Before long we’ll be back to school and our many school year activities. For my family this means a lot of time spent in the car. I am a road warrior, driving four kids to and from four schools daily.
We’ll have preschool, elementary, middle and high schools on our route this year. It’s a very different schedule for each of my kids, but one thing that they always seem to have in common is that when they get in the car they all seem to be starved. Starving. Famished. On the brink of collapsing from sheer hunger. It doesn’t matter how much food I cram into their lunchboxes.
If I had a nickel for every time I’ve heard “Moooooom! I’m HUNGRY!” I might not need to save for college. I’ve learned that it is better to feed the beasts immediately or it’s going to a loooong ride home on the 405, and if there is traffic? Forget it. The cries of hungry children from the back of the minivan are enough to drive a mom mad.
We don’t normally do drive-through, but I’ve been know to cave to demands when their rioting gets boisterous enough. It’s something I’d like to avoid. In order to avoid these sorts of meltdowns I’ve devised what I call the “In Car Snack Bar”. The In Car Snack Bar is a simple container with a handle that I keep stocked with all of my kids favorite healthy treats and snacks. I could just as easily call it “Peace and Sunshine” because that is the difference between a sweet docile child who has been fed, and a surly snarling child who is starving after a long day at school.
Since the snack bar stays in the car, it’s important to stock it with non-perishable items. Some of my favorite things to include are mess free items such as nuts, granola bars, pretzels, crackers, fruit leather, and applesauce pouches. Applesauce pouches are one of my favorites (and the first to disappear). I love that they provide a little hydration along with the snack. I was really happy to discover that Motts, already a favorite for my kid’s lunchboxes, is now making a pouch that is perfect for our In Car Snack Bar and snacking on the go. Mott’s Snack & Go Applesauce Pouches have a taste kids love in a convenient package for on the go. They also have no added sugar and are an excellent source of Vitamin C. Find out more here.
I have to be honest with you. The in car snack bar is not just about the kids. There are days when I am running nonstop and I haven’t had a moment to stop and properly nourish myself either. Moms can get pretty snarly when they have not been fed too, it seems. I’ve been known to dip into the snack bar myself. Some almonds and some fruit sauce seem to perk me right back up.
If you’d like to try Motts (perhaps to set up your own in car snack bar) I have a buy one/get one free deal:
Click here for the coupon
DISCLOSURE STATEMENT This post has been sponsored by Motts and I have been compensated for sharing my In Car Snack Bar ritual with you. All opinions (and freeway hunger meltdowns too, unfortunately) are as usual, my own. If you need a lift and ride along with me, I’ll share my applesauce with you.
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