Make Back-To-School Dinners Joyful, Not Stressful with McCain Smiles And Catherine McCord
Back-to-school season triggers anxiety for 87% of parents, with over half calling it the most stressful time of the year, according to an Understood.org study. But McCain Foods, makers of 1 in 4 french fries consumed around the world, believes that back-to-school has potential to be a joyful time, too, families gather around the dinner table, foster connection and debrief on their day together over satisfying potatoes everyone can enjoy.
Take the stress out of dinner night prep with recipes, tips and small rituals to ease the pressure of weeknight meals from McCain Foods and Food Network host and cookbook author Catherine McCord. As families navigate the whirlwind of back-to-school season, McCain and McCord are sharing easy-to-make, kid-friendly, great tasting comfort foods that bring both routine and creativity to busy weeknights.
For McCord, dinnertime is an opportunity for togetherness and fun, and she wants to help other parents overcome the back-to-school rush to enjoy stress-free family moments.
“During the back-to-school season, dinner can be more than just a meal — it’s a chance to create little rituals the whole family looks forward to,” McCord says. “Maybe that’s a themed dinner night, a silly dinner game, or letting your kids choose a ‘dinner DJ’ to pick the playlist. A fun tradition my family and I have started is ‘Smile of the Day.’ Everyone grabs a McCain Smile and shares what made them smile. It’s simple, but such a sweet way to connect after a long day.”
Made with real potatoes and seasoned with sea salt, McCain Smiles are air-fryer ready and contain no artificial colors or flavors. Their light, fluffy mashed potato interior, crispy exterior, and savory deliciousness have made them a nostalgic favorite for many parents — and a playful discovery for their kids. McCain Smiles are served in many school cafeterias, so bringing them to the dinner table at home can create a sense of comfort and familiarity for kids during the school transition.
“There are so many ways to get creative with McCain Smiles,” says McCord, founder of Weelicious.com and author of four cookbooks including “Weelicious Lunches” and “Meal Prep Magic.”
“They’re great as a quick side — just pair them with chicken or fish and a veggie for a complete, no-stress dinner,” she says. “I also love turning them into something unexpected, like Skillet Beef Chili & Smiles or a Chicken Vegetable medley topped with Smiles. You can even use them as a playful base for build-your-own dinners with different toppings. McCainFoodsUSA.com/Smiles is a great destination for everything from recipes and dinner tips to more info on where to find McCain Smiles near you.”
“I make it a point to get my kids involved in cooking dinner in small ways, whether it’s adding herbs to the meal, packing their lunches while I prep dinner, or helping choose the menu for the week. It not only saves me time, but also gets them more invested in what we’re eating — and more excited to sit down at the table,” McCord says.
In addition to her recipes, McCord is encouraging parents to embrace small organizational wins that support a smoother transition back to school.
“For me, it’s all about finding small ways to feel more prepared and less stressed. That might mean reorganizing the fridge, doing a quick pantry reset, or keeping go-to snacks and freezer staples like McCain Smiles on hand for easy weeknight meals,” McCord says. “And don’t forget about you. Even just taking a 15-minute walk after drop-off can give you a moment to reset. It’s the little things that make this transition feel smoother and more joyful.”
TMX Contributed to this story.
