Making Back to School Stress Free

My secret to keeping back to school stress-free is to be in the moment and not worry about what might happen and prepare for what I know will happen.  I now live by the KISS principle – Keep It Simple Silly – because life with kids is unpredictable.

For me back to school is all about creating a routine that works for my family. I’ve put together my top 5 tips to help make back to school stress-free.

1 – Start your day the night before

This is the best tip I was ever given as a Mom and helps me get the kids out the door quickly and without fights.  Both kids pick their clothes out for the next day while I put breakfast in the oven and get their backpacks ready by signing their planners, reading newsletters, and getting anything together they might need.

2 – Have Breakfast Ready the Night Before

I always prep our breakfast the night before, one of our go-to meals is eggs in a basket.  These are super simple to make all you need is:

• 6 slices of Nature’s Harvest® Bread
• Liquid egg whites
• Favorite topping – we like bacon bits, chives and cheese
• Muffin tin

After you’ve rounded up your ingredients you roll out the slices of bread and place them in the muffin tin, add 3 tablespoons of egg whites and top each cup with your favorite toppings.  Place the muffin tin in the oven for 15-20 minutes at 375 degrees.

Once they cool down I keep them in the fridge overnight and you can warm them up in the microwave for 30 seconds or eat them cold.

3 – Mom Time

I like to get up before everyone in the house so I can get myself grounded and ready for the day.  There is nothing worse than waking up and rushing out of bed to get the kids out the door, I like to be relaxed and awake by the time they both roll out of bed.

My Mom time in the morning is usually 30 minutes to an hour before the kids get up so I can enjoy a warm beverage, get dressed, and enjoy the silence.

4 – Keep Lunches Simple

We keep lunches pretty basic with a sandwich, fruit, juice, cheese, and a treat.  Sometimes the kids will take leftovers but they love their sandwiches – Cheyenne with her staple of raspberry jam and Dustin love PBJ bites.  I love how Nature’s Harvest bread and Entenmann’s® Little Bites™ snacks have taken the guesswork out of healthy choices for lunchboxes.

I usually pack their lunches while they get ready for school because they’re both pretty independent but they could definitely pack their own I just enjoy doing it and adding a lunchbox note or joke every morning.

5 – Homework Time

This has quickly become one of my favorite parts of the day.  When both kids get home from school we set aside one hour of undivided attention to them when all electronics are set aside and we tackle homework, read a book together or just talk about their day.

This is a great time to put assignment deadlines on the calendar or study for a big test that’s coming up.  Throughout the year we’ll touch base with their teachers and find out if there is anything we should be working on at home and it greatly improved both of their grades this past year.

Just remember to create a routine that works for you and your family, ask for their help and input and you’ll be well on your way to a stress-free back-to-school season!

What’s your best back-to-school tip?

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