10 Things Illinois Parents Should Do Before Back-to-School Sneaks Up

I'm not a parent, but it feels like just about all of my friends are now.  And somehow, their babies are suddenly old enough to be heading off to school.

From everything I've heard, getting ready for a new school year is no joke.  Between school supplies, clothes, sports sign-ups, doctor's appointments, and trying to get every last bit of summer in, it's easy to feel like there just aren't enough hours in the day.

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Parents, do you feel this way?  Well, I'm here to help you get a head start!

Instead of waiting until the week before school starts (when every store is packed and half the supply list is sold out), start checking off a few things now.  Little by little, you'll save yourself a lot of stress later.

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Whether it's grabbing school supplies while they're on sale, making sure backpacks still fit your kiddos, scheduling those last-minute checkups, or getting everyone back to a regular bedtime routine, doing a little now means you won't be scrambling later.

Your future self will thank you later!  And when that first day of school finally arrives, you'll be able to focus on making memories instead of racing through a to-do list.  Here's a whole list of things you might've not thought about getting done early:

• Buy school supplies before the chaos
• Order new backpacks and lunch boxes
• Try on last year's clothes to see what still fits
• Schedule annual physicals
• Book dental and eye exams
• Figure out what sports, clubs, or extra curriculars your kids want to do
• Label your lunchboxes, backpacks, water bottles, etc.
• Start adjusting bedtimes by 15-20 minutes each week
• Practice a healthy morning routine
• Check your supply closet for what you already have

Doing as many of these in advance can really bring your stress levels down!  For Illinois schools, it'll be back in session mid to later August.