine. Last school year my lunchtime routine consisted of leaving my “cloffice” (the closet office that I designed in our bedroom closet!), walking down the stairs of our cottage, and joining my family at the kitchen table. My oldest daughter was in remote kindergarten, and our entire family of five was home together every day.

This fall, for the first time in nearly 17 months, I’ll be once again facing the prospect of packing lunches, leaving the house, and commuting to school. I teach 7th grade at a K-8 school in Queens, NY and my oldest daughter will start 1st grade there this school year, so we’ll be getting ready and commuting together in the mornings.

Our New Packing Lunch Routine

As we prepare for the start of a new school year, we have been envisioning ways to simplify our household chore routines, specifically our packing lunch routine.

We’ve loved using our Bentgo Kids Lunch Boxes for snacks, picnics, and road trips this summer. We love the small compartments, the leak-proof lid, and the fact that we no longer use plastic baggies!

I want my daughter to have homemade lunches each day at school. I also want our packing lunch routine to be as stress-free as possible!

packing lunch routine - Bentgo compartment trays

This year, we are planning to incorporate Bentgo Kids Compartment Trays with Covers into our meal prep and packing lunch routine. The trays each have their own locking clip lids and stack neatly in the refrigerator. In the morning we can remove the lid, put the tray inside her Bentgo Kids Lunch Boxes, and lunch is ready!

packing lunch routine - Bentgo compartment trays

Instead of prepping and packing a new lunch every evening, we can now prep lunches for multiple days at one time. Our plan heading into the new school year is to pack fruits, veggies, proteins, and grains into each compartment tray on Sunday nights and then stack them away in the refrigerator.

This means that we’ll be getting out lunch ingredients, cutting boards, and knives only once. We’ll be storing lunch items directly into compartment trays instead of temporarily in other containers. We will be able to see all the meals spread out across the week and give our daughter a different combination each day.

packing lunch routine - Bentgo compartment trays

Rethink Your Packing Lunch Routine

The beginning of the school year is the perfect time to examine the efficiency of your family’s routines. It can be helpful to discuss the ways routines could be streamlined and made more efficient and enjoyable! Here are some questions to get you started:

  • What was last school year’s packing lunch routine? What worked well? What was stressful?
  • How does your packing lunch routine fit within your overall food prep and cooking routines?
  • Who plans the grocery list? Who buys the groceries?
  • Who prepares food items for lunches? Who packs the lunches?
  • How much choice do you give your kids around the types of foods they take in their lunches?

packing lunch routine - Bentgo compartment trays

I hope this school year’s packing lunch routine is your tidiest yet! You can follow me on Instagram or Pinterest for more tidy tips. Here’s to an amazing year of learning and growing!

More Posts on Back-to-School!

This back-to-school season I have teamed up with some amazing bloggers for a fun blog hop. Check out all these awesome posts, to help your family get ready for going back to school!

10 Back To School Tips To Help Your Family Stay Organized | The Organized Mama

Organizing Kids’ Art Supplies With A Rolling Art Cart | Blue I Style

8 Must-Haves For An Organized Entryway | Small Stuff Counts

DIY Kids’ Desk Ideas & More | Kate Decorates

Montessori-Inspired Back-to-School Organization | Global Mindful Journey

Back To [In Person] School Is Happening! Time To Organize | SKG Designs & Style

5 Mindful Organizing Tips For Back To School | Simple Joy With Ann

Simplify Your School Year | The Modern Minimalist

Back To School In A Whole New Way | Practically Perfect

Thanks for pinning: Rethink Your Packing Lunch Routine!

_____________________________________________________________

This post contains affiliate links. We may make a small commission for purchases made through these links with no additional fee to the customer. We only link to products we use and love! Thank you for supporting our blog! 

You may also like:

Hi, I'm Tyler!

I'm a NYC teacher, writer, and dad of 3 girls. My wife and I live with our daughters in a
750-square-foot apartment in New York City. I'm on a journey to tidy up my life. I share practical, routine-driven approaches to tidying, because I believe the process of tidying can make space for what matters.

August 12, 2021

Rethink Your Packing Lunch Routine

I’m a New York City teacher, and it is time to for me to rethink my packing lunch routine. Last school year my lunchtime routine consisted of leaving my “cloffice” (the closet office that I designed in our bedroom closet!), walking down the stairs of our cottage, and joining my family at the kitchen table. My oldest daughter was in remote kindergarten, and our entire family of five was home together every day.

This fall, for the first time in nearly 17 months, I’ll be once again facing the prospect of packing lunches, leaving the house, and commuting to school. I teach 7th grade at a K-8 school in Queens, NY and my oldest daughter will start 1st grade there this school year, so we’ll be getting ready and commuting together in the mornings.

Our New Packing Lunch Routine

As we prepare for the start of a new school year, we have been envisioning ways to simplify our household chore routines, specifically our packing lunch routine.

We’ve loved using our Bentgo Kids Lunch Boxes for snacks, picnics, and road trips this summer. We love the small compartments, the leak-proof lid, and the fact that we no longer use plastic baggies!

I want my daughter to have homemade lunches each day at school. I also want our packing lunch routine to be as stress-free as possible!

packing lunch routine - Bentgo compartment trays

This year, we are planning to incorporate Bentgo Kids Compartment Trays with Covers into our meal prep and packing lunch routine. The trays each have their own locking clip lids and stack neatly in the refrigerator. In the morning we can remove the lid, put the tray inside her Bentgo Kids Lunch Boxes, and lunch is ready!

packing lunch routine - Bentgo compartment trays

Instead of prepping and packing a new lunch every evening, we can now prep lunches for multiple days at one time. Our plan heading into the new school year is to pack fruits, veggies, proteins, and grains into each compartment tray on Sunday nights and then stack them away in the refrigerator.

This means that we’ll be getting out lunch ingredients, cutting boards, and knives only once. We’ll be storing lunch items directly into compartment trays instead of temporarily in other containers. We will be able to see all the meals spread out across the week and give our daughter a different combination each day.

packing lunch routine - Bentgo compartment trays

Rethink Your Packing Lunch Routine

The beginning of the school year is the perfect time to examine the efficiency of your family’s routines. It can be helpful to discuss the ways routines could be streamlined and made more efficient and enjoyable! Here are some questions to get you started:

  • What was last school year’s packing lunch routine? What worked well? What was stressful?
  • How does your packing lunch routine fit within your overall food prep and cooking routines?
  • Who plans the grocery list? Who buys the groceries?
  • Who prepares food items for lunches? Who packs the lunches?
  • How much choice do you give your kids around the types of foods they take in their lunches?

packing lunch routine - Bentgo compartment trays

I hope this school year’s packing lunch routine is your tidiest yet! You can follow me on Instagram or Pinterest for more tidy tips. Here’s to an amazing year of learning and growing!

More Posts on Back-to-School!

This back-to-school season I have teamed up with some amazing bloggers for a fun blog hop. Check out all these awesome posts, to help your family get ready for going back to school!

10 Back To School Tips To Help Your Family Stay Organized | The Organized Mama

Organizing Kids’ Art Supplies With A Rolling Art Cart | Blue I Style

8 Must-Haves For An Organized Entryway | Small Stuff Counts

DIY Kids’ Desk Ideas & More | Kate Decorates

Montessori-Inspired Back-to-School Organization | Global Mindful Journey

Back To [In Person] School Is Happening! Time To Organize | SKG Designs & Style

5 Mindful Organizing Tips For Back To School | Simple Joy With Ann

Simplify Your School Year | The Modern Minimalist

Back To School In A Whole New Way | Practically Perfect

Thanks for pinning: Rethink Your Packing Lunch Routine!

_____________________________________________________________

This post contains affiliate links. We may make a small commission for purchases made through these links with no additional fee to the customer. We only link to products we use and love! Thank you for supporting our blog! 

You may also like:

August 12, 2021

Rethink Your Packing Lunch Routine

About me

Hi, my name is Tyler Moore. My wife and I live with our three young daughters in a 700- square-foot apartment in New York City. I began my tidying journey when an early-30’s crisis invited me to reflect upon, challenge, and change my patterns of daily living. I quit my job as a school administrator, returned to teaching, and started Tidy Dad to help others tidy, simplify, and find joy in their lives. I firmly believe the tidying process can transform your life. I’d love for you to join me in exploring ways that tidying can make room for what’s important in life. 


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