How to Organize Kids for Back-to-School

Shifting gears from low-key summer schedules to the overdrive of
the school year isn't easy. Simplify the transition: Introduce the earlymorning
wake-up routine a week or two before school starts. Buy
school supplies and clothing several weeks ahead. And get the kids
in gear as summer winds down by choosing more academic pursuits.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Schedule a doctor visit. Make sure the kids are current with their vaccinations. Obtain a medical release if your child participates in sports programs.

2. Read 271 Set Up a Carpool and start calling other parents.

3. Make child-care arrangements for after school, if necessary. Working parents also need to make arrangements to cover sick days, snow days and school holidays. See 263 Arrange Quality Child Care.

4. Check out your children's school clothes and supplies, and buy whatever they're missing. Make sure everything is cleaned, laundered, mended, hemmed and ready to go.

5. Create a quiet study center for each child. Stock a nearby drawer or shelf with supplies (pencils, erasers, calculator and so on), and give each child a file drawer or bin to contain completed work, tests and ongoing projects. See 275 Win the Homework Wars.

6. Review systems, routines and schedules with the kids. Discuss where to store backpacks, school papers and other gear. See 70 Organize Entryways and Mudrooms.

7. Establish midweek rules. Spell out when kids can use the computer, watch TV or play; be specific when it comes to study hours, bedtimes and wake-up times.

Tips & Warnings

• See 266 Coordinate a Family Calendar.
• Make a file for each child with all his or her paperwork (school records, immunizations, birth certificate). See 232 Organize Important Documents.
• Create a lunch center in a kitchen cabinet. Gather everything kids need to make their lunches in one place--zipper-lock plastic bags, peanut butter, snacks, thermoses and lunch boxes. See 17 Streamline Your Morning Routine.
• Wean kids from summer sleep cycles by cutting back on late nights and mornings over several weeks.

[garystought]

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