Starting the school year off right is important not only for your children, but also yourself as the adult of the family. A long summer vacation can create a more relaxed and less organized family schedule. But, with the start of the new school year right around the corner, it may be a good idea to start transitioning to a coordinated schedule to help balance school and work. Below are tips to help make that transition easier.

• Start with a family calendar. Mark any important dates on the calendar including business meetings, school open houses and sporting events. Coordinate with the other adults in your family to make sure everyone is aware of the important dates.
• Look over all important information. Go through all the paperwork from your children’s school to make sure that you have all of your ducks in a row, such as all the school supplies required in your child’s classroom, before the start of school.
• Create a routine and start using it. About two weeks before the start of the school year, start using the sleep and meal routine you will use during the school year.
• Minimize your child’s (and your own) screen time. Encourage your children to read or play quiet games in the evening so that they will be used to turning off the TV and computer and won’t put up a fight when they need to sit down to do homework.

Use the above tips to make this school year transition much easier on you and your family.