7 make-ahead school lunches for mornings when you just... can't.

Thanks to our partner, GLAD

If Christmas is the season to be jolly, back-to-school is the season to be… organised. Organised is jolly's far less colourful cousin. If organised wore a t-shirt it would say, "I put the fun in functional," which is optimistic at best.

Now, I don't find being organised particularly fun. By golly gosh I wish I did, but old dog, new tricks and all that. There is one thing I do quietly enjoy about this season though. A tiny silver lining. Maybe you can relate. It is that moment, post-jolly season, when my nervous system remembers what calm actually feels like. And while I know the jolly has to bugger off, the older I get, the less willing I am to let calm toddle off after her.

And while the booklists will get bought and the 807 glue sticks will eventually be labelled, there is one daily stressor that never truly rests: lunches. I feel bad even saying it. But stay with me, little people sherpas. I think I have cracked something.

Behold: seven simple lunch styles. Think of them like Netflix genres… and NO, do not go back to Netflix. Stay with me. This might help you keep Calm You around for the school year.

1. The build-your-own lunchbox.

Kids love choice. It makes them feel independent (which they also love). And when kids feel independent, they're far more likely to eat the food we've lovingly packed (and not get scurvy), rather than coming home with a full lunchbox and vibes of betrayal. Win.

This isn't about handing your kids a loaf of bread and saying, "Well… good luck." The 'build-your-own lunchbox' is about offering components that come together at lunchtime, and feel novel.

Some ideas that actually work:

This is where the quiet hero of this lunch style comes in: Glad^® Snap Lock^® Reseal Bags.

They're ideal for portioning out all the "bits" ahead of time, especially if you like to prep once and coast for the rest of the week. The leak proof, double lock seal means no surprise explosions in school bags, and they're easy for little hands to open and reseal without intervention (or tears).

I also love that you can label them — if you're prepping a few days' worth of build-your-own lunches, you can literally write the day of the week on each bag. Kids LOVE this, and it saves you from morning-of confusion. Most importantly, everything stays fresh and separate until lunchtime, which means no soggy wraps and sad food casualties. And we all know exactly where those end up…

2. The snack-plate lunchbox.

Think of it like a colourful mini grazing board for mini humans. A protein such as sliced or string cheese, deli-meat rolled or chopped salami sticks. A carb such as pretzels, a freshly torn bread roll or rice cakes. Cut fruit or veg to your mini humans' desire.

It looks thoughtful and fun, even if five minutes earlier you were standing in front of the fridge wondering what day it was. Kids also tend to eat more when food comes in little bite-sized options (must be science). A win for everyone.

3. Last night's dinner, reincarnated.

You know the best way to ensure kids eat leftovers? Don't give them a choice. Before you accuse me of sounding like I'm parenting in the '90s, there's a caveat here. Give last night's dinner a glow up. Some easy transformations include roast chicken becoming a wrap or roll, spaghetti becoming a cold pasta salad, sausages sliced and served with a dunking sauce, dip or crackers, or fried rice packed as is. Just allow everything to cool before packing so it stays fresh.

If anything has dressing or sauce, grab your little leak proof Glad^® Snap Lock^® Reseal Bags mentioned earlier so all your elements stay fresh.

4. The freezer-stash hero lunch.

Choose yourself an afternoon and make a batch of mini quiches, muffins, zucchini slice, mini meatballs or pikelets. Freeze them in individual portions so you can simply grab, pack and go — the snack size Glad^® Snap Lock^® Snack Bags are perfect for this!

5. The protein-plus-carb combo.

Simple. Filling. Healthy. Some favourite combinations include roast chicken with a buttered roll, cheese slices with rice cakes, falafel with hummus and pita, cheese with mini croissants, or boiled eggs with crackers. Add fruit, veg or yoghurt and you've quietly ticked every box. This style also works beautifully for kids who prefer foods to stay in their own little zones or reseal bags rather than mingling together. Respect.

6. The 'everything chopped' lunch.

Some children are far more enthusiastic about food when it arrives pre-chopped and snack ready (now I think about it, who isn't?). Try carrot and cucumber sticks, sliced cheese, cherry tomatoes, apple slices (a little lemon juice helps keep them fresh), or even leftover roast potatoes. 

7. The comfort-food lunch.

Because school is big. And feelings are big. And sometimes familiar food just helps. Include things like leftover pancakes rolled with cream cheese or jam, banana bread, a simple toasted sandwich made ahead and cooled, or cold noodles with a light drizzle of soy.

Shop Glad^® Snap Lock^® Reseal Bags from your local supermarket.

Feature image: Getty.

GLAD SNAP LOCK Reseal Bags are leak proof, preventing mess and spills and keeping snacks and lunches fresher for longer.