I currently work at a hospital that recently got bought out by another company, and is now closing... laying off all of their employees. I just found out today that I was hired by a doctor's office very close to my home. I am truely excited and grateful that I found something before the closing deadline, but there is a slight schedule issue that has surfaced with this new job. With my old job at the hospital, I worked until 4:30 and drove 30 to 45 minutes to get to my son around 5 or 515. We would get home anywhere from 530 to 545, and my son would eat a snack until dinner, or eat his dinner right then, depending on what I had cooked and if there were any leftovers. **Some days I cook crock pot dinners where they are ready once I get home. Other days I have to cook an extra side, but can whip up something quick and healthy for him right then and there. And then other days, he has a snack just to hold him over for another 30 to 45 minutes**. Ultimately, my son is hungy the minute I pick him up. His daycare says his last sack time is around 3 or 330.
Problem is... this new job is closer to my home, but doesn't let me off until 5 or 530 (depends on the day). I plan on talking to the director and his teacher to ask if they could give him an extra snack around five just to hold him until I pick him up. But, I dont know what to give him that will be sufficient enough to hold him over. I dont think it can be something that is extensive, like mac and cheese, but I'm talking about healthy snacks. My son LOVES fruits, and dry cereal. I am also trying to think of things that are not so messy, things that he can feed himself, and portable. I know my son can eat a whole banana at that time of the day *he has done it before, and still sat down and ate dinner with us 30 minutes later, as well as drank milk after bath*. Some days he is picky, other days he eats everything. My son is very active, and is constantly drinking and eating.
Does anyone have any ideas on what I can do to help him out and keep him from going into a starving tantrum before I pick him up? I have two weeks before my new job starts, and one month before my husband goes out of the country for one year... so I have to figure this out to make it work for my son and I.
Peanut butter crackers, or cheese on wheat crackers are good as they are prepackaged and non perishable. They come 6 in a pack. My son loves them. I usually keep a couple packs in the car for emergencies. When I pick him up late i also give him a little something as we drive home with a juice. It usually keeps him happy on the way home. A banana is also great too, or sliced apples. Good luck!
I keep dried fruit in my car all the time as my 2 year old son is always starving when I pick him up (close to 6pm). We have done everything from prunes (no pits), raisins, apricots, cranberries, dried apples, blueberries, etc. A banana is also good. I try to make sure that whatever I give him isn't too much of a choking hazzard. Be careful on apple slices, carrots, celery... My son is also very happy with a slice of dried toast.
My son is also very active, and he sweats a lot so he often wants a drink immediately too! I keep a sippy in the car and bottled water. I still haven't figured out how to give him milk...after my 45 minute drive from work, it is pretty yucky!
Good luck with your new job and your new schedule. God bless your husband.
Dear S.,
First, there aren't enough words thank you to your entire family for the sacrifices you are making so your husband can serve the country... Bless your family, and many prayers that he gets home safe and well when his tour of duty of done. Second, welcome to Fort Lauderdale!
You will find hundreds of healthy snack choices at Whole Foods Market. It's on N. Federal Hwy. (US 1) in Fort Lauderdale. There's a bigger one a few miles north in Boca Raton, just as you turn East on the Glades Rd. ext.
You could buy big bags of snacks then put them in baggies for your son, or choose from lots of pre-packaged mini snack sized packets of healthy crackers and other snacks. Such as mini peanut butter filled crackers (if no peanut allergy...), real fruit cookie bars, pre-made granola or make your own special trail mix, and there are mini packs of non-perishable milks (chocolate and plain) and soy milks. You could freeze them before putting them in his lunch box, even if they aren't ice-cold after school they still won't go bad. The carry fruit "roll ups" that are all fruit, no corn syrup. Mini applesauce cups also. You could make mini peanut butter & jelly sandwiches for after school, if he's like my youngest son, they love the crust removed.
I've been shopping at Whole Foods here (and in Calif.) since before my kids were born, 2 boys ages 8 and 10. They and their dad all get "shaky" with low blood sugar if they don't eat every 3-4 hours... so I hear you about your son. And it's great that you figured out it's because he needs to eat, rather than just blaming him for being "cranky"!
WIshing you all the best, and if you have any questions about Fort Lauderdale, feel free to contact me, I'll answer anything I can.
~ C. N.
Hi! First, congrats for your new job! it's always a good news.
I have to kids now 15 and almost 17 and for us the fruits worked good, maybe you will need a little time to adjust but when the new routine is not new anymore, he will be OK. Banana, pre-cut pineapple, oranges etc. Sometimes the fruit snacks (like gelly bears etc)can be a change... i know have sugars and etc but once in a while...doesn't hurt. Maybe be also gelatin cups.
Good Luck!
M.
