Now that our slow summer days have come to an end, we need to take a serious look at developing routines to get us through the school year.

The better-organized you are and the more natural your routine is, the easier it is to keep going and the less likely you are to forget something. If you make it a point to unload the dishwasher each morning, it's unlikely that you'll start preparing dinner and have to halt production while you wash enough glasses to set the table. If you pay bills online every Tuesday, you're less likely to incur a late penalty from your credit card company.

Here are some basic points to keep in mind as you develop your routine:

• It has to fit the way you live. There is no point in developing a routine you can't keep. Scheduling a batch of chores for the morning when you know you hit the snooze button multiples times just sets you up for failure.
• The routine should be clear to everyone. Why not write it down and post it?
• That being said, don't be afraid to tweak it if things aren't working. Maybe it works better to grocery shop on Tuesdays instead of Thursdays. Do what works for you.
• Strive to do things as early as possible. So, do laundry before you are out of clean socks and undies. Pack school bags and briefcase and lay out clothes before bed. You can even set the table for breakfast right after dinner and for dinner right after breakfast.
• Try to build in a little flexibility. Life happens. You can't follow your routine exactly all the time. Leave yourself a catch-up day every so often.

Any tips to add?