There’s one season more hectic than Christmas, and it’s here! Yup, we’re talking about Back-to-School. Time for school supplies shopping, meet the teacher, and that morning rush out the door.
But it’s okay, seriously, who needs sleep!
However, this year, we’re giving parents a break with the Back to School Guide for Busy Parents. Okay, the bell’s rung and it’s time for our first lesson.
Routines
Whether we love ‘em or hate ‘em, one thing’s for sure. . . we need ‘em! Routines are a busy parent’s best friend. They eliminate the energy spent on thousands of daily decisions by automating them.
For a busy parent, there are 3 routines we should start thinking about right now:
- Morning Routine
- Evening Routine
- After-school Routine
Morning Routine – Get your kiddos in the habit of starting their day right with a morning routine. A happy, productive morning will put you and your kiddo in a fantastic mood for the rest of the day! If you don’t already have one for the kiddos, consider starting a morning routine at least 2 weeks before the first day of school. This way they’ll start building those habits early!
Think about what needs to get done, what time school starts, and how to “habit stack” for easy implementation. Here are a few ideas:
- 7am: Wake up + do a Happy Dance
- 7:15am: Make the bed + think about one thing we’re grateful for
- 7:30 - 8am: Get ready: Jump into school clothes & brush those tiny teeth
- 8 - 8:30am: Eat a healthy breakfast + sugar-free multivitamin for children
Evening Routine – In the world of routines, morning gets all the glory! But an evening routine is just as important. It ensures we get enough sleep and wake up on the right side of the bed. Here are a few ideas to get started:
- 6 - 6:45pm: Healthy dinner + share 1 good thing that happened today
- 7 - 8pm: Bathtime, teeth brushing & setting out school clothes
- 8 - 8:15pm: Storytime
- 8:30pm: Bedtime
After-School Routine – An after-school routine, even for young kids, is a great way to transition from school to home:
- Unpack backpack and important papers
- Wash hands + eat a healthy snack
- Outside play
School Transportation
Transportation is easy to forget until the last minute! So take time to think through your options.
If you take your kids to school, consider setting up a neighborhood carpool. This frees up time for you and helps other busy parents as well.
If your kiddo is a bus rider, you have options too. You can take turns walking the kids to the bus stop with a spouse, neighbors, family, or friends.
And, super super important for both car riders and bus riders – set up backup transportation! Whether your kiddo missed the bus or the car won’t start, having backup transportation eases stressful moments.
School Night Meal Plans
Set a specific day each week to sit down and plan meals. Not only will you have peace of mind, but this can also help eliminate take-out and late dinners. Here’s a few things to consider when making a weekly meal plan:
- How many meals are you planning? Breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, etc.
- What ingredients do you already have? Plan your meals around what you already have to prevent waste.
- Freshness and expiration dates
- Healthy, brainy meals for school
- Special events like birthdays, school functions, etc.
Online Shopping 
Okay, we said earlier that routines were a busy parent’s best friend. . . well, we were wrong. Online shopping definitely takes number one in our hearts! Online shopping is more convenient, saves time, money, and even helps you plan your week.
Many parents already shop online for groceries and household items. But you can also make the back-to-school season less stressful by shopping online for new school clothes, shoes, and school supplies.
Back-to School Immunity
It’s well-known that strong immune systems are the first line of defense against germs and viruses – like the common cold, flu, and COVID. But a strong immune systems also helps prevent missed school days, missed work days, and low academic performance.
So make sure your kiddo’s immune system is in tip-top shape by:
- Eating a healthy diet
- Limiting sugary foods and drinks
- Increasing fruit and veggie intake
- Getting plenty of sleep and exercise
- Filling in nutrition gaps with a healthy kid’s vitamin
Remember you can always cross off immunity support off your back-to-school list.
Our Back to School Bundle covers all bases with the immunity superstars:
- Picky Eater Multi: 18 essential vitamins and minerals – perfect for picky eaters
- Invincible Vitamin C: made with Elderberry and Zinc for extra antioxidant power
- Bright & Brainy B6: for laser-sh
Make sure to pick up the Back to School Bundle just in time for back-to-school!