I started planning my summer in February, and it really felt like there were activities lined up for the kids. campgoing out, kits, books, devicescooters, travel plans —check! What else do I need to maintain this volatile summer dynamic of having to work from home while my two grade schoolers need plenty of entertainment, sunshine and rest? Is it TCB in general?
Oh I have to feed them.
This is not a list of new recipes to try with your kids this summer, or a suggestion to subscribe to a goodie box and teach them how to cook. This advice is about feeding your kids all day every day so you can get back to work (or a nap, a book, or whatever else you’re doing to make your summer dreams come true) with less time to worry. is. you that too. )
We’ve come up with ideas to make kid’s meals and snacks easier so they don’t become a speed bump all summer long. Food speed can be slowed down: Being interrupted by 37 snack requests a day, staring at the fridge at noon without thinking about what to feed the kids, asking what they want and getting everyone’s most It’s about trying to satisfy all your wildest fantasies all at once.Here’s how to get around itspeed bump.
Create a cafeteria lunch menu
School cafeteria programs are, in some ways, genius in offering both choice and predictability. I started by asking the children what they liked to eat in the school cafeteria and then compiled it into a weekly menu. If their favorites overlap, there will be one main option for the day. If they are different, I combine her two simple options and give them a “choice”.
This is what our summer cafeteria menu looks like.
- Monday: chicken nuggets or nutella sandwich
- Tuesday: tacos (of course)
- Wednesday: macaroni and cheese
- Thursday: spaghetti
- Friday: pizza or ramen
Just like in school, each day you will be given a choice of sides (whatever is convenient) and fruits/vegetables. You can choose to buy ready-made or make at home, depending on the day’s activities and your budget.
Set up self-service breakfast
getting older At 6:00 and 9:00, the kids finally started sleeping late (sort of). That means you can actually sleep late! Or if I get up earlier than them, I can start working. Having our own breakfast makes it easier for all of us to have flexible mornings.Ready-to-hand options: cereal, oatmeal cups, yogurt, muffins, frozen waffles, pancakes, preI made breakfast sandwiches (for microwave-savvy kids) and prepped fruit.
I confess that So far this summer, I’ve been preparing breakfast when the kids wake up. Because it’s a good opportunity to check in and start the day together.but I still love knowing I can yell from another room. It’s okay to say “Please prepare your own breakfast”.
Do you eat snacks instead of meals?
Although it is a controversial opinion, snacks are food Just like a meal is food. Depending on the day, children may eat more, eat less, eat more often, or eat less. I have done a lot of personal work to deprogram myself from food culture and food moralization so that my children can eat as their bodies dictate. So if my daughter spends her mornings eating cheese-it, pecans, and pickles so she won’t be hungry by lunch, that’s great.I’m not stressed snack This summer, stress your kids about when it’s okay to be hungry.
Purge the backlog using the snack tray
That said, children who snack constantly tend to leave half-empty, poorly sealed packages of food haphazardly shoved into their pantries (and if they’re lucky, have the kids put things away. if you get it)). and they Instead of reaching for an almost empty package, open a new package of something.
Everyone has a collection of fun compartmentalized little trays. Now is the time for them to shine. Once or twice a week, treat your kids and yourself to a cute, curated snack tray that clears your pantry or fridge. Last his three strawberries, random cheese sticks, a handful of pretzels and crackers, a small box of raisins, The last two are OLeos? What a thoughtful little snack tray to keep kids entertained while playing Mario all afternoon! whatever remains You can throw it in the trash with confidence.
Let’s declare it’s popsicle summer
I’m talking about colorful plastic tubes or sticks that come in packs of 100. Always keep the box handy. How does this make your life easier?
- hydration.
- Tell your children that they can eat outside.
- You’re making the impression that you’re a hell of a hero with your free popsicle policy.
camping lunch box
We were lucky enough to book some day camps this summer so the kids could play from around 8am.m. Up to 3p.m.? wonderful! I’ll probably send it with my lunch,. My advice is to focus on what your kids actually eat during a hot camp day. How other adults nearby judge the aesthetics of your bento.
I have determined what my children should eat every day to keep them energetic and hydrated. Water bottles, other beverages, protein, savory snacks, sweet snacks, fruit and vegetable options, and more. I choose bagged ones for convenience whenever possible, and ones that don’t need to be cooked or kept warm. For us, a camping lunch bag looks like this: Almonds, popcorn, chocolate chip cookies, carrot sticks, juice pouches, and small freezer packs.
Here’s how to know if your summer meal plan is on track.At the end of the day, the children are fed and in bed.and the next morning you and Children stand up with the desire to start over.
