Summer vacation might be kids favorite time of the year, but back to school is (according to my dad and that one Staple’s commercial) the most wonderful time of the year, yes cue the music. Well in order to make the most of this “wonderful time of the year” and not deal with the meltdowns and tears over the end of Summer here’s 6 sneaky ways to ease your kids and family back into that school routine.

1. The 10 minute weekly bedtime shift:
1. Instead of rushing the week of school to get kids back into a bed-time routine, start moving that Summer bedtime up by 10 minutes each week until the start of school starting today. By the time the first week of school rolls around your kids will be adjusted back to their regular sleep schedule and their internal clocks will be completely reset.
2. The Mid-Summer Fashion Show:
1. Before rushing to buy all new clothes for the school year, have your kid spend 20 minutes over a few days trying on clothes and shoes in their closets to see what still fits and what needs to go. Donate or pass down the clothes that need to go and then head to the store before the true back to school shopping craze.
3. Gamify Independence Skills:
1. Pick one small age appropriate skill for your kids to master before school, whether that’s tacking tying their shoes all by themselves or gaining confidence with deciding what to pack for lunch all by themselves practicing these skills at home with a fun activity like lunch in the park or going to see friends helps ease the tension by making it a fun challenge with a cool reward at the end.
4. Summer Skills Sets:
1. Start getting “school brain” turned back on with fun activity books you can buy at the store. Whether they are completing dot to dots, crossword puzzles, sudoku, you’re helping to get your kids fine motor skills working again. You’re also helping to get their brains kicked back into critical thinking mode while your kids think they’re just playing games.
5. Prepare the “launchpad”:
1. Get that spot (and yes you know what spot I’m talking about) ready for backpacks, jackets and shoes. So whether you have a mudroom or a storage bench near the door where your kids inevitably toss their school stuff at the end of the day, it’s time to get this area prepped and ready for the new school year. It’s going to help with reducing that back to school scramble of all those last minute things you’ll have to take care of like buying school supplies and meeting the teacher.
6. The Summer Finale:
1. The best thing you can do is hype up your kids with an end of Summer bang. Whether that means an end of Summer trip somewhere, a campout under the stars in the backyard or the DiTomasso tradition of a movie marathon. Get your kids excited about this big end of Summer Shabang so that they have something to look forward to while cruising the back to school sections at the stores in the coming weeks