It can definitely be difficult going from the relaxed summer schedule to the rigorous fall school schedule. Without establishing definite patterns for handling routine activities, the upheaval is likely to last. Here are some things that your family can do to make school days be calm and organized days.

First of all, it is helpful to make a checklist that the children will complete each night to ensure that all their responsibilities have been handled. Start out with a few responsibilities from a list like the one below and add more as they begin to handle them well. Be sure to discuss or give your children hints on how to handle their responsibilities. Provide some assistance at first, especially to younger children. Having definitely understood responsibilities stops the need for constant reminders and eliminates nagging.

• -Give your children the responsibility for getting up in the morning and getting to school on time.
• -Give each child the responsibility for seeing that the necessary books and materials are brought home and then returned to school.
• -Have your children place all materials to be returned to school in a backpack by the morning exit door. This includes outer garments and gym, music and sports paraphernalia.
• -Have children put all permission slips, school forms and school information in a special box each evening before bedtime so that you can complete them in a timely manner and return them to the children.
• -Select outfits for the next day if this takes too much time in the morning.

Parents need to do certain things to keep life running smoothly in the household.

• -Establish a special time and place for each child to do his or her homework.
• -Set aside a time each day to discuss your children's schoolwork with them.
• -Establish bedtimes for all children.
• -Make time for breakfast every day.