This is a sponsored post from BlogHer and Smuckers.
I’m not sure where I first got the idea of putting notes in our little man’s lunchbox. I know that it wasn’t any sort of original concept, so my best guess is that I probably saw Claire Huxtable put a note in one of her kids’ lunchboxes on The Cosby Show when I was younger. Of course I wasn’t consciously trying to pick up parenting tips from a TV show when I was, you know, thirteen, but I’ve never been one to underestimate the lasting influence of a family sitcom.
I mean, do you know how many times I’ve thought about Jan Brady running into the family portrait on her bicycle when I’m trying to teach our son about being responsible?
YOU ONLY HAD TO WEAR THE GLASSES, JAN.
YOU ONLY HAD TO WEAR THE GLASSES.
Regardless of where the idea originated, I first started putting notes in Alex’s lunches when he was in Mothers’ Day Out. At the time he couldn’t really read, of course, so I’d just draw a big heart and then sign “Mama” at the bottom. When he started four year-old kindergarten and was recognizing a few words, I moved up to “Alex – I love you, Mama” – and the notes have gotten more elaborate over the last couple of years. He always thanks me for the notes when I pick him up from school, and lots of times I’ll find the notes when I unpack his lunchbox – with little jelly or Cheetos fingerprints all along the edges.
Last year Alex ate in the school cafeteria a good bit (I have NO IDEA why, but he really gets a kick out of going through the lunch line), so I didn’t pack lunches nearly as often. But at the end of the school year, his class had a field day, and since the cafeteria was going to be closed that day, the teachers asked us to send a lunch to school.
It just so happened that the week of field day was a hard one for us because our dog Maggie died. She hadn’t been well for awhile, and I don’t think any of us were prepared for how difficult it was when she finally passed away. Alex took her death particularly hard – it was the first time he’s ever had to say good-bye to something he loved – and the week was filled with hard questions and hard answers. We talked a lot about the fact that there’s purpose in every single thing that happens in our lives, and we talked about how grateful we were that we got to share life with Maggie.
But oh, how he cried. And oh, how he missed her.
When I was packing his lunch the Friday morning of field day, I decided to stick a note inside. I tried to make it upbeat and comforting because I knew how much his little heart was still hurting. And sure enough, when I picked him up from school that afternoon, he said, “Thanks, Mama, for the note you sent me. It made me smile.”
A few days ago I asked Alex why he likes it so much when I send him little notes, and he said, “Because when I’m thinking about you at school, the note reminds me that you’re thinking about me, too.” It’s such a small thing to do – it literally takes less than a minute – but I really do believe that that kind of intentional, loving communication with our kids reaps huge benefits. If you’ve ever written a note to your child(ren), you know that you can see the joy all over their face when they read it.
After the little guy and I talked for a few minutes about lunchbox notes, I had a hunch. Since field day was the last lunch I packed this past school year – and since he told me at the end of that day that he threw away all of his trash at school – I wondered if maybe he held onto the note when lunch was over. So I went in the pantry, pulled the lunchbox off the shelf, and sure enough, I found what I suspected that I would.
He kept it.
Bless his heart.
To celebrate the ways that moms connect with their kids over lunch – whether it’s by putting a note in a lunchbox or making special plans to sit in the backyard and eat sandwiches together – Smuckers has created a really neat program called Kidvitations. It’s a way for parents to intentionally make mealtimes special – and I think it’s awesome. I also think that you and your kids are going to love it.
If you’d like to enter to win a $200 Visa gift card, leave a comment and tell me one of your favorite ways to connect with the children in your life.
There are also BlogHer.com Smuckers roundup page.
And if you enjoy a little light reading, you’re sure to be delighted by the BlogHer.com Smuckers official rules.
This giveaway will run through August 23rd, at which point I’ll use random.org to select a winner.
Can’t wait to read your comments!
Create a Kidvitation!
Home can be a busy place with the hustle and bustle of everyday life. That’s why it’s important to set time aside to spend with your kids. Use Smuckers® Kidvitations to invite your kids to share a moment with you over a perfect PB&J. Check it out.
This giveaway is now closed.
Having the kids help me in the kitchen is the best way to connect with them. It could be something as simple as having them make spread the peanut butter and jelly on their sandwiches or more complicated like preparing dinner, but we talk and laugh and enjoy each other before we even get around the table!
I usually find the time my kids want to talk is late at night. Staying up that extra 30 minutes is worth it! :)
I like reading with my son. It’s something we both love, and it keeps us close.
I only ever write a note to my father to not forget his lunch and he still does sometimes!
We make family dinner together a priority and have started family game nights now that my 3 year old has the hang of playing by the rules!
I like to send each child a note in the mail. Maybe a just because note or it might be a thank you note, if they have been kind to someone. Really just any ol’reason to lift them up. I know that they love receiving mail…so just a few minutes on my part…..makes them feel extra special inside!
I love to sit with my family at dinner and ask everyone what the best and worst part of their day was. Even mom and dad share- it helps us know a little more about the lives of our kids, good and bad.
Going out on individual dates with them
Long road trips with one child at a time provide time for such wonderful conversation. My children are teens or almost-teens, and the college hunt process for the older ones has been the best chance yet to have important talks about the changes ahead!
I like to put little notes into my kids lunches, or for my older son, who would now get embarrassed with one of Moms notes, I put in either a hershey kiss or heartshaped chocolate to signify I’m thinking of him & love him. (He’s even tucked some secretly into my lunch.)
Thanks so much for this wonderful giveaway.
rickpeggysmith(at)aol(dot)com
The way I connect with my grandsons is by reading to them. What we do is, I read up to the end of the story then ask them to come up with their own ending. I then read them the books ending. They love this. It also gets them involved and thinking!
I connect by going on hikes with my kids.
My son and I take walks on the beach.It is our special time.
My daughter and I draw together and play dress up
There is hardly a night we don’t make dinner at home and eat all together.
I always wrote notes and put in my kids lunches..1 day a month I would have lunch with them at their school.
going for long walks on the trails. my boy loves it!
We like playing games together.
We eat all of our meals together and tell of our ups and downs of our day. It has kept my family close for years!
Remembering notes in their lunchboxes…sharing a warm loaf of homemade bread and butter after school on baking days…rainy day pick-ups from school and hot chocolate & cookies! With 6, I was a busy Momma…now with G’children and Great’g’children, scattered far and wide, keeping in touch via facebook and emails and sharing in their lives keeps us close and connected. It’s rewarding for me to see my daughter’s and son carrying on some of the ideas and traditions I started with them. Thanks for the opportunity to share!
One of my favorite ways to connect with my teen girls is to take them to their favorite restaurant (olive garden), they love it!
nancymn2003@yahoo.com
anytime we can sit and talk- just about life with no judging
I connect with my much younger siblings by hanging out with them and playing sports in the backyard like baseball and flag football!!
shopgurl101 at gmail dot com
We like going out to lunch together once in awhile. They think its a real treat!
Tweeted: http://twitter.com/shopgurl/status/20832302704
shopgurl101 at gmail dot com
I blogged about the giveaway here: http://sweetqt.wordpress.com/2010/08/10/blogher-smuckers-giveaways/
shopgurl101 at gmail dot com
We love to connect while creating art. Especially with polymer clay. It’s a great time to chat about various subjects, and a wonderful way to be creative together.
I enjoy taking each grandchild on a one on one. They love it. We do whatever they want to do for the day.
(I love it more than they do)
My daughter and I text back and forth. She tells me a lot more in texting than face to face.
we have long drives to and from town for dr’s appts, etc. its a perfect time to connect with my teenager. another great opportunity to touch base with kids in not only during meal time but also having them help me with meal preparation. when we’re working together, they seem more likely to open up abt their lives.
We connect by taking one night a month to “veg” we eat horrible foods, mostly all fried and watch movies. We laugh, cry and fuss together.
We ask everyone to share something about their day at the dinner table to start discussions
tvollowitz at aol dot com
Many ways but our favorites are playing Clue family night and blowing bubbles on a windy day so they carry far
I try every night to read to my children.
The way I connect with the children in my life is to go swimming with them at the public swimming pool.
I use knock knock jokes and riddles to make my kids smile.
Christine
dazed1821@aol.com
We swim a lot. My son enjoys it and he will have those memories growing up.
Thanks!
Movie night outside under the stars on a projection screen.. we love it!
Reading together is a good way to connect.
We go on walks together. Sometimes nature walks and other times just to see what the neighbors are up to and spread some cheer and smiles.
My mom always wrote me a note on my napkin and I try to do the same for my daughter; just a little note to let her know I’m thinking about her.
On weekends when my husband is working, my daughter and I have “girl time”; sometimes we see a movie or we hang out at home and do our nails together.
I seem to connect best with kids while “playing” together – laughter opens a lot of doors
By giving them the respect I give to adults.
I like to take walks in the evenig with my son. We play games along the way and have a great time.
Reading to them or letting them tell me about books they have read.
Dinner, reading and coaching the youth activities they were involved with were ways I communicated with my children when they were younger. Now that they are older, its blogging and Skype
I like to go on bike rides with my daughter. We have some of our best heart to heart talks during our bike rides.
really look forward each night reading together
I have a teen and a preteen I learned driving alone with them in the car really gets them talking. They will talk to me about anything when it just us in the car and no one else is around. It’s a good feeling!
we don’t have any children yet, but I love to put notes in my husband’s lunch…he reads them and rereads them during the day! :-)
~eunice b
tigergal01 @gmail .com
I have something called “Grandmas Kitchen”. Whenever I cook, I put aside individual servings and freeze them. Each of my grandchildren have particular favorites so I try to keep a lot of choice in the “little freezer” that the grandchildren can search through for what they would like for lunch or dinner when they are at my house. Five grandchildren are in the same city as I am so that can be frequently; the out of town ones visit in the summer and when we visit them during the school year, I take their favorites with me. I think each one feels special
I TAKE THEM FOR WALKS AND WE TALK
I take my nephew’s places.
My little guy is my stepson, and i think my favourite way that we connect is when he’s “helping” me . . . be it feeding the cat, ‘cleaning’ up the kitchen, or making cookies. i love his sweet spirit and eagerness to be a good helper.
We love to have special mommy-daughter time, where I get one-on-one time with one of my daughters while the other one is off at some activity or other. Our favorite way to spend this time together is snuggled up in my bed, watching a movie together. Granted, I end up having to watch some really horrid kids’ movies sometimes, but it’s well worth it to have two hours to snuggle tight with one of my girls.
Reading. Lots and lots o’ reading. My son is 16-months old, so we read lots of small-children classics like The Cat in the Hat, Go Do Go!, Are You My Mother?, Hop On Pop…lots of Dr. Seuss.
I have twin girls that are 5 and a half months old so no notes in their lunchboxes yet. However, I do plan to do that! I love to cuddle and snuggle with my babies and make sure to spend good quality time with each one individually. I also love to sing to them and make them laugh!
I don’t have kids of my own, but as a Young Life leader, I connect with kids ALL THE TIME! And the component most often included? FOOD!
I like to bake/cook for/with them and they love it! There is always something yummy that’s easily accessible at my house – they know they are welcome to it when they come over!
I’ve started taking my girls on “mommy” dates. They love the time alone with me, and I love that they love it :) It’s in that alone time that they really open up and talk about what’s on their heart.
i still put notes of encouragement or just i love you in the lunches or texting…bedends on the child
I love to take my 6-year-old grandson fishing. Its relaxing and he is not surrounded by TV’s and computers and we just talk–about anything and everything.
I like being the house where the kids hang out, then I get to know my kids friends
My son and I do weekly Mommy/Son lunches. He gets to take Mommy out on a date, but Mommy gets to pay, ha!
We seem to have out best conversations when I’m pushing her on the swing. (I don’t know what I’m going to do when she figures out how to swing herself.)
My baby is almost 4 months old – my favorite times with her are Saturday mornings snuggling up in the “big bed” to nurse and take a nap, and dinner time – where my husband and I put her between us on the couch and talk to her about our days while she smiles and coos and sticks her legs up in the air at us.
I have 3 children and I try to find times where I can hold them or sit by them and tell them how much I love them. We also pray over them each night before they go to bed – they won’t go to sleep until we do. It’s just little things that let them know how proud we are and how special they are to us!
I don’t have children of my own, but I always make sure and bring books and coloring books to my friend’s children when I visit. I like to encourage reading.
My nephew associates my husband with a “boom boom,” which is any motorized vehicle e.g. lawn mower, 4-wheeler, golf cart, etc. He always wants to ride and it makes his day.
Reading to my kids and then praying with them before bedtime….there’s nothing like it!
I dont have any kids yet but my mom would always place little bible verse cards with notes written on the back in different places in my bag anytime I was away from home, that way I would find them at different times during the trip.
I love to make the time to sit down and eat with my son, rather than using that time to straighten up the house or do other chores. We both always end up laughing about something, and it’s a special time!
I connect with my kids every day by talking to them. As easy as that sounds it’s not really because they’re both teenager but we manage to stay close.
My favorite way of connecting with my kiddoes is at bedtime. We read books together and we say our prayers. I love hearing what they are thankful for at the end of each day!
I love to hear all their stories – and ask questions so they feel like their day really does matter to a “grown up” like me.
I take my daughter out for a Mom/Daughter day. We have lunch, shop a little and just talk.
Thanks for the chance.
mogrill@comcast.net
my favorite way to connect is outdoors…finding those moments to see their eyes open in wonder as a ladybug crawls up their finger or as a fish splashes in the creek. It’s those raw moments that I never get enough of.
I put notes in my son’s lunch on occasion and he loves them. I have had him write me notes back and slip them where he knows that I will find them. I also like to “go on a date” with him every once in a while. His sister and I get a lot of “girl” time together so our dates make he and I both happy!
Since kids are always labeling one another, I decided that I would help with the labels. I take pictures of kids and then I make and print a sign and give them a new label like -> fabulous, hilarious, brilliant, artist, talented dancer, etc. This let’s them know what I see in them and anyone who sees it also picks up that trait with that child. We all need a boost some days so this is a quick and easy way and it means a lot to a child.
Well I am still single and praying for Mr. Right, so no kids of my own here. But I am a kindergarten teacher. One of the ways that I like to connect with them is to send them mail to their homes. I usually send a holiday card at Christmas and a postcard in the summer before they start first grade. I love it when they come back to school after they have received mail. They are so excited. Kindergarten kids are great!
I pick up those cut out stars or hearts that are for teachers at the dollar store and write little notes on them!
I love reading to my nieces and nephews – the expressions on their faces, the opportunity to talk about the stories, the cuddle time. I love everything about it.
I love to cuddle at bed time and read a book with my little buddies. Its quiet and they are willing to lay still and cuddle. The best!!!!!
My niece is only 2, but I started sending her packages on her “month” birthdays her first year and will still randomly drop a package in the mail. My love language is gifts, so it is very easy to find things to get for her.
I love how you added the scripture verse in Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the plans that I have for you, declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.”
Awesome verse!
Since I’m single, my interactions with kids are as a real and honorary aunt to numerous children. My nephew is just 7 months old, but I like to send him small gifts even now to remind him that I even exist since we live 13 hrs. apart. : ) For my friends’ children nearby, I try to give them my full attention since I know what that meant to me as a kid.
I like to take each of my kids (3 yo quadruplets) on little one on one dates. We don’t get to do it enough but it’s so nice when we do!
Jenny B
We always eat dinner as a family, and read bedtime stories, say prayers, etc. I’ve sent a few notes in my little girl’s lunch box, but she never mentions them… This year, I’ll be packing lunches for 2 kids (but my son LOVES that school lunch too), so I’m going to try to make the packed lunches a little extra special now and then :)
Eating dinner together every night.
The kids like it when the sandwiches are cut in cute shapes. It’s not wasteful-I eat the messy parts!
I try not to be too busy to miss the times when my teenagers “invite me into their world.” It might be a quick comment they make about their day, their friends, their schoolwork,etc. I try and listen for these times just to talk and hear what’s on their mind. Also, doing the simple things that in today’s busy world get pushed out — meals together, sitting on the couch watching movies, not being so busy that the 6 of us don’t have times when we are all together as a family.
I like to do notes in lunchboxes, but also have left notes with window markers on their bathroom mirror. Soooo fun!
Just like my Mother did with me…baking and cooking is a great and productive time to connect and have quiet and focused time.
I have one son and we do a lot of things together. He is always asking me stuff about himself when he was a baby. He loves to know what he was like as infant. Recently, he said ‘mom did I have put my hand in the toilet bowl’. He’s 10 now.
He asks my mom about me when I was born. we connect a lot that way.
With four kids I like to capture one on one time with each of them, hard to do! But so worth it!
I did the note in the lunchbox thing, too, but now that I have one in college, I”ll have to be more creative. I imagine that lots of texts and handwritten notes are in my future. :)
I used to scratch a message in a banana, so that by the time they got to lunch , the message was dark and readable! I’m not sure they ate the banana, but they knew I loved ’em!
Suzanne
I think my favorite time is reading time. Each of my two kids picks out a book and we cuddle before bedtime. I love it!
I love having movie night with the whole fam. My girls will snuggle up and watch in my lap.
My favorite way to connect with my kids is through books. We read stories every day, and are currently reading “Summer of the Monkeys” together. I love how they are excited to sit next to me and listen.
I have 3 teens so it is sometimes hard to catch them to talk. However, we do when we have late nights of football/band or what ever else they are doing. We also try to have family dinner night at least once a week-we talk & laugh.
Definitely curling up together with a stack of books – along with tea (for me) and chocolate milk (him). Loved the lunch note idea :)