This Back to School Hack Will Save Your Sanity (and Time)

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of General Mills. The opinions and text are all mine.





As a parent, we fall into two camps. Parents who can’t wait for school to resume so we can get back into routines and get a little structure back to our days. And there are parents who absolutely love summertime who dread the early wake up calls and rushed morning schedules. Either way, the rows and rows of Back to School supplies and Halloween décor in all the big stores signify the inevitable: Summertime is coming to an end, whether we like it or not.

So how do we get ready for Back to School without losing our minds? I’ve partnered today with General Mills to share simple back to school prep ideas that won’t make you want to scream.

This Back to School Hack Will Save Your Sanity (and Time)

As much as I’d like to continue sitting a the pool or going on outdoor outings and pretend like summer still has months left, the truth is school is right around the corner.

This year all my kids are headed back to school, including our oldest that we have homeschooled for the last 4 years, so nerves are heightened by everyone.

I need quick and simple ways to head into the school year, so I can be ready for any of the “surprises” that come with starting a new routine. This simple hack is perfect!!!

Quick and Simple Back to School Prep Idea Without Losing Your Mind

Have easy, simple, serve yourself breakfast items ready to go: frozen waffles, yogurt, cereal with fruit, and bagels and cream cheese. Stock up ahead of time on your kid’s favorites to end the breakfast drama and get them to actually eat the food they need to power through their day.

We all need less drama at 7:30 in the morning.

Back to school Prep Tips

Keep the bowls, spoons, and cups in a cabinet down at their level so they can serve themselves. Toaster tongs help fish out bagels and waffles and keep little fingers safe. Small containers of milk make pouring more manageable for smaller hands.

This frees you up to make lunches, tie shoes, and make sure their clothes aren’t on backwards.

Back to school Prep Tips

Choose brands that have Box Tops for Education when you’re in the aisle trying to decide what to buy. Box tops are a genius way to give back to your child’s school as you shop. Each little rectangle [clipped and provided to your school] earns your child’s school cash used to encourage active, meaningful learning: computers, books, art supplies, and playground equipment.

My kids’ school purchase ipads with the Box Tops I send in, which I can wholeheartedly get behind.

The Back to School Prep Idea that Won’t Make You Lose Your Mind

The Back to School Prep Idea that Won't Make You Lose Your Mind (1)

Create a snack basket on your counter with easy, on the go snacks the kids can grab and throw into their lunchboxes.

In ours we keep: applesauce pouches, granola bars, raisin boxes and premade baggies of cereal trail mix that the kids make.

More Back to School Prep Ideas That Will Save You Time

  1. Plan easy school lunches that you know are going to get eaten. We send hot lunches with our kids inside of a thermos to avoid the daily, “But I hate sandwiches” whine. Mini corndogs, mac and cheese, and chicken nuggets are all foods that I know they will finish. No more half eaten lunches coming home in moldy lunchboxes.
  2. Get input from your kids when deciding what foods to purchase for school morning breakfasts, lunches and snacks. Take them with you to shop if you’re feeling brave. Or ask them to write their favorite healthy foods on your shopping list. Kids who choose what they eat, gobble it down with fewer complaints.
  3. Shop at stores that reward you when you’re out buying essentials so you can save money and give back to your school at the same time. CVS is a go to for us because from 8/20-8/27, when you spend $30 on participating Box Tops products, you get $10 in Extra Bucks. That’s $10 for wine to treat yourself, Box Tops to show you care for your school, and food you need anyways. Three birds, one stone. Yes, please.

Here’s to easy mornings and an easy transition back into your school routines. From one Mom to another, good luck.

A Back to School Hack that Will Save Your Sanity

To learn more about CVS and Box Tops for Education be sure to check them out on their website, Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.

Use the hashtag #BoxTops and #CareForYourSchool anytime you share using their products and helping out your school at the same time.*Offer valid 8/20/17 – 8/27/17. $30 worth of participating General Mills BTFE products must be purchased in a single transaction with CVS card in order to receive 10 CVS ExtraBucks automatically at checkout. Net purchase determined after all discounts, offers and coupons. Each box top is worth 10 cents to redeeming school when clipped from box tops products and sent to the redeeming school. Only BTFE registered schools can redeem box tops. Limit $20,000 per school per year for box tops redeemed through the clip program.

See www.boxtopsforeducation.com for program details.

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of CVS and BoxTops for Education. The opinions, ideas, and text are all mine.

2 thoughts on “This Back to School Hack Will Save Your Sanity (and Time)”

  1. Love the kids’ choice ideas! I have found my kids are more interested and willing when THEY figure out what is both healthy and tasty…

    Thanks and love,
    Full Spectrum Mama

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

CONNECT WITH ME

Scroll to Top