Get organized for back-to-school

Establish an evening routine
This ritual may be best performed right before bedtime, but will prove helpful regardless of when you do it.
• Ensure that complete outfits are ready for each family member.
• Prepare lunches.
• Sign any homework, forms, or permission slips that need signing.
• Set out your breakfast materials as much as possible. Set the table, put dry cereal in bowls under a towel or tablecloth-anything you can do at night will save you a few precious minutes in the morning. You may also want to put child-friendly (light) pitchers of milk and juice in the fridge, so that your children can make their own cold-cereal breakfasts, freeing you for other things.
• Set alarm clocks.
• Bedtime is a great opportunity to make yourself available to your children-emotionally and physically. Ask your child about his or her school day, and about future plans and goals. A neck rub for your tired athlete, for example, is a good way to hear about cheers, challenges and dilemmas.
• Watch the weather report on the evening news and use the information to plan outerwear for the morning.
• Put all items that will be taken to work or school the next morning into their respective cubbyholes. Replenish diaper bags and other supplies to ensure that everything is ready.
• Make sure that all forms or permission slips receive your attention and place in your child's cubbyhole.
• Give baths in the evening, if possible, when there is usually more hot water and more time.
• Plan time each evening to prepare for the following day.

Assess each child's needs/supplies
Stay organized by assessing each child's back-to-school needs. Empty drawers and closets of outgrown or worn-out clothing, and either store or donate the discards.

Develop a needs analysis for each child, and check for possible hand-me-downs from older siblings. Make a list of what back-to-school supplies are needed including shoes, binders, organizers, pencils, file folders and tabs. Make a trip to the store together and involve your child in picking out his or her own supplies. This may help your child become excited about the school year and provide motivation for a successful school year.

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