Going back to school? Here are some ways to get your kids ready for another successful year!

It's that time again, another year of school. Early mornings, alarm clocks, breakfast, running for buses, school supplies, sports fees, gear, books, lunches, homework...it gets overwhelming, especially if you are a single parent, work full-time, or even if you are a traditional nuclear family and have the luxury to have one parent stay at home. This hustle and bustle just never ends!

So get ready and be prepared, give not only your child a head start, but yourself as well.

We rarely hear a kid shouting "yeah, summer is over, it's time to go back to school!" but it's life and their job is to go to school, get good grades, and finish college.

Two months before the first day of school, get your yearly supply list(s) and start looking for sales on school supplies. Even better, buy in bulk at the end of the previous year, it's never a bad idea to stock up. You can get a lot of supplies from the Dollar Tree, Marcs, Walmart, Target, Walgreens, even thrift stores for gym clothes, book bags or tennis shoes that don't need to be new. Look for coupons and sales. Haul your kids off on these trips. They should be included in gathering supplies. When age appropriate, give them the list and a budget to buy what they need.

Now is a good time to get clothing too. 5 pairs of pants is more than enough, and a combination of 10 shirts (5 long sleeve, 5 short), 2 skirts for girls, a nice belt, sneakers, dress shoes, 3 pairs of shorts, you get the idea. Hopefully you are lucky enough to have uniforms at your schools, they make life for parents much easier! If you don't have uniforms, invent your own. It does not mean your child has to wear the same thing every day, but certain clothing designated for "school only" is never a bad idea.

Two weeks before the first day of school, start winding your kids down. Freshen up on reading writing and math skills, even if only for 2-3 hours a week. Finish summer activities and start going to bed on "school time", waking up as if they were going to school is a good idea too. Most kids now-a-days are not getting the sleep they require, so getting into a routine before the first day is important.

If you have pre-teens, and have not already had the chat on puberty, now is also an ideal time to discuss with them the importance of proper hygiene and what to expect with their bodies as puberty arrives, this includes; the need for deodorant, shaving and feminine care for girls approaching menstruation. Save your kids the embarrassment of running into these issues in school, and have them feel confident and prepared, no matter when puberty strikes! Depending on the grade your child is entering, it's a good time to discuss or reiterate the importance of not using drugs as well. Sadly, this conversation should start by the age of 12, regardless of when school starts.

It's also a good time to discuss proper school and bus behavior.

One week before school starts, make sure you have schedules in order. Bus routes, kids are registered and enrolled, daycare/before and aftercare is arranged. Emergency lists should be available for kids that spend a few hours after school at home alone, as well as snack plans. Make sure school supplies are ready to get packed up.

Since summer tends to wreck normal eating habits, get your kids eating breakfast now. Even for kids that eat lightly in the morning, you can give them fruit, a bowl of cereal, a bagel, even nutritional shakes, oatmeal or smoothies. Do what is easy and works for your family, but don't skip breakfast.

Have your kids pack up book bags and supplies, place them by the door, or wherever they get ready for school in the morning. Establishing chore lists is never a bad idea either.

By now, your kids should be waking up without issues, or only minor ones if any. So they should be physically adjusted to waking up earlier. They'll also be used to eating healthy and ready to start each day refreshed and full of energy to pack their brains full of knowledge.

Incorporate this schedule and your first few months with kids back in school should go pretty smoothly.