Let’s face it, during the summer months children are usually not on a particular schedule. They’ve gotten in the habit of going to bed and getting up later. As back-to-school time nears, however, it’s important to get children back on a school schedule. Use these tips to get your family back into the swing of things.

Don’t wait too long to get them back in the habit of going to bed for school. In fact, it would be helpful if they started going to bed a little bit earlier each night, over a couple of weeks, until they reach their normal “school night” bedtime. Children will rebel against having to go to bed so early if they’ve stayed up late all summer.

While you’re working on re-establishing a normal bedtime, you probably want to also get them up a little earlier each morning. This will help them acclimatize to the regular school schedule of going to bed a particular time and then having to get up in order to get ready for school. If you haven’t already done so, why not purchase an alarm clock and teach your child how to use it.

Instead of goofing off when they first wake up, have your children start getting ready as if they were going to school, also within that same re-training period. Before they go to bed each night, have them set out their clothes for the next day so everything’s ready for them when they rise.

If you can, visit your child’s school before the first day. Learn where their class, the restrooms, the lunchroom, and the library are. These will be the areas your child will use most during the day. Knowing where these rooms are will help them be more comfortable when school starts.

Will your child ride a bus, carpool with other children in the neighborhood, or will you take them to school each day? Knowing how they will get to and from school is important and will give them continuity to their day. This is particularly helpful if you have younger children.

Be prepared to get up earlier yourself, especially as the new school year nears. You’ll want to be up ensuring the children have everything and get ready in time. It’s not just children whose schedules are thrown off during the summer. Since it’s time to get back on your schedule when children go back to school, they’ll be on theirs as well.