It's hard to believe (I, for one, feel like summer just started!), but going back to school is just around the corner. Some of my friends' children are already back in classes.

 One of the most important things you can do to prepare for going back to school is to organize your schedule on both the macro and micro levels.

On the micro level, as much as possible, each school day should have a routine, from wakeup through bedtime.  Of course, there will be some variation based on after school events or homework levels, but having a basic pattern to the days gives structure and prevents dithering about what to do next: homework or chores. Involve the kids in establishing the daily routine. For example, come home, change into play clothes, eat a snack, do homework, do chores, eat dinner, do post-dinner chores, play, 30 minutes of reading, set things out for the next day, bath, bed.

On the macro level, it's helpful to have a large calendar in a central place. It can be electronic or paper, as you wish, but everyone's personal calendar should synch from this central one. As kids begin school, you'll get notices about dates and events. Putting them on the calendar immediately helps to ensure that you don't forget to find child care on that teacher in-service day in March and that you try to avoid a work trip the day of parent-teacher conferences.

To aid in your preparation, many states have tax free holidays during the back to school period. If your state has one and you need to make purchases, be sure to take advantage of this discount. If you are buying things you don't need, though, you aren't saving money.

Think outside the big box stores. Office stores and craft stores often have good back to school deals.

Check with your school before buying classroom supplies. Teachers are often very specific about what students should have. Many have set up websites with information about supplies.

If the supplies are consumable (crayons, pens, notebooks, etc.), consider buying extras now, while things are on sale. When the supplies you purchased in the fall run out midyear, you'll have replacements available and you won't have to pay the higher price.

Take the time to set up a place in your house to keep backpacks and other things that go back and forth to school. Have two folders for each child: one for papers to be signed and one for papers to be kept. The latter folder could be replaced by a computer file into which you scan papers.

Take a look through school clothes and see what needs to be updated or replaced. Consider putting outfits on hangers or in bags to make the morning routine easier.

Finally, prepare a school lunch menu, listing the components of a healthy lunch: proteins, grains, veggies, fruits, drinks. (Note that chips and candy are not on that list.)  Consider keeping several from each list in stock and allowing kids to pack their own lunches — as long as they choose one item from each list. After all, do you really care if your child picks hummus and whole wheat crackers instead of turkey breast on a whole wheat roll?  Or pepper strips instead of carrot sticks?  I didn't think so!