OPINION: Enough with the bento lunch boxes, bring back the sanga

"Cutting kiwifruit into flowery shapes just 'aint on my list of priorities."

Laura Jackel

3 min read

June 5, 2024 - 7:25PM

Primary School

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There are many ways the internet can make us mums feel intensely guilty. Everywhere you look it seems there are beautiful kids in their neutral linen outfits playing with wooden toys, while their mums serve looks and push fancy prams.

As a mum of two school-aged kids, I have recently had the misfortune of being sucked into an Instagram kids’ lunchbox vortex.

Images of pretty pink bento boxes packed with the most immaculate and balanced snacks that a clever mum took the time to prepare, are filling my feed.

Think cut veggies, homemade sushi rolls tied with twine, berries and wholegrain crackers. Maybe a dark chocolate topped linseed and buckwheat muffin thrown in as a treat.

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Image: Supplied.

"How do these parents have the time for such clever lunches?"

I pore over these ‘lunchspo’ images and feel two things: 1) vicious envy at the kids eating (or not eating) these high end delights and 2) huge guilt about the limp Vegemite sanga I pack my kids most days.

I also wonder how I can get these mums to make me my lunch as they look so darn appealing.

Of course I love my kids but there are just some areas of my life I do not have the time to put 100 per cent into.

I give great cuddles, put on excellent kitchen discos and will ensure my kids know they are loved and supported in all things. But cutting kiwifruit into flowery shapes just 'aint on the list sorry and yet… does this make me a shambolic mother?

Possibly.

Also all those ingredients are pricey on the daily and we are living through a cost of living crisis -so who is buying all those blueberries anyway?!

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"No one ate them anyway"

But rather than feel alone in my shameful mum guilt, I conducted a straw poll of my mum friends who variously work from home, work part time or not at all.

These women slapped me out of my stupor and brought me to my senses.

Bento boxes look great and yet PERHAPS they are not as well used as Instagram might have me believe.

One pal, a "reformed bento box mum" had recently resorted to making 'normal' lunches for her three kids

“I used to make sandwiches in dumpling shapes using ravioli makers,” the mum confessed.

“Until I realised there was more to life and no one ate them anyway. Now, I have one vegemite sandwich kid 365 days of the year, one that oscillates between a plain wrap or a ham sandwich, and one that eats nothing but cream cheese.”

Another mum who works in education shares that she’s a “basic mum” like me when it comes to school lunch.

“There’s a bit too much junk food in our lunch boxes, and absolutely no pretty shapes,” she explained.

“The best thing they get (in my mind) is a homemade cookie or cake, but they prefer nutri-grain bars and pocky sticks.

“But in all honesty, I couldn't care less, and I waste absolutely no time thinking about it.”

She says that in the playground she does see some lucky kids eating warm leftovers.

“I see some impressive lunchboxes on duty- but by impressive, I mean delicious leftovers in a thermos that make me insanely jealous and quite often, the food is of a different cuisine so I see lots of yummy looking rice and actual meals as opposed to a traditional sandwich.”

One mum, whose middle child is autistic, says while her lunchboxes are basic and made up of “Vegemite sangas with some fruit, a packet of chips and some sporty shapes from Aldi,” she has to cut up and separate the fruit and vegetables or complaints will occur.

"I am not alone!"

It seems that while some parents will continue to showcase their skills for pretty presentation and lovely Instagrammable lunchboxes, at least I now know I am not alone as a Vegemite sandwich mum.

And if you know where I can find someone who makes pretty bento box lunches for busy and tired mums who will absolutely appreciate the artistry of that chopping and presentation, please point them out.

I will place my order, stat!