Lunch Box Lessons: How I Got My Kids to Pack Their Own School Lunches! by Amy Fothergill

When this school year began, I decided I was going to do it differently and give my kids more of the responsibility. I tried it a few times last year and it actually works. My solution? They are going to pack their own lunch. I found they were more likely to eat most of their food when they packed it. Here's how we did it: 

• I put cut and washed veggies and fruit on the counter. They have to pick at least one of each. 
• The sandwich materials were taken out of the fridge. They make their own.
• For hot lunches, they portion it out and I do all of the hot stuff (heat the thermos and food, and pour the food into the thermos). 
• They were in charge of putting the food in the containers, getting the ice packs and putting the food away. 

I was practically eating bon-bons. Give it a try!