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Back to School: The Impact on Parents and Caregivers

Back to school means getting back into the swing of term-time routines, and we know that can take some getting used to. But how does this adjustment affect parents and caregivers? And what can be done to lighten the load? Read on to discover packed lunch ideas for school, how to make mealtimes easier and more.
Back to school means getting back into the swing of term-time routines, and we know that can take some getting used to. But how does this adjustment affect parents and caregivers? And what can be done to lighten the load? Read on to discover packed lunch ideas for school, how to make mealtimes easier and more.
Parents’ To-Do Lists Increase as School Term Begins

Parents’ To-Do Lists Increase as School Term Begins

Back to school season is an exciting time; an opportunity for a fresh start and getting back into a healthy routine. However, the mental load on parents is significant, as they juggle a huge range of responsibilities. Our recent research found that six in ten British parents tackle up to 20 parenting related tasks daily when term-time comes back around, with meal planning proving especially overwhelming.

Over two-thirds of parents reported that meal planning intensifies their mental load during this time, with 34% identifying it as the most mentally taxing task, followed closely by homework supervision (31%) and childcare coordination (24%). The balancing act between work and family responsibilities is the biggest contributor to this stress, impacting nearly half (47.1%) of parents. On average, our research showed that parents devote more than three hours per week to meal preparation alone during this hectic period, adding to their already full plates.

Making Back to School Easy with HelloFresh

Making Back to School Easy with HelloFresh

Back to school means getting back into a routine for most families up and down the UK; reasonable bedtimes, early mornings, preparing and packing school lunches, making sure homework is done and juggling after-school activities.

Why not lighten the load by taking away the stress of meal planning for your family? Leaving you to focus on the more important things back to school life brings, as you ease back into your routine.

Our recipes use high-quality, nutritious ingredients that are affordable too. Our food boxes transform mealtimes, coming with pre-portioned ingredients, meaning you’ll have less waste than ever before, and easy-to-follow recipe cards, making after school family dinners a breeze.

Packed Lunch Ideas for School

Packed Lunch Ideas for School

Preparing childrens’ school lunches is just one of the many tasks building up and adding to parents’ and caregivers’ load when term-time comes back around. However, if you’re looking for back to school lunch ideas, you’re in the right place. Quick and easy to prepare, take a look at these packed lunch ideas for school, for some inspiration.

  • Wraps and sandwiches - packed full of your little ones’ favourite ingredients. This satay chicken wraps recipe is sure to satisfy hungry tummies when lunchtime arrives!
  • Fresh fruits and vegetables - such as carrot or cucumber sticks, or sliced apple and peanut butter
  • Sides - such as a protein-packed hard boiled egg, cheese sticks or yoghurts
  • Healthy snacks - such as rice cakes, whole grain crackers with spreads and dried fruits
  • Drinks - such as smoothies, fruit juice or water.

Make home cooking easy with HelloFresh

Not sure what to make for dinner? Receive the most delicious, easy-to-cook meals at your door every week. Packed to stay fresh, our meal kits fit perfectly into your fridge and come with super easy recipes that turn out amazing every time.
Not sure what to make for dinner? Receive the most delicious, easy-to-cook meals at your door every week. Packed to stay fresh, our meal kits fit perfectly into your fridge and come with super easy recipes that turn out amazing every time.