by the Editor     It seems as if the madness of the holiday season has just finished, and now that we are finally starting to relax,  we are being inundated with 'back to school' ads everywhere we turn! Well, the first day of school really is only around the corner, and parents need to turn their attention to the new school year.  A bit of preparation can go a long way to easing back into school, for both kids and parents!

Here are 10 useful tips:

1.  Do a closet clean out of uniform items.  Check for items that are too small, worn out or in need of repair (hems, buttons).  Also be sure to affix labels to clothing items, or they may go missing.  I find myself rummaging in the lost property bins for lost school jackets or hats by the second or third day of school! (Although sometimes no amount of identification helps, as I found out one year with the loss of a brand new bomber jacket.  It turned up a year later, when the family who had inadvertedly taken it prepared to move house and cleaned out their things!)

2.  Have your children fitted for shoes.  A professional fitting is important to ensure you know what size is best, and it is advisable to wait until the week or two before school, just in case of another growth spurt!

3.  Purchase any required uniform items, books, and school supplies.  Be careful not to go overboard.  Kids get excited with buying new school items.  Search out sales, and make sure you don't have three other rulers before purchasing a new one.  It helps to do a clear out of kids desks, drawers and art boxes.

4.  Devise a system for busy schedules. Whether electronic, or old-school, a calendar is a must.  A family calendar with columns for each family member, is very useful.  This should be kept in a busy area where everyone can see it as they are getting ready.  Another helpful hint is to invest in a magnetic or cork board for school notices and activities.  After noting them on the calendar, I sort them by date so that all the necessary information is on hand.

5.  Start getting the kids to bed at their regular time.  This is tricky when you're still on holiday mode, but it really does help to gradually get the kids accustomed to their normal bedtime (and normal wake time). Same for the parents!

6.  Be organised for the school morning rush. Avoid the morning panic by having the kids prepare all clothing items and have bags packed from the night before.  One way to encourage promptness in the morning is to reward the kids with a morning cartoon only after they are dressed, have had breakfast and brushed their teeth.

7.  Encourage independence.  As soon as the kids are old enough, they can prepare their own breakfasts and lunches, and apply their own sunscreen.  Younger kids may benefit from a morning checklist.

8.  Be prepared for school lunches. Have lunch bags, drink bottles and wraps in one place. Don't forget freezer packs.  Some lunch items can be prepared the night before or several days-worth at a time, such as cut up vegies.  Have all your pre-packaged snacks organised.

9.  Have a routine for return from school.  Teach kids what they need to do, how to empty their lunchboxes, where to leave notices, and putting their schoolbags and shoes in a designated area.

10. Plan kids activities.  Try not to overschedule.  Make sure your are driven by your kids interests and desires.  Be sure that the logistics work, and that you don't overextend financially.

Hopefully, with a bit of planning the whole family will be prepared for the start of the new school year, and will ease into it without too much drama.

If you have any other tips you would like to share with us, please visit our forum...

For more back to schoo tips, resources and products, visit our Back to School section.

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