Parents Are Having Lunchbox Competitions on Instagram to See Who Loves Their Kid The Most 

Parenting today is… a lot, apparently, and the InstaParents of 2015 are all about stressing each other out by posting their kids’ whimsical, painstakingly curated, and health-conscious lunches on social media.

According to an article in U.S. News and World Report, “Moms and dads cut sandwiches in the shapes of bears, bunnies, caterpillars or even favorite videogame characters. They fill bento box-shaped lunchboxes with cucumbers cut into stars, or stack tomatoes and mozzarella neatly on a skewer.” Duh! Why wouldn’t you spend an hour out of your undoubtedly busy day as a parent on a lunchbox decor scheme that is totally inconsequential to your child’s actual wellbeing?

Also:

On a listserve called “DC Urban Moms and Dads,” one parent asked other parents how often they packed Lunchables for their kids’ summer camp or for school. Many of the users said they were mortified the question was asked.

“Never. Not once,” one anonymous user replied. “The school would never allow it. I’d rather send her with a Snickers bar (which I would never do, of course.)”

WHOA, Gwyneth Paltrow! Lunchables are fine—I ate them not infrequently, and am still drawing breath—and probably better for your kid than a Snickers bar, you drama queen!

But in the spirit of competition, I’ve asked some Jezebel staffers to share pictures of their own lunches for some adult #lunchbox #inspo, and I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

Kate Dries

Julianne Escobedo Shepherd

Madeleine Davies

Anna Merlan

Mark Shrayber

Erin Ryan

Jia Tolentino