Wow! It’s almost that time of year again. In a few days for some and early next week for others, school will be back in session. Move over summer, the new school year is here!

With the start of school families face new organisational challenges. The school bell rings and so do early morning alarm clocks.

Get organised now! Use these ideas to prepare your home and family for the busy days ahead.

Get the kids to bed earlier. Over the summer break in our household we enjoy the long summer days and later bedtimes. Help your child get used to the back-to-school routine: start the transition now to earlier wake-up times and bedtimes.  Begin waking late sleepers earlier and earlier, closer to the hour they'll need to wake when school begins.

Create a central calendar the whole family can see. This is a great way to keep an eye on school activities, assignments due, meet the teacher days etc all at a glance.  For older children having a calendar on their own wall is a great way to encourage them to manage their study and homework.

Have a designated study area. Set up a place at home to do school work and homewok that has no distractions.

Do shop early for uniforms and stationery so your child is ready for the start of school.  Most stationery stores will offer a list of what is required for your childs year group and school.  Purchase school bags, lunchboxes, PE gear etc.  This will help eliminate the mad rush first day back. 

How will the kids get to school? The first day of school is no time to find out it takes ten minutes--not five--to walk to the nearest bus stop!  If they'll walk, help them learn the route and how long it will take.

With a little planning you can make going back to school simple and stress free.

Here at Show Me Shop we have a range of super funky school bags and lunchboxes.  Check them out today. Your little one will be the coolest kid in school.

Madpax and Goodbyn Range of School Bags and Lunchboxes - http://www.showmeshop.co.nz/catalogsearch/result/?order=name&q=madpax

 Here is just a few of them below -