Take Off Take a personal day from work on the first day of school. It helps to get everyone into a routine, and you'll also have time to buy school supplies and make a nice dinner. Susan Zurbin-Hothersall, Banking Managing director, Plainview, NY

Shop on the Internet I order school clothes online in July. Most sizes and colors are available, and everything arrives in plenty of time for laundering and getting it into the closet. Karen Mucciaccio, Teacher, Huntington, NY

Use a Basket I've taught my three children to put all notes, forms and flyers into the blue basket when they walk into the house. Then, after dinner and chores, I sort through the basket, sign forms and read notes. This way we avoid frantic mornings. Peggy Campbell-Rush, Teacher, Washington, NJ

Bank on It I stock up on smaller bills for lunch money and bus fare in advance so I don't have to give out large bills and will have money for work. I also try to clear my calendar of events that might take me out of the house the first few nights of school. This way I can sign and update the mounds of paperwork that come home. Valeria Hatcher, Sales Coordinator, Los Angeles, CA

Put It in Writing I get two calendars, a standard size for me and an extra-large one for my 7-year-old daughter, who needs more writing space. We both go over our daily, weekly and monthly tasks and log them in our calendars. We have more control over our activities since we can see them coming and can anticipate and prepare for them. Karen Harvey, Supply Chain Planner, Pelham, NY

Ready, Get Set Be up, dressed and ready for the day before you wake the kids. That way you can assist them as needed, and the morning will be more relaxed. Brenda Nixon, Author, Mount Vernon, OH