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5 ways to get ready for school

Make sure you’ve got your bases covered for the new school year with our checklist

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Originally published on TodaysParent.com September 20, 2011

Back-to-school is just on the horizon and it’s easy to become overwhelmed with all the things we need to contend with: the new routines, stuff to buy and the massive emotional change itself. Here’s a checklist to help you and your family ease into this exciting new time.

Food

If your child is transitioning into full day this year, congratulations! That’s a huge milestone. Not only does it mean he or she is that much closer to independence, but it also means you’ve got to be more creative than ever in the lunch department. Whether she is eating her lunch at home, in a loud lunchroom, or right in the classroom, the nutritious opportunity that is lunch should not be wasted.

Stock up on some BPA-free containers and fill them up with carrots, celery sticks, cucumbers and peanut-free dips. Homemade muffins, simple sandwiches and cut-up fruit, Thermoses filled with leftovers all make easy, yummy, nutritious lunches for kids.

My personal favourite trick, which has worked brilliantly at camp this summer, is smoothies! Have fun concocting your own, and ask your children to sprinkle in the cinnamon, pour in the fruit and test it out. My kids love strawberries, banana, vanilla rice milk, a little ground flaxseed, apple juice, a pinch of cinnamon and, yes, spinach! You’d be surprised how well smoothies hide spinach. You’ll get a good two to three servings of fruits and vegetables into your kids if you send them to school with a delicious smoothie. Remind them to give it a good shake before they drink it.

In addition to cute lunch boxes, funky Thermoses and BPA-free containers, if your kids are eating lunch away from home, you’ll need some sticky notes or mini cards. Your kids will feel the love when they open their lunchboxes to find notes from Mom and Dad.

Your homework

5 easy healthy lunch box tips
How to make a complete school lunch
10 healthy after-school snack recipes for kids

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