It’s a catch-22 among moms across the nation. We adore love the lazy, hazy days of summer – and all of the vacations and outdoor fun that come with three months off of school. However, we also appreciate when September rolls around and the kids are fully occupied for more than six hours a day. As much as we love not having to make lunches, sign permission slips and get kiddos to the bus on time from June to August, there is a sense of relief (admit it!) when that school bell rings again in the fall.

So, how can you best make that transition from relaxed summer mode into hectic school schedules? Here are some tips.

Take an “educational” trip in August: We’re heading to Yellowstone National Park two weeks before the kids go back to school, and you can bet they’ll be attending some ranger talks and filling out Junior Ranger activity books about the flora, fauna and geology in the area. Even if you don’t have a weeklong vacation planned, consider a day trip to a local museum to help remind your children how fun it is to learn new things.

Set bedtime earlier: Chances are your kids’ summer bedtime is a bit later than when they start the nighttime routine in December. Gradually have them get ready for bed earlier in the evening for at least a week before the first day of school.

Go shopping for supplies ahead of time: Don’t be that family scouring the big-box discount store for a backpack, lunchbox and notebooks the weekend before school starts. Talk about stress! Your luck, the “best” items will be sold out and your children will be disappointed. The more you prep ahead of time, the more at ease everyone will be in those precious few final days of summer.

Buy some, but not all, of your kids’ school clothes in August: Especially as children grow older (think middle school) they’re influenced by their peers in regard to the “cool” clothes to wear. Let them see what their classmates are wearing, and then buy a few new items a couple weeks into the school year.

Plan your next vacation: Your children may be a bit melancholic about starting a new school year, but if they have a family trip to look forward to – a long weekend in October or a vacation over Thanksgiving – the transition can be a bit more bearable for everyone!