Today is Tuesday Talk where once a month, I link up with Ashley and Erika who host this fun little blog link up. Every month, you are supposed to chat about anything and everything.
So far this year, we’ve chatted about this…
In January, we chatted about our verses of the week.
In February, we chatted about quality time with our kids.
In March, we chatted about canning.
In April, we chatted about family fun ideas.
In May, we chatted about swim suits.
And today, we’re going to chat about…school routines!
So…we’re one month into school and have tweaked a few of our routines from last year to make this year better. I don’t know if this is an interesting blog topic or not…but, I’m always looking for new ideas to make this whole school thing run easier, so I thought I’d throw it out there.
Here’s what we’re doing differently this year…
#1: I’m making these people pack their own lunches…
Guys! What is wrong with me?! Why didn’t you all insist I do this years ago. EVEN MADELEY CAN PACK HER OWN LUNCH. Whhhhhhhhy did I fret over it for so long???
This year, as soon as they get home from school, they’re responsible for emptying out their lunch boxes, putting their thermoses in the dishwasher and then repacking their lunch for the next day (plus filling up their water and grabbing themselves a school snack to add to their backpacks). I stand there and supervise, but really and truly, it all happens in about five minutes. Done. Finished. I didn’t lift a finger. What has helped is that last year, I wasn’t buying them enough packaged items and making my refrigerator “lunch friendly”. This year, we have worked on that…
…I added these bins to the bottom of my pantry and each one is filled with some sort of lunch item…
…for instance, this one has all of their “bars” in there. They each are supposed to take a separate snack to school, so they just grab a bar. I have a bin filled with goldfish packages, one with little sweet treat options, one with applesauce squeezes, etc. This makes things so easy! Also, I dedicated a shelf in my fridge to lunch stuff…
…string cheese, yogurt (two different kids), guacamole and hummus. All within reach. They also each take sandwich bags and get grapes, grab an apple (I have an apple drawer below) or fill their baggie with trail mix. FYI: many of those items in there are from THIS Costco post. AMAZING!
Now, in the morning, while I’m making their breakfast and such, I heat up these and fill them with their “main course”…
…just like you ladies suggested, first, I fill them with boiling hot water and let them sit about 10 minutes, then I dump out the water and add in their hot food. I put those in their lunchboxes and we’re good to go!
Here is one other thing we’re doing differently this year…
#2: We’re doing our homework in the morning…
Now, I understand this doesn’t work for everyone and it won’t work for the us the older the kids get, but for now, it’s working out so well! I always woke my kids up at 6:30 because they liked to eat breakfast and “chill” until around 7:20 when it was time to get ready for school. I mean…I like a slow morning routine myself, so I totally understood, but this year, I told them we’ll “chill” after school…homework happens in the morning. They still get up at 6:30, but by 7:10, they have to be dressed and ready to go to school. Then between 7:10 and 7:45, they do homework and/or read. Friends, this has been such a lifesaver!! After school, we can hit up our activities (speech, baseball, dance, etc) and don’t have to mess with homework. Again, I don’t know how long we’ll be able to do this, but for now, it’s amazing. At first, my kids hated this idea, but honestly, now, they love it. They’re all cozy (and dressed for the day!) in the kitchen and/or living room doing homework in the morning and then they play in the afternoon. Bam.
So, that’s what we’ve been doing so far this school year. What about you? Tips? Tricks? Ideas?! I would love so much!! Comment and share!!
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog says
I never packed my own lunches, but I always had a say what I wanted to eat! It’s such a great idea to get the kids involved 🙂
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Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Samantha Harris says
Homework in the morning is smart! I’m sure it’s smoother because they aren’t tired.
Erika Slaughter says
I was just laughing yesterday because remember how proud of myself I was the first week of school for my kiddos’ lunches…we’ll just yesterday I was brainstorming ways to talk them into eating lunch in the cafeteria everyday. Didn’t last long! Ha!
Maria says
Shay, DO NOT PUT THE THERMOES IN THE DISHWASHER! It will ruin the seal. I’ve learned my lesson the hard way! Hand wash only!
Mix and Match Mama says
Really???? I’ve put it in the dishwasher every single time. Now, I’m nervous!! Thanks for the tip!
Jenn says
We have the Funtainer thermoses and have been putting them in the dishwasher for 3 years now. No problems with them yet. Perhaps it’s certain ones?
Mix and Match Mama says
Thank you!!!
Mindy says
Oh wow. Yes. Not only that they will stop “heating” properly with the boiled water and won’t maintain their insulation. I don’t think you’re even supposed to leave them fully submerged in water. I just put hot soapy water in mine to soak a few minutes and then wash it it. Takes no time at all.
Mindy says
I take back my previous comment! I just looked it up and it seemed the days the new ones are dishwasher safe! Wow! My life is forever changed! Lol…. but I’m not really kidding. So glad I stumbled on this discussion because I now I know!
Mix and Match Mama says
No way?! That’s fantastic!!
Courtney says
If we had time in the morning I would definitely have them do homework! That sounds magical!
Elspeth Mizner says
OOhh good suggestions! Please do a post at the end of the year to see if r worked for the entire year
Sheaffer Sims says
Homework in the morning!!!! I would love that…but I’m afraid Carter might stage a revolt. I think it’s so awesome that y’all do that though. With all of your activities in the afternoon, it makes so much sense!
Kelly Sites says
I read a good saying by some smart mom years ago that I live by: NEVER do for your kids WHAT THEY CAN DO FOR THEMSELVES. Because we are raising kids who will be adults someday and we steal opportunities from them to let them rise to the occasion and shine if we do everything for them. We aren’t doing them any favors by doing things for them that they are capable to do. Great post.
Narci says
This is a great topic! I love that your kids are doing homework in the morning! That is brilliant! My tip is to pull all their papers out of their folders and act on them on that moment. Throw away what’s needed, jot down important dates that are coming up so you don’t forget, sign any necessary forms. 🙂 Can’t wait to read everyone’s tips!!
Eileen says
Yes!!! I do this too. As soon as we got home I deal with any papers immediately and put them back in the folders, and put the rest right in the recycle bin.
sydnee says
What an interesting idea to do homework in the am. Unfortunately, my kids hate waking up early so we use every single minute getting ready right before the bus comes.
Sydnee | Design by Sydnee ?
Megan says
You can pop the seal off the thermos, hand wash that, and pop it back on after the thermos comes out of the dishwasher.
Are you afraid of running out of time in the morning when doing homework? When my kids were in elementary school, a half hour would normally be enough time for homework, but not always. What if there’s a difficult assignment?
Mix and Match Mama says
They get a week to complete their homework (it’s assigned on Monday or Friday and do the following M or F), so by the weekend, it’s all done!
Amy says
After lots of trial and error hw in the morning has worked best for us too. Kids need a break from school work after school and I’ve found mine to be way more engaged in the morning too.
Melissa says
Great ideas. Shocked that they have time for homework. Fast breakfast! Do they eat cereal every day?
How many times have you had to run to the school this year? When they forget to grab something, it’s the worst!
Mix and Match Mama says
So far, I haven’t had to run to school. Last year, I had to a few times because Smith forgot his glasses. They eat a wide variety. This morning, I heated up a big breakfast burrito (from Costco) that the little two split and K and Smith had Van’s waffles.
Skimama says
We keep a spare pair of glasses in the backpack just in case they get forgotten! It’s a lifesaver.
Becky says
Love your routines and the fact that you’re getting your kids to take responsibility for lunch! Regarding homework, I always felt the problem with mornings was if hw was harder/longer than expected and you run out of time. That would stress us all out! Which definitely happens as they get older! We tried to get it done in the car on the road to activities, during dinner prep or after dinner. As they got older I also suggested a study hour at school (one class period for studying vs taking a class) that they got as much hw done in as possible, which was especially helpful during a busy sports season when they wouldn’t be home until later in evening.
Elizabeth says
wow, that’s awesome they are able to pretty much pack their own lunches! i love the idea of homework in the morning too! it must be so nice for them to get home and know that they are able to just relax/play instead of worry about homework!
Kelly Moss says
When do you make their sandwiches?
Mix and Match Mama says
They don’t have sandwiches this year!! They eat hot food in their thermos instead.
Sandy Manning says
So what are they taking in their thermoses? That might be a helpful tip too.
Mix and Match Mama says
I commented with a list on several comments. It’s a lot of leftovers!! Today, they’re all three taking leftover chili for example.
Laci says
My daughter packs her own lunch and it’s been life changing!
Therese Smith says
We have to leave the house by 7:00 am to get to school on time so we leave NOTHING for in the morning. I’m jealous of your later school start time! Our county has free breakfast and lunch for everyone so we only pack lunches when the menu is something the kids absolutely won’t eat. That’s a huge timesaver! I’ve also found that my picky eater will sometimes decide to eat school lunch when he realizes he’ll have to pack his lunch himself! 🙂 Honestly, my biggest lifehack is an awesome babysitter. My husband is an airline pilot so gone 3-4 days/week and I am a university administrator and am rarely able to get home before 5:45 pm. Finding a trusted babysitter to handle the after school running and homework is a game changer. It took a couple years of extreme stress and lots of post-dinner homework tears for us to get it but it’s worth it! All of your slow cooker recipes are also awesome. I was able to put on your slow cooker chicken noodle soup recipe this morning while the kids brushed their teeth and got downstairs. It literally took about 5 minutes and dinner will be ready when I get home!
Maddie says
We are changing things up too! Friday afternoon we try and get our homework donezo! If there’s too much we’ll finish it sat or sun depending on when there is down time. It’s made the week so much easier bc now all they have to do after school is read and do spelling. I also make a chart every week and laminate it to write chores and activities on it. For spelling we write them on laminated paper then erase and rewrite!
Lindsay Dunagan says
It takes about 20 minutes to get to their ballet classes, so I have them do their reading in the car on their way to ballet. This has totally helped with our after school routine as we have ballet 3 nights a week.
Gina says
What type of hot food do you prepare?
Mix and Match Mama says
Today, they all three had leftovers! That’s common around here. Sometimes, I do chicken nuggets, mac & cheese, hot noodles…it varies.
Julie says
I love this topic. I think getting kids out of the house is one of the hardest jobs a mom has! There is so much to remember and especially with multiple kids it really helps to be organized. Thanks for sharing your tips. I wish! I could get comfortable putting thermoses in the dishwasher but I’ve always been told it ruins them too :(. They’re a pain to clean!
Casey says
What leftovers will the kids eat?? I need ideas for our two!
Mix and Match Mama says
Here is a random list: grilled chicken, lasagna, any sort of pasta, sloppy joes, taco meat, chopped brisket or pulled pork. Really, almost anything works!
Dana says
Can you give a list of the hot items you put in their thermos and I didn’t realize you could put those in the dishwasher! Thank you!
Amanda Wilson says
My kids missed the bus 3 times the first week of school….we had to revamp our mornings!!! One thing I do is make them pick out their 5 school outfits on Sunday. It has saved so many morning fights….they don’t come down wearing shorts when it’s snowing or a Christmas dress for gym day!!!! I also switched to the kids making lunches at night and it’s WAY better!!! This weeks goal get more on top of this homework/reading/piano practice situation!!
Kary says
I’ve never heard that about thermos’ and the dishwasher. What is the concern with them? My daughter has had the same one for about 4 years now and it is still in great shape. I’ve always thrown it in the dishwasher.
Mix and Match Mama says
Whew! Okay! I’ve washed mine every single day for a month without any problems.
Mindy Tierney says
I am so behind jealous that your kids can complete their HW in the morning. When my daughter was in 4th grade it was an insane amount of HW. They rotated science and history every other day with huge tests almost every other week. It would be like 40+ index cards of notes each and preparing for essays on the tests too, so major studying all the time it felt like. Then common core math with bar modeling took at least 30+ minutes each night and more the night before a test, plus spelling words and English homework as well as read 20+ minutes a night. My biggest issue with our school district was they never separated the honors kids, so mine always struggled trying to keep up with them. Its a great school district, but too rigorous in my opinion. She is in 8th grade now and spent most of Sunday catching up on projects and preparing for her first science test this week. I so miss when she was 4 years old and didn’t have any of this stress . Anyone have any suggestions? I try not to stress, but its always there with school work.
Jen says
Please keep providing us with costco ideas! Recently bought a membership and they have so many different food ideas! I love that guacamole you suggested, though my Costco only had tubs not the snack sized.
Patricia says
My daughter in law taught both grandkids how to cook and bake this summer; even the six year old (no stove work yet for her). So she checks the schedule to see if she’s having hot lunch at school or not. If not, she packs her own lunch including making a sandwich. I’m so impressed with both daughter in law and grandkid!
Amanda @ That Inspired Chick says
Amen on them packing their own lunches! Mine have been doing that for years and I always felt a little guilty every time someone talked about packing their kids’ lunches. Mason prefers eating in the cafeteria most of the time so that helps too. Love the idea of them doing homework in the morning too!
That Inspired Chick
Danielle says
Love these ideas! Do you still put an ice pack in the lunch box for the cold items? (Yogurt, cheese, fruit) Wondering if that would affect the heat from the thermos….
Mix and Match Mama says
I don’t. It’s that weird dance of…do I want to cool down the thermos…you know?
Anna S says
I love that your kids do homework in the morning- fresh minds and it’s a little warm up to the school day. Side note: I am munching on your 3 ingredient pumpkin chocolate chip muffins. I made them in a effort to feel like it’s fall- it’s been in the 90s in Colorado! So yummy!
Kassy says
We live in northern VA and our school district doesn’t do homework at the elementary level. With that said, teachers do ask that the kids read 20 minutes every night, which has been part of our routine forever so no change there.
For lunches, my kids make a meal plan at the beginning of the year with ideas and I still pack the majority of their lunches but I should pass the torch!
Sara Kachelmeyer says
Keeping a good homework routine through out their school years is so important. As the load increases as the child gets older it gets so hard. I was strict about after school or after activity homework time. As they got into high school I heard from so many parents that their kids were up till midnight doing homework and my kids where in bed. I would always find out they didn’t start their homework till 9:00 sometimes. Kids complained about getting it done, but loved that their evenings were relaxing.
Brooke Richardson says
My boys eat in the cafeteria when it’s something they like so it’s atleast 2-3 times a week which makes it so much easier on me. Ha! But putting their lunch together the night before and having their outfits laid out so when they come downstairs they know they better be fully dressed and teeth brushed. We have done hw in the am before but I have one who drags and goes slow and the other who needs me for most of it so that doesn’t work as well for us in the am.
Trisha says
I’m really intrigued with the idea of homework in the morning!! I hate making my kiddo do homework after he’s been in school ALL day, I don’t normally wake mine up early though.. I let him sleep as long as possible then wake him (if he isn’t already awake) and get dressed, eat breakfast, etc. What time do yours go to bed to get up by 6:30am?
Mix and Match Mama says
The goal is between 8 and 8:30 each night.
Allison says
We have been using Thermos’ for my sons lunch for the last six years and we always put them in the dishwasher. Top rack only but we have never had problems with the seal.
Becky says
I remember you had quite the collection of Yumboxes. Do the kids still use them?
Mix and Match Mama says
Not for school lunches this year! At least not yet.
Dally says
Are you still using the lunch boxes you bought for each day of the week? I think they were called bento boxes?
Mix and Match Mama says
Not this year! They’re taking their hot lunches in the thermos this year, so there isn’t room for both.
Felicia Nguyen says
Shay,
I have been packing lunches for my kids for the past 10yrs and have tried all sorts of thermos…but this year I found one that is LIFE CHANGING!! No need to put hot water ? inside and it’s DISHWASHER SAFE!! And it’s the WIDE MOUTH thermos. The inside of the lid is also stainless so no plastic touches the food!! The food also stays HOT for over 6hrs and cold for 12hours!! I even tested out myself. It’s the insulated LunchBots from Amazon!! I am about to do a huge post on what to pack for lunch n etc on my BLOG this week. I ALSO buy items that are prepackaged..all 4 of my kids bring HOT lunches to school….pho, spaghetti n meatball, Alfredo pasta etc.
Ellen says
Pho is a genius idea. I could get a takeout pho, and I’ll bet it would fill my young teen’s thermos for a couple of days, even with some for me! 😉
Felicia Nguyen says
Yes ..pho is great!! Just remember to put only 1/4 noodle sinside the thermos bc it’s swell up during the day when in the broth!! I pack pho (soup) at least once a week..during the winter..my kids get soup 2-3x a week and they love it!!
Lindsay @ Lindsay's Sweet World says
I need to make my kiddos pack their own lunches because if there’s one thing I hate, it’s that!!!!
Erin P says
I bought Simple Modern insulated stainless steel cups for all 4 kiddos (like Yeti but cheaper on Amazon). I make them smoothies for after school snack every day and leave it in the fridge so they just grab it as soon as they come home. It has fruit and veggies and protein powder in it so I don’t feel guilty if dinner is Mac n cheese. I also buy the huge box of Kodiak cakes from Costco and make the ENTIRE BOX one day and freeze them in ziplock baggies. The kids either pop them in the toaster or microwave them for breakfast. Best hack I’ve found for Kodiak cakes: puree frozen blueberries (or strawberries or spinach) in blender with the 1 cup of water (or milk) the recipe calls for. Then you’ll have berry infused pancakes with no visible chunks for picky eaters to complain about.
Leticia S says
One thing we switched to mornings was music practice. It was such a struggle to practice after school, or in the evenings. Every day was different activities/homework and music would get pushed aside. But mornings are always the same, so it was an easy switch!
Liz says
Hi, Shay! What kinds of hot foods do your kiddos take for lunch?
Kimberly C says
Alright — that’s it: I’m getting my son a thermos. It sounds to easy and he loves leftover! Dinner usually only leaves one extra helping and with a family of 5, sometimes 6, it’s a never ending cycle of making “new” food for most of us each night.
We will also be trying the morning homework also! Konner loves to go work on the farm with his dad for the evenings so that may give us the best of both worlds.
I wish I had some tips to offer but I don’t do anything that you don’t already seem to do. Meal planning is my best friend. Kroger Clicklist is a huge life (and time) saver. We do reading and sometimes other homework in the car on the way to soccer or Cub Scouts to make good use of our time.
Thanks for the ideas Shay!
Sarah says
For the lunch thermos – we use a canning funnel to get the food into the container. Seems silly, but it makes it SO easy/fast to get the hot food into the container!
Mix and Match Mama says
Duh! Why didn’t I think of that?! Brilliant!! I’m going to start that ASAP!
Lauren says
I love this! I have four as well and I think it teaches them some responsibility as well as choosing what they want to eat so hopefully less complaints 😉 This is totally off topic, but I find myself exhausted and running most days with the four kids-I am just wondering, what do you do for yourself to keep up your stamina and stay mentally healthy and patient all day long? It’s so hard with the kids running every which way and I know personal health care is so important so wanted to see if you had any tricks without feeling the mom guilt of too much time away from the kids?
Mix and Match Mama says
Is drink extra coffee a good answer? Because that’s what I do! Eeks! Annnnnnnd…who said I stay patient all day? I DO NOT. I’m a hot mess most days, but being naturally super organized (to a fault!), it helps. I try and exercise most days and drink a lot of water. This year, I gave myself an extra 50 minutes of sleep by waking up at 5:00 instead of 4:10 and it has helped so much!! I also think waking up early helps me too. It helps me get stuff ton before the crazy day starts.
Melanie says
I love your innovative ideas. I am from the Dark Ages….well, my kids are your age. But, I did enjoy doing something with my kids that they really appreciated. They always took their lunch to school. I had some little pre-printed cards that I would slip into their lunch boxes a few times a week. They would say something encouraging or just remind them that I love them or thinking about them. They would even bring them back home and I could use them again.
Mix and Match Mama says
I love this, Melanie!!
Ellen says
I think this is great, so I’m not picking holes, but I do have a question. When does middle school start for you guys? When it does, will you have multiple drop-offs? I think an earlier drop-off, plus a higher workload, would make this impossible, BUT, enjoy it while it lasts!
Mix and Match Mama says
It’s staggered! High school starts at 7:30, elementary at 8:00 and middle at 8:45 (and then they have the same staggered end times too).
Chris says
I pack my own lunch for the office everyday. When I get home from the grocery store I immediately wash my grapes and clip the stems to make little bunches and bag them so they are ready to go. I also love the clear plastic bins to corral the individual yogurts, dips and cheese sticks. Everything just ready to grab and go.
Diana says
I love the idea of doing homework in the morning before school! Great idea! Our local elementary schools don’t start until 9:15, so that would work out so well!
Bri says
Great ideas/suggestions! I do have my kids make their own lunch too and it was a game-changer! I like your idea of stocking baskets and the fridge with more grab-and-go things.
Kerri says
Love all of these great ideas! We are currently evacuated from our home due to hurricane Florence but when we get back to normal I can’t wait to put these ideas into practice! Thanks for the post!
Mix and Match Mama says
Oh gosh! I’m so sorry, Kerri!
Elizabeth says
My nine year old daughter plays piano and violin, and she does her music practice in the morning before school. She loves playing while she’s fresh, and then she doesn’t have to do it later. With this method I’ve gotten her to practice almost every day since she started the instruments without any complaints. Parents of budding musicians know that getting kids to practice is the hardest part! 🙂
L says
My high school junior does her homework in the morning. She gets some done the night before, but with soccer practice and by the time she gets home, it’s easier for her to finish in the morning. She’s more awake too!
Leslee B says
I’m super late here…we have practices and games every evening for at least 2-3 kids a day. I have one in high school, one in middle, and two in elementary. With my four…they do their own lunches as well. But I have a different bin tip. We have 3 bins…a sweet, a salty, & a fruit. They each grab a sandwich from the freezer or sometimes I make one, but then they grab one snack from each bin to ensure variety. My growing-never-full boys sometimes also grab an extra! It works though!
Jamie Owens says
Love the idea of adding the boiling water to heat the thermos. Thank you! Also, if you could tell
Me brand and where you got your thermous’ for your girls. Mine want some and those look like good quality non plastic.
Angie says
Any tips for organizing young kids endless crafts and drawings they come home with?!
Mix and Match Mama says
Ohhhh…well, we toss a lot of things. They come home with so much that we cannot keep it all. We save their favorite items and I have them framed at the end of the year (3 or 4 each), we take pics of a lot of things (they seem to like it when we do that), we hang stuff around the house randomly (in their rooms, we have a few pieces in our hutch in the living room and a few things on the fridge). Basically…we don’t have a good system. It’s a hodgepodge. Ha!
Beth says
Any lunch bag recommendations? And since I saw you’re not using the yumbox with the thermos addition, are there other containers for dry/cold stuff you’ve been using?
Mix and Match Mama says
Right now, we’re just using our thermos and then goodies from Costco along with it.