It's that dreaded yet anticipated time of the year when children load up their backpacks and hop onto the school buses for another year at school. If you're like most parents you're spending this week getting all the supplies sorted out and doing some last-minute shopping. It can be quite a busy time getting everything organized for that big first day and here are some helpful tips that you can keep in mind to make the process as smooth as possible.

1. Make a list of supplies

The first thing to do is ask your children what they need in terms of school supplies. Of course they will need the basics like pens, paper, pencils, erasers and rulers but there may be other things that you haven't thought of that may be required. Binders, notepads, dividers etc. are just a few of the extra things that your child may need to bring along on his first day.

2. Organize the lunches

Don't wait until the night before classes begin to get the lunches organized. Sit down with your child and find out what he wants to bring for lunches this year. Children's food choices can often change from one year to the next. If, for example, your child didn't like yogurt last year it may be his favorite food now. Ask your child to make a list of acceptable lunch items that he would actually eat and then make a few suggestions as well. Together you and your child will be able to put together a lunch menu that offers healthy foods he likes that will be consumed every day instead of heading to the trashcan.

3. Set new rules if necessary

Take a look back at last year and see if any new rules need to be set up in advance of the approaching school year. If your child was late for school quite often last year you may want to introduce a new wake-up time. This becomes especially important when the child is getting older and needs extra time in the morning for grooming.

4. Focus on the positive

If your child is moaning and groaning about going back to school the best thing you can do is focus on the positive aspects of it. If your child has some special friends at school try to bring his attention back to these friends and seeing them again. If he has a special subject that he loves keep the conversation directed towards that one instead of discussing the subjects he doesn't like. As a parent you need to take a positive approach to the return of the school year so that your child can also start to see the positive aspects of it.