It is almost impossible not to have heard about the lunch box in the United States. It is a real custom here, both for children and for adults.

Because our son was about to start school, I bought everything he needed so that he could have lunch easily at school. In our case, and at the American school he attends, breakfast and lunch can be provided free of charge by the school. I am not saying he will never use the cafeteria, but if he does, it will probably only be from time to time for two main reasons.

First, the meals offered do not seem particularly balanced to me: pizza, nuggets, and similar options. Second, I am not always convinced by the ingredients used. I talk more broadly about food in the United States in my second book, Expatriation to the USA, the Day After: A Guide to Settling in the United States.

Eating certain foods occasionally is one thing, but every day is another. I do not want to frustrate him to the point that he later throws himself at junk food, but I still want to keep his diet as balanced as possible, while also respecting his tastes.

In the United States, parents use lunch boxes a lot, and children who bring lunch can eat with those using the cafeteria. They have plenty of space inside the cafeteria and also outside. Parents can even come and eat lunch outside with their children if they want to. We may do that a few times during the year, but not right away, because we want him to adapt quickly with his new classmates.

I bought some things for his lunch box at Walmart and ordered the rest on Amazon. I chose an insulated lunch box, a Thermos cup, small containers for sandwiches, a thermos for hot food, and a lunch set with a small ice pack.

Apparently, many families here try to make lunch boxes fun for children so that lunchtime feels enjoyable. I looked online for ideas and found an American dad who became very popular thanks to the creative lunch boxes he prepares for his three children, and I loved his site.

In a few days, we will have our second school meeting, this time with the teacher and our son’s future classmates. Like any mother, I am nervous about this new school start, but apparently our son is not worried at all.