Creating an After School Routine + Free Printable

This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and Del Monte, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #DelMonteBTS  http://my-disclosur.es/OBsstV

My twins are starting kindergarten this year and while I’m a mess of emotions (excited, nervous, sad, elated) I can’t wait to celebrate this big milestone with them.  I’ll admit I’m probably more excited than anything, but I am going to miss them all day!  What I’m more nervous about is juggling schedules and homework for three kids.  I like schedules and routines, they make me happy, and I honestly believe that schedules are great for kids.  With all three kids in school our after school routine definitely needs an overhaul to make sure we have a stress free school year!

My oldest daughter was always starving when she got home from school and I found myself unprepared more often than not.  Having to rummage through the cabinet or fridge to figure out a healthy snack, while trying to make sure homework was finished before we had to rush out the door again for soccer practice was stressful to say the least.  I vowed that this year, I’d get organized, create a schedule and make sure my house was stocked with healthy to make our after school routine run smoothly.

I started by creating a printable chart for each of my kids.  My After School Routine printable is a great way to help them, and me, to be accountable.  And hopefully this chart will keep me from sounding like a broken record day in and day out.  I simply printed out the chart, laminated it and attached it to a clipboard with a dry erase marker tied to the board so the kids can check off each task as they complete it.

Now that we have a routine established I took the kids to our Walmart Super Store to pick out some healthy snacks to stock our pantry before school starts. We found these new and the kids decided they to try Peach Mango and Apple Cinnamon.  They said the Peach Mango was their favorite and told me to make sure I have plenty of those for after school snacks.

It’s a snack I can feel good about too, naturally delicious with 1 1/2 servings of real fruit we can enjoy on the go or at home while we work on homework .  These Fruit Burst Squeezers are also going to be great for school lunches and help keep those little minds sharp throughout the day.

Del Monte is also running a great Back to School promotion at SELECT Walmart Super Stores now through September 13 while supplies last. Capture those special first day of school memories and take in your favorite photo to select Walmart Super Store Print Shops to receive a free Back to School print and a coupon for a $1 off the purchase of (2) Del Monte 4-pack Fruit Cups or (2), available from 8/1 to 9/13 while supplies last.

After missing my little kindergartners all day, I can’t wait to welcome them home with a special after school snack and fingers crossed a stress free afternoon routine!

Do you have an after school routine that works for your family?  What’s your favorite after school snack?  Don’t forget to download the free After School Routine printable and grab your $1 off coupon to make your back to school routine stress free.