by Aurora Russe

Created on: August 05, 2009   Last Updated: May 28, 2011

The stores are filled with excited preschoolers, nervous parents, and brooding teenagers - apart from the "Back to School Sale" posters all around town, this could be your clue that another summer has gone by. Naturally, if you have kids, you may be one of those parents asking "How much?" when your offspring shows up at your side with another colorful binder that may cost as much as a dinner for two at a French restaurant. One little tip: while you are gathering up your courage for another "Back to School" shopping trip, make your kids sort out their "old" supplies: you'd be surprised at how many notebooks, pens, and fancy folders have never been touched. Repeat the above procedure for everyday clothing and athletic gear. To ensure that the entire territory is covered, ask your children to thoroughly clean and organize their rooms: there may not be another opportunity for this during the year.

Before it's too late, it may be a time to take care of some important business: most likely, your school will send out a list of requirements for the upcoming year, such as athletics-related physicals, new school guidelines, or information on parent meetings - take all of those into consideration. Make sure your kid will not be sent home for not having a rabies shot and therefore "endangering" the rest of the student body.

Next - time management. Unless you're dealing with a mellow, easily manipulated offspring who has been obedient all summer, the time has come to adjust bedtimes, curfews, and any other rules you may have in your household; do not forget to enforce them throughout the year. Do this at least 10 days before school starts, or your kids will not even make it out of bed on the first day.

It could also be a good idea to discuss your children's plans for the upcoming year, especially if they are at a transition stage, be it elementary to middle, middle to high, or in case of older teens, final years of high school before college. Explain the importance of good grades and extracurricular activities; make your expectations known and clear. Do not forget to take care of all traveling arrangements in your family in order to avoid leaving your kids stranded on the school campus every afternoon.

Now that you've done your part, you can take a deep breath and hope for a successful and moderately stress-free school year, and trust your children to ensure that your hopes will be realized.

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