General Mills sponsored this post, but the opinions are my own. It tickles me at how so much changes in your life when you become a parent. One area that never changed in my house as the kids got older was the transition to back to school. It didn’t matter if it was from a long weekend or summer break. The kids HATED getting up and ready for school. I can relate! I am not a fan myself!
As a parent, your super powers kick in and you have to figure our how to make returning to school easier for everyone. For my family, we take the team player approach in getting everyone out the door on time. We started with baby steps when they were in Kindergarten and added responsibility as they got older. Here are a few ideas on how to make returning to school easier for everyone:
Keep A Routine: My biggest mistake during a break was letting the kids set their own bedtime. My kids can stay up until 2:00 am if I let them. Even if I take their electronics away, they will get a flashlight and read in bed! This means they sleep past noon and the cycle continues! For short breaks, they keep their school bedtimes intact. For longer breaks, like winter and summer, I extend the time by 2 hours. Two weeks before school starts back, we go back to their school bedtimes.
Get Ready The Night Before: When the kids were younger, I would lay out two outfits and they chose their favorite. As they got older, they chose their own clothes. The hardest part of this for me was letting them wear those outfits that may not be the most fashion forward. Stripes with plaids..yikes!!! Have the kids make their lunches while you are preparing dinner. I have the crisper drawers filled with pre-bagged fruits, veggies, sandwiches, etc. The kids just grab what they like and put them in their lunch bags. We also pack backpacks and leave them by the door.
The Mornings: As soon as I wake up, I check the traffic on my phone. This way, if there are any delays, I can plan how t re-route my drive before I get stuck in a huge traffic jam. Now that Caitlin is in college, it is more important than ever not to be late. Those professors are strict!! While they are getting dressed, I put out the cereals bowls, milk and their favorite cereal, which is Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheerios from Walmart.
While they eat, I am warming up the car. After the kids eat, they feed the cats, walk the dog and feed him. Poor Elvis! He wants some of those delicious Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheerios from Walmart! Next, the dishes go in the sink, backpacks are grabbed and we are in the car, heading for school. From start to finish, we are out the door in less then an hour.
I have to tell you, this first semester was tough! Caitlin started college and it was a huge adjustment for everyone. Henry is doing his high school work as we home school. That too was something we had to adjust to. Because Caitlin isn’t driving and we have one car, not only do I chauffeur her back and forth to school, I do the same with my husband. Pairing that with working from home full time and keeping the house going, I am a bit of a superhero! And as we know, superheroes use their super powers, right? One of mine is making sure my family eats well, even when we are in a hurry.
Why do I feel so great about my kids eating the General Mills cereals from Walmart? Because I know my kids are getting a breakfast that is yummy, good fro them and so easy to prepare. Their favorite Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheerios from Walmart offers whole grain oats as it’s 1st Ingredient. There are also no artificial flavors or colors from artificial sources.
With the all new General Mills cereals like Cinnamon Toast Crunch Shreds, Peanut Butter Chocolate Shreds, Lucky Charms Frosted Flakes, Banana Nut Cheerios and Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheerios from Walmart, breakfast time just got tastier and easier! Taking a shortcut that doesn’t take away from my family’s ability to thrive is high on my list. Serving them a cereal I trust is a breakfast shortcut I am 100% happy to take! Even Caitlin takes shortcuts! She studies for her upcoming test while she fuels her body and brain! Smart kiddo, huh?!
I am so thankful to have a Walmart just a few miles from the house. We shop there at least three times a week! I love their prices and their availability of the products I need. Now I love their easy and free Grocery Pick-Up service. I can order online, reserve my pick-up time and they deliver my groceries TO MY CAR! Yassss! Just another superpower of mine…brilliance! Another superpower is to let the kids make their own snacks. What does Caitlin choose? Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheerios from Walmart.
Next time you are buying a General Mills cereal at Walmart, be sure to check out the new merchandise offer! Buy 5 items, scan your receipt with the Box Tops Bonus App and earn 50 Bonus Box Tops! Help earn cash for your kid’s school!
When you try the New General Mills cereals from Walmart, which will you try first? Will you head to your local store or order them online? Please share!
Melissa Chapman says
January 25, 2018 at 4:02 pmIt is fun watching the kids grow up. The challenges change they become more self sufficient but the decisions become bigger and more important. Those cheerios look great and good for any age.
Sarah Bailey says
January 25, 2018 at 7:41 pmThese are such good tips, it can be so hard when any change of routine comes around, especially one where you are heading back to work or school.
Dawn Lopez says
January 25, 2018 at 7:43 pmWith returning to school we always struggle with finding a routine and sticking with it. It’s a critical step however and once we get a schedule that works for everyone the days go much more smoothly.
Kim says
January 25, 2018 at 8:15 pmGreat tips!! And I’ve got to try those Cheerios – it’s my favorite flavors!
Sinisa says
January 25, 2018 at 8:26 pmRoutine is easy to lose. My kids love this cereal.
Amy Desrosiers says
January 25, 2018 at 8:54 pmMy kids do not mind returning to school as long as they have a yummy breakfast. I do think Cheerios help make things much better!
susan5minutesformom says
January 25, 2018 at 9:45 pmI love that you can check the traffic on your phone in the mornings! I’m sure it makes it easier to tell what parts of your routine might have to shift or change for the day.
tara pittman says
January 25, 2018 at 9:51 pmMy kids love cereal. They eat it for snacks since they get breakfast at school.
Claudia Krusch says
January 25, 2018 at 10:11 pmMy son doesn’t mind returning to school, he actually looks forward to seeing his friends! He loves Cheerios!
Sarah L says
January 25, 2018 at 10:53 pmI agree about keeping bed times during breaks. I have to get as much ready the night before as I possible can.
Sarah says
January 26, 2018 at 3:21 amI’ve never seen the chocolate peanut butter Cheerios before. I can’t wait to try them! My husband will love them too i’m sure.
Crystal Carder says
January 26, 2018 at 5:56 amThese are great tips. We had cold and snow right after Christmas vacation and it was almost three weeks of snow days and delays and early dismissals, I had such a hard time getting back to routine. I love Cheerios and will have to check out these ones.
mycraftingworld says
January 26, 2018 at 6:37 amYou are so organized. I had part of that down when my children were in school. I think I want some Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheerios for myself now.
Dee Jackson says
January 26, 2018 at 7:07 amI give you props because you are so organized. I do say that your tips really make going to school easier.
Allison Cooper says
January 26, 2018 at 7:58 amOh wow – I had NO clue that chocolate peanut butter Cheerios even existed, yum! These are great tips! We’re all about making things are set out the night before, especially when you’re pressed for time in the morning.
Jay Colby says
January 26, 2018 at 9:33 amGreat tips! I haven’t heard of chocolate peanut butter Cheerios, but it sounds interesting.
anshul says
January 26, 2018 at 9:58 amThis is nice, I normally prefer eggs over cereal because I get to skip lunch that way
Dana Rodriguez says
January 26, 2018 at 12:08 pmWe love Cheerios. I need to try the Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheerios. Great tips!
Jen Temcio says
January 26, 2018 at 12:16 pmI love eating cold cereal from the box with no milk involved. This is going to be my new favorite snack!
stacey says
January 26, 2018 at 2:08 pmSo true, great tips. I think getting enough sleep is key. And getting into a workable routine helps everyone too.
Apolline Adiju says
January 26, 2018 at 5:49 pmI am glad I don’t have that problem. My daughter is always super excited to go back to school. I guess because she`s an only child at home.
megan beaver says
January 26, 2018 at 8:08 pmI agree keeping school time bedtimes during short school vacations are important. Even when kids are rested mornings can be hard.
Ada says
January 26, 2018 at 9:51 pmOh that cereal looks so good! I remember finding it hard to get back into the school routine when I was younger.
maria magdalena says
January 27, 2018 at 12:43 amLooks so yummy, my kid loves cereal too…simple, easy to serve, yummy and healthy
Nancy at Whispered Inspirations says
January 27, 2018 at 9:05 amThese are really great tips for returning to school. My kids love to eat cereal and honestly, it’s the best breakfast for a busy school morning.
corinne & kirsty says
January 27, 2018 at 12:24 pmI don’t remember going back to school any difficult when i was a kid. there was an adaptation time yes but otherwise it was all fine. And my parents where not so keen on cereals as they deem them unhealthy
Tatanisha Worthey says
January 27, 2018 at 2:19 pmI wo9ke up to cereal every day. It helped get me ready for school.
LavandaMichelle says
January 27, 2018 at 7:43 pmI admire your ability to keep organized. Also, my kids love cereal. They could eat these for breakfast, lunch, and dinner…which is why I keep the cereal on top of the fridge!
Jennifer L says
January 27, 2018 at 9:26 pmI definitely grew up being taught to get all my school stuff ready the night before to eliminate stress in the morning. And its something that stayed with me even as an adult.
Ruth-Ann Ridley says
January 27, 2018 at 11:07 pmGetting back in the swing of things for school can be so tough. My kids seem to always gravitate towards cereal for breakfast. This kind looks like it would be so good!
Rachael burow says
January 28, 2018 at 9:24 amWHAT? I didn’t know that flavor in cherries existed!! I am totally going to look for it now! What a great way to start the day!
David Elliott says
January 28, 2018 at 12:54 pmDoing as much beforehand so you don’t have to stress yourself out in the mornings is key here. I know I have to do that every Monday. I have to take my daughter back to school. That peanut butter chocolate cherrios cereal looks both delicious and dangerous.
Besties Notepad says
January 29, 2018 at 4:55 amIt’s so hard with the change of routine, am struggling with my daughter for the same.
Thanks for the tips!
Cynthia Nicoletti says
January 29, 2018 at 10:37 amMy daughter would love these chocolate peanut butter cherrios. She eats cherrios each morning before going to work.
Ashley says
January 29, 2018 at 9:39 pmI think my kids would LOVE that cereal. It looks delicious.
Cynthia R says
January 30, 2018 at 1:16 pmI love chocolate peanut butter flavor, perfect combo, I can’t wait to try this new cereal.
Ankana Silva says
February 3, 2018 at 1:48 amTrue preparing ahead helps getting into the routine. What i normally do is start practicing five days prior to school starts so i get into the routine.
fashion-mommy says
February 3, 2018 at 7:03 pmMy lad is so fussy when it comes to breakfast time, he seems to want something different every day so I buy those variety packs of cereal
Sarah L says
February 7, 2018 at 10:30 pmAs much as you can keep routines going over breaks, the easier it will be to return to school schedules. Keeping bed times the same is important.
Cami Valenzuela says
April 9, 2018 at 12:30 pmMan I could’ve used some this morning. After scoring break it was so hard to get them going this morning 🙂 my boys didn’t want to go back.
cheryl larimer says
April 13, 2018 at 7:07 pmYour point about keeping routines is such a great reminder. I am the grandmother so we frequently have days/weekends/school breaks with grandkids. We tend to fill those days with fun experiences, get them spun up then return them home. It is a great reminder to help keep things as routine as possible and to work harder to help the parents and the kids.