So we’re back to school now. That means we’re back to a routine, which is important for everybody’s sanity, but it also means dealing with the school lunch headache. Know what I mean? I hate this topic as much as the next mom, but here I think I can actually help. I’ve been a parent for a while now and I can probably match the best of any of your school lunch tales of woe. The best solution to this problem may be to have your kids eat the school’s lunch. But for some families, school lunch is not an option, whether because of cost, dietary restrictions, or just because your kid is picky. For those of us who pack lunches from home, it can often be a great source of stress.

You want your kids to eat well during the day- brain food is important for doing well in school, but you also want to hang on to whatever is left of your sanity after keeping them busy all summer and then shopping for school supplies. I would say just try to keep it simple, but in my house that’s not an option, what with everyone’s food specifications. So I understand and I sympathize if you think that’s a ludicrous suggestion. I think my best suggestion would be to keep it interesting. Of course, there are the kids who want the same lunch every day, and if that’s your child, thank your lucky stars because if you eliminate the guesswork, you are simplifying. But because I think it’s boring to eat the same thing every day, I would try to keep it interesting by cutting sandwiches into different shapes, getting creative with containers, or including a funny note in the boring lunch.

Unless your child is a serious foodie, a simple sandwich is probably the best way to go. It’s easy to prepare, easy to pack, and easy to eat. But if your child, like mine, is a “foodie,” those sandwiches, may require a little more thought and a little more prep work. I jazz up her sandwiches with some olive spread. You can buy some in the store, but it’s really easy to whip some up yourself. Just combine a can of olives (black or green- your choice), a couple of garlic cloves, a splash of olive oil, some black pepper, and whatever herbs you like and whir them up in a food processor until you get the consistency you want. If you want to be adventurous, include capers or sun dried tomatoes. This will stay good in the refrigerator for a few weeks. To keep it interesting, don’t limit yourself to the usual sandwich breads. Try different options, like croissant, bagels, wraps, English muffins. If your kids won’t eat sandwiches, try a deconstructed sandwich: some tuna or egg salad in a container with crackers on the side. Or some hummus or other dip with vegetables. Try to think outside the box and you might score a winner. And be organized. Do as much as you can the night before so there is less scrambling while you’re trying to get out the door. I wish you all and your families a successful school year!