It's that time again!  Have you ever dreaded something but looked forward to it at the same time?  That's how I feel every school year.  I'm a routine person.  My whole family just runs better on a routine.  However, back to school always fells like going from zero to 100 in the blink of an eye.  Nevertheless, since back to school season is upon us (whether we like it or not), I thought I'd share my best back to school tips.  

1.  Do a trial week

I know, I know.  You want to soak up every bit of summer but, trust me, you will thank yourself later.  The week before school starts, get up at normal school time (or at least close to it), have the kids go through their morning routine as if they were actually going to school.  I promise this will make things so much easier for everybody!

2.  Prepare outfits in advance

Purchase a Daily Clothes Organizer such as this one from Amazon.  On Sunday, choose outfits for the week.  Remember to check the weather!  At the very least, lay out clothes the night before for the next morning.

3.  Pack the night before

While your child is doing homework, go through their backpack and read any notes or sign anything that needs signing.  Immediately after homework, pack the backpack for next morning and place it close to the door.  Pack lunch boxes and snacks as well.  Store lunch box in refrigerator if needed.  

4.  Create a visual

Make a picture schedule of your child's morning routine such as this one from www.thismomlife.co.  This will help your child remember all the tasks he or she is responsible for each morning.

5.  Play music

This can be especially helpful if your child is hard to get up in the morning.  An energetic tune such as "Good Morning" by Mandesa can get kids up faster and in a better mood  (and it's good for moms, too).

Well, there you have them - my 5 best tips for back to school!  What would you add to the list?  Let me know in the comments!

Do you have a high school senior this year?  If you do, you definitely must check out my blog post A Guide to Senior Year for Moms