I am sure you all have noticed that school commercials started in July. One of the teens who comes to me for therapy told me that he felt that he did not get a rest from thinking about school because of the commercials. As much of a bummer as it might be, it's 'that' time again. Besides the usual worries (what teacher you are going you have? Will any of your friends be in your class and what clothes to buy), you have your parents to deal with. Going back and forth is sometimes a pain. However, there are some things you can do to make it easier:

1. Have a system to keep your stuff together. Check your daily reminder before you leave school and make sure you have everything you need to complete your work before you leave school.

2. Have a completed work folder in your book bag. When you finish homework, put it in there right away so you don't forget.

3. Check your room the night before you go to your other parent's house to make sure that you have all your schoolwork and books to bring to your other parent's house.

4. Check your room the night before for all of your sporting stuff. Make sure that someone washes your uniform so it's clean.

5. If you have too much stuff to bring back and forth, ask your parents to leave your things either in the school office (if the school office is okay with this), or else leave your bag outside on their porch for you to pick up. Carrying all your stuff all day long at school gets old.

6. Lay your clothes out the night before. If you need to bring clothes back and forth put your clothes for your other house in your bag so they are ready.

7. Talk to your parents about what is not working about your school schedule. They might be able to help you problem-solve and make your schedule work for you.

8. Try to get organized the night before. I don't know about you, but I am better the night before than in the morning. I find that if I line up my stuff at the backdoor the night before, I remember to bring them with me. When I don't do this I have to return home to get what I forgot.

9. Lastly, when your teacher assigns you a big project (like a state report or mission report), tell your parents right away so that they can each figure out what part of the project they will help you with. Since you go back and forth its even more important to know where you put the work you have done already and keep it with you in a folder.