I couldn't help but notice this morning how my situation (32 1/2 weeks pregnant with triplets, huge, miserable, can barely walk) is directly related to the items in my children's lunch boxes. Today my son, Tyson (8), has chips, Capri Sun, 2 chocolate chip cookies, and a cinnamon roll for lunch. Tanner (11), my leasy picky eater, has a slice of banana bread, Capri Sun, apple, granola bar, and applesauce. Haylee (13) has a Hot Pocket, Capri Sun, and chips. I don't know about you, but I'm noticing a trend of "ease of throwing in." Nothing in any of their lunch boxes required any advance preparation or resembles any attempt on my part to meet nutritional needs. OK, Tanner's lunch will meet SOME nutritional needs, but he happens to be the one of my children who doesn't get enough protein, and what's missing from his lunch? You got it, protein. Days like this are the ones that I wish we had a regular hot lunch program at our charter school--I would love to throw some money at lunch ladies and have them feed my children. Of course I'm realistic that this really wouldn't make much of a difference in their food group consumption, but at least I would feel good that the food groups have been made available!
And yet, for reasons unbeknownst to man, I'm not feeling guilty. Go figure. I guess guilt is not my thing. Somewhere along the way in my life, I think I decided to not let guilt ever be my motivating driving force. Days like today my children suffer because of my lack of guilt. I'm feeling pretty good that they will have any snack to eat today at all! And they all have a trusty Capri Sun to hydrate them. They'll survive, right?! Aw, I'll make sure that tonight they get a good dinner--after all, my mom is cooking (since I can't at this point)!
