Getting back into school: The little things matter

Wow the summer just flew by and here we are in the second week of school at our house. I am a home school mom and boy has my life changed. It is really the small things that I have found hard to get adjusted to but they also cause the most chaos in our home.

1. Back to a sleep time:Boy, during the summer you kind of head to bed when you are tired but now it is so important that we actually go to sleep on time. Nothing like trying to teach a cranky kid so the number one small thing you can do is make a plan and stick to the plan. Do not get to far off on the weekends because this to will through the whole week off.

2. Good nutrition: I found that our summer time nutrition is very lacking in nutrients. During the school year, our kids need adequate nutrients to function at optimal level. Make sure to give them a balanced breakfast that includes grains, fruit and milk. Milk does a body good you know. I find that every new school year my family and I end up trying to revamp our eating style. Don’t forget to pack a healthy lunch filled with fruits and veggies and a good protein source. After school the kids are so hungry, so pick healthy foods that will carry them over until dinner. Some ideas are:
Monkey Bars
Applesauce Oatmeal-Raisin Cookies
Walnut-Raisin Somersaults
Carrot Pineapple Sweetbread
Banana Fruit Smoothie
Mixed Berry Smoothie
Hummus
Veggie City Dip
Guacamole for Kids

It is important to eat dinner before it gets to late as that will sometimes make it harder to get a good nights sleep.

3. Exercise: The one thing most American children are lacking is exercise. Kids always want to come in and play video games and such. Get them out for at least 30 minutes of playtime after school. A playset is a great way to get hidden exercise. Pick a playset that offers a lot of climbing features. Swinging is a great way to have fun and burn some calories. Another great idea is a trampoline. Bouncing on the trampoline when tear through some calories and provide a great cardiovascular workout.