Mom’s Back to School Prep List

Get prepared for the fast approaching new year.

School Days - Whether your children are tiny tots or big kids, getting back into the school year groove can be a tough transition after a summer of lax schedules. Use this checklist to help you prepare for the fast approaching new year. By Kenrya Rankin Naasel (Photo: Jasper Cole/Blend Images/Corbis)

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School Days - Whether your children are tiny tots or big kids, getting back into the school year groove can be a tough transition after a summer of lax schedules. Use this checklist to help you prepare for the fast approaching new year. By Kenrya Rankin Naasel (Photo: Jasper Cole/Blend Images/Corbis)

Drum Up Some Excitement - You know how your family counts the days until a trip to the water park or a vacation? Do the same thing with school. Mark the date on the calendar and hype it up every day, sharing at least one cool thing about going back to school. By the time you get to the first day, they’ll be ready to ditch you for their teacher. (Photo: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

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Drum Up Some Excitement - You know how your family counts the days until a trip to the water park or a vacation? Do the same thing with school. Mark the date on the calendar and hype it up every day, sharing at least one cool thing about going back to school. By the time you get to the first day, they’ll be ready to ditch you for their teacher. (Photo: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Set Your Alarm - Starting a couple weeks before school, wake your kids and shut stuff down at the same times as you will when classes begin. (Photo: Hero Images/Corbis)

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Set Your Alarm - Starting a couple weeks before school, wake your kids and shut stuff down at the same times as you will when classes begin. (Photo: Hero Images/Corbis)

Snacks - Being stuck anywhere with a hungry kid is a battle on its own — don't let it happen to you. Don't leave the house without healthy, low-mess snacks like squeezable, unsweetened apple sauce, Go-Gurt, and mini packs of pretzels. (Photo: Michele Constantini/PhotoAlto/Corbis)

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Shift Your Meals - Chances are your schedule has changed a bit. Along with adjusting sleep times, start serving meals and snacks at school-friendly times so that you don't end up with a first day breakfast battle on your hands. While you’re at it, have them run through your morning routine, too. You’ll be grateful for the practice when you’re trying to get them out the door.  (Photo: Michele Constantini/PhotoAlto/Corbis)

Take Supply Inventory - Sit down with this year’s supply list and see what you can still use from last year. Then see if you can save by buying online. DiscountSchoolSupply.com has a 30-day, 100% back guarantee if you find something purchased on their site for cheaper elsewhere. (Photo: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

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Take Supply Inventory - Sit down with this year’s supply list and see what you can still use from last year. Then see if you can save by buying online. DiscountSchoolSupply.com has a 30-day, 100% back guarantee if you find something purchased on their site for cheaper elsewhere. (Photo: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

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Encourage Independence - You won’t be there to help your kids get their lockers or cubbies situated, but you can work on habits that make organization second nature. Have a talk about the responsibilities that come with his new grade level and practice putting his supplies in order. For younger kids, practice using the bathroom on his own, writing his name and putting on his jacket. (Photo: Ron Nickel/Design Pics/Corbis)

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Encourage Independence - You won’t be there to help your kids get their lockers or cubbies situated, but you can work on habits that make organization second nature. Have a talk about the responsibilities that come with his new grade level and practice putting his supplies in order. For younger kids, practice using the bathroom on his own, writing his name and putting on his jacket. (Photo: Ron Nickel/Design Pics/Corbis)

Set Up a Check-Out and Check-In Spot - Whether it’s a bench at the front door or her desk in her room, designate one spot that will hold her backpack, homework, due projects — anything that she needs to grab on her way out the door. Do it now and you’ll avoid a mad dash to drop off a forgotten lunch or report. (Photo: Tanya Constantine/Blend Images/Corbis)

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Set Up a Check-Out and Check-In Spot - Whether it’s a bench at the front door or her desk in her room, designate one spot that will hold her backpack, homework, due projects — anything that she needs to grab on her way out the door. Do it now and you’ll avoid a mad dash to drop off a forgotten lunch or report. (Photo: Tanya Constantine/Blend Images/Corbis)

Clean Out Your Closets - Before you head out to buy new clothes, take stock of what still fits from last year and what needs to be updated. Use the Retail Me Not app to save money at the register.   (Photo: Getty Images/Fuse)

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Clean Out Your Closets - Before you head out to buy new clothes, take stock of what still fits from last year and what needs to be updated. Use the Retail Me Not app to save money at the register.   (Photo: Getty Images/Fuse)

Nail Down Your Sick Day Plan - Kids are gross, which means it’s only a matter of time before one of yours comes home feeling terrible. Figure out exactly how you will handle an early morning fever or a call from the nurse. Do you have a sitter who doesn't mind caring for sick little people? Or a friend who works from home and is down to step in? Consider adding your backup folks to the school’s list of approved people who can pick up your kids. (Photo: Hero Images/Corbis)

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Nail Down Your Sick Day Plan - Kids are gross, which means it’s only a matter of time before one of yours comes home feeling terrible. Figure out exactly how you will handle an early morning fever or a call from the nurse. Do you have a sitter who doesn't mind caring for sick little people? Or a friend who works from home and is down to step in? Consider adding your backup folks to the school’s list of approved people who can pick up your kids. (Photo: Hero Images/Corbis)

Sync Your Calendars - There are aps for everything, and managing busy family schedules is no exception. Use the Cozi Family Organizer app to keep track of everyone’s schedule and sync them across everyone’s phones.  (Photo: Jose Luis Pelaez, Inc./Blend Images/Corbis)

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Sync Your Calendars - There are aps for everything, and managing busy family schedules is no exception. Use the Cozi Family Organizer app to keep track of everyone’s schedule and sync them across everyone’s phones.  (Photo: Jose Luis Pelaez, Inc./Blend Images/Corbis)