Make My Life Easier Thursday: Kids’ Bento Box
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If your kids are headed back to in-person learning like my oldest, packing lunch may become a new addition to an already full morning routine. A bento box may make things a bit easier.
In the Before Times, my mom got me and my husband a few bento boxes to pack our work lunches in. I liked them so much that I started looking for one that would be the right size for our daughter.
Bentgo’s Children’s Lunch Box may be what I’m looking for: There are five kid-sized compartments (Bentgo recommends this box for kids 3–7), it’s leakproof (great for things like applesauce), and it’s easy to clean. If you subscribe to the power of customer reviews, it has more than 14,700 five-star reviews on Amazon.
The lunch box is $24.99 at Amazon and available in three colors (blue, green, or purple).
Sales of note for 5/8/25
(See all of the latest workwear sales at Corporette!)
- Nordstrom – Up to 50% off select styles + 15% off fragrance (exclusions apply; ends 5/11) + give $150 in gift cards, earn a $25 promo card (ends 5/13)
- Ann Taylor – 30% off your full-price purchase + extra 40% off sale
- Banana Republic Factory – 40-60% everything + extra 25% off
- Eloquii – $25+ select styles + extra 45% off all sale
- J.Crew – Up to 50% off must-have styles + extra 50% off select sale styles
- J.Crew Factory – Up to 60% off everything + extra 50% off clearance
- M.M.LaFleur – Try code CORPORETTE15 for 15% off
- Spanx – Lots of workwear on sale, some up to 70% off
- Talbots – 25% off all tops, pants, jeans, and shorts + 25% off all markdowns
And — here are some of our latest threadjacks of interest – working mom questions asked by the commenters!!
- The concept of “backup care” is so stupid…
- I need tips on managing employees in BigLaw who have to leave for daycare pickup…
- I’m thinking of leaning out to spend more time with my family – how can I find the perfect job for that?
- I’m now a SAHM and my husband needs to step up…
- How can I change my thinking to better recognize some of my husband’s contributions as important, like organizing the shed?
- What are your tips to having a good weekend with kids, especially with little kids? Do you have a set routine or plan?
We have toy bins in my daughter’s room, in our living room and in our basement family room/playroom but we still have more toys than storage spots…and this is just for one (3 year old) child. What’s the solution here – just more toy bins? I would love to get rid of some of them but she still plays with pretty much all of them and her memory is good enough that she’ll flip out if any of them disappear.
How do you know if a kid’s behavior is problematic/ needs intervention? I have 3 kids and my middle (turning 5, going to K next year) is just so different in a way that is really, really hard for me to parent. Part of it is our personalities clash, for sure, so DH has better luck than I do but he still struggles sometimes. Part of it is that she’s the middle child and has a lot of attention seeking behavior. Part of it is that she’s young for her class, so she’s sort of finding her way socially as well in a class of kids that are older/bigger. Part of it is COVID- these are weird times and she’s been in a bubble for the past 7 months.
I’ve talked to her teachers (I’ve asked for the meetings, not them) and they are sort of wishy-washy. They bring up some examples of where she needs to work on things, and they’ve let me know once when there was an issue, but when I ask if it’s age appropriate / something to be concerned about/ how do I help, I don’t get a whole lot either way. (Eg. I would think they would say “no, this is really normal for a kid young for her class.” or “we would advise you to get her tested” or “here are some behavior management techniques we think would be successful”). All they’ve really said is that she is looking for ways to be in control and she could use more playdates to learn to interact better with peers (which we know, and we can’t really do because of COVID). The school she is at does NOT shy away from flagging kids for intervention–we have known lots of kids that went to the PK including my oldest– but I don’t know these particular teachers and their style very well especially since COVID keeps parents out of the classroom.
At home, she acts out very impulsively, particularly when she is super tired or really needing attention. She’s basically impossible to discipline and when I try and pull her aside to have a serious conversation she will just do everything in her power not to pay attention (pull on my shirt, pick at lint on the floor, run away, etc). She usually does better in school/activities where there is a lot more structure and very clear expectations, but she also has had issues with certain instructors/teachers. My husband says she senses the “weak ones” and takes advantage. As an example, she is one of two kids in her gymnastics class and they don’t really have a structured session because of the low numbers. Last week she just ran around and did what she wanted vs listening to the coach. The coach didn’t kick her out or make her sit out, so she kept doing it. In her other activities she pays attention and follows along and does what the instructors ask without problem. We have the same issue with babysitters. She 100% walks all over some sitters (we don’t have them back) and others she has the utmost respect for and will do exactly what they say. We call our 13 year old neighbor the “[name] whisperer” because she is an *angel* when our neighbor is here!
I suspected some kind of ADHD-ish thing, but when I asked her PK teachers they said she has no issues with attention/focus in class. They shared that she takes too long to make decisions about what she wants to do, she will often take way too long to get ready/unpack (I’m not inside because of covid so I don’t see this), and when asked to do something she really just doesn’t want to do, she won’t do it, full stop. my oldest had behavior that was not too different at that age, but I was allowed in the classroom and worked on it with her. And the defiance (?) was really only toward me, never her teachers/other adults. And it mercifully was a 6 month phase at worst.
Anyway, I have two other kids that have their own personalities, but who never have this…defiance? type behavior. It’s totally possible I’m inventing trouble and what I have is a spirited PITA kid who did not fall from the tree. I do worry though because my sister is an alcoholic and was diagnosed with bipolar and several other major issues as an adult, so the impulsivity and control issues are always on my mind. Kiddo has also had Very Strong Opinions on food (eg refusing to eat because food isn’t her favorite) but I think with time and various strategies we’ve outgrown that.
Actually related to the post!
My daughter starts preschool hopefully next week (cue cheers of joy) and, while we thought they were doing hot lunch, they are not because of COVID. They will not warm food either (which I get, how would there be time!)
The omiebox on you-know-where looks very interesting! I like that the thermos fits in the box but that it’s removable. I also like that the thermos seems easy to open, because daughter just turned three this week. However, some of the reviews are mixed. Does anyone use this particular box, or another option where the thermos fits inside?
We host a nanny share in our home – nanny watches our kid and two other children. We will be out of town for two weeks in May, so we asked the nanny to relocate to another home during that time. She seemed surprised and told us that her host families have always allowed access to their homes even while they’re gone. What does the crowd think?
What’s a fun gift idea for a 6 y/o boy? Our neighbor is sort of a lone wolf these days (magnified by COVID) and my kiddos are going over to have an outside bday playdate this weekend. I have 3 girls and while they do have male friends, they are generally more sporty/ active than our neighbor friend. We got him LEGOs when he had surgery a few months back which I know he liked, so that will be my default if I don’t come up with anything better :).
I need tips on cutting ties with our nanny of two months. Husband and I are both essential employees without the ability to work from home, and we’ve found that we simply need the consistency and reliability of a daycare setting. We got a spot at a daycare starting next month (which is sooner than anticipated!) and need to give notice to our nanny ASAP. Thinking about the conversation makes me so nervous!
i know this has been discussed many times, but help! my soon to be 3 year old’s tantrums are so intense and long. yesterday it was for a full hour. i have twins and so far, during the first half of the year Twin A is more difficult and during the second half of the year Twin B is (guess it is good they aren’t both at their most difficult at the same time?). Twin A gets HYSTERICAL – crying/screaming over things that of course to me are totally illogical, but i obviously don’t say that to her. I tell Twin A that it is ok to be upset and have big feelings and that I am here to help her when she is ready. My problem is that I do a lot of solo parenting, and Twin A does not like to be left alone during these tantrums, and Twin B tries to help by bringing Twin A stuffies, etc. but then Twin B thinks it is too loud, etc. in the moment ,i feel like i’m just not meeting anyone’s needs and try very hard not to burst into tears myself. I follow Big Little Feelings and Dr. Becky at Home. I’m not looking to stop the tantrums bc i know they are a normal part of development, but would love to reduce their duration, or figure out how to help both kids when it’s just me
I am currently on mat leave at my new job, which I started very shortly before giving birth. My supervisor made it clear that I am welcome to return on a reduced schedule (80% or part time) if I’d like (I go back in June).
I am seriously thinking about going back part time, mostly because my commute is long (but not out of the ordinary for NYC suburbs) and I’d like to spend time with my child. How many of you went on a reduced workload and were able to go back to full time work later on? What are some things I should consider? Or should I stay full time and negotiate working from home half the week? Should I start off full time and scale back if it is unmanageable?
I realize some may advise quitting and finding a job closer to home but my concerns are: 1) I had a career change and this is my first job out of law school so I don’t think it will be very easy for me to find another job without having any post law school work product/track record and 2) this is truly a unicorn job and I selfishly don’t want to give it up.
I appreciate everyone’s honest/candid advice and thoughts!
Any recommendations for cute(ish) nursing bras for larger chested women that don’t have underwire but are still supportive? I’ve had luck with Motherhood Maternity and Kindred Bravely’s busty sizes, but I’ve now been in nursing bras for 1.5 years and just learned I’m pregnant, and I’d love to find something cuter if I’m going to be in nursing bras for the foreseeable future. I just tried the busty option from Lively, and it was so thin and unflattering. What are other busy nursing moms wearing?
This is kind of ridiculous but I honestly bought a dollhouse (one the Hape ones) and it is just too big and heavy for our two-bedroom apartment. My daughter doesn’t really play with it a lot (maybe because it is on a shelf and we need to move it down every time she wants to play with the whole thing). We just don’t have room and we have a baby on the way and I want to get a much smaller dollhouse for her intead. I’m stressed about making the swap though! Has anyone successfully gotten rid of a too-large toy with minimal pushback from kid? Any strategies?
Can anyone recommend some straight leg curvy fit jeans in a darker plain wash? I have some from Ann Taylor that are maybe 3 years old but there is nothing similar currently and they are too small. I’d like a mid-rise as opposed to a true high rise (I’m short so true high rise is just too tall for me). I fit a Ann Taylor curvy 12 pretty well for reference.
https://www.pinkblushmaternity.com/products/ivory-floral-button-front-maternity-maxi-dress
Recommendations on what to wear for newborn photos? I’m due in two weeks and we’ll probably do photos around the 10 day post partum mark. Size 12ish, hourglass shaped (though feeling more like a snow globe these days…)
How do you balance the general relief/excitement over the vaccine, and the reality that there’s no timeline for kids getting it? That we are reliant on herd immunity and the fact that most kids get asymptomatic or mild cases. I am relieved, I am pre-registered to get my shot as soon as they’ll give me one, but I am having a hard time actually seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.
what do you do with your kids in the afternoon/evening? I find that it is so hard to have the energy to do anything but dinner, maybe one game, and bedtime. I wish we could do something fun, even if it doesn’t take long.