Kids and lunch...

[minniebeth]

My two oldest kids are old enough to make/prepare and even cook their own lunches. They are great with grilled cheeses, paninis, mac and cheese, etc.
However, I find if I let them (especially my DS) have free range of lunch, my groceries go quicker than quick.
My DS and my older DD can put a pretty good dent in the food, so I try to make lunch as much as possible as to try to portion control what they eat.

(Breakfast too...the other day, I came into the kitchen to find my DS making a double chicken patty sandwich with several slices of cheese, tomato, lettuce and the equivalent of what had to be 2 pickles, lol! Granted, he had just come back from running 6 miles with his cross country team, but I told him when we have no more lunch and dinner items, he'll be having cereal for dinner. )

I try to make additional portions for dinner as to have leftovers for lunches the next day. If we are going to be out or on the run, like at the pool, I try to do extra grilled chicken, sausage, veggies, etc. to make things like salads, wraps, subs.
My kids love to just have tapas kind of things for lunches too, things like crackers/cheese, fruit, yogurt, hummus and vegetables and homemade pita chips.

It's nice for kids to be independant, and learn some boundaries at the same time!

 

[AristocatFan]

Whether I cook lunch or not depends on my mood. My kids are all old enough to fix themselves something to eat.

 

[polkadotsuitcase]

My 10 and 12 year old get their own breakfast and lunch. Sometimes hot stuff, sometimes not.

My kids are the same age and this is exactly what happens in our house. My 12yo in particular is quite the gourmet. Often, we'll be sitting down to eat lunch at the same time, and he's got some 5-star meal he's whipped up while I'm eating my peanut butter and jelly sandwich!