Back to school is just around the corner and its time to prepare to switch into the routine of the school year. Routines are always the best way to keep your family moving smoothly and making sure all the days tasks are taken care of… but make sure you plan in fun too!
Here are some simple tips in managing the afternoon crowd and its accompanying appetite:
Start out with putting things away:
You know how it goes. They walk in the front door and their backpack throws up all over the living room along with all of their gear. Make sure you create a place for all of your kids stuff and don’t let them take two steps in the door without things going in their places. This will save you a lot of trouble further in the day.
Be prepared with easy after school snacks:
Two easy snack solution for your family are State Fair® Classic Corndogs & Jimmy Dean® Sausage, Egg & Cheese Croissant Sandwiches—always available at an Every Day Low Price at Walmart in the freezer aisle. They are easy to throw in the microwave for a quick snack. Your kids will love the corndogs and you can spice them up by serving them with different dipping sauces. Don’t limit yourself to ketchup and mustard. Try barbeque sauce, ranch or sweet & sour chili sauce to mix things up. Pair with your kids favorite raw veggies.
Make talking about the day into a fun game:
Use snack time as a time to ask them about their day in creative ways. Try having a jar of conversation starters and have them pick a question to answer. Model vulnerability by sharing about your day as well.
Knock out that homework before fun begins:
Getting homework out of the way will make way for family fun later. Having time left in the day to play will be good incentive to get it taken care of rather than stalling at the end of the night for bed time.
Set aside creative time for the family:
Keep a box of creative supplies to pull out after homework or encourage outdoor play. Encourage them to express themselves through art. This is a great alternative to them jumping on screens right after homework.
Try a routine checklist:
Print out a routine checklist for your kids to each check off each stage of the routine. This will save you a lot of reminders once the routine becomes normal.
Click here to make your afternoon snacks easier with delicious back to school solutions from Jimmy Dean® products & State Fair® corndogs
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Jimmy Dean®. The opinions and text are all mine.