For parents who don’t homeschool, their children’s school day is a long day. Last year my daughter, who was in kindergarten at the time, got on the bus at 8:15 every morning and returned home 8 hours later at 4:15. Considering she wakes up at 7 and goes to bed at 8, this meant that I only got to see her for 5 hours a day and that she spent more time with her teacher than with me!
As a SAHM, this realization haunted me a little. I was able to mitigate some of the separation anxiety by volunteering in her classroom and in the school so that I could see her during her school day every so often. Another way that I tried to stay connected to her was to include occasional little notes in her lunch box to surprise her and let her know I was thinking about her. The nice thing about lunch notes is that your child happens upon them in the middle of the day when they aren’t necessarily thinking of home and when they can use a little boost to get them through the rest of their day.
Sometimes I would write my notes on her napkin. Other times, I would use a permanent marker to write on her sandwich bag. This year, I wanted to change things up a little so I made some on my computer. I’m going to keep the stash of notes hidden in the pantry near the resealable baggies so I can easily add them to her lunch box throughout the year. And because I love my readers, I’m sharing them here so that you can use them too.
Altogether, there are 4 printable sheets. There are two different sets of cards, one with blank cards (so you can write in your own notes) and one with messages already included. For each set, there are 6 color cards and 6 black and white cards. I printed mine on card stock. You can also use regular printer paper and tape them to the inside cover of the lunch box or to one of the food containers.
Just fill in the form below the images to get immediate access to all of my printables. These will be listed under “Parenting” as “Blank Lunch Notes” and “Lunch Notes.”
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I hope you enjoy them!
What other ideas do you have for staying connected to your child when you can’t be with them for most of the day? Please share your suggestions in the comments.
Corinne Schmitt
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Cindy Cowan says
Just love this Idea!
Sadia says
I just wanted to let you know that yours is a Featured Post at How Do You Do It?! http://hdydi.com/2013/12/30/parenting-link-5/
Corinne Schmitt says
Yay! That is one of my favorite link-ups because I learn so many great tricks for parenting better. Thank you!!
Angela Thiede says
That’s such a cute idea. I will have to remember this when my little guy starts going to school.
Thanks for sharing!
Stopping by on the Anything Goes hop.
Nicole Dash says
These really are cute! I love getting ideas like these. Simple, but very much loved by the kids.
Aida Ingram says
You always have the best stuff on your blog. I can’t wait to share this with the ladies on my page! It is really important to make your babies feel good and this is a perfect way to do it.
Anne | The Chef's Wife says
LOVE these!! I am going to pin them to my Pinterest Lunchbox Board to share with our followers there. 🙂 Thanks so much for a great resource!
Susan says
I’ve always written a note on the corner of the napkin, but I love your printable notes. They are so sweet.
Healy Harpster says
I super love this precious idea, simple, genuine and not expensive!
amanda says
super cute! these can be left in backpacks if your kiddo gets hotlunch too
Viccy H says
My eldest starts school next week, and this is a great idea to let him know his mummy thinks of him even when he’s at school xx