Ready or not, back to school season is here and there’s a lot that goes into getting your home back on schedule! If you are no stranger to the back to school season, then you can certainly appreciate the importance of easing back into routine. There are plenty of preparations you can make a head of time to make the transition smooth. Check out some useful tips to help better prepare your home and family for the busy days ahead:

1. First things first- break them in slowly: The first day of school is not the time to start making drastic adjustments to household schedules- especially bedtime routines! Start by rolling out a new bedtime and morning routine a couple weeks before school starts.

2. Re-establish meal and snack time: Summertime activities encourage larger appetites- especially in younger children! Planning meals and snacks to mirror the school day routine before it begins will go a long way in tiding them over throughout the school day. A menu plan can help you cut time in the kitchen and is a great way to get your kids involved with the daily meal planning. Stocking the freezer with prepared meals also makes for stress-free dinners on days with after school activities.

3. Prepare for back-to-school shopping: Take inventory on your child’s wardrobe and school supply needs. July and August is the second-biggest sales month for clothing retailers! An informed shopper is a savvy shopper; so know where to get the deals ahead of time!

4. Gather paperwork: A new school year always produces new paperwork! Required documentation and important notifications are typically expected to be returned on registration day. Many schools are now scheduling pictures on registration day as well. Save yourself the hassle of last minute preparing by contacting your child’s school beforehand.

5. Establish a schedule and write it down:Even Super Mom can be forgetful sometimes! A pre-printed white board is a good household tool to help you keep track of your hectic weekly schedule! If your family is always on the go, an online calendar might make more sense. Websites like KeepandShare.com can be a helpful resource for up-to-date online calendar sharing and is accessible from any computer.

6. Avoid morning chaos! The morning scramble does not have to be so hectic. Minimize the chaos by preparing the night before. Lay out your child’s clothing and locate a matching pair of shoes! If you have multiple children in your home, you might also consider a bathroom schedule so that everyone gets equal time in front of the mirror. Preparing lunches the night before can also cut down on the chaos and time it takes to get out the door.

7. Last and most importantly-take it easy: Preparation is great—but don’t go overboard. There is such a thing as “normal chaos” the first weeks back to school.