This post is sponsored by the School Nutrition Association. All opinions are mine alone.

Raise your hand if your kids, or someone you knows kids, eats breakfast or lunch at school. I’m betting that’s pretty much everyone, right? Now, raise your hand if you know everything that goes into those meals. I don’t just mean the foods – although many have on idea the standards and regulations school meals must meet – I’m more talking about the behind-the-scenes stuff. The planning, budgeting, shopping, checking nutrition amounts, and so much more. I’d never thought of all the little details necessary to get those meals to our kids, but after attending the School Nutrition Association’s National Conference, I have a lot more appreciation for it all!

I wasn’t quite sure what to expect when I flew out to Las Vegas last week to spend a day learning and exploring at their annual conference. Until then, I’d never given much thought into my kids’ school meals other than the actual food and nutrition aspect. But oh my goodness, I was a bit overwhelmed at just how MUCH goes into all the planning, preparing and more! But I’m getting ahead of myself a bit – first, what is this conference?

It’s the School Nutrition Association’s Annual National Conference, held in a different city each year where school lunch directors, managers, and others attend to learn all about the current information, trends and more for their school’s meals. This year it was in super-hot Las Vegas, at the Mandalay Bay South Convention Center. The seminars that fill up the days are really interesting, and vary in topics from National Policies/State Agency Workshop, to Simple Solutions for Customer Service, and even ones like Going Digital with Team Nutrition and Reducing Food Waste at School. The attendees are there to learn all that they can so that they can make the best choices for their schools!

I was able to attend two sessions in my awesome day there, the first being ‘Celebrating Local Foods in Schools’. They discussed all the different rules and USDA-funding regulations that help school purchase more foods locally. It was really interesting, though quite over my head because I never knew so much went into something like buying foods for schools. Don’t get me wrong, I wouldn’t think it an easy thing, but they have to consider different budgets (money coming from this source can be used to buy this, but this other source of money can only be used to purchase this, etc.) and meet some intense (at least it seemed to me) rules when doing something as simple as ordering tomatoes. All of this is part of their way to make sure the foods our kids are eating are healthier, and that we’re also supporting local businesses.

The other session to wrap-up our day was my favorite: Reaching Kids on the Go – Food Delivery, Pre-ordering and Food Trucks. You read that right – FOOD TRUCKS! Kids have so many options nowadays, and if schools don’t keep up with the newest trends or what may be more ‘cool’ at the time, they may have less kids electing to eat school meals. This can often mean the kids aren’t eating at all, or that they’re eating meals that are much less healthy for them (such as fast food or less-wise choices brought from home). I’ll tell you much more about what I learned at this class later, but dang it was interesting!

Now for a confession – my FAVORITE part was the exhibit floor, because there was food EVERYWHERE! Brands of all sizes and types come out to the School Nutrition Association’s event, offering samples and information for incredible foods (some brand new – and many not even available in stores) to try and show school meal directors and ordering managers WHY they should select their foods to include in their schools’ menus. In my few hours looking around, I didn’t even have time to visit half the booths, but still had so many amazing food samples. I loved it – and definitely wouldn’t mind doing that part of a school director’s job!

When I say brands of all sizes and types, I really mean ALL! There were huge brands like Tyson Foods that we all know, and smaller ones such as 88 Acres, who make seed butters that taste AMAZING and can offer a healthy alternative to nut butters. Everything from breakfast foods, to lunches, to even snacks (donuts made with whole grains? Yup!). And they weren’t just the tiny samples you find at the local grocery store on Saturday mornings, they were a half-plate of delicious Asian orange chicken and rice, a whole street taco, baby hot dogs on buns and even half chicken burgers. I doubt a single person was hungry for HOURS after walking around the exhibit hall!

I loved seeing such a variety of things for schools to now consider, such as 100% Juice slushie machines – where were those when I was in high school?! They realize kids nowadays want variety, and since kids are more use to eating out than years ago, items that are similar to what’s being offered at local restaurants is more appealing. The schools know they need to keep this in mind when making their food decisions, and want to give the kids meal that don’t just meet the health standards, but also make the kids excited for the school foods.

Beyond the foods (though I consider those the best part, of course), there were companies offering new solutions to the programs school use for charging students’ accounts or managing profiles for allergy information. There were new machines or equipment to make the kitchen run more efficiently and food be served in a more smooth and/or attractive manner. I even got to speak with a company that makes several types of the disposable trays that schools use! Not all schools have the plastic reusable trays I grew up with, so alternatives such as foam trays or cardboard-like ones are available. They’re even developing ways to make their compostable trays more affordable, to compete with the less environmentally-friendly foam options.

In a nutshell, at this event there were school meal staff (such as directors and managers):

• Sampling and ordering new foods to add to their school menu
• Learning new programs and software to assist in the orders, charging systems and more
• Gathering contacts for new equipment for the kitchen
• Finding new companies to bulk process and order much-needed items (such as a company to take a bulk order of tomatoes and make it into ketchup, salsa, tomato sauce, etc. that the schools can better use)
• Getting information on nutrition, policies, new trends and ideas, and much more

Guys, there’s so much more to share with you that I learned at this event that would be wonderful for parents to be more aware of – like, how do schools keep track and deal with allergies? Don’t worry, I’ll be sharing that and more at a later time. I feel that as parents, we SHOULD be more aware of all the behind-the-scenes stuff. Not only so we have more knowledge of our kids’ school meals, but also an appreciation for the many workers and all the time and dedication put into providing the best possible for the kiddos.

Check out even more at the School Nutrition Association website!

My girls are 11 and 12, meaning that in less than 2 years I’ll be the mom of two teenagers. I’m trying not to panic, but have to admit that it really freaks me out! I was a HORRIBLE teenager and put my mom through so much, I can only imagine what my girls have in store for me. I’ve collected some tips for Preparing Kids for the Teen Years – maybe they’ll help you other soon-to-be-teen-moms, as well! It may be challenging, but at least we don’t have to be preparing for teen years alone.

Preparing Kids: Don’t Wait to Discuss the ‘P’ Word

Yes, I mean ‘puberty’. This is definitely not a favorite topic of most people, and it can be an uncomfortable conversation for parents to have with their kids – but it’s super important that you discuss it with them. It’s probably best to talk about the changes they’ll go through – the physical as well as the emotional – before they’re overwhelmed in the middle of it all. The more you treat it as a very normal thing (because it IS a normal thing!), the less embarrassed they’ll be by it.

I remember when I first hit puberty (it was a bit earlier than the other girls) I wasn’t too embarrassed – it was a normal part of life, so why make a big deal? But when other girls started acting like it was this awful, horrifying thing that had to be kept hushed and secret, I began to let them convince me it WAS weird. Help your kids feel comfortable, which will also help their confidence.

Preparing Kids: Communicate Often (be available to listen)

When kids are little, it can be frustrating to hear every little thing about this one show or random game, or perhaps a tidbit from school that happens almost every day. It takes a lot of our energy and patience to seem interested in what WE consider the ‘little, unimportant things’. But guess what – they may be important things to THEM. And if we help them learn that we’re happy to listen and will be there for them to go to when it is the more ‘minor’ things, they’ll feel more comfortable coming to us when it’s a bit more major.

We parents expect respect from our kids, but it’s extremely important that we reciprocate. If our kids don’t feel like we respect them back, why would they want to share these crazy things going on in their life? Why would they trust us to react without judgement or criticism, or trust any advice or thoughts we may give?

Preparing Kids: Pick Your Battles

This is suggested in so many aspects of life, and with teens it can save your sanity! There’s going to be so much going on, that you can’t nitpick or comment on every single thing that may not be perfect. Save it for the things that will truly matter. If you spend all of your energy fighting about a clean room (not saying they shouldn’t clean their room, it’s just an example), then how much MORE are you going to feel the need to fight about things like dating, drugs, school, good friends, etc.

Small Things Might be the Big Things

Just like I mentioned earlier – what we consider to be little or insignificant may be very important to your teen. Don’t shrug things off or downplay how much it matters, or they may not come to you with anything.

Teach and Give More Responsibility

Kids kind of learn that actions have consequences when they’re younger – hitting your brother may get you a time out, or not doing your homework may mean missing out on a school event. When they’re teens, actions matter more and have more lasting or severe consequences. Make more of an effort to teach them, so they can understand their choices better – and hopefully make better ones when life throws obstacles or unwise things in their way.

While we should expect more responsibility of our teens, keep in mind that they’re not only still learning – but their brains are LITERALLY not fully developed. Their frontal lobe isn’t to the level of an adult yet, so be reasonable with your expectations. Guide them, give them some slack, but help them so in the future they’re prepared.

Prepare Them for the Future

Not only prepared to do well in school and make educational or career choices, but to also be prepared to support themselves. One of my biggest frustrations as an adult is finances, and a large part of that is because I was never taught. In the teen years, it’s crucial that they learn good money sense – how to earn it well, manage it well, and especially to save and avoid debt. This lesson can make a MAJOR difference in their future, trust me!

Teach Them to Serve

It’s pretty natural for people to focus on themselves – especially teenagers. Help teach them to serve others, to recognize and focus on the feelings and needs of others. This will not only help them become amazing adults who can make a difference in the world, but will help them have a happier life because they’re not just focusing inward to themselves.

It’s Okay to be an Emotional Rollercoaster

Looking back, it’s clear that much of my teen years were spent on a rollercoaster of emotions – not just day to day but even minute to minute. The biggest stress was not knowing WHY I’d be crying one instant and fine the next. Or crying and feeling angry but not understanding why I felt that way. I’m trying hard to point out to my kids that it’s normal – their hormones are going to go out of whack as they get closer to the teen years, so it’s literally a chemical imbalance in their body causing that. It doesn’t mean they’re unreasonable or ridiculous. And it may help them get past those mood swings better when they understand that’s all it is, and that it’ll pass.

Friends Can Ruin You

Parents often talk about ‘good friends’ or ‘bad friends’. It’s important to not push your child away by criticizing their choice of friends, but find subtle or creative ways to help guide THEM to point out ways the friends may either be helping them in their life – with their goals and where they want to go in the future – or hindering that. That can help your child make their own decision about their friends!

Watch for Warning Signs

Pay attention to your child, their actions and words – and even more subtle things – just to keep an eye out for warning signs of really bad choices that could hurt their lives or futures. Catching things before they get too far can make a huge difference in redirecting things and getting back on the right track.

Remember Walking in Their Shoes

It’s really easy to get frustrated – my kids aren’t quite teens YET, but I still feel like I’m going crazy dealing with all the pre-teen drama and such! The thing that’s helped me the most is remembering when I was a teenager, how crazy it was and how difficult to understand everything. This helps me see from their perspective a bit, and grant a bit more patience.

Wishing luck to us all as we’re preparing kids for teen years!

Summer is pretty predictable when your kids attend public school, but many are not sure how to plan summer when you homeschool! Maybe you’ll take time off, maybe you’ll work year-round, or perhaps a combo. Either way, it’s likely that schedules will be a bit different – so here’s some tips to help.

As a homeschooling parent, you have more control over when and how you educate your kids, but it’s pretty normal that summer will interfere at least SOME with your regular plans.

Here are some basic tips to plan summer when you homeschool:

1: Decide if you will break for the summer – Will you go all year round, or will you take some weeks off in the summer months? This is the most important first step to determine. If you go all year, you won’t need to change your schedule very much. If you break, you will need to plan for that and adjust your schedule accordingly.

2: Determine what time you will doing certain things – When will you wake? When will you eat lunch? Will the kids nap or are they too old for naps? When is dinner and bedtime? Making your summer schedule involves knowing when you will be doing these important things.

3: Plan your summer schedule – Now sit down and write out the full summer schedule. Remember to remain flexible, but having a schedule in writing helps everyone know what to expect so things go more smoothly in summer, and all year long. This also helps for adding in any fun vacations or outings you may have.

Now that you know more about how to plan summer when you homeschool, you’re ready to get started! Whether the summer has already started for you, or you’re just getting a head start on next year, it’s good to have a game plan in place so everyone knows what to expect.

If you homeschool, how do YOU do summers?