**Full Disclosure: This sponsored post is brought to you by Balance Bar. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
My kids went back to school three weeks ago but their after-school activities started this week so we are still working on finding our groove. These tips from Jenny Ingram are really helping me stay on top of things!
- Keep Smart Snacks within Reach. Back to school isn’t only exhausting for kids. Moms and dads get worn down too so smart snacking is important. Pack a supply of nutritious snacks to have in your purse for when you’re running errands or going from school to practice. ItzyRitzy’s reusable snack bags are perfect for keeping your on-the-go snacks organized and always handy. Fill them with grapes, almonds, carrot sticks and Balance bare bars for a healthy snack sure to satisfy both busy moms and kids until dinner!
- The (digital) calendar is key. To make sure no one misses an activity, homework deadline or playdate, color code each kid in your calendar so you know exactly who is doing what and where and when. I love the Cozi app – it’s free and great for organizing your upcoming activities and goes everywhere you do since it’s on your phone.
- Pack bags within your bag. If you’re like me, you have a huge bag. It’s great for storing lots of things, but it can be a wasteland and hard to find anything if you’re not organized. I keep a mini bag that holds my chapstick, hand sanitizer and other items I regularly reach for in a brightly colored small bag that stands out. An Itzy Ritzy snack bag can even double as an organizational bag that’s stylish too!
- Miniature First Aid Kits. It’s helpful to have some first-aid basics in your bag for everyday incidents that are bound to happen. My homemade first aid kit includes Band-aids, Neosporin, Kleenex and wipes. Trust me on the wipes – they’re much more effective than napkins at cleaning up whatever messes my kids have.
- Be prepared for homework. With after-school activities, keep homework supplies in your car and bag so your children can do their work while you’re waiting for soccer practice. Keep rulers, pencils, pencil sharpeners, scissors, calculators and a clip board in the car to make sure you’re prepped for any homework assignments.
- Label everything. With 3 kids, and all the supplies and gear that come with them, I’ve learned to love labels. Before schools starts, I put Mabels Labels on their lunchboxes, backpacks, jackets, shoes, sporting equipment and anything else I can get my hands on. You’ll never have to hear “she’s wearing my sneakers” again and also helps avoid lost items in the school coat closet.
- Pack healthy school lunches efficiently. Trying to accommodate everyone’s lunch needs is hard.Make their sandwiches and then let them choose 3 snacks for themselves.In your pantry, have mom-approved snacks (like Mixed Berry Balance bar bars) in three drawers and every kid is allowed to choose 1 item from each drawer to add to their lunch.
- Transitioning summer bedtimes. Yes, I’m probably guilty of letting the kids stay up a little too late during the summer. But that’s what summers are for! However, those late nights are not going to work once school starts, so I like to gradually transition their sleep schedules. 4-5 days before school starts, I’ll move their bedtimes up 10-30 minutes. It’s a slow process but really helps to ensure they’re rested and ready for the first day.
Having (healthy) snacks easily available is important to me because my kids are hungry all the time. I want to make sure my kids are getting all the right foods (and nutrients). Balance Bare Bars help satisfy hunger with steady, sustained energy. They are available in three flavors: Sea Salt Caramel Nut, Mixed Berry Nut and Sweet & Spicy Nut for $1.59 a bar.
Have you tried the Balance Bare Bars? Would you?
That embroidered bag is adorable! I’m a big fan of Balance Bar and have tried the Bare Bars, I think the Mixed Berry Nut is my favorite!
What great tips! I can easily get busy and forget to eat and then end up over eating later. These would be great for on the go! Thanks!
Great tips! I bet these are so great to keep in your bag while on the go!
Those are just great tips! I’ve tried to give some freedom of the lunchbox to my children, but it turns into me nagging them about the choices they are making. I love the drawer idea.
My kids are hungry all the time too. I love how you keep yours in that cute bag!
I think your snack drawer idea is awesome. I need to try that. Having a baby and a kindergartener is a lot of work and I’m loving your tips for being prepared.
That’s a great, comprehensive list! I keep a kit like that in my car for all the things that seem to come up!
I have not tried them yet, but yes, I totally would. They sound tasty!!!
I have never tried Balance bars but they sure look tasty. I would give the a try!
I bet my brother would love that Balance Bar when he’s no the road. I do similar with bedtime, I start sliding it back a week or so before school starts back up.
I havent tried them yet but they look pretty good!
These are great tips! I tend to have to miss supper at work because it is so busy, so it’s nice to throw a snack in my bag. That way, I can grab a quick bite in between tasks.
I’ve never tried a Balance Bar but they sound really good!
I’ve seen these in the store but wasn’t sure about them. I’ll have to give them a try. Being on the go it’s nice to have snacks that are healthy readily available.
Are the balance bars soft and chewy or hard like those granola bars? Love your survival list for BTS. For me I especially love the homework idea. I always use to carry crayons, pencils, pens, etc in my purse but I’ve been making my own version of a planner/mommy organizer and one of my zipper pouches have all school supplies (crayons, pencils, calculator), a protective sleeve for each child with any homework packets for the week and finally another zipper pouch for the youngest with a few hot wheels, etc to keep him busy. Love your list.
They are more on the soft & chewy side.
Healthy breakfast and lunches are the key to helping kids do well in school. Protein keeps them fueled.
I don’t believe I have ever tried these bars, but they sound like something I’d enjoy. 🙂
I haven’t tried them, but they sounds delicious!
I’ve never tried them, but they sound like the perfect thing to have on hand for traveling. I’m intrigued!
I want to try the Sea Salt Caramel Nut… yum! But these would be great for just having handy in case a kid gets hungry. I know my boys seem to be hungry all the time!