(ARA) - Getting the family ready to head back to school requires a crash course for parents in Organization 101. Between stocking up on school supplies, fall clothes, sports gear and planning a family's worth of after-school activities, being prepared is the key to transitioning from the lazy days of summer to the September rush.

Diane Chernoff-Rosen, a parent of two and author of “The Grownup's Guide: Living with Kids in Manhattan” and “The Grownup's Guide: Visiting New York City with Kids,” says, “planning ahead and creating a realistic and balanced school-year schedule helps everyone get back into the school spirit.”

Avoid the Rush. There is no need to wait until the week before school starts to buy new clothes and supplies. Get a head start over the summer and save time, stress, and perhaps even money, by shopping early, whether online or at the mall, and taking advantage of summer close out sales and back to school promotions. Remember, too, that many of the items on your back-to-school list such as sneakers, jackets and more can be purchased once the school year is underway, the rush has subsided and stores have restocked.

Do Your Homework. It is important to start researching after-school programs and sport leagues as early as possible to secure a spot in popular or limited-enrollment activities and to make sure your child does not miss pre-season tryouts or auditions. For some programs, early enrollment sometimes has the extra bonus of providing early registration discounts.

Pencil It In. Staying organized is key to managing a busy family. Keeping track of everyone’s schedule can be overwhelming, so meet the challenge by creating a master family calendar on which every family member's commitments and obligations are clearly posted. Include play dates, school vacations, sports practices, rehearsals, games, recitals, holidays, parents’ travel plans, work commitments, doctor appointments, social engagements, birthday parties and even when it is your turn to provide a snack for the team.

Be Strategic. Avoid over-programming your children. Have a family meeting to review everyone’s schedule and preferences, and be sure to limit activities to a realistic amount for each child. Remember to factor in the logistics of transporting the kids into your planning and leave adequate time for homework, family time, down time and rest each week.

It Takes a Village. Acknowledge that you can only be in one place at a time and that it is not always possible to be at every game, show, class or practice for each child. Reaching out to other parents and working with friends or neighbors to create carpools will help ensure your child never misses out.

Take Time for Yourself. During this busy time, remember to carve out some time for yourself. Whether seeing a movie with your spouse, shopping with friends or simply finding some peace and quiet, it is important to recharge and re-energize so that you can keep up with the many demands of an active family.

With some simple planning, getting back into the school year routine will be an exciting time for the entire family. For more information on “The Grownup’s Guide” book series and their latest travel book, “Visiting New York City with Kids,” log on to www.grownupsguide.com.

 back to School Days