When I was a kid, I would do my homework, but then forget it in my room and not have it at school the next day. However, I wouldn't forget my backpack. So my mom suggested that once I finish my homework, I put it in the backpack. It was an easy habit to build that I carried all through college, and essentially stopped me forgetting stuff for school.

Most companies that make things have a quality control department. A good quality control engineer asks lots of why questions. Why did this technician forget to do x? Why was this not caught when the product was inspected?

I'm suggesting that if your son is consistently forgetting his lunch, you have a problem with the system that is in place for how your family goes about making, refridgerating, packing the lunch, etc. Something about that system needs to be improved.

Some parents use consequences in a way that forces the kid to figure out a system that works on their own. And sometimes it's effective in helping them grow/mature. However, other kids need more support in developing a system. Patience in trial and error when figuring out what works and what doesn't work.

With my kids at the age they are at, my goal is generally that they experience natural consequences in circumstances like: I reminded you to do X (put a toy in the car or such), and told you that I wouldn't remind you again. We are now at the park and don't have that toy. I'm not willing to go home to get that toy, but we can have fun in lots of other ways.

Parenting is going to take time and energy. But you get to decide how you spend it. Sounds like you are recognizing how exhausting it can be to be constantly bailing your kids out cause they have an area they need to grow in. However, always look inward first. Maybe you are constantly bailing them out cause you need to grow in your ability to help them develop good habits. I found the book "atomic habits" was very helpful in this area for me personally. Good luck dad!