Back to School: How Parents and Kids Ease Into the Transition

The alarm clock rings, you roll over, and you hear bustling in the bathroom as kids are up and about getting ready for school.

Yes — Summer is officially over.

For most, getting up early is a body clock issue, but for some parents and kids, it's the start to a new year filled with new teachers, new books, and more fees— that, and if there is more than one child, a head start to future school planning.

"Back to school has been easy for me over the years because I've only had to prepare for one child. I'm already worrying about next year when I will have one starting their Senior year and one starting out in Kindergarten," said Shannon Adams, a veteran at the back to school custom.

Adams' oldest daughter Melina is a Junior this year at and her youngest daughter, Hannah starts preschool— a preliminary taste of what regular school will be like very soon.

Older kids' routines seem to naturally shape themselves after a few years. Practice make perfect as August comes to a close and scheduling is expected.

"My daughter is very responsible 8th grader and has set up a schedule for herself in the morning on school days," explains Patty Shipps.

The schedule includes, preparing things the night before, rising at a specific time in the morning, getting dressed, eating, and hair, teeth, and make up all done before 8am —right before school starts.

"Her routine is mostly made up of walks to the local store with friends, reading, and basically no schedule at all. A regimen which, " Shipps adds, "is quite different than the one starting in two weeks.

Julie Mendoza, a parent from Murray Elementary says her kids enjoy back to school shopping.

"They have so much fun picking out new school supplies and new wardrobes. It gets them excited for school to start," said Mendoza.

Besides the shopping, the pure joy in finding out who your teacher will be and which friends are in the same class can't be overlooked.

While routines for back to school may be a smooth transition, costs of attending school can always be hard to get used to.

"Melina is almost 17 and so most of it falls on her shoulders now," adds Adams, "I of course am there for guidance and support and not to mention writing all the checks."

You may visit for a complete listing of schools as well as dates for back to school related events, including registration.