- Once kids finish their homework, have them pack it back up into their backpack or book bag. It saves rushing around trying to find their math book or calculator.
- Kids need plenty of rest. Get them to bed at an appropriate hour for their age. You know your kids best and how much sleep they need. One of my boys needs more than the other.
- Try to stay positive. Raising your voice to get kids to move faster will set the tone for their day. You want them to have a good day, and, honestly, you want to have a good day too. As difficult as it may be, try to restrain yourself from getting upset. I know first hand this can be difficult but it’s better for everyone involved.
- Talk about the plans for the day. What projects are due? Do your kids have any quizzes or tests? Talk about your day as well. Do you have big meetings? An important project? Or even household chores that need to be accomplished. We’ve been doing this in my family for years now and my teenagers, boys at that, often ask what I have planned for the day. Usually I tease them and tell them I’ll be playing video games all day while they are at school.
- Probably most important is to eat a good and healthy breakfast. Both of my boys love Pepperidge Farm Swirl Breads and the two new oatmeal varieties, apple and cinnamon and maple and brown sugar, have become fast favorites.
As a Mom, I’m thrilled they enjoy these new Pepperidge Farm Swirl Oatmeal Bread varieties as much as I do. The slices are thick and hearty, baked with whole grains, contains no high fructose corn syrup, is a good source of fiber, and no artificial colors, flavors, or sweeteners making it a good breakfast bread choice. When paired with eggs and sausage or bacon, make for a delicious and nutritious breakfast for kids and adults. This is my family’s favorite way to start the day! You can also top this delicious bread with your favorite toppings. I love a smear of peanut butter on the apple and cinnamon variety with some sliced apples on top. How would you top this bread?
In addition to picking foods I think are right for my family, I love saving money. Now you can try Pepperidge Farm Swirl Oatmeal Bread with a special Ibotta offer! Save $1 off one package of Swirl Oatmeal bread. Which flavor will you try first?
With Labor Day here, most everywhere in the country will be back to school this week. I hear in the northeast that there is even a chill in the air. Not so here, we are sweltering in the south but we plug on to school. For the week 5 menu plan there’s lots more variety but it requires a bit of Sunday planning and preparing.
Sandwiches are a staple in many lunch boxes around the country. This week, rather than offer a sandwich, I though a nice, homemade loaf of bread would be a fun idea. This nice 
Because getting out the door on school days is a priority, and you don’t want to spend all weekend preparing items for lunches, this egg salad from Daily Dish Recipes will whip up quickly. The title alone tells you it will be a breeze to make, 
The strawberry lemonade I included a couple of weeks ago was so popular I went on the search for another beverage to include. 
In my opinion you can’t have a sandwich without chips. Theses 
If you’ve been reading my lunch box menu plans for the last few weeks, you know I love to bake and to include a treat with lunch. It’s difficult to put a frosted cupcake into a lunch so my 
Whether or not your kids are back in school summer is quickly coming to a close for 2017. The school lunch menu plan for week 4 includes some dishes that use up summer produce.
Do your kids love salad? My son does. From the moment he tasted this strawberry salad with candied almonds he was hooked. That was a couple of years ago and he still loves it. Unfortunately, since he has braces, I leave off the almonds at this point but he’s declared he wants this salad as one of his first meals when he gets them off.
When I include salads in the lunch box I often include a bread. If the zucchini in your garden has gone crazy try these zucchini chocolate chip muffins from 
If sandwiches are more your child’s thing this Italian pressed sandwich from 
If you’re trying to get more veggies in your kids these parsnip chips from 
This weeks treat comes from 
This post is sponsored in conjunction with 
Forty Bloggers from around the North America will showcase their best brunch dishes, from cocktails to cakes, danish, tarts, and pizzas – with 170 recipes, there is something for everyone! Our amazing Sponsors have donated some great prizes for the #BrunchWeek giveaway. Thank you so much, Sponsors, for your generosity. We have an incredible giveaway below and we’d love if you would take a moment to read about it and what you can win!
This post is sponsored in conjunction with 
Forty Bloggers from around the North America will showcase their best brunch dishes, from cocktails to cakes, danish, tarts, and pizzas – with 170 recipes, there is something for everyone! Our amazing Sponsors have donated some great prizes for the #BrunchWeek giveaway. Thank you so much, Sponsors, for your generosity. We have an incredible giveaway below and we’d love if you would take a moment to read about it and what you can win!
