'Tweening Back to School

Whether they're eager or moping, school is right around the corner. Many tweens have spent the summer texting their friends. Now they have to own up and meet these peers again, face to face. They're excited, maybe a little apprehensive, but definitely needing to get organized. Here's a few standard tips for getting them ready.

1) Go through their wardrobe. If your kids are like mine, they're nowhere near able to wear the clothes they had last year. Probably the most ideal thing to do in these penny-pinching days, is to let your tween point out the styles she likes from her favorite television shows, then hit the thrift store. You can find gently worn, name brand clothes, and score big with five outfits for the cost of one. Make a game out of seeing who can find a shirt most like one Miley Cyrus would wear. And for the boys, the thrift store can be even more of a boon. What boy doesn't like that slouchy, slightly worn style? Jeans that are already worn in, and aren't stiff? Bonus.

2) Double, and triple, check those school supplies. Have them together at least a week before school starts, and have them labeled and bagged a day or two before, with the very clear understanding that they are not to be touched. If your child takes their lunch, set up a "lunch bin" in the refrigerator where you can keep pre-cut veggies, cheeses, meats, fruit, etc. It's a grab-and-go.

3) Have them organize their bathroom to make getting up - and functioning - in the morning easy. Unless they're of the rare bright-eyed morning species, the transition from sleeping in to getting up at "you've got to be kidding" o'clock in the am isn't going to be a pleasant one. Make sure there is a clean path to the shower, because their eyes will still be closed. All needed toiletries should be out and within easy reach (this is mostly for the boys). Clothes for the day should be out and ready the night before.

4) Make sure they eat breakfast. It isn't enough just to have it out for them. In the excitement (or dread) or the first day, they're going to claim they're not hungry. Don't fall for it. In fact, it might be a good idea to have that bacon going before you wake them. Let their noses lead them to the kitchen, once they're conscious.

Probably not a good idea at this point to ask them if they're excited. Let their gestures clue you in on if a school discussion is on the table.

5) Leave them a note in their backpack, or folder. Nothing too cutesy, nothing to embarrass them, tempting though it may be. Just the reminder that they have someone to come home to is usually enough to give them a small smile, or eye roll. And when they do come home, have a healthy snack ready on the table. Give them some time to unwind before bombarding them with the, "So...how was it? Tell me all about it!" questions. Let them take control. Wait for them to offer their own information first. This way, if for some reason they still feel overwhelmed, they have the option of working through their emotions independently before hearing any input. Dinner time is optimal for school discussions.

Returning to school can be a rough transition for both parents and children. Take the time to listen to each other, and help each other out.