Riiiinnnnngggggg.... Yep, there's that familiar sound of the school bell announcing summer is coming to an end! With the school year fast approaching, we need to get our kids and ourselves ready. There are pencils and new clothes to be bought, schedules to be rearranged and anxieties to deal with. All of these are normal rites of passage for school-aged kids and their parents. But how can we make them smoother, so we can enjoy this time rather than dreading it?

First, let's do the easy thing--SHOP! Stores are going to start, if they haven't already, putting all their school-related items on sale. Stock up! Buying in bulk is never a bad idea when it comes to school supplies. Also, take advantage of the sales on clothing. Most kids will need new items to get them through the fall and early winter months. Depending on the weather in your corner of the world, this could require a broad range of dress. Buy early and buy often while the prices are low. Your budget will thank you for it later!

The next thing you need to start doing is adjusting your child's schedule. No more late nights for Jack and Jill. School seems to be starting earlier and earlier these days, and kids need a good night's rest so they can learn. About 2 weeks before school begins, start moving bedtime up 15 minutes a night to make the change easier. The earlier you start, the easier it will be on everyone! You also need to start making sure that your child is prepared for the homework to come. Having a child read a book for 15-30 minutes each night, instead of watching that rerun of The Simpsons again, is a great way to reintroduce homework time.

As the days of summer draw to a close, you might notice your child acting a little anxious about going back to school. If it's your child's first year of school, this anxiety could be quite great. A good idea to help ease them into their new surroundings would be to go play at the school playground several times before school starts. That way, they'll be familiar with things when they arrive on the first day. Also check to see if there will be a "meet the teacher" day before classes actually start. If not, find out if you can arrange to come into the school a few days early to show your child his/her new classroom. Having a "sneak peak" at what is in store for them can really help ease their fears. If your child is older, most likely they will be excited about school starting. If this does not seem to be the case, start asking them what they are most looking forward to and see if you can expand on that. For instance, if they say they are looking forward to sporting events, find out if you can get them involved in the team or some other aspect of the event. Even being a photographer for the school newspaper would get them an extra "in" during the game. Talk to your child about how much fun you had in high school--even if you didn't--and make sure they know that these years are supposed to be a lot of fun for them. If all goes well, they'll feed off your excitement and start looking forward to the big day too!

So now that we have the kids geared up and ready to go, what about us parents? We have to make sure we are ready for all the changes the school year brings as well. There are all those extra curricular activities to work around, homework to supervise, and tests to help study for. For working parents, racing from work to the soccer field will become an art, and dinners on the go will become the norm. It's not easy taking on the extra activities your child wants to participate in, but it is worth it in the end to keep them happy and involved. Being organized is key. A calendar is your friend. Get a big one and put it somewhere that won't be missed. Make sure every activity, no matter how small, is written down, so nothing gets forgotten. Once you have established a routine, you will feel much more in control. Also make sure to include your kids in the daily chores and meal preparations so that things will run smoothly and go faster. Taking everything on yourself will only leave you more stressed. If you all work together, thing will fall into place and your family will be a happier bunch!

These are but a few of the major issues that will need to be dealt with when preparing for the coming school year. Every family and school is different but one thing is certain, life is going to be busier than normal! Keep a smile on your face and a calendar in your hand and all will be well. And for more great tips, check out these sites for Back to School Tips from the AAP and Essential Back to School Tips for parents. Also, check out our own list of school supplies to help you with your shopping list.


~Julie is a freelance writer and stay-at-home Mom. She has recently relocated to Southern California with her husband and two sons.