We asked Jules Sebastian how she makes school mornings stress-free… and we’re taking notes
Jules Sebastian keeps school mornings sane with simple lunchbox prep.
Guy and Jules Sebastian have been a team since their teenage years, first as mates, then as life partners, and now as parents to two boys, Hudson, 13, and Archie, 11.
While their love story might have started long before the fame, their parenting journey is all about keeping things real.
From school lunches to morning routines, Jules is sharing the hacks, tips and reminders every parent needs to survive the school run without losing their mind.
Jules Sebastian on school lunches, hacks and keeping mornings sane
Any small hacks or tricks you swear by to make school mornings stress-free?
For me, it’s all about keeping things consistent. Even in my own home life, I’ve found that routines and communication keep everything calmer. I try to prep what I can the night before, like washing fruit, cutting veggies and throwing in the boy’s favourite snacks. Even a tiny bit of prep helps the morning feel less stressful.
As the boys get older, we’re finding their appetite is growing, so we need to pack more food to keep them full. Offering variety is really important to keep things appealing and avoid any last-minute disagreements in the kitchen!
What goes into your boys’ lunchboxes on a typical day?
Honestly, I try to keep it really simple. Hudson and Archie are pretty easy, so most days it’s a wholemeal sandwich or a wrap with some protein, depending on what we’ve got on hand. Then I’ll throw in cut up fruit and veggies – apples, mandarins, berries, carrot sticks or baby cucumbers always go down well. And I always include our family’s favourite Mother Earth Baked Oaty Slices, they never come home in the lunchbox, my boys absolutely love them!
Social media makes it look like every lunchbox has to be a masterpiece. What do you think?
I love beautiful things, but when it comes to kids’ lunches, real life is a very different story. I prioritise food my kids will actually eat. Mother Earth recently released some research showing that most parents are doing the same thing: picking food their kids enjoy, ingredients they feel good about, and options that make mornings easier. If something’s cute and practical, amazing. But if it’s just cute? It’s not making the cut on a busy morning at 7am.
Any advice for parents who feel guilty if their lunchboxes aren’t Pinterest worthy?
Don’t give that guilt a second of your energy. Social media can be great for inspiration, but for me personally, those picture perfect lunchboxes just aren’t realistic for everyday life. Like most families, we’re just trying to get everyone out the door without losing our minds. A lunchbox that comes home empty is far better than one that looks perfect but barely gets touched. Aim for balanced, doable, and repeatable. Your kids don’t need a lunchbox masterpiece, they just something balanced and appealing with food that will fuel them for an active day.
Looking back, what’s one lesson about parenting and school routines you wish you’d learned sooner?
That every phase is new, and you don’t have to have it all figured out. Every day throws something different at you. I also wish I’d realised earlier that kids don’t need perfection, they need presence. Being as present as possible, whenever you can, makes a huge difference.
