Like most parents, my emotions are completely mixed. I am carried along by my daughters' enthusiasm and longing for the next stage of her exciting life. I am also terrified of losing her, of losing these precious times, of taking the next step away from the intoxicating early years of parenting.
On a practical level I have no idea how to fill in the school dinners forms or which door to drop her off at for her first morning.
What everyone seems to agree on is that she will come home hungry, horrible and tired. I've stocked up on quick after school snacks, but I will also be passing some of these her way. Actually, she usually likes making them herself, but maybe even that will be too much of an effort in the weeks to come after a day in her new classroom. I shall make them myself then, and that should avoid the jam ending up on the floor and the peanut butter in her hair.
These are a great, nutritious snack based on the American classic, a PBJ (peanut butter and jelly sandwich.) There are only 3 ingredients, so make sure you get good quality. Oatcakes ( I go for Nairns Organics) peanut butter (Wholefoods Smooth is delicious and doesn't have any added sugar) and jam (personally I am a sucker for St Dalfours Raspberry and Pomegranate which uses grape juice as a sweetner.) Thats it. We usually have them as an 'open sandwich' but they are equally good with another oatcake plonked on top in true sandwich style.
Make these, and you won't be able to resist having one yourself. In one delicious, crunchy bite, your child will be having some slow burning carbs, some protein and a little bit of their 5 a day. That might help to sweeten up the grumpy thing formerly known as your child.
