I still remember the eerie stillness of those early days.
Spring 2020, when the world felt like it had come to a full stop, I was home with an infant, uncertain what the days ahead would bring. I had no idea what I was doing, and while I had a lot of virtual support, there wasn’t any much needed in-person support.
There were no mom groups, no music classes, no friendly strangers peeking into the stroller at the park.
If you're reading this and your child is also heading off to kindergarten this fall, chances are you had a “COVID baby,” too. And chances are you’re feeling the same feelings as me.
These are the babies we nursed in quiet rooms while the world tried to figure itself out. They took their first steps in empty living rooms. We clapped for them in kitchens. Their birthday parties were drive-by honks and cupcakes left on porches while the baker and family immediately ran 10 feet away. And now here we are, buying little backpacks, filling out school forms, and maybe crying a little in the Target parking lot.
It’s a big shift.
And can we talk about how this summer feels different? Sweeter. Heavier.
It’s the last summer before they learn to tell time, before they start reading, and before you have to stop spelling out words you don’t want them to hear.
It’s also the last summer where the days are long in that magical, slow kind of way, popsicles melting on the back porch, chalk art in the driveway, sticky fingers, endless books at bedtime. No homework. No packed lunches yet. Just the golden hour glow of them still being little.
And I know we’ll always have summers. But we’ll always remember this one. The one before everything changed. The one where they were still half baby, half big kid. Where we still carried them sometimes, even when they didn’t need it, because part of us wasn’t ready to let go.
So, if you’ve been holding them a little longer at bedtime or finding yourself just watching them while they play… you’re not alone. We’re all feeling the tug of time right now.
I didn’t expect it to hit so hard. The realization that the baby I once bounced through endless Zoom meetings is now learning sight words and asking me about making new friends. And just like that, we’ve entered a whole new chapter. One that comes with its own surprises and challenges.
Enter: the school lunch conundrum.
I’ll admit I’m not a complete stranger to packing school lunches. My daughter has gone to preschool since she was 2 ½. But she’s older now and has different nutritional needs as a five-year-old. I won’t pretend I’ve cracked the code completely, but I’ve learned a few things along the way. And if you’re standing in your kitchen wondering how you’re going to pack something healthy and actually edible by a five-year-old, here’s what I’ve been leaning on.
The first few weeks of school are not the time to introduce quinoa salad or surprise them with anything “green and squishy.” I’ll be sticking to foods I know she already loves at home. A peanut butter sandwich on whole wheat bread, tried and true strawberries, and something crunchy like freeze-dried mango or whole grain crackers.
I’ve also found that a little visual fun goes a long way. A silicone muffin cup of blueberries, a note with a doodle, or their favorite character on a food pick, these tiny touches make lunch feel like a hug from home.
Raw carrots never worked for us. But a squeeze pouch with veggies blended in? Total win. My kid slurps one down and doesn’t even ask what’s inside. (I always smile knowing there’s kale in there. Thank you, Kekoa Foods for the Taste Training™.)
Some nights I’m scrambling, but when I prep the lunchbox the night before or at least have a few things portioned and ready to go, mornings feel less like a game show challenge and more manageable.
I know we’re all navigating this season in our own ways. The ache of letting go, the joy of watching them grow, the practicalities of snacks and supplies and sleep schedules. It’s a lot.
But I also know this: our babies, raised in such an unusual time, are full of resilience. And even though it was hard, don’t you sometimes feel lucky we got that special time alone with our kids? I know I do. The bond with my daughter grew exponentially during those times because we were all each other had.
They’ve learned to adapt, to trust us, and to find joy in small things.
And now they’re off to learn and grow even more with us still cheering them on, just from a few steps further back.
So to all the fellow moms out there packing those first lunches and sending off their little ones this fall, you’re doing an incredible job.
We’ve got this. 💛