With summer winding down and back-to-school rolling in, it's natural to feel the pressure to shop, plan, coordinate, schedule, & brainstorm the ways to wake the sleepy kiddos out of bed on school day mornings. That’s why we’ve rounded up our 10 best tips, tricks, and hacks to help you navigate another year of ‘mom, I lost my lunchbox’, & mom and dad trying not to lose their minds.
Pantry Powerhouse:
When it comes to packing healthy lunches and after-school snacks, having the right staples in your pantry is essential. Fill your shelves with a few staples that are easy to grab, conveniently packaged, and low on the ‘mess-factor’ since we all know how difficult it is to clean those squeezable yogurt stains from the back seat of your car. Some of our go-to’s? Single-serve Remy's Cinnamon Grahams for a quick carpool grab-and-go or recess snack, homemade granola bars, dried fruit’s like banana and apple chips, popcorn, homemade trail mix (so you can keep things allergen-free for a safe school snack), rice cakes, and natural fruits snacks and fruit leathers. These options are all nut-free, low in sugar and processed ingredients, and most importantly, kiddo-approved.
Breakfast Bliss:
Streamline your school mornings with make-ahead breakfast options that make the morning chaos a little easier on everyone. life easier. Freezer-friendly recipes like muffins, overnight oats, yogurt and granola parfaits, waffles, and frittatas are a few of our favorites for the morning frenzy. Just grab and run or give the baked items a quick hit from the microwave and you and the little ones are ready to kick off the school day!
Make a Game Plan:
Take charge of your schedule by using a calendar to map out the upcoming weeks. Color-coding can help you differentiate between school schedules, extracurricular activities, and homework deadlines, making it easier to plan ahead and avoid last-minute chaos.
Success Starts on Sunday:
Dedicate a Sunday afternoon to meal prep for the upcoming week. Pre-cut veggies, prepare hard-boiled eggs, and portion out individual servings of yogurt to expedite your lunch and snack assembly.
Delegate and Update:Â
Enlist the help of older siblings to assist with packing lunches and involving your kiddos in organizing their school bag the night before. If time is a little too limited, use online grocery shopping options or pick-up services to streamline your shopping and minimize impulse buys.
Communication is Key:
Loop your kids into the lunchbox menu planning to avoid too many lunch table trades. Make sure to talk about why healthy snacks and balanced lunches are important for focus, energy, and growing big and strong.
Embrace the Routine:
Establish a consistent bedtime and morning schedule a few weeks before school starts to help everyone ease into the new routine more smoothly.
Connect with Teachers:
Take time to introduce yourself to your child's teacher to establish clear communication, goals, and any pertinent details that are important for them to know, including allergies, subject strengths and weaknesses, and any neurocognitive conditions that will help with their teacher-student relationship.
Family Collaboration:
Gather the family for a pre-first day dinner meeting to lay out a roadmap for the new school year. Review the new schedule, ask about what they’re most excited about and what might be more nervewracking, and any other logistical changes. Encourage everyone to participate in creating a plan that works for the whole family.
Self-Care Matters:
As you prep for back-to-school, remember to schedule some time for yourself each day. Prioritizing your well-being will equip you to handle the demands of a busy school year more effectively and help prevent ‘mommy meltdowns’ and ‘daddy dispair’.
Bonus Tip!
Create a fun carpool playlist to help get the kids hyped-up and excited to start their school day! Here’s our current favorite carpool jams:
Happy by Pharrell Williams
Walking on Sunshine by Katrina and the Waves
Don't Stop Believin' by Journey
Celebration by Kool & The Gang
Let It Go a Frozen favorite
Can't Stop the Feeling! By Justin Timberlake
Shake It Off by Taylor Swift
You've Got a Friend in Me A Toy Story classic.
"Uptown Funk" by Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars
"Shake It Off" by Taylor Swift
"Best Day of My Life" by American Authors
"High Hopes" by Panic! At The Disco
With careful planning, you can smoothly transition into the upcoming school year, keeping your family healthy, happy, and ready for any challenge!