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Back to School From swimsuits and towels to lunches and backpacks, it's that time of year again! That's right, it's time to get ready for school.  Whether you are ready for it mentally or not, it's time to prepare for a smooth transition from summer activities to the regular routine of school.  It can be a transition time of chaos and frustration or it can be a time of organization and anticipation.  It's your choice and it all begins with a little planning.  Start by thinking through a few things and making a few lists. Re-evaluate the Routines Has the summer sunshine allowed for later bedtimes for your family?  I know it has in our family and with school starting up, the kids probably need a little more sleep for their brains to function properly and for them to soak in all the learning at school. It doesn't have to be drastic, but a small change in schedule can make all the difference.  For example, if your child has been going to bed at 10:00, move the time back to 9:30 this week with some room for reading books in bed prior to turning out the lights. Then the weekend prior to school starting, you can move the bedtime even earlier, depending on the age and needs of your child. Or, it may be that your morning routine needs some thought. Here's a link for some thoughts on the importance of a Morning Routine. Maybe the summer months have also brought so much fun that the household routines need some freshening as well.  Take five minutes per family member to think through important household chores that need to be done to make a smooth transition. Maybe a morning chore needs to be added to their lists.  Maybe shifting the chores around a bit would make a difference.  For example, in our home, having lunches ready daily is a big deal.  So instead of making them in the morning before everyone has to leave, we make them in the afternoons for the next day.  The older kids make their own lunches, but occasionally mom makes the lunches and throws in a special treat. Think about the pressure points in your family's life and arrange the chores to relieve those pressure points. For our family, having matching socks on a daily basis can sometimes be a source of conflict.  You know the scenario where Johnny's looking everywhere for a matching pair of socks. If this is a sore spot, it can be alleviated by simply adding an afternoon or evening chore of matching socks together while watching an after-school program on television or making it an incentive chore by adding some competition. For example, the most matched socks in a five-minute period wins a privilege or an award or something like that. For more ideas on freshening up your household chore routine, check out our Interactive Chore Chart.  This tool is presently under construction, but coming soon and may be just what it takes to get and stay organized in the area of chores! Get those School Supplies Pick up the school supply list provided by your child's school. Begin by taking inventory of what you already have.  Where are those supplies that your children brought home last Spring? You know, the leftover glue stick and notebook paper.  If they are in a bag or drawer, simply pull them out and sort them on a table top.  If you've already done this, great!  Once you've checked off what you already have, you're ready to go shopping. Be sure and consider your school supply budget and stick to the list because it can be tempting at the store to buy all kinds of things that are really unnecessary. Once you've got the supplies, be sure to label them with your child's name and help get them to your child's classroom (desk, etc.). Shop for School Clothes Again, take an inventory of what you already have. This will probably mean pulling out the fall clothes and packing away some of the summer items.  Then, make a shopping list and consult the budget.  Have fun shopping with your child and take the opportunity to train him in shopping skills.  Children can start learning how to pick out clothes and shop on a budget at any age. Look at the store flyers together and plan out your shopping trip.  It may take several trips to several places, so don't wait until the day before school starts, or you may end up with added stress in the family. Attend School Prep Meetings Most schools have a parent preparation meeting prior to school startup. Attending these meetings goes a long way toward answering your questions and helping your child be ready for school. If possible, introduce your child to his teacher prior to the first day of school. The first day back to school can be unsettling for any child, so anything you can do to set them at ease will help with the nerves and emotions of returning to school. Most important of all, love your child through the transition back to school. With a little planning, you can provide inspiration and encouragement to help make it an enjoyable time for everyone in your family. Andrea Simanson is a wife and mother of three children, and the website and ezine editor of  Successful Family Chores - Putting FUN and ENERGY into everyday tasks. For a regular dose of family organizational ideas, sign up for Successful Family Chores free bi-monthly newsletter by clicking here. In a rut with meal planning, try MyOnlineMeals - a time-saving system for busy families.

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