This post is sponsored by Natrol, but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.
The last few years have been emotionally heavy for kiddos. They’re dealing with issues that are hard even for us as adults to process, and their little brains and bodies are emotionally spent. So as we get ready for back-to-school season this year I’m focusing more on purchasing products to make our home a calming sanctuary. Of course, we have to get all the pencils, binders and notebooks! But I’m also buying silly card games to keep us laughing in the evenings, comfort food so we can sit at the table and chat about the good and bad parts of our days, relaxing books to read at bedtime, Natrol melatonin to help ease into a restful night, and a new weighted blanket for maximum level comfort.
This year will be different as we, hopefully, settle into a school routine that feels more like normal life again. And I’m determined to help ease the transition from home! Thinking about the back-to-school bedtime routine usually makes me break out in a cold sweat. I’m never ready for this season! But this year I’m planning ahead, so bring it on. 🙂
We love watching funny shows together! But when it’s time to get our faces away from screens, silly card games are where it’s at. My favorite thing about busting out the cards is hearing all the laughter that follows. For our family, doing something fun together creates the perfect environment to talk about hard stuff… like all the going back to school emotions. A few of our favorite card games are Llama Line-Up, Old Maid, and The Oregon Trail.
Comfort food = sweets at our house! You all know I’m not a big fan of cooking and baking, but I do have a few secret recipes. And since you’re here, I’ll share my absolute favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe with you. It’s actually Phoebe Buffay’s Grandma’s recipe. And it’s hard to get your hands on, but if you can find an elusive bag of Nestle Toulouse (it’s French!) chocolate chips you too can have the secret to the perfect chocolate chip cookies! 😉 They’re a crowd pleaser and sure to be the perfect after school treat!
Do you enjoy reading to your kids at bed time? Some nights I love it, and if I’m honest, other nights I really don’t. But it’s one of the fastest ways to help Kingston settle in for the night and relax, so when school starts we’re pretty consistent bedtime readers. One of our favorite relaxing books is Thoughts to Make Your Heart Sing.
I’ve talked about this a lot over the years, but we are big fans of Natrol® Melatonin. The products help us fall asleep and stay asleep, so we wake up rested.† The products always help us reestablish our bedtime routine for the school year. Melatonin is like our body’s biological clock, managing the sleep and wake cycles. But age, everyday stress, and diet can take a toll on our melatonin production. Natrol Melatonin supplements, from the #1 melatonin brand in America^, help to establish normal sleep patterns to give us a more restful night.† The supplements are 100% drug-free and non-habit forming, plus the gummies taste great!
We love weighted blankets! a few years ago I told a friend about how Kingston had a hard time falling asleep, and she strongly(!) recommended we try a weighted blanket. So I immediately bought one, and he loves it! The blanket makes him feel warm and secure and calms his body which helps calm his mind. If you’re interested in weighted blankets, here is good one! And I’m including some affiliate links below where you can shop any of the products I’ve mentioned. Good luck this back-to-school season! May the odds be ever in your favor!
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This post is sponsored by NATROL, but the content and opinions expressed here are my own. Also, I have to tell you that “†These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any diseases.”
^Nielsen, xAOC, 1/23/21
*Melatonin is a solution for occasional sleeplessness. †
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