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It is that time of the year again, when all the kids want to think about are holidays, sun and fun. But for moms and dads, planning ahead is vital and the summer break is an ideal opportunity to sort out what your kids wil need for the next academic year. Plan ahead, don´t get caught out in the last minute rush, and your kids will be ready and raring to go when term time comes around again. Subscribe to Type-A Mom articles

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Here are some survival strategies for “back to school” preparations.

• if your child has to wear a uniform, although this is less common nowadays, order it well in advance and buy a bigger size to grow into. Some schools run a swap scheme, where you can get “almost new” uniforms cheaply, but the good stuff gets snapped up early so start asking around now. Also keep an eye on the small ads, or place a “wanted” ad in the local paper.

• If you have been given a booklist, place the order for the books at the beginning of the summer too. There is nothing worse than leaving it too late and then scurrying round trying to find the books your child needs in half a dozen different stores.

• Some schools give out a lot of reading and summer coursework. Here in Spain, the heat means we have a 12 week break, but the kids leave school in mid-June loaded down with work. Set a realistic but achieveble daily target, 2 or 3 pages a day, and try and stick to it. Don´t be tempted to leave it until the last minute, little and often is the key.

• If your kids need new stuff for school, take advantage of the summer sales and the special “back to school” offers run by many stores to stock up on things you think they need. And if last year´s stuff is still serviceable, don´t feel pressured to buy new just for the sake of it.

• If there is one special trend or item that your child is desperate for, try and find a way of getting it for them so that they have something to look forward too and to help them fit in with their peers, especially if this is their move to a new school or “big” school.

• Start talking to your kids well in advance of school starting, and try to adopt a few of the termtime routines a few weeks before the big day. Gradually get them to bed a bit earlier, in preparation for school routines.

• Find a positive aspect to focus on, especially if your child is a bit nervous or reluctant. This could be meeting friends again, choosing after school activities and clubs, a new backpack, moving up a year ..help them to find something to look forward to.

And wish them luck as they sail through the gates for another year of learning!