Lunch Box Love Notes – are they sweet or a bit much? (Read through for a free surprise!)

So, there’s always a debate on things parents should or shouldn’t do for their kids and everyone always has an opinion. Should parents do their laundry or teach them to do it? Make their lunches, or make them do it? Obviously it depends on their age, but I’ve even seen arguments online about lunchbox notes. Yep, lunchbox notes! You know… a parent packs a lunch for their child and includes a sweet little note so when they open their lunch, there is a sweet message to encourage or remind them they are loved. I mean, yes, most kids know they are loved and don’t need a special note hidden in their lunch to be reminded of that, but maybe it makes them smile in the middle of their long school day. Maybe it encourages them just when they needed to hear it. Maybe they’re young and hate being away from their family for 7-8 hours per day and this one note just helps them get through the day a little bit easier.  Is there something wrong with that? Does it make them entitled? Does it make them needy?

I began to think about this after reading a post where a mom did a cute Instagram Reel showing herself packing her child’s lunch. She packed a sandwich, pretzels, grapes, a home baked cookie, and a water bottle. Nothing fancy or over the top. BUT… the comments were filled with such opposing opinions! Why did people care so much? I mean who cares if this mom cut the sandwich into the shape of a heart (I mean I’m guilty of this)! Who cares if she added a note to the lunch (guilty again!)? Maybe her child needed special encouragement that day. Maybe her child was having a tough time with friends and these little message would help in their own way. Maybe her child had a big test and mom wanted to wish them good luck. Maybe she just wants to let her child know that he/she is being thought about and is so loved every day. Sometimes our busy schedules get in the way. Yes, I’m sure they know, but what’s wrong with sending a little reminder to brighten their day when they’re still little?

Some argue that it’s smothering the child or making them needy and entitled. I don’t agree with that at all. I respect others’ opinions though and I love hearing opposing viewpoints! 

For the record, I encourage lunch box notes, if you have time and want to! I think there’s no harm at all and my kids all turned out fine! 😂  Especially in today’s times, our kids are already having to deal with so much. So much pressure to do well at school, to be safe at school, to make the right choices. There’s just so many things coming at them, more so than when we were younger. What’s wrong with some reminders that we are there for them, love them, and support them? 

Reese was sitting right next to me drawing when I saw that Instagram post, so I asked her what she thought of the lunch notes I used to pack her.  She said “mom, oh my gosh I loved them!” and then before I knew it, she immediately jumped up and ran to her room to get something. She came back with a large gallon-size Ziploc baggie of lunch notes I wrote her for an entire year!  I was so surprised and absolutely touched that she saved each and every single one of the notes I left her in her lunch box her entire 2^nd grade year! I started reading them and even though so many were repetitive, she said she looked so forward to those notes every single day. She said it made her smile to know that I was thinking of her. ♥️ (We homeschooled her for 3^rdand 4^th grade so no need for notes, or else I absolutely would have.) I know that I did the same for my boys when they were in elementary school. I know Zach saved his notes too. At least one year – I think first grade. I remember seeing them when we moved from Texas. He saved everything that meant anything.  Ryan was just a happy go-lucky, non-overthinker. I think he felt more like the notes were more for me, to help me, because he knew I missed him being home! Haha, he was so right! 😉

I’d LOVE to hear your thoughts! Please share your experiences and thoughts in the comments below! 

Do you wish you could write lunch notes for your children, but just don’t have the time during your busy mornings? No problem… I’ve got you! I designed and created some for those that just want an easy way to leave a sweet note in their child’s lunch. Check them out.

There is an option to download them for FREE if like what you see! You will receive a pdf file containing 30 pages/180 notes total – a mixture of sweet messages and some kid-friendly jokes – for you to just print on colored paper, cut and add your names! The kids will love getting the jokes in their lunch… and their friends will too! All you have to do is write their name on top of the notes and sign it with yours at the bottom. Your kids will love and appreciate the thought! 

Download LUNCHBOX LOVE NOTES HERE! If you download it and use it, please let me know what you think. 🙂