Even though children may be enjoying their summer, parents are already thinking about “back-to-school”. It doesn’t have to be a stressful time. Households that have established routines are beneficial for children and parents.* Being organized means you spend less time doing what you HAVE to do and more time doing what you WANT to do.

1. Start the school routine the week before school actually starts. This is especially important for children who are just starting school or who will be starting a new school. By doing a few trial runs before school actually starts, you’ll be able to determine if there are any problems with the new routine before the first day.
2. Turn off the TVs and computers an hour before bedtime so that you can get organized for the next morning. Make lunches and gather school supplies together. You can even set the table for breakfast the next morning.
3. Create a pick-up/drop off zone for backpack and paperwork. Hang backpacks on hooks near the door so kids will know exactly where to find their stuff. Make an inbox where they can put all the paperwork for you to fill out and sign. You can create one inbox for all the children but one box per child may work better, especially if the children attend different schools.
4. Prepare for the paperwork. Every year the school requires information such as health card numbers, vaccination schedules, emergency contact numbers, etc. If you know where all this information is, you’ll be able to fill out all those forms quickly and easily. Once filled out, make a copy of the paperwork for yourself. It will be easier to find the information for next year.
5. Create an in-home pharmacy. Stocking up on supplies will save you from running across town to the all-night (and expensive) pharmacy. Items such as bandages, cold medication and lice shampoo may be needed during the first week back!
6. Create a homework zone free from distractions. While older children may benefit from doing homework in their bedrooms or in the home office, younger children who need parental support could do their homework in the kitchen or dining room while their parents are preparing dinner.
7. Make a “fingertip file”. Use a binder with sheet protectors to contain important information such as the school phone numbers, a list of phone numbers of friends of your children, the list of “soccer moms” who carpool, menus from the local take-out restaurants, etc. You’ll be able to find what you need when you need it.
8. Purchase transit tickets and taxi vouchers in advance. No more scrounging for loose change in an emergency.
9. Decide beforehand in which activities your children can become involved. Schedule everyone’s activities on a large wall calendar. Assign each person a different colour. “On-line” families may benefit from using a program such as Google Calendar.

* “A Review of 50 Years of Research on Naturally Occurring Family Routines and Rituals: Cause for Celebration?,” Barbara H. Fiese, Thomas J. Tomcho, Michael Douglas, Kimberly Josephs, Scott Poltrock, and Tim Baker; Syracuse University; Journal of Family Psychology, Vol. 16, No. 4.