How to Keep Your Sanity As a Busy Sports Mom – Helpful Tips

Spring is here and with that comes a whole other round of sports and hectic schedules. In our house my kids play T-ball, ride BMX and dirt bike. That leaves us with just 1 free night each week and a lot of rushed and crazy nights! I try not to get too stressed about the constant running around since these are the days we always looked forward to.

There are a few things I do during the day in preparation for our busy nights so we can squeeze every second of quality time in with the kids after school and before they head off to sports.

1. Grocery Shop Online

Since online grocery shopping hit our area a few years ago my food shopping has become SO much more efficient.  My go to store is Walmart, with their wide variety of food items and free pick up it’s a no-brainer for a busy mom.  I try to plan out my menu for the week (more on that below) and then add those items to my online cart.  My order can be ready for pickup in as little as 4 hours and it saves so much time.  Walmart also stores your previously bought items in a special section so you can easily re-add them to future orders in a hurry.

2. Meal Plan Easy Dinners

Meal planning is so beneficial to busy families.  I know more often than not it’s 4pm and i’m left wondering what i’m going to make for dinner, but with this new busy season in our lives I feel more motivated than ever to stay on top of meal planning.  For me meal planning just means writing down what we will have each night and purchasing those items earlier in the week.  I know some people take the next step and actually meal prep, meaning they make the bulk of their dinners on a Sunday but I just don’t have that in me.  Sundays, especially in the Spring are meant to be outside spending time with the family.

So what are some of my go-to meals for busy nights?  I have a few I keep on rotation including rice bowls (we love adding in ground chicken, peppers, avocado, shredded cheese and top them with Ranch dressing), hamburgers with pasta salad and baked beans, on cooler nights i’ll make chili in the crock pot, stuffed peppers, and turkey and swiss cheese sliders with sweet potato fries and roasted broccoli.  I keep a list going of my family’s favorite meals in my planner, it sounds silly because how can you forget your favorite meals, but we so easily do!  Having them written down in one spot helps me keep track of what I can make and brainstorm for the week.

3. Stock up on Snacks

I love having a cabinet full of snack items for the kids, it makes it so much easier to pack up for the night ahead and also makes it easier for those last minute play dates and get togethers when we need to bring something.  I love having fresh fruit and veggies stocked up in the fridge also since they are the best snacks, but when a sweet tooth hits we turn to Betty Lou’s Fruit Bars.  The box states they “take like pie” and they 100%  do.  In addition to being delicious they are also Gluten- Free and they do not contain any of the 8 major food allergens identified by the FDA, however they are made in the same factory as peanuts, tree nuts, milk, eggs and soy.  We don’t feel guilty eating them because all of the sugars from from natural fruit and fruit juice.  They are a perfect treat to pack up for bringing to sports. Betty Lou’s Fruit Bars are available at Walmart (love that curbside pickup I mentioned above!) and Betty Lou’s Inc! My favorite are the apple cinnamon, but they also come in other flavors like blackberry, blueberry and cherry. 

4. Prep During the Day

Once we have all of our dinners and snacks planned out for the week I like to pack up the non-perishable snacks, their gear and whatever else we may need for the night while the kids are at school.  This saves me time later and also gives me plenty of time to locate any missing t-ball bats, bike helmets etc… so we aren’t rushing around after school.  If dinner needs a little prep I try to do that right before the kids come home so it’s ready to pop into the oven for dinner.

I hope you found these tips helpful.  What are some things your family does to help keep your busy schedules in check during sports season? Leave a comment below!

This post is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and Betty Lou’s, Inc., but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #BettyLousAtWalmart  http://my-disclosur.es/OBsstV