We have a great giveaway today which includes free Plackers Flossers and Van's free product coupons! Five lucky readers will each win one of these prize packages! Read on for the details on how to enter and some tips for making back to school easier on the kids (and you!).

The prize package will include a pack of Plackers Kids flossers,  a coupon for any one Van’s 6- or 8-count Waffle, Waffle Sticks, Pancake or French Toast Sticks AND a coupon for any one Van’s 6-count English Muffins, plus a $1 off and a $2 off the same products respectively!

Here are some tips for getting off to the right start with the new school year from the folks offering the giveaway. I will say that I agree with every one of them, especially eating a healthy breakfast with protein and flossing every day!  I see such a difference in my kids when they get a full night's sleep and eat a healthy breakfast.  And they sleep better when they have had some exercise.

"While most people think of New Year’s resolutions in January, for families and kids, the new year really starts in the fall. The start of a new school year is a great time for families to make their resolutions to set healthy routines that will serve them all year long.

Make breakfast a priority. Kids who start the day right with a solid breakfast keep their minds on their studies and not on their stomachs. Plan ahead to have some quick, easy breakfasts that are high in protein and whole grains and low in sugar (for example, Van’s Natural Foods 8 Whole Grains Pancakes and Waffles, or its latest better-for-you option, Ancient Grains cereal featuring 6g of protein and 5g of fiber), and make sure your morning routine includes time for kids to eat.

Have happier trips to the dentist. The morning rush can make time for brushing and flossing scarce. Plan time for kids to brush their teeth before school and add a Plackers Kids flosser, in fun animal shapes and tasty berry flavors, to help keep the dentist’s drill at bay all year long.

Go to bed earlier. A good night’s sleep is important for concentration and mood. Reading and other quiet activities before bedtime help children wind down better than TV or video games.

Exercise. Kids who play outdoors after school, whether in organized school or community sports or just with friends at the local park, are less likely to gain weight than kids who flop on the couch for hours of TV, and they have an easier time falling asleep at bedtime because they are actually tired.

Healthier eating. Lunches and afterschool snacks don’t have to include chips, cookies and sodas. Healthy snacks like cheese sticks, cut-up fruits, veggies and dip, frozen yogurt, whole-grain versions of kid favorites like Goldfish are just a few ideas for kids who need a snack between and dinner."

ENTER TO WIN: To enter to win one of the prize packs, share a tip for making back to school easier on the kids (and the parents) in the comments section below.

I will randomly pick the 5 winners on Tuesday, August 21 at 1:00 pm and post  the winning usernames soon after 1:00. Good luck!