Back to School Preparations

It won't be too long before the school bus is honking its horn in front of the house again—are you and your kids ready?

Now's the time to start gradually easing the family back into the school year schedule.

Late sleepers should get used to waking up earlier, and having regular meal times again can be very helpful for younger children. If earlier bedtimes are a hassle, use some psychology—often children don't want to go to bed for fear of missing out on some fun. So plan some not-so-fun activities like watching a dry documentary or cleaning the refrigerator.

Involve your children in the back-to-school shopping.

Block out some time to go through the drawers and closets and decide which clothes have to go, which clothes can be handed down to a younger child, and what clothing needs to be purchased. Discussing the budget before hitting the stores should make things easier.

School supply lists should be available on school websites or in local stores.

Be sure to consult your children about purchases—some of them can be very particular. Does your child prefer a separate eraser, for example? Will any old yellow #2 pencil do, or do they prefer a certain brand or a mechanical pencil? And don't forget about any personal hygiene products (tissues, etc.) that would make your child feel more comfortable away from home.

A little preparation before the first day of school arrives will guarantee that you'll make the grade!