Back to School time is a very busy time period for parents and children alike. There is the rush to buy new school clothes, back to school supplies, book bags, backpacks and lunch boxes. Older children are focused on creating an image for themselves and decorating their lockers.

For children of all ages, the back to school time can be a mixture of fun and excitement. It can also be a time of great struggles. It can be a time of great adjustment. Even if the previous summer was full of structured camps or summer school, the routine of 5 days a week school can lead to much frustration.

Eventually the schedule will even out and all will be well, time alone will see to that. There are however a variety of things that parents can do to make the weeks of transition even smoother. First and foremost, back to school is a great time to get organized. Setting aside a special place for the kids to store their backpacks and lunch boxes makes it easier come morning. Older kids can be solely responsible for this routine, while younger ones will need some help.

Also consider creating "in boxes" or folders for their papers. Everyday the material coming home can go in this special place. Then establish a routine for reviewing these papers; before dinner or after dinner. This way everyone knows where the important school papers are and there is less chance of something getting lost or forgotten. This is a hassle free solution for parents and it models a valuable life long behavior which will be useful for the children. This ritual or concept can be applied to any number of other tasks associated with a smooth school routine. Pack lunches and address lunch money while cleaning up the dinner dishes. Involve the older children in the process. Have a sleepy and grumpy morning child? Make clothing selections the night before. Lay out an easy to eat breakfast the night before. Any routine, which makes the morning run smoother, will benefit everyone in the long and short run.

Homework can be a huge ordeal for everyone also. Between the children's desire to put school behind them after the final bell and all the other activities that the children may have during the after school hours, getting to homework can be tricky. It is important to be consistent and set reasonable expectations for the completion of homework. Set up the routine at the beginning of the school year and be prepared to enforce it. By having a set homework time, it will be easier for the children to follow through and be consistent. It might be helpful to observe their behavior after school, to see if they would benefit from some down time prior to completing their homework or is it better to hit the books right away when they get home, before they lose their academic mindset altogether.

Bedtime is also an important ritual. During the summer, it is sometimes less important when exactly the kids go to bed. Summer is a time to play outside and a time to star gaze. During the school year a good night's sleep is very important to good school performance. Being sleepy makes learning harder. Establishing a good bedtime routine, one in which there is time to wind down and enjoy a bit of quiet is optimal for a good night and a great next day. For elementary school students, it might be helpful to have a poster with the schedule on it. Create a checklist, to help them prepare for each day. Any tool that will help them feel more in control of the day will take worries off their mind and allow them to focus on learning and having fun. Dry erase calendars or weekly planners are also a great hands on tool.

For older children, especially high school students, consider having a family meeting once a week to review the week ahead and recap the past week. This will give them a chance to talk about what is happening in their lives and it will give everyone a chance to get their calendars together.

Back to school can be a stressful time but by focusing on what can be controlled and establishing easy to follow routines and guidelines the process can feel smoother. It is also important to a take a deep breath and be patient. September is likely to feel a bit chaotic but October with some planning will feel much more routine.