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Twelve Must-Do Rules for Back to School!
by Jodie Lynn

Parents will wait to the last minute to get everything in order but it need not be that way. Here are a few tips to squash back-to-school stress . . . before it gets the best of you. 

1. Get organized by visiting the school and meeting the teachers. Most of the preschools and elementary schools offer this opportunity, as do some middle schools. It offers the perfect opportunity to ask a few questions, such as what to do about a school planner, rules on bullies and sick days, etc. Some schools offer their own school planner and make it mandatory for kids to use it. Since every company on the face of the earth is making highly appealing, dazzlingly decorated planners for kids, be sure to ask if your child can buy and use his own planner. It will save discussions, tempers and blaming as soon as the child tries to convince you that her favorite character planner is a "must-have-or-I-will-die" one that all her friends are getting. 

2. Grab an extra school-supplies list. Most of the time, they are available at various stores. Parents can just pick them up as they enter. Try to hold off buying any questionable item until after you meet the teacher. Show the list to the teacher and ask if there is any addition or elimination, and change it accordingly. 

3. Get the teacher's e-mail address. This is how most of the schools communicate in today's society. In addition, ask for a contact phone number. These come in handy in case you have a question about anything at all. 

4. Take a trial run on getting up early at least five days before school. This helps with solidifying the new schedule and is proven to help prevent cranky kids. 

5. Practice bus routes and bus-stop etiquette. If your kids are riding the bus, don't forget to walk with them to the bus stop and describe what type of behavior the school expects of them at the bus stop and on the bus. If your child is not at least in the fourth grade, you may want to stay with him, if possible, until the bus comes. After the age of 10, he is not going to want you there, so train well up to that age. Never leave your child at the bus stop alone for an extended period of time. If there is a known bully around, stick around but not right by your child or he will be teased and picked on. 

6. If you take your child to school for an early-arrival program, make sure you get to meet the director of this program and ask for written rules. Go over them carefully so you will know exactly what to expect: arrival time, meals served, activities, and exception to rules (must go five days a week or lose spot in the program?). 

7. If you are planning changes with anything - anything at all - have a family meeting at least one week before school. This is the perfect time to implement a new school plan for the new year. For example, new homework rules, activities (not too many, I hope), as well as when and what to eat before school and afterwards. This is especially true if your child goes to an after-school program. Although many of the schools are cutting back on the handy chip, soda and candy machines, others have just installed new ones with similar fatty food. 

8. Make sure you get a student handbook before school. If your school does not offer this until after school starts, call and ask about the dress code. Go over the student handbook. Then, if any type of problem develops, you can advise your child on how to deal with it because you've read the handbook. 

9. Make plans for a tutor right away. If you know your child will need a tutor, ask the teacher if she is available for tutoring. If she does not offer tutoring, ask for recommendations. Don't wait until your child is failing and every tutor is taken. Private tutors are still the best, in my book. They are not at all as expensive as most of the learning centers, especially if it is a retired teacher and kids get one-on-one instruction without having to deal with constant noise.

10. Get your car-pool team together now! Most schools will help with this. They actually have a list of parents who want to carpool listed by ZIP code and with a phone number. This is especially important for working parents or for any parent who wants to drive their kids to school. Some areas do not have school bus service. 

11. Buy a family planner. Purchase a family planner to get the whole gang organized. This will save your sanity - I PROMISE! There are tons on the market. One that passed my severe "busy-life scrutiny" with flying colors is the new ThinkBin Family Calendar, created by two moms. It's totally incredible and actually has plenty of space to keep notes. Check it out on Amazon or see www.thinkbin.com - it's amazing! 

12. Get all immunizations caught up. Each year, kids are stopped at the school door or pulled out of class by the school nurse for not having immunizations up to date. Did you know that the school could legally keep your child's report card until his shots are up to date? Call the school and get a copy of the current immunization list if your school did not mail you one. 

Note: This is an excerpt from Jodie Lynn's latest book, Mom CEO (Chief Everything Officer)TM - Having, Doing, and Surviving It All! (June 2006). 

EXTRA NOTE: I have also found the Busy Body Book to be an incredible help in keeping up with various activities for up to five family members. It's just the right size to go anywhere with you and has up to five spacious columns -- it's helping me stay organized and can do the same for you! Look for it on Amazon for the August 2006 to December 2007 edition.