The first day of school marks the end of lazy summer days. Make this transition easier for everyone in your family by taking some time to prepare for the change. Start early, at least two or three weeks before school begins, and spread out the tasks so your back to school plans gradually build excitement for the new school year. This list from Mills Ford Chrysler will prepare you and your child for going back to school:

1. Check Your Current Supplies — Some school supplies, like backpacks and lunch boxes, will last for more than one school year. Pull them out well before school begins and check for signs of wear. Calculators, compasses, rulers, scissors and other supplies are often good for another year, so check to see if you have them before buying new ones for your kids.

2. Sort Through Your Child’s School Clothes — Your kids have spent the summer in flip-flops and shorts, but they won’t do for back to school. The end of summer is a great time to take inventory and clean out the clothes that are worn or no longer fit. Kids may not realize how much they’ve grown over the summer until they try on their long pants and long sleeved shirts. Be sure to try on shoes, too.

3. Shop for School Supplies — Hit the stores as soon as you have your child’s school supply list. Otherwise you may be stuck wading through crowds, sifting through picked-over supplies, and running from one store to the next just to find everything on your list. Bring the class supply list with you to check off each item as you go.

4. Shop for School Clothes — Your child may not need a whole new fall wardrobe, but it’s nice to start the year with some new clothes. Kids who have grown a lot over the summer may need to replace a lot of their school clothes, and end of the summer is usually a great time to shop Back-to-School sales. Check sale ads or websites before heading out to see which stores are running special sales.

5. Plan Your School Routine — Check the new school bus routes, decide what time you will need to wake your child up each morning, and estimate the time he or she will be coming home from school. This is a great time to talk about a planned time to do homework each night, but don’t forget to account for after school sports or activities.

6. Help Your Children Adjust Their Sleep Schedule — Lazy summer days often stretch into late summer nights. Nervous excitement might make it easy to wake up on the first day of school, but after a few days, the earlier days may be more of a struggle. Make it easier for your kids by helping them adjust their sleep schedules gradually over the last week or two of summer.