Monday, October 6, 2014

Not All Moms are Competitive

I'm really busy lately with the jobs and everything else, so I don't have as much time to make cute lunches for the boys anymore.  Often, it's just sandwiches and fruit and chips or something simple like that.  Once in a while, I see a really awesome lunch idea and take a few extra minutes from my day to incorporate it into the boys' lunch.  I do this for one reason:  I love my boys, and I want to make their day a little more special.

Which is why I'm frustrated by all the snippy blog posts lately about bento lunches.  Moms ragging on other moms for their lunch efforts.  Saying that they're creating these lunches just so they can out-do other moms and be "supermoms".  It's hateful, it's judgmental, and it's just plain snarky.

I don't know why these moms are so angered when other moms make their child a cute lunch.  First of all, I don't see why it is their business what another mom packs her kid for lunch.  And secondly, don't you think it's probably a very rare instance that a mom would be motivated to go through all that trouble just to try to put another mom to shame?  Please

These happy little faces?  That's what motivates a mom to go through a little extra trouble to make lunch fun:


The other day, I packed the boys some Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles from apples and cheese (which I saw on a Facebook post).  A friend who works in the school cafeteria was really sweet and texted me this picture.  It made me feel so happy - to see my boys' smiling in the middle of the day, and to know that I'd brought them a little extra joy during lunchtime. 

Being a mom is hard enough.  What moms don't need is criticism and hatred from other moms over their hard work in raising their children.  Try supporting each other instead.  It would make the life of that mom a lot happier. 

32 comments:

Sunnybrook Farm said...

I don't remember doing much like that for our daughter but I would have if I knew how to do it. I did slip odd things into her lunch bag such as a potato, just to give her a laugh at lunch. We started her to packing her own lunch at an early age.

Bas. said...

heerlijk om zo van de eenvoud te genieten.

Buttons Thoughts said...

Oh Lisa I LOVE that photo you are a good Mom and mothers should support other Moms, we are all in this together and it is not a competition. Life is full of difficult things and support from others is critical and your kids need to see that not the competition. HUG B

Harry Flashman said...

I'm a bit flabbergasted. I would not have thought anybody would care what anyone else's kids brought to lunch, as long as the children had enough to eat.


I think this must be a woman thing. Don't let it bother you, you have to do right for your own sons and that's entirely your own business.

Tina Fariss Barbour said...

This astounds me, too, that people would pick on others who are doing something sweet for their kids. I guess some people let their own lack of confidence cause them to put down others. I bet your boys love the little surprises that they find in their lunches, and that's all that matters.

Steve Surratt said...

How can anyone argue against those smiles?

Elizabeth Edwards said...

i have never heard of bento lunches? i will have to investigate. i love Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles ... you are such a cool mom ... so creative! ( :

Out on the prairie said...

I never saw a Turtle apple, but will make some this week for the grandkids. I got another milk goat this week and named her Polka Dot.

Sally said...

Well, Lisa, you know? Some people never grow up. Anyone who knows you, knows what an awesome mom you are but, in reality, what matters most is your relationship with your family. I always love seeing those sweet faces. :)

TexWisGirl said...

LOVE that she sent you a photo! adorable!

Marie said...

this is so cute! there will always be those problem moms. I had to deal with a few in Kyle's early school years. I just ignored them and always flashed them a big smile! :)

Betsy Banks Adams said...

YIPES---I'm sorry to hear this. Seems as if these days, not just "moms" but many people are SNIPPY, RUDE, and JUDGMENTAL toward each other. Wonder what happened to us all just enjoying each other and all of our marvelous differences?????? We are all unique and special. Just think how boring this world would be if we were all alike. Keep being the best Mom you can be --and delete those snarky Moms from your lists.

Hugs,
Betsy

Ginny Hartzler said...

The turtles are adorable and I will file this for later.Think little girls may like it? Lisa, I had no IDEA this is going on. And it is awful and hateful!!! Moms need to support and care for each other. And I have always said you are a super mom! These women must feel very insecure, or they are having a permanent period. Each mom does the best she can and is different from others. Comparisons always cause nothing but trouble.

mail4rosey said...

What a thoughtful person to send you that pic! I love the apples, they're cute...so are the happy-looking kids eatin' 'em. ;)

Unknown said...

The turtles are super cute! I don't get why people are so snarky.

Angie said...

Amen!! Nothing wrong with treating your kids. Life is not a competition! Your boys sure looked happy :)

Unknown said...

That is so much fun. I love the idea of it. I bet the kids love eating them.

Lin said...

Amen, sister. I just made two cousins angry with me over the same topic. It's hard enough to be parents these days--why judge another parent? I had to spout off on that the other day on my blog too.

As for the lunches---anything you can do to get them to eat a packed lunch each day is fair game. And now you have the "lunch police" at schools checking the kids' lunches so they are healthy--it's nuts!

I'm just wondering how parents know what other parents are packing???? That is some weird competition, right? Criminy.

An Apel a Day said...

I agree. I feel pretty good when I write a special message in their lunchboxes. LOL

Those ninja turtle apples are pretty cute. I may have to try that. Not to out due yours, but just because my boys love the turtles.

Usually if I do anything artsy with food, it's at home. Then I have a plate to spread it out on. I don't like having to shove really cool fun things into a box, or bag.

Angela said...

That is so cute and I know the boys love it! Keep doing it Lisa until they let you know they are too old for it at school but they will continue to love it at home I'm sure. Some moms are just down right mean. I always have problems when the moms at the school find out where I live....

Linda said...

Those are cute! I'm afraid a lot of people let the internet bring out their frustrations. Kind of like driving in traffic!

Busy Bee Suz said...

I've been seeing the bento lunch boxes everywhere; I think they are pretty cool. So, is it more work to do the bento or more lazy? I'm confused and I also don't make lunches anymore. :)
The ninja apples are the cutest thing ever; what a treat to see them smile while at school!

Sharon Wagner said...

There was just a great article about local Dad's who started painting their kids lunch bags. Very inspiring.

Tanya Breese said...

i think the bento lunches are pretty neat...even for adults and older kids, not doing the cutesy things but the idea is fun and creative. love the way your appless turned out and if mine were still little i would have loved to do fun stuff like that from time to time. such a cute photo and how sweet of your friend to send you the pic! ps. i was looking for you at farm days!

Fernando Santos (Chana) said...

Bela fotografia de lindas crianças...Espectacular....
Cumprimentos

Aodhnait said...

Lisa you are truly admirable! I love reading your rational posts.

Tweedles -- that's me said...

Good job on speaking your words! We agree with you!!! Too much hatred!!!
We love that photo,, its adorable and those smiles- no money could buy them.
love
tweedles

Gail Dixon said...

Unbelievable what some people find to harp on. Your intentions are genuine and loving. Ignore the haters.

Debby@Just Breathe said...

Everything is always a competition to some people. I think if someone has a problem with it they really only have a problem with themselves. Keep doing what you are doing because it's all about the boys!!!!

Tweedles -- that's me said...

the pumpkin recipe looks so good... for some reason we cannot leave you a comment.
love
tweedles

Unknown said...

Ignore them. This lunch photo is fun. I'm amazed to learn this is even an issue among Mom's. My lunches never looked this creative, but that's a funny story for another time! :)

Annette said...

Oh my goodness... I LOVE this lunch idea!! I think its wonderful that moms take the time to create special lunches for their kids. It's just another way for their children to remember throughout the day how much they're loved. I personally don't have a creative bone in my body, but when my son starts reading a little better, I will start leaving him little inspirational messages to remind him how special he is... Maybe I'll even try pulling off your Ninja Apples...Turtles.