15 Things Parents Should Do Now to Get Their Kids Ready for School

It's back-to-school time, and whether you're ready for early mornings and homework again, it's coming. So, here are 15 things you can do now to prepare your kids for the school year!

If you have young children who aren't quite ready for smartphones or screens but who still need a way to stay in touch, the Relay Walkie-Talkie ($149 for a two-pack, plus monthly fee) might be the back-to-school lifesaver you're looking for. Completely screen-free, the Relay has unlimited range, so you can keep in touch with your middle-schooler even from across the country on a business trip.

What's one of the most simple things you can do to cut down on your kids' sicknesses this school year? Swap out their toothbrushes regularly! Get them set up with a simple toothpaste and toothbrush subscription that will make a big difference. The Hello Natural subscription ($4 and up) sends a box of toothpaste and a free toothbrush to your door every month to ensure your family isn't tracking all those germs from school into your mouths. Ick!

Many families might be on a more relaxed schedule during the summer months, but come school time, mornings are going to be bright and early. Now is the time to start rolling back the clock on bedtime to prepare. The National Sleep Foundation recommends to start adjusting bedtimes at least two weeks before school begins, starting with 5- to 15-minute increments.

Speaking of bedtime, you can try to make going to bed a little more enticing for your kids with these awesome bedsheets from Snurk Living ($119) that can turn them into a superhero, astronaut or even a dinosaur!

If your child will be walking alone to school this year or coming home without you, a tracking device such as the Tracer ($119), with unlimited range and no Wi-Fi needed, might be the peace of mind you're looking for.

Will your child be riding back to school in style via a wheelchair? You can make sure that he/she has all the essentials, right at their fingertips, thanks to the super-cool and super-inclusive accessories from Patti + Ricky. The online shop for kids (and adults) with special needs carries everything from cochlear implant accessories to wheelchair bags ($43) to funky unicorn eye patches (because unicorns are everything).

The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) wants to make sure that all parents are aware of their rights to receive services to assist their children in speech and language development. The ASHA offers information and resources to identify a problem before school begins and locate services to help.

"The talk" before school isn't about the birds and the bees. This is the difficult conversation surrounding recent school shootings. Make sure that you are up to date on the latest safety protocols in place at your child's school. Also, purchase any necessary equipment for your child, such as compliant backpacks, and discuss what drills your child might expect. The American Psychological Association also offers resources for talking to your child about school shootings.

Back-to-school means lots of pizza nights, but cauliflower pizza is a healthier alternative. Families can still enjoy pizza night, but with fewer carbs and another veggie in the mix.

If you're in a position to help purchase school supplies for a child in need, Daymaker, an online giving platform, makes the process easy. You and your child work together on their back-to-school campaign, see the list of school supplies the child needs and earn a badge for completing your mission together.

So … maybe you forgot to do all of those educational summer activities you said you would. Don't worry, there's still time! Your preschooler or kindergartner can practice all of her letters right in the bathtub so you get bath time and learning done.

If your child has food allergies, you can create an allergy action plan for your child's school. A written plan can help clearly identify your child's allergies, which reactions will occur if an allergen is encountered, and how to treat your child in the event of a reaction.

There's no need for you to be doing all of the work for back-to-school, right? From breakfasts to lunches to snacks to dinners that will probably be rushed, back-to-school pretty much means prepping all of the food. To ease everyone's transition a little more, practice some basics that your child can practice now, such as pouring his own cereal in the morning or making a sandwich for lunch. Independence is a good thing!

Speaking of snacks, now is the time to start prepping for all of those school lunches, after-school activities and on-the-go snacks your kids will need. There are so many convenient options on the market now, whether you're looking for a nitrate-free protein snack stick, delicious snack-sized Chickapop Popcorn in flavors like cheddar cheese and chili lime, or 100 percent natural plant-based snack bars (the berries and peanut butter version is basically a PB & J).

Last but not least, create your own special back-to-school tradition with your family. Whether it's a "Yes" day, when you promise to say "yes" to anything your child wants to do, a final trip to the waterpark or beach, or just a day when you stay home in your pajamas and eat ice cream, make it a special tradition that becomes something you all look forward to every year.