Moms Talk: Back-To-School Shopping

Each week our Moms Council discusses a different parenting issue. Join the conversation by weighing in on a topic or ask our panel of experts your question.

We put this week's question to our Potomac Patch for their ideas and advice. The suggestions don’t end here‚ add your own tips and advice in the comments section below.

This week's question comes from local reader and Patch contributor, .

Getting ready for back-to-school time can be a rush the weekend before. Do you have any tips to share to leverage the month of August to make your to-do list easier?

: This is our first year going "back" to school so I don't have a lot of experience on this topic. I can say that we will not be buying new shoes in the two weeks prior to or the two weeks after the school year starts. The same for getting haircuts. Last year both of these activities were a nightmare since it seemed every other parent was trying to get it taken care of when we were.

The other lesson I learned was not to wait to buy fall/winter clothes. Last year I waited until December to buy snow pants and ended up buying them from eBay, because the only ones I could find from regular retailers were pink (not good for a house with two little boys!).

e-mailed Patch from her vacation to share her pearl of wisdom. "My back to school mantra is don't stress and enjoy every last minute of summer; it's too short as it is!"