MISSION, KS--(Marketwire - October 18, 2010) - (Family Features) With school, homework, sports, jobs and other after school activities, moms -- and their families -- seem to be going at full speed, all the time. Colleen Burns, mom blogger and former television anchor, knows how hectic family life can be.
"Once I started having kids, I realized that time management had become my biggest job," Colleen said. "So I began searching for the best products, the quickest recipes and time-saving strategies to help me and my family keep up with our schedules."
Here are some of Colleen's tips for maximizing afternoons to build strong family bonds and keep her kids going all day long.
- The kitchen is the gathering point after school. I use that time to check in with my kids over a snack, ask about their day and make a plan for homework and other activities.
- Whether you have two kids or five growing boys like Colleen, having easy and tasty snacks on hand can bring calm to your kitchen and give your kids the energy to finish their after school tasks. Colleen keeps her freezer stocked with Tyson Any'tizers Dippin' Twists snacks because they are ready to eat in minutes, hot from the oven or microwave. Made with the highest quality chicken and paired with tangy dipping sauces like Kickin' Honey Mustard and Sweet Chipotle BBQ, these protein-rich snacks keep kids satisfied until dinnertime.
- Bedtimes can be rushed with chores and obligations, so make afterschool or snack time the focus of learning and engaging with your kids. Reading daily with your kids after school during snacktime can help encourage language development, creativity and imagination.
- As kids reach their teenage years, their schedules become even more jam-packed and are often spending time with their friends. Schedule one-on-one after-school excursions once a week to foster child-parent relationships. It's amazing how much they open up if you get them alone for more than a few minutes!
For more after school and family snack ideas, visit www.tyson.com.
