Parents rejoice! After an exhausting summer of playdates, it is finally Back-To-School season. Before you pop champagne at the bus stop, we’ve gathered a list to help you and your young one survive the school year.

Routine

Going from long, lazy summer days back to the rigors of a classroom can be a bumpy road for your child. To help ease the transition, it is best to start getting back into a routine two weeks prior to the start of school. The hardest part of the day is starting it, so getting the kids to bed early and practicing your morning routine, such as packing lunches and getting dressed, will save you (some) headache and stress.

Supplies

Along with the new school year comes a new supplies list. You may not be able to check everything off the list, but you can start making some headway on your kids’ back-to-school supplies well before summer ends. It may seem dreadful at first, but bringing your children and letting them pick out their favorite supplies will make them excited to get back to school. If you wait, you run the risk of getting overcharged or missing out on all the popular Lisa Frank and NFL binders. While you’re stocking up on supplies, also remember to add some after-school snacks to the cart to really keep your kids happy.

Support

“I don’t want to go to school” will be your child’s favorite phrase, especially leading up to the first day. For kids, one of the biggest back-to-school fears is not liking their teacher and not having any friends in their class. Prior to the first day, try reaching out to some parents from last year and schedule a playdate so your child can see some familiar faces in the hallway. Make sure to attend back-to-school night as well; building a relationship with their teacher and letting them know of any concerns you have will only build a stronger support system for your child.

Whether it is your child’s first time going to school, or last year, we hope this guide helps you survive the start of the year. Good luck, Mom and Dad! Now it’s finally time to enjoy your Dream Maker Spa and soak in 6 hours of silence.