Preparations #2

Snacks for Pick Up

As Addy grew from baby into toddler we were stuck in a very challenging pattern that pick up time because the worst time of the day.  Addy was tired, pick up at daycare is always hectic in the evenings and I was tired and stressed from a long day at work and contemplating all the to-do’s both at work and home that were waiting for me.  This is a recipe for disaster.  Addy would come into the house once we got home and throw temper tantrums almost every night.  I can very much relate to Kim's note below about hungry kid in the pantry as we walk in the door.  After some trial and error we realized that Addy needed a little snack on the way home.  This snack, although simple, had a huge impact:

• Focuses child’s attention – it is something repetitive and comforting during transition time
• Staves off hunger – this way you can actually get home, change, feed the animals and make dinner
• Opportunity for win-win – both of you feel successful during transition time
• Quiet time – may provide Mom with a couple of extra minutes of quiet time to make those final work phone calls on the way home

I pack this bag each Sunday with snacks for the week. 

I also provide my husband a couple of extras as well.  I normally do pick up by there will be those days that things get switched up.  I typically include things like an apple, fruit leather, or bag of goldfish or crackers.  You can get pre-packed bags of crackers and such at the grocery store to make it even more simple.  I typically make the bags myself to save some money.  Now that Addy is older I have her help me put the bag together so she is taking some ownership in what ends up in the bag.  When we started I kept the bag up front and handed out the snacks.  Now I keep it in the back and when I buckle Addy in, she picks out her own choice and I keep the bag in the back.

As a working Mom what preparation techniques have you found to be helpful?  Please share, we’d love to hear your great ideas!!