Some parents like packing lunches. They see it as a way to send their kids off to school with a little extra love and comfort from home. Other parents find it to be an annoying task that reminds us of how simple life used to be before taking care of someone other than ourselves became a priority. They pack their lunches late at night, shortly after getting into bed, bolting upright and shouting at the ceiling, “Oh no! I forgot to pack Mazzy and Harlow’s lunch!”
Also, why are my kids eating protein-packed sandwiches and baggies of cut vegetables while I’m busy foraging the bottom of the snack drawer at lunch time???? Yesterday, I ate a handful of pistachios and a bag of chips for lunch. I really need to start packing myself a lunch.
Whatever kind of parent you might be, however strapped for time and sanity you are, sticking a note in your kid’s lunchbox is pretty easy thing to do, which makes a huge impression on your kids. It can be used to express love, motivate academically, encourage healthy eating, or remind your kid that she’s got soccer after school and that’s why you had to say “no” to the playdate so please stop blaming me, OKAY???
Here are 18 types of moms and the lunchbox notes I imagine they might send, plus one more chance to win a $250 Amex gift card from Mini Babybel:
1) The super positive mom
2) The overly dramatic mom
3) The doctor mom
4) The hot mess mom
5) The cool mom
6) The Yoga mom
7) The connected mom
8) The Social Influencer mom
9) the environmentalist mom
10) The basic mom
11) The people-pleaser mom
12) The exhausted mom:
13) The wannabe Pinterest mom:
14) The socially awkward mom:
15) The lazy mom:
16) The germaphobe mom
17) The fashion conscious mom:
18) The poetic mom
No matter what kind of note you send or lunch you pack, there’s always a place for Mini Babybel in your kid’s lunchbox.
Mini Babybel is 100% real cheese, perfectly portioned, a good source of protein and calcium and comes in super fun wax packaging that never fails to get my kids excited. It’s the second thing they look for after my note.
GIVEAWAY: $250 AMEX GIFT CARD + MINI BABYBEL
Today, I am giving away a $250 Amex gift card + a selection of Mini Babybel cheese to pack in your kid’s lunchbox. Just subscribe to the Mommy Shorts newsletter (if you aren’t already subscribed) and leave a comment below telling me which type of parent you are and what your note would say!
I’ll pick my favorite response as the winner which will be announced on September 6th!
WINNER UPDATE:
Congratulations to Ashlee Towery! Please email allie@mommyshorts.com to claim your prize!
I’m definitely a #13 mom. Very accurate…but I could tell it was an Elephant without the note!
I’m the super positive mom!
I’m definitely the basic mom! My note would say: “love you, have a good day, and be kind! Love, mom”
I am the super positive mom.
I am a combo of basic mom and wannabe Pinterest mom!!
I flip between Super positive mom and wanna be Pinterest mom. I even looked up some lunches last night in hopes for inspiration – but ended up with my default sandwich and applesauce pouch. :/
I would be #5 but not because I’m actually a cool mom. It would be because by the time I remembered I would already be relaxing with a glass of wine and there are few things that will motivate me to get off the couch at that point in the night. My note would say “Sorry honey, but I doubt this will be the last time I forget to make you a lunch! Have a great day!”
I may be the people-pleaser. I pack my daughter so many options (in bento style), not to please her, but for her to actually eat something from all the choices! My incoming 2nd grader has never had lunch from school, because this picky eater doesn’t eat any of them. *sigh*
I am The Mom With Lots Of Other Kids. My note would say “If you aren’t happy with your lunch, trade with your little sister” and I would pack a ham & cheese sandwich. My kids are going into preschool, 1st grade, 3rd grade, and 5th grade. They are so picky that we only buy school lunch on Wednesdays and Mondays. What do they serve then? Fish Stick Mondays and Mac & Cheese Wednesdays. I’m really hopeful that they will start to like the school lunches. Babybel would be perfect for my kids because I just had another baby and I would love a snack my preschooler can open on her own.
I’m the jokester mom. Earlier this week I packed mini peppers as a side so my note for my 4th Grader said “Peppers give you gas. Hope your friends are true friends and don’t move tables! Love you, mom”
I’m probably closest to “super positive mom”, but I’d call it more like “super supportive mom”. My notes would be simple, but encouraging, like, “Work hard, you can do anything!”
The exhausted/cool mom!
Here’s $5 for pizza because I forgot to grocery shop and was too tired after you went to bed!
I would definitely be the hot mess mom. Or the forgetful mom, who writes a nice note and then leaves it on the counter! It would probably say something like, “Enjoy this random assortment of snacks because I forgot we were out of bread (again). Love, Mom.”
I would be the “can’t remember to write you a note even though you’ve asked me 5 times” mom. Not saying that happened last year…
Basic mom. Because my brain is too fried to think of anything else, except that basic fact. But if I did win, my note would say:
“I know you don’t really like Babybels, but we have a lot to get through so here you go anyway.”
She does love the wax, though. And I like eating them myself.
Totally basic mom, wish I could do better!
I vacillate between basic, lazy, and hot mess. I’ve not ever written lunchbox notes, but if I did, it would say something like, “Love you, have a great day!” (Basic) or “Sorry you got the end of the bread, it was the only not moldy piece” (hot mess) or it’s entirely possible I’d pack the note and forget the sandwich. Sorry, kids!
I’d be the environmentalist mom mixed with a basic mom. I wouldn’t write a note because that means it would get thrown away later and I’d remind my kid “not to throw away any food and don’t forget to keep the banana peel or apple core so it can go in the compost when you get home” basic sandwich fruit or veggie and a mini babybel I have to hide them from everyone or else they wouldn’t last me a week.
I am 100% the joker mom. I think I’m hilarious. I have 2 boys, and so bathroom humour often ensues. It’s not even my favourite, but they love it… 😉
I also love a riddle, as do my kids, so when I think I can stump them… I throw one in.
I’m a jokester mom. My first-grader loves knock-knock jokes and has learned to appreciate puns.
“how do bees get to school?
On a school buzzzzz!
Love you forever, mom
P.s. Don’t cut your clothes or hair today”
My oldest just started kindergarten this year and do I leave notes on the unicorn napkin I pack in her lunch. Because she only knows so many words my notes are the Basic Mom. I could also see myself as the Germaphobe Mom, I send her a Wet Wipe single everyday so she “washes” her hands before she touches her food.
A few times a year, I surprise them with basic w/ a drawing. Frogs and rear-views of elephants are my specialty.
I’m definitely hot mess mom. My note would have to say something along the lines of: don’t mind the missing corner of the bread, I had to cut off the moldy part, but the rest is fine! I promise! And those leftover sweet potato fries aren’t burnt….they’re crispy!
Love you!
I do not yet have kids in school that I have to pack lunch for (next year)…but I am getting ready for that day. I have books of kids jokes and plan on sending a joke a day. I guess you could say I am the prepared mom who likes to see her kids smile 🙂
I’m a combination of a simple mom and an encouraging mom. It always depends on what is going on in my son’s life what type of note he will find in his lunch (that is when he takes his lunch).
I’m number 12 with the want to be number 13 😂😂
I would probably be the basic mom. My note would say “Do your best, Be your best.” It’s what I tell her every morning!
I’m definitely a basic mom. I usually just write Have a great day at school or I love you.
I’m the basic mom or the exhausted mom! My note would just say 👀 ❤️ U
I’m the “hey you are super picky and won’t eat anything I send with you anyway, so just have school lunch and hopefully you will get some sort of nourishment today, but I do love you” mom.
I would totally be the positive and basic mom, Just little encouragements and reminders each day. But maybe also the “I’m sorry I pack the same thing everyweek give me more ideas” mom
Almost embarrassed to say I’m a #2 mom. My babies are growing up tooo fast!! *Sob*
My oldest just started Kindergarten this year and I haven’t started putting notes in her lunch – I was thinking about maybe just putting a sticker or something on her napkin? Or a short “I love you” – she’d be able to read that. So right now I’m the basic mom. As the year progresses I’m sure I’ll become the hot mess mom. Ha!
I am #2 the Drama Mama. I would remind her of all of the things we have to do and how I was late again because someone didn’t remind me that she wasn’t buying lunch. Because I was late for work we not will be running late for all of the after school activities that she wanted to do and why couldn’t she for the love of Mini Babybel Cheese just buy lunch!
In reality, I’m the germophobe mom, but I’d never admit to it by writing it down! I’d say I’m more of the basic mom, but this week I drew an eye for “I” so a bit of a fancy basic mom!
I’m a “basic mom.” I think kids can get embarrassed with a note all gushy & lovey dovey or notes prompting them to do things like wash their hands – even though you want to. My note would say “have fun learning today.”
I’m totally the doctor mom!
My note would say:
Lauren, make sure to use the hand sanitizer I put in your lunch box before you eat your sandwich!
Mommy loves you!
I’m the “I know its February and this is the first note I’ve written you since the first day of school, but WOW how exciting is this note now!” kind of mom. But when the stars align, I am a basic x positive note writer – I love you and you’re an awesome kid! My kids love cheese and it is a lunchbox staple for us!
I think I’d be the basic mom. So glad there’s daycare provided lunch- packing the afternoon snack is rough enough as it is.
I’m the 80’s Mom for my 5th grader and the Confused Mom for my 1st grader. My oldest loves 80’s music so I write lyrics from her favourite 80s song on the napkin if I have time.
My notes for my 1st grader say things like “I don’t remember your sister’s spring concert, do you need to dress up tonight?” or “Are 1st graders allowed to buy lunch?” because I clearly don’t remember.
Can I be a combo of a few? The cool mom, wanna be Pinterest mom, hot mess mom, and the basic mom. I say that because I would do chalkboard paint on his tin lunchbox lid on the inside and wrote a simple note saying I love you, but also do a game like tic tac toe or hang man for him to play.
Gd embarrassingly I’m like 5 of these but probably mostly a people pleasing Mom! I’d write, “darling, I hope your day is awesome and that you rock it but if you feel you don’t, I get that and if you don’t like your lunch I’ll take you for a do over right after school. Love, Mommy!” Yikes…
I would be the Socially Guilted Mom–my note would say, “I’m leaving you this note because otherwise I’d worry you’d be the only kid without a lunch note. Seriously when did this become a big thing? Love you!
I am a basic mom (no shame here) and my note would say ‘Eat your lunch and I love you.’ I would then hope but probably not worry too much that my daughter would eat her PB&J and carrot sticks.
I’m definitely the basic mom!
U am the 12) THE EXHAUSTED MOM: and it would say whoever gets this one your lucky I remembered the chips and I did not in your brothers! Love you have a great day!
Oh gosh — I’m the failed Pinterest mom.
Guilty! I am 16) THE GERMAPHOBE MOM and my note to my Kindergartner would be “Please don’t eat your boogers, you don’t need the extra sodium in your diet.” Love Mom
I am a little mix of #9,#10 & # 11.
I pack way too much, in all reusable containers and have left notes with just I love you.
Love those cheeses!
I’m the people pleaser mom. My little one is picky and unpredictable when it comes to food. My note would say, ” I packed the whole kitchen, please eat something and share the rest, but if you don’t like anything in here, let me know and I will change it up tomorrow. Love, Mom”
I started writing notes this year. Turns out it’s the only time I don’t have anything to say. I’m the Basic Mom, my notes say things like “It’s Friday. I love you” and “Have a beautiful day and be kind.”
I was definitely the Positively, Basic mom. When my seven kids were still small and in school not a one would eat school lunches. So it meant several lunches and notes. You can imagine what the notes looked like and the creative lunches after 3 hours sleep because of a newborn. There was always a new baby come to think about it. 🙂 But they loved their notes more then their lunches I think. lol
Carol L
I just wanted to add in that my husband introduced us to Babybel cheeses. This was back in late seventies early 80’s and there was always a Babybel or two in their lunches.
Simple Mom, I may not even put in a note 🙂
Basic/ exhausted with maybe a little environmental thrown in.
“You’re lucky I love you guys. My parents just gave me cash. If you dont eat this I will know. Have a good day lovey! -mama PS: Don’t throw out my tupperware!”
I’m the exhausted mom for sure!!! My note would likely have a picture of a heart because although I’m exhausted from my children NEVER sleeping I still want them to know I love them!
I’m mostly a frantic mom, ha!, but I like to throw in 2 desserts with a note to share. Important to share!
i’m probably the basic mom and pack my son a sandwich plus some “sides” (fruits, crackers, and cheese). and my note would read, “here’s your lunch. grapes a bunch. if still hungry, go to the cafe-y.” [grapes are his favorite]
I’m the Enabler Mom! My son’s a picky eater, and instead of forcing him to branch out by packing new foods, I pack his favs (Babybel included!) so at least I know he’s eating! I nudge him to be more adventurous at home, but his school lunches completely enable his picky tendencies. 😉 My notes should say stuff like, “I love you enough to know you won’t eat green beans and think kiwi looks weird. Here’s your turkey sandwich with NO mustard, cut diagonally. You be you, sweetie.”
Back-to-basics mom: “Love you!”
I’m the THE SUPER POSITIVE MOM with a side of don’t get your shoes dirty!
My daughter is in 1st grade so I try to go with something simple that she can read. Usually “love you”, “have fun” or “yay it’s Friday”. Looking forward to being able to put in jokes and fun comments once she can read more.
This is so perfect for me as my kids start daycare/school tomorrow! I think I’m a basic mom. My note to my daughter (my son is only 11 months) would say “eat your lunch and please poop on the potty 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼”
Basic mom here mixed with a Pinterest wannabe & positive – note would say ‘eat more than a bite today 😉 I love you’
I’m totally a basic Mom. Today my note just said, “Happy Tuesday!”
I’m the poetic mom, but I don’t leave notes in the lunch boxes, just food.
I am a cross between the simple mom and the pinterest mom depending on how many minutes i had to prep the lunch LOL
Basic/Postive Mom! Something like ” You are strong, bright and creative. Make today count!” Or ” have a great day. I love you 🙂
I’m the basic Mom. Simple “I love you!” surrounded by hearts (since my kindergartener can’t read). When she gets older the notes will probably get more sarcastic, since that is my first language😏
I feel like I’m the Super Positive Mom or the Basic Mom. Depends on how late I’m running that morning.
I’m the basic/always teaching mom, my note would say “look around the room, do you see a child sitting alone, or looking sad? Go eat lunch with that person today. I’m proud of you, love mom”.
I don’t know what kind of mom I am, but my note would say exactly what I say to the girls when I drop them off. I love you, have a great day, learn a lot and be kind!
I would totally be a basic mom – ” hope you have a great day, love you!!” Doesn’t get much simpler or better than that!
The basic mom for sure! Leave notes sporadically and they normally say something along the line of” Can’t wait to hear about your day! Love you! Xoxo”.
My mom always wrote notes on mine and my siblings napkins and it’s a great memory.
I’m super positive or basic, depending on how rushed I am 🙂
Right now, I’m the “giving undue credit” mom/wife. My oldest just started kindergarten and her notes read something like “We are so proud of you. Keep up the good work big girl. Love, Mom and Dad”. Does Dad ever write or contribute to these notes or lunches?!
But, give me a few weeks, I’m fairly certain I’ll become the “realistic” mom/wife and draw a heart with an M in it…on a napkin…that I’ve used to wipe up the wine I spilled while throwing her lunch together before bed.
Hot Mess Mom here, with a side of Wannabe Pinterest (but since I have no clue how Pinterest works, it’s kind of a lost cause!). My oldest starts school tomorrow. I’m a basket case. My note would read: “I vomited today because of nerves. If you feel like you’re gonna upchuck, maybe steer clear of anything coloured. Your teacher does not want to clean that mess!”
With a sharpie on a folded paper towel to dry them off, i write A reminder to go wash her hands before she eats. Because i know by lunch they are nasty.
While we are not at this stage in my 2-year-old life yet, I think I would be either the basic Mom or the people pleaser. A little note saying “I love you, have a great day” would most likely be what I left in her little lunch pail. This note would be paired with too many options food wise. Banana? Orange? PB&J? Pizza? All of the above.
I would be the germaphobe mom, my note would say, “Please use a Kleenex for your nose, and if you pick your nose don’t eat your buggers.”
I’m definitely the Pinterest mom but also basic mom.
My note would say “Have a good day kid, enjoy your heart shaped, square shaped, triangle shaped lunch- I love you” 😘
I’m a basic mom. I have 4 kids to pack lunches for! 😂
I’m a super positive mom–my 8 year old twin daughter suffers from anxiety but doesn’t want to be treated differently than her twin sister. So, I like to send encouraging notes reminding her that she can do anything!
Depending on the day but either super positive mom or overly dramatic mom and maybe sometimes just straight up awkward and silly. I like to see where the morning takes me. 😉
I’m a mix between these depending on my mood that day. I’m usually the super positive mom, basic or cool mom (even though I’m SO not the cool mom!). I put them in there often enough that they’re not surprised when I send them, but not every day, so they’re surprised. :).
I’m the super positive basic cool mom depending on the day. I keep the school life much menu posted in the kitchen so I always know when it’s pizza/chicken tenders or nuggets day. I make sure that each kid has $20 in their lunch account. If it’s a cafeteria “buy school lunch day”, then they get a verbal cool mom note because there’s no paper to read like “Heck yeah, you can have a pepperoni pizza today with ice cream!” If it’s a lunch that might give me a hard time (say PB & J sammie because I’m out of Nutella), then I spin a super positive mom note on it, in hopes that they’ll eat it like “Made by mom with all her heart!” But when they get exactly what they want, I’m a basic “I love you, and we’re so proud of you” kind of note! The best part is, they always write something back on the notes. ❤
I’m the super positive basic cool mom depending on the day. I keep the school life much menu posted in the kitchen so I always know when it’s pizza/chicken tenders or nuggets day. I make sure that each kid has $20 in their lunch account. If it’s a cafeteria “buy school lunch day”, then they get a verbal cool mom note because there’s no paper to read like “Heck yeah, you can have a pepperoni pizza today with ice cream!” If it’s a lunch that might give me a hard time (say PB & J sammie because I’m out of Nutella), then I spin a super positive mom note on it, in hopes that they’ll eat it like “Made by mom with all her heart!” But when they get exactly what they want, I’m a basic “I love you, and we’re so proud of you” kind of note! The best part is, they always write something back on the notes. ❤
I would be the “Basic Mom”. I know that my kids love getting notes in their lunches, but they don’t want to spend the time to read a novel. I would probably just write. I love you! Hope that you are having a good day and I will see you after school.
Mommy
I’m the basic mom! Now that my kids are in full day school, I just want them to get that little reminder in the middle of the day that l love them. ❤️
I would be basic with a side of wannabe Pinterest mom (thanks sandwich cutters!). To my defense, I have to keep it basic since my 4 year old can only read so many words. 😉
I’m not a parent yet, but when I would pack my sister’s lunch, I would usually rip off jokes from laffy taffy wrappers and other bad jokes along with an I love you and have a great day, etc.
I’m the wannabe Pinterest Mom. I tried to create a space themed lunch. Fruit kabobs that were supposed to look like rockets and little star sandwiches. It didn’t turn out so well- so my note just said “Good gravity- and astriod hit your lunch!”
I have 3 kids in school now. Each day they each get a different joke along with a little advice. Today’s gem was “What is the difference between a newspaper and a TV? Have you ever tried to sway a fLY with a TV? Ha ha!
I’m the basic mom. My note would read “I packed you a few extra (Babybell – Duh 😉) snacks to share with somebody. Sharing is caring! — Love, Mom”
I’m the germaphobe mom! There is always a wet wipe for before and after he eats in his lunch box:)
Wipe your hands! You don’t want to eat germs for lunch;)
I’m the mom that writes notes to my preschoolers…who can’t even read 😂
LOL Social Influencer for sure 😉
I’ve totally sent frozen nuggets to school with my kid.
I only make my son’s lunch once or twice a week because truthfully it’s a lot of work for me either a new baby to make lunch everyday. But, when I do, I always put a note in my son’s lunch. The notes depend on what he has that day, “rock your test” ” have a great practice”
“Share lunch with a friend” “you are the best son” “you make me proud to be your mom” and I love you. Mom. He never mentions the notes, but one day I forgot and he noticed and mentioned it right away. I love my son and I try my best to raise him to be a decent human being. He’s already pretty awesome.
Oops! Mom on the brain…forgot to say I am totally number 5 mom and my note would say “treat your buddies to your favorite. Enjoy pizza day papa! Love mom” and twenty bucks because the easiest thing is to have him buy it if we could do that.
First time school Mom here. I am definitely the people pleaser Mom. I think I packed the whole kitchen for my son’s lunch tonight! Haha. I’ll learn what he likes in the next few weeks, I’m sure. My note would probably say something along the lines of “Have a great day sweetheart! Don’t just eat the Rice Krispie square. That was a bribe to get you out of the house. Please eat your fruit as well. Love you, Mom. P.S. Try not to say “butt” so much to yiur teachers xoxo.”