5 Ways to Make Back To School Easy For Kids And Parents #NaturesSleep #Sponsored

***Disclosure: As a Nature's Sleep Ambassador, I receive product samples to facilitate reviews. All opinions are 100% honest and have not been influenced in any way.***

Wow, this summer has really flown by, hasn't it? Or maybe I have just been that busy! I have had a lot of great experiences. First, I saw my brother get married. (Yes, I cried at the ceremony. Don't judge me!)  Then I got to see my other husband, Bruno, perform in Cleveland the day before my birthday. My hubby's birthday was a week later as well. Then we had our very first family vacation, a family reunion, tons of cookouts, and even some backyard glamping. Time really does fly when you're having fun!

Sadly, summer is winding down and pretty soon, my oldest son will be heading back to school. He will be in high school this year. I don't even know how that's possible. I still see him as my little boy in a lot of ways. But in 4 short days, he will be a freshman. Wow. Still letting that sink in here.

The hardest part about back-to-school season would have to be getting our schedules and routines back on track. We're all night-owls here, so it takes some major adjustments. (As well as a few weeks of feeling like zombies, usually.)

Here are some quick tips to help the transition back to class a little less painful, for kids AND parents. 

1. Get supplies early. 
These are actually supplies I donated to a local school. You know, since my son doesn't really want a pink ladybug binder. That might cramp his style. I always make sure to buy supplies throughout the year so I have a lot of the basic supplies ready to go. This way, I only have to run out to grab very specific items that appear on the supply lists. Having a good stock of paper, folders, highlighters, pens and pencils on hand really does help. 

2. Wear the kids out so they want to go to bed early. 
My teenager would stay up all night if I let him. Some nights, he creeps down the hall at 3:00AM. To get him back into the swing of things, I start filling his days with more activities a few weeks before school starts. Then I wake him up early. Some of my favorite ways to wear a kid out are nature hikes, games of basketball or volleyball, a trip to the waterparks, or maybe even the zoo. Usually, when kids stay moving all day, they tend to get tired earlier. The added bonus to this method is quality time as a family. 

3. Invest in a pair of indoor/outdoor slippers.
I know. This sounds weird. You're probably wondering why I would include slippers in a back-to-school post. Well, let me tell you...My Nature's Sleep Memory Foam Slippers have come in quite handy during the first few weeks of school. More often than not, Kyle is tired in the morning as he adjusts to a new schedule. That usually means that he ends up forgetting something important like his jacket, lunch money, or even his backpack. This means I have to chase him down the street, usually in pajama pants with bed-head, to give him whatever he forgot. (I'll bet my neighbors LOVE this.)  Having a pair of slippers with a durable, rubber sole is a must, especially here in Ohio where we often have inclement weather. Plus, they're pretty darn comfy, too. Memory foam rocks, and it's like walking on a cloud. 

4. Pack Nutritious Snacks 
Adjusting to a full school day can be tough on a kid. They may feel like they're losing steam mid-day. (At least I know I did when I was a kid!) One way to help kids keep their energy and concentration levels up is to pack some nutrient-rich snacks for them to munch on between classes. I try and avoid processed foods or candy bars, since they can cause a sugar-rush followed by a crash. We tend to go for organic granola bars, especially the ones that contain "super-foods" like flax and chia seeds, acai berries, and almonds. Sometimes all a kid needs to stay on track is a little extra "fuel".

5. Make sure Mom and Dad are well-rested, too.
Getting the kids back to school also requires some adjustments for parents. This usually means getting up earlier than normal to prepare breakfast, pack lunches, or assist younger kids with getting dressed and properly groomed. Or, if you're the parent of a teen, it could also mean acting as a secondary alarm clock. Teens never seem to want to get their butts out of bed. So making sure parents get a good night's sleep is imperative. One way to do this is to make sure you have a comfortable mattress and pillows. Nature's Sleep memory foam and gel mattresses and pillows offer excellent comfort that helps sleepy parents drift off to dreams more quickly as well as sleep more soundly. Plus, lack of springs and proper support means less aches and pains in the morning, too! 

Special August Savings and Nature's Sleep Twitter Chats :

Now through August 31st, you can enjoy a whopping 40% off ALL Nature's Sleep Gel Mattresses AND get FREE SHIPPING, too!! These are so amazingly comfortable...You will literally wonder how you ever fell asleep without them! 

Just use the code: GEL40 at checkout! 

If you'd like to learn more about memory foam or gel mattresses and how they're not all created equal, there are some great Nature's Sleep twitter chats you can attend. Oh, I should also mention that there are some amazing prizes awarded, too! 

These twitter chats happen the FIRST and THIRD Tuesday of every month at 1:00PM EST. The next chats are on the following dates:

August 26th-Back to School-Getting A Good Night's Rest

To participate, be sure to follow the following twitter accounts:  @makobimedia @naturessleep and @makobiscribe

Then follow along using the #NaturesSleep hashtag. 

***Twitter Chat Tip*** If you find it difficult to keep up with the action, try using a service like Twubs that will make tracking the hashtag easier. You can even slow the conversation and follow at a more human pace.
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