Allison Weiss is a typical working mother, trying to balance a business, ageing parents, a demanding daughter and a marriage. But when the website she develops becomes a huge success, she finds herself challenged to the point of being completely overwhelmed.
As she struggles to hold her life together and meet the needs of all the people around her, Allison finds that the painkillers she was prescribed for a back injury help her deal with more than just physical discomfort – they make her feel calm and get her through the increasingly hectic days. Sure, she worries that the bottles seem to empty a bit faster each week, but it’s not like she’s some Hollywood starlet partying all night. It’s not as if she has an actual problem.
Until she ends up in a world she never thought she’d experience outside of a movie theatre: rehab. And as Allison struggles to get her life back on track, she learns a few life lessons along the way.
With a sparkling comedic touch and tender, true-to-life characterisations, All Fall Down is a tale of empowerment and redemption and Jennifer Weiner’s richest, most absorbing and timely story yet.
Available as eBook or paperback from all major book retailer.
Opened the book and it got me hooked straight away
A mother is addicted to pain pills and she is trying to leave a normal life while hiding her secret around everyone. It gets you as soon as you open the book
Loved this book like all the others by Jennifer Weiner. Honest, witty, and very believable, this is a must read for any Mum who struggles in this complicated and challenging time! I could not put it down and was eager to see the outcome of this clever, highly strung person with an extremely highly strung daughter who delivers some classic lines for a 6 year old!!! As Molly Meldrum would say "Do yourself a favour" and read this book!!!!
I'm a few days into reading and I'm really finding it hard to put down. So far very relatable as a mother trying to do and be everything for their family...
I think we as mums can all relate to this book. A woman who is trying to juggle everything, life work, family, relationships, pressures of the daily life. We too often push through on our own trying to do it all to be seen as the super hero!
Reminded me a bit of the tv show Nurse Jackie how she is addicted to pain killers and yet seems to be able to do a lot of things although juggling the lies gets harder and harder.
All Fall Down - Very relatable to all mums, how a busy lifestyle can overtake you.
I thought this book was very telling. Most mums can relate to a busy lifestyle, although I'm sure most would not resort to drugs to keep going. I can totally understand why she felt the need to keep herself propped up to get through her days. I know I can feel very down when I do everything and no one seems to care. Certainly a food for thought book. It was very easy to read and I enjoyed it throughout.
Still really enjoying this book, I'm finding myself wishing for the fairy-tale ending but the more I read the more desperate the main character seems to be getting....it really brings to life the struggle of marriage and family life.
well i did enjoy reading All Fall Down by Simon & Schuster book it did take a while to get into the book but no i was a very very good book. it had me at the end and now im goimg to go out and but more books from Simon & Schuster thank you for bring out a great book Simon & Schuster
A book that shows it isn't all pretty dress ups and play dates. To show the down spiral that some mothers lives can turn to and the powerful reminder that we are not super woman is powerful and terrifying. The book definitely has my attention, i can't wait to finish reading it.
This is quite an enjoyable and a thought provoking book. It deals with Allison and her pain prescription addiction. Jennifer Weiner writes in such a manner that you become immersed in the story and you really care about the characters and what happens to them. Very good read That I enjoyed.
Different to the usual sci FI that I read. I found this interesting though. Quite thought provoking reading about Allisons pain tablet addiction and her realization of the fact. Reading this book you can't help but become immersed in her story and care for the character. Overall a very good read.
This was a really good read as with all by this author. It took me about 2 weeks to read so I wasn't hooked on it but I did enjoy it. As has my Mum since she has read it. Mouths of Mums always has really great ideas for me to read by what is up for reviews, it really encourages me to read
Love the variety of reviews on mouths of mums. It helps us busy mums make easy decisions about absolutely everything. Thank you. Enjoyed it and would recommend to other mums. I read this one while I was having my girl!
I think we as mums can all relate to this book. A woman who is trying to juggle everything, life work, family, relationships, pressures of the daily life. We too often push through on our own trying to do it all to be seen as the super hero!
Reminded me a bit of the tv show Nurse Jackie how she is addicted to pain killers and yet seems to be able to do a lot of things although juggling the lies gets harder and harder.
I went for this book-‘All Fall Down’ by Jennifer Weiner after reading the mixed reviews by Mom’s community members on this site. It is a book about something serious; the awful addiction to horrible painkillers. A book that can possibly make you feel a little ‘down’ due to the topic.
This book was good, it took a while to get in to the story for me, but I found I need long periods of time to read it and I just did not get that until night when my boys where in bed. The story was great and enjoyed it. I would recommend it to other people just not mums who have not a long time to read in one go.
I found this book really interesting. Being a working mother myself, it was scary at how easily Alison became addicted to pain medication. I found the book to be realistic and a lot of the situations I thought, WOW that could be me. I enjoyed the part when she was in rehab, although that was sad as it bought home how bad it is for some people. Overall worth the read.
I found All Fall Down a bit negative for my liking and very dramatic, While it highlighted how easy it is to become addicted to painkillers, I thought the story was quite dark and depressing. I much prefer books about uplifting events and as a positive escape rather than spiralling down someones inner demons into the world of addiction.
well i did enjoy reading All Fall Down by Simon & Schuster book it did take a while to get into the book but no i was a very very good book. it had me at the end and now im goimg to go out and but more books from Simon & Schuster thank you for bring out a great book Simon & Schuster
was a great read, i dont normally read books but was intrigued by this particular one. it gave me something to relate to although i am not working yet i am excited but anxious for when i finally am. i would read this book again one day maybe after i get a job to see how much of it i still relate to
This book really didn't capture my attention from the beginning and I found that it was too negative for me. I prefer books that are far more uplifting than this. While it addresses how easy it is to become addicted to painkillers and the problems that life throws at you, it just wasn't my cup of tea!!
Loved this book like all the others by Jennifer Weiner. Honest, witty, and very believable, this is a must read for any Mum who struggles in this complicated and challenging time! I could not put it down and was eager to see the outcome of this clever, highly strung person with an extremely highly strung daughter who delivers some classic lines for a 6 year old!!! As Molly Meldrum would say "Do yourself a favour" and read this book!!!!
I am struggling to read this book - I don't think I'm halfway through yet. I can't relate to the main character. I find her quite obnoxious actually. I just don't want to read on. The writing style itself if great, and I would read another book from this author but all in all, I don't know if I actually will finish the book.
All Fall Down is something that could easily happen to anyone and it shows how easy a person’s life could spiral out of control. The novel was a bit slow at the beginning and seemed to drag on a bit but then improved and I enjoyed reading Jennifer Weiner’s humorous view on a serious topic. It was also a real eye-opener to be given an insight into this topic from an addict’s perspective.
All Fall Down - Very relatable to all mums, how a busy lifestyle can overtake you.
I thought this book was very telling. Most mums can relate to a busy lifestyle, although I'm sure most would not resort to drugs to keep going. I can totally understand why she felt the need to keep herself propped up to get through her days. I know I can feel very down when I do everything and no one seems to care. Certainly a food for thought book. It was very easy to read and I enjoyed it throughout.
At first I got into this book but the more I read it the more I disliked Alison. I found her not taking responsibility for her actions but then again she is a addicted so it is normal behavior.. It's a trait I do not like in people. It is well written and would consider reading the author again
I have now finished this book (took me a little longer than expected with children interruptions), and it did live up to my first impressions. I am usually a reader of Spy & Mystery Novels with twists and turns but found this book to be intriguing enough that it kept my interest to the end. This book has not converted me from my love of Spy and Mystery novels but it has intrigued me enough to consider reading another of her books if the reviews are positive. :)
I found it refreshing to read from a first hand point of view, the darker side of prescription pill addiction. Its something that we don't really hear about but something that I am now sure affects lots of people, people that you would never expect. People who don't "look" like drug addicts. I was sucked into Allison's hectic life and could see how easily she spiralled from controlling it all to needing her crux to get her through. Well worth a read, different to the books I usually read.
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Article
12 Best Kids’ Lunch Boxes For School In Australia
The right lunch box helps keep little humans nourished while making life a lot easier for mums and dads! So to help you find the perfect one faster, we’ve put the best kids’ lunch boxes for school in Australia in one handy spot.
Kids’ lunch boxes have come a very long way. No longer just plastic boxes for toting treats, they’re now durable, washable, droppable and best of all, easy for kids to use. There are heaps of different styles to choose from, and if you head to the bottom of this article, you’ll find more information on what to look for, how to choose the right one for your child, and even what to put in it!
Whether you’re after a colourful lunch box to match that new drink bottle, or a machine-washable option that saves you time, there’s something in our shortlist for every type of foodie.
If you’re not sure where to start when it comes to lunch box shopping, check out our comparison table below as a handy guide. (Use the bottom slider to see all brands)
The table below is a guide only. Products are subject to changes by brands.
MontiiCo
B.Box
Frank Green Lunch Container
Yumbox
Sky Gazer
Bentgo Modern
The Somewhere Co. Mini
EcoCocoon
Bright Star Kids
Stuck On You
Country Road Elysia
OmieBox
Style
Bag
Bento
Box
Bento
Bag
Bento
Bag
Bento
Bag
Bento
Bag
Bento
Colour variations
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
Material
Fabric & aluminium lining
PP & silicone
Stainless steel & silicone
ABS, tritan & silicone
Fabric & PEVA lining
BPA-free plastic
RPET & aluminium foil lining
Stainless steel & silicone
Fabric & insulation lining
BPA-free plastic
100% cotton canvas & insulation lining
Stainless steel, plastic & silicone
Start price
$42.95
$27.95
$79.95
$49.95
$34.99
$39.95
$38
$84.95
$39.95
$54.95
$59.95
$89.95
Loved forits
Roomy size & machine washable design
Custom divider
3-in-1 design
Portion-controlled sections
Unique designs
Removable sandwich divider
Shoulder strap
Dishwasher-safe parts
Personalisation
Leak-proof silicone seal
Internal name label
Storage for hot and cold food
Mouths Of Mums Kids’ Lunch Boxes Comparison Table. (The products above are featured in our shortlist below.)
How to choose the best lunch box for school
When you’re searching for a kids’ lunch box, take the time to work out what will best suit their needs. If you make the right choice and invest in a quality one, it will last many years.
Box, bento or bag? If your child doesn’t like different foods touching, a bento lunch box is a great choice. Also, think about whether they prefer cut-up or whole fruit; a bento is better suited to cut food, while bags and boxes suit whole fruit. Bags are fantastic if you like to pack separate containers, like smaller bento or snack containers.
Freshness is a must – An insulated bag or box will keep everything cool and fresh until snack and lunchtime. But you can also get boxes that come with cold and ice packs. Remember, kids’ lunches often sit at room temperature for up to 5 or 6 hours before they’re eaten, so insulation and coolness are important. Check out how to keep school lunches safe in the heat.
Easy-to-clean design – Check if the box is dishwasher-safe, or for lunch bags, if they’re machine-washable.
Leak-proof – The last thing you want is a soggy mess at lunchtime, so if buying a hard lunch box, look for designs that are leak-proof with proper seals.
Child-friendly – Depending on your child’s motor skills and independence, you may need to start with a product that’s simple to open and close.
The right size – We tend to pack way too much in our kids’ lunches, so think about how much realistically you’ll need to pack for your child when choosing the size of their lunch box. You may also need to consider the size of their school bags.
12 Best Lunch Boxes For School Kids In Australia
Ready to get back-to-school sorted? From stainless steel gems to beautiful bentos, we’ve done all the hard work so you don’t have to. So sit back and enjoy our curated Mom Guide of the best kids’ lunch boxes for school in Australia.
These award-winning lunch bags have sold over 200,000 units – and it’s clear to see why. The interior of each large bag measures 29cm x 23.5cm x 7.5cm, making them big enough to fit multiple containers and even many popular bento boxes. Each bag comes with an ice pack for up to eight hours of cooling – and you have a massive range of designs to choose from.
Pros:
Interior name label
Fabulous large size fits everything!
Comes with an ice pack for day-long cooling
“A vote for montii co lunch boxes, lunch bags and freezer bricks (they really do stay frozen all day!!” (Megan)
“Montii lunch bags are the best and the freezer brick can stay frozen for ages I forgot one day and it was still cold after 24hrs”(Sarah)
Tired of apples not fitting in hard lunch boxes? b.box has solved this with its flexible ‘whole fruit holder’ that bends around the fruit rather than squashing it – genius! If you’re not keen on cutting up a fruit salad every day, this multi-compartment two-litre lunch box has handy homes for everything. It also comes with a gel cooler pack (a must for Aussie summer!), and it’s freezer-safe. Choose from a range of colours.
Pros:
Leak-proof silicone seal
Comes with a gel cooler pack
The square section is big enough for a regular sandwich
“B-box lunch boxes are the best…all parts come out so you can wash them super easy! So many awesome accessories available for them too!”(Kerrie)
“BBox lunch boxes are great and they fit in the large Montiico lunch bags. As someone has said, the ice brick that comes with it is amazing too”(Tash)
“I really like the B.Box lunch boxes.”(Kendal)
“Bbox is the winner in our community on repeat.”(Mums On A Budget)
Got a Frank Green fan on your hands? This is the lunch box to match their drink bottle. It comes in a gorgeous range of colours suited to all ages and uses 90% post-consumer recycled stainless steel and quality silicone lids. Monograms, bumper guards and ice bricks are all available separately.
Pros:
Leak-resistant design for mess-free travel
Comes with two microwave-safe removable containers
Customisable with your choice of bumper, ice brick and monogramming (at an additional cost)
With the option of four, five or six compartments, it’s easy to see why Yumbox Bento Lunch Boxes are such a hit with Australian kids. They feature handy, pre-measured half-cup serving compartments to help pack a healthy lunch and contain absolutely no BPA or phthalates. Pop it straight into the dishwasher on the top rack for easy cleaning.
Pros:
Top rack dishwasher-safe
Includes five half-cup sections for portion control
Sections are labelled to help parents with a balanced lunch
If your little (or not-so-little) one wants a lunch bag everyone will comment on, this is it. Available in a range of stunning designs, they come with a long and strong handle and easy-use zippers. But good looks aside, what’s winning heart about these is their capacity – they hold up to seven litres of food!
After something a bit more mature? Bentgo’s Modern lunch boxes are a great option. They have a sleek matte finish in a choice of four stylish shades, including Mint Green, Orchid, Dark Grey and Navy. Each is cleverly designed with a removable divider that allows you to choose between using three or four compartments. Even better, they are leak-proof, microwave-safe and fine to pop in the dishwasher.
Colourful and easy to carry, these bags are insulated, eco-friendly and secure. It features aluminium foil lining that keeps food fresh all day long, and it comes with top-level carry handles and a shoulder strap, which is brilliant for those days when kids have a lot to tote. Choose from a range of styles.
Pros:
Roomy and stylish
Shoulder strap makes carrying easy (and great if schoolbags are too full!)
Zip-front pocket handy for cold packs or notes from mum
Large enough for the hungriest of school kids, this stainless steel wonder has a removable silicone seal in the lid to stop thick liquids from leaking. No more soggy anything! There are five handy compartments to make sure all of the food groups are ticked off, with a large compartment perfect for sandwiches, and smaller ones for snacks.
Pros:
Dishwasher-safe
Every compartment is leak-proof
Easy to open and close (suitable for younger kids)
Practical and customisable with your child’s name, these insulated bags tick all the boxes. You have a choice of five bag colours, and from there you get to choose from a huge range of designs and fonts to personalise it! Each comes with a mesh pocket for ice bricks, a top carry handle, a secure zip closure and enough internal space to fit a medium bento box.
Pros:
Machine-washable
Internal mesh pocket for an ice brick
With their name on it, you won’t need to visit lost property!
With a leak-proof silicone seal, these colourful lunch companions keep sauces and dips right where they belong. They come with six compartments, which convert to three for easy washing on the top shelf of the dishwasher. They’re free from any nasties and customisation with your child’s name – no more lost property, yay! Choose from box colours of Matte Navy, Pink Lemonade, Dusky Blue or Seafoam Green- if you can!
Uber stylish and as roomy as can be, these contemporary bags are perfect for kids of all ages who prefer to pack several separate containers. It has a 100% cotton canvas outer, an insulated lining and comes with a super handy internal name label. Just as great for preschool as they are for high school.
Pros:
Easy-carry handle
Internal name label
Stylish design, great for kids who prefer muted shades
Finally, a kids’ lunch box that stores hot AND cold food in one place! Designed out of necessity by a problem-solving mum, the OmieBox encourages low-waste lunches and ends the need to use multiple clunky containers (which always get lost!). The spill-proof individual compartments mean no mixing of savoury and sweet, and the 280ml double-wall thermos keeps soups and pasta hot for up to six hours!
Health professionals agree that kids need a good balance of lean protein, grains, fruit and vegetables throughout the school day. Skip the processed food and try to reach for whole foods that pack a punch in the nutrient department. Here are some great ideas:
Grilled chicken or turkey wraps with fresh salad
Crackers and vegetable sticks with healthy dips like hummus
Whole-grain pasta with cherry tomatoes and your choice of cheese
Zucchini slice cut into rectangles for easy stacking in an insulated box
That lunchbox comparison table is handy to have. It helped me make a decision on which lunchbox to buy next for my daughter who is starting kindergarten. I needed to upgrade her lunchbox but wasn’t sure which way to go. The table helped me with my decision. I ended up going with the BBOX and have found a cheaper lunch bag from a department store that it fits in.
I do not know if anyone else has picked up on this or not, but every bag mentioned in the table above is a ‘designer’ brand. There are plenty of more affordable options that aren’t over $40. I have never spent that much on a lunchbox – even from Smiggle. The cheaper brands last just as well too.
Getting ready for the return to school has started to kick in so this was a timely read. We have the yum box and i love it, it is so easy for my daughter to open and close on her own. I find the lunch cooler bags also a great idea however some days depending on what else needs to go to school, they can be quite bulky to include in the school bag. I need to do some more research this year as i like the idea of being able to watch it in the washing machine, that is a clever idea.
Along with all of the other back to school products; there is also a good range of lunch boxes available for people to buy. It has been fun to see the wide range of bottles and lunch boxes that are available for the new year for school and for work.
Lunch boxes have come such a long way since my eldest was a kid, he’s now 26! There’s really a solution to everything from food heating, cooling, dividers, pockets etc etc. Lunch boxes are a real fashion accessory and so on-trend these days. I personally love the Bento lunch boxes. They save on plastic and separate different foods.
I am such a huge fan of Bento lunch boxes and Bento. Food should be so many wonderful things; including delicious, fun, colourful and nutritious too. Lunch is a favourite meal because the body is ready for some more calories and a boost of energy. Food looks so good in Bento lunch boxes.
So so many fantastic options! We use the montii co ones for our kdis and swear by it. Its lasted 3 years so far and still standing strong, like new since the first day using it. They are so durable and i find cleaning them to be the easiest for us.
There are so many great lunch box option out there indeed ! I’ve always liked the Bento style lunch boxes for my kids. It reduces the use of plastic lunch bags and packaged food which aren’t very good for the environment and it encourages to present a good variety of foods (which is not only better nutrition wise but lao to prevent our kids from getting bored with same foods all the time.
There are some really fabulous options here. So many variations of colour, shape and size. I love the bento style lunch boxes, so handy to keep food separate and eliminate the use of plastic packaging. The machine washable bags are a great idea too. They can get grubby so fast, this would be so much easier to maintain
This has gotten much easier since my kids hit high school – they have strong opinions about their lunch boxes, so I don’t have to think about it so much anymore! However, I am strongly in favor of bento style boxes regardless of their age. They’re easy to clean, easy to pack, and invite appropriate sized portions.
Great article! Our kids are so lucky, when it comes to lunchboxes, they really are spoilt for choice. There are so many to pick from. Regarding sandwiches, my eldest son, used to hate sandwiches for school lunches. It wasn’t until many years later that I discovered that he’d throw out his sandwiches in the playground bins. My son’s an adult now and he still hates sandwiches. He only likes “hot” lunches. So glad he lives on his own now and can make his own “hot” lunches just the way he likes them.
This is an extremely useful article!! 2 schppl going kids and third starting kinder soon means we are always on the lookout for lunch ideas and lunch boxes. This is a great list with features and prices listed to make the search easier and help with decision making for purchasing of the lunch boxes
This is super useful article and thank you. I can see so variety of lunch boxes from every store. Always wonder which one would be more convenient to use by little hands. I love some of these lunchboxes to give it a try for this year. And then decide to go with suitable ones
Wow, lunch boxes have really come such a long way from when I was taking a lunch box to school. Feel old, like “back in my day”, but we were lucky to have options like are available now. While I like some of these designs, I feel like they aren’t super practical.
These lunchboxes are beautiful but are they really worth the expensive price tag? I have been through so many lunch boxes and bags over the years and found the best it to use an insulated lunchbox bag with ice brick and use small containers to keep individual items fresh and assessable.
I love the bbox lunch boxes. They are so reliable and tough when kids throw their bags around. Easy to wash and store. I have used the we can be tiny snackies at home too. The boys love choosing a certain animal shape. They wash well, are durable and great quality.
My kids are old enough now to pack their own lunches and I am so happy to see the great choices they are making. They take left over meals, cook food in the morning to take and now I am confident they aren’t throwing away sandwiches! I do have the chilly bags for them, I find they fit better into bags
My daughter uses a bento box now for work and sometimes an insulated bag in summer, but when she was at school it was a rectangular lunch box with no compartments. It was very easy to wash each day, just the box and lid, and it could still be filled with rolls/sandwiches and snacks.
Lunchboxes are so important these days. Back in my day it was a brown paper bag or the exact same lunch box that everyone else had and there were three compartments. Today its such a fashion statement and as much as the lunchbox itself is judged so are the contents.
12:12 pm
Opened the book and it got me hooked straight away
2:09 pm
All Fall Down is a great read
9:55 pm
Great reading
2:46 pm
Relatable and enjoyable book
2:56 pm
We can all relate
Reminded me a bit of the tv show Nurse Jackie how she is addicted to pain killers and yet seems to be able to do a lot of things although juggling the lies gets harder and harder.
8:55 am
All Fall Down - Very relatable to all mums, how a busy lifestyle can overtake you.
1:32 pm
Half way through...
9:38 pm
A very touching beautiful story
6:54 pm
not a bad book
1:40 am
Great story that is alarming close to heart
5:06 pm
Good read
12:01 pm
Book for thought
8:08 pm
A pretty good read
Love the variety of reviews on mouths of mums. It helps us busy mums make easy decisions about absolutely everything. Thank you. Enjoyed it and would recommend to other mums. I read this one while I was having my girl!
2:56 pm
We can all relate
Reminded me a bit of the tv show Nurse Jackie how she is addicted to pain killers and yet seems to be able to do a lot of things although juggling the lies gets harder and harder.
6:12 pm
Down!
7:15 am
Great read
3:09 pm
Worth the read
6:14 pm
Not my cup of tea
6:54 pm
not a bad book
11:16 pm
great
8:05 pm
I found this book difficult to get into!!
2:09 pm
All Fall Down is a great read
1:23 pm
Hmmm...
11:41 am
Entertaining Reading on a Serious Topic
8:55 am
All Fall Down - Very relatable to all mums, how a busy lifestyle can overtake you.
1:43 pm
Still trying to get into it and finish it :(
6:31 pm
It could be anyone
12:59 pm
Finished the book and it lived up to expectations
1:38 pm
An intriguing read right from the start
7:45 am
Realistic reading material
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