From Breakfast to After-School: A Back-to-Preschool Survival Guide for Parents

In partnership with Happy Family. Editor’s Note: We only select and work with partners that meet our quality standards, so you can rest assured we only endorse products we believe in. All opinions are our own. 

As a working mom of toddler twins — and with a husband who’s a teacher — our family lives by the school calendar, so I know exactly how chaotic the back-to-school season can feel. With summer behind us, the girls’ music classes are starting back up, and our schedule is quickly filling with activities. That means early mornings, rushed routines, and long afternoons are back in full swing. And while I can’t control the chaos, I can control the foods I choose to serve my family. With that in mind, having quick, organic options on hand makes a world of difference for my twins, my husband, and, honestly, for me, too.

That’s why our family leans on Happy Family’s lineup again and again, and I recommend them to any parent juggling little ones. One of my twins is incredibly picky, but these give me no issues at all, which feels like a minor miracle most days. I don’t have the bandwidth to whip up elaborate, from-scratch meals, but I can feel good about giving my twins something convenient, easy, and organic. The products are organic, made with real fruits, veggies, and whole grains, and sneak in ingredients little ones often miss, like fiber^ and veggies. And unlike the snacks that leave my toddlers bouncing off the walls and crashing an hour later, these delicious snacks fit seamlessly into even our busiest days.

Here’s how they show up in our routine, and how you can easily incorporate them into your own. 

8:30 a.m. – Breakfast on the Go or at Home

Between 8 and 8:30 a.m., my twins usually wake up ravishing. Depending on the day, we’re either at home or out and about, but either way, the Banana Blueberry Yogurt Super Morning Pouch* is one of the few things that never fails us. It blends fruit, oats, and chia into a fruity smoothie pouch that my kids can eat independently. Each one contains 600mg of Omega-3s along with 2g of fiber to aid —  ingredients I know are important but can be tricky to incorporate into their little diets. And since the pouches have no added sweeteners, one paired with some fruit makes for a breakfast we can all be excited about.

Although the Banana Blueberry Yogurt* is the house favorite, the Super Morning line also comes in a slew of other flavors to appease even the pickiest eaters. The Apple Cinnamon Yogurt is especially apropos for the fall, and I plan on incorporating it into our lineup within the next few weeks. Happy Family also offers two dairy-free flavors great for those with allergies or intolerances looking for part of an easy on-the-go full breakfast option: Bananas Dragonfruit Coconut Milk & Oats for a taste of the tropics and Organic Apples Acai Coconut Milk & Oats for a bright, berry-forward option.

12:00 – Quick Lunch (or Easy Dinner)

By midday, I’m usually toggling between Zoom calls and hungry toddlers, so convenience matters most. The Squash Ravioli Mealtime Bowl has earned a steady spot in our lunch rotation. Not only is it delicious and fiber-packed^, but it also features a full serving of veggies** (!). My twins love pasta on its own, but on days when I want them to branch out from plain mac and cheese or buttered noodles, I love that this bowl sneaks in squash and other flavors they might otherwise refuse. It’s organic, has no added sweeteners, and takes just minutes to serve. On nights when my husband or I have late meetings — me with editors and PR folks, him with parents and private tutoring clients — it doubles as part of an easy dinner (and I’ll admit, I’ve picked at it too).

When I’m tight on time for dinner or simply out of steam, the Veggies, Wild Rice & Mushroom Parmesan and Turkey Bolognese bowls are at the top of my list to try next. I haven’t given them to my twins yet, but I’m excited about both — especially the Turkey Bolognese, which is made with lentil pasta. It feels like such a sneaky nutrition win, packing in extra protein and fiber^ without my kids ever realizing it. I have a feeling that even my picky twin won’t put up a fight, and that alone feels like a major mom win.

3:30 p.m. – Afternoon Snack Break

By the time afternoon hits, everyone in our house is ready for a snack — especially the girls, who by this point have woken up from their naps absolutely ravenous. The Apple & Spinach Fiber & Protein Oat Bar has become a go-to because it’s delicious, portable, and sneaks in fiber without my kids ever noticing. My girls are also big fans of bananas, so I’m excited to introduce them to the Banana & Carrot option.

When we’re heading out, the Strawberry Multigrain Cookies come along too. My twins love the playful transportation shapes — cars, boats, and planes — which turn snack time into a little game and even a chance to practice speech and language skills. They also come in Vanilla — my personal favorite, because I’m not above snacking on them myself — and the resealable bag makes them easy to toss in my diaper bag. Between the fun shapes and delicious flavors, it’s the kind of snack any preschooler would love.

Finding Our Balance 

Back-to-school season is busy, and our days often feel full of early mornings and long afternoons, with little time left to breathe, clean, or cook. But when it comes to meals and snacks, having Happy Family’s pouches, mealtime bowls, bars, and cookies on hand makes it easier to keep everyone happy. They’re convenient, and organic my girls need — and best of all, they actually enjoy eating them. And at the end of the day, what matters most is that my girls are nourished and happy — and that I can breathe a little easier knowing I’ve done my best.

Shop for our Happy Families favorites here.

*does not contain live and active cultures

**1 serving of veggies is ¼ cup

^for ages 2+