Amy (mother of Sam, Isaac and Faith): I try to plan ahead so that I know I can make something the kids will like. If I can make sandwiches or pancakes or something and just pull them out of the freezer in the morning, it makes it easier for me.

OK, Isaac can you get out some plastic bags, and we’ll put these in the freezer? How many do we need, Faith? 1, 2. Great. OK, Isaac, can you pop one in?

Isaac: 1, 2.

Amy: OK, you have to make sure to seal it up. OK, Isaac can you do this one?

The kids have about 10 or 15 minutes of lunch time before they rush off to play, and I try to have something different in there every day so they’re excited to eat it and they eat it quickly.

Gehan (father of Sam, Isaac and Faith): It’s sort of trying to stay one step ahead and keep them interested and motivated and involved.

Amy: OK, Faith, can you go get the bowls, we’ll put some leftovers in. Do you want some stir-fry for lunch one day? Isaac, can you go get out the stir-fry from the fridge and the pancakes please? How many pancakes do you think you’ll eat at lunch, Faith?

Faith: 16.

Amy: Do you think you’ll eat 16? Oh, you’ll have a full belly. You’ll fall asleep after lunch. I think you could probably have 2. OK. That’s yours. Now Isaac, can you put in some? We have to save some for Sam’s lunch too. OK, seal it up. Put it over there. And we’ll pop it in the freezer after.

Preparing a few days worth of lunches in advance is great because it saves me a lot of time in the morning.

Isaac, will you take the stir-fry for lunch on Monday?

Isaac: Yeah.

Amy: It’s great to use leftovers if it’s something I know the kids really like. I’ll make extra the night before. Having a variety of things in the freezer makes their lunch different every day.

Now Isaac, with the stir-fry you’ll have some chicken for some protein, and you like some red peppers and you like the baby corn, right?

Faith: Can I help, Mummy?

Amy: Sure. Can you put some of this in here? Isaac, will you eat mushrooms?