Healthy Back to School Tips

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Viva Coco Kids via Burst Media. The opinions and text are all mine.

If you live in the southern part of the country, you’re probably scrambling to gather last minute items as your kids head back to school in a few days. We’re fortunate not to return until after Labor Day so I can move at a more leisurely pace. Having three solid months off from school has been wonderful, and it’s given me plenty of time to reflect on my parenting style, family fun, and incorporate more healthy living choices into your daily routines.

Parenting an active boy does keep me moving, whether we’re playing at the beach or riding bikes, something is always in motion here. This summer, we’ve been walking as a family after dinner nearly every night. While I find it relaxing and a great way for The Texan and I to catch up on things, it tends to wind The Boy up. Kids never seem to tire of anything, do they?!

With back-to-school on the horizon, I’m thinking about ways to continue having fun while making healthy choices on the go.

1) Resist the urge to over schedule. While it is wonderful to expose your child to various activities, think about the time commitment for both you and your child. Keep your expectations realistic and sign your child up for only one activity at the beginning of the school year. Too much change can be unsettling, especially for younger children.

2) Encourage routine. Establishing a good bedtime routine will make the transition to school easier on your child and you! At least a week before the school year is set to begin, move bedtimes back and avoid activities that stretch too close to bedtime. While it may not be fun to slow the summer celebrations down, your child needs the rest. School days are long and preparation is key!

3) Offer healthy beverage choices. Making sure your child is drinking beverages that fuel their bodies well is a key to establishing healthy habits for the future. Include Vita Coco Kids packs in their lunches for a healthy, delicious drink. Vita Coco Kids packs contain about half of the sugar and calories of leading kids’s juices and contain NO artificial flavors, preservatives or sweeteners. The electrolytes will keep your little ones well hydrated.

4) Get moving. Busy school days may often cause you to overlook being active as a family. Try to stick to nightly walks after dinner {weather permitting} or maybe have a contest to see who can do the most sit-ups in one minute. Getting your kids moving during the day encourages nighttime sleep, too!

The transition back to school doesn’t have to be a difficult one. What do you do to make the adjustment easier for your children and yourself?

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Viva Coco Kids via Burst Media. The opinions and text are all mine.