Yes, it's that time again. After a long summer of sleeping late, playing outside and flexible schedules, children and parents can be overwhelmed adjusting to busy back-to-school routines. But every morning does not have to turn into madness. The tricks to a stress-free morning are planning ahead and sticking to schedules.

Keep these tips in mind as you get your kids ready for school:

• To avoid last minute scrambling in the morning, keep book bags, stocked with completed homework assignments and other school necessities, near the door along with coats and shoes.
• Give your child a bath and choose his or her outfit the night before. Have the clothing pressed and ready to go.
• Decide on breakfast and lunch foods ahead of time, and have those foods easily accessible for cooking or packing in a lunch box. You may even want to make your child’s lunch the night before and refrigerate.
• Avoid distractions such as TV or video games. They only will captivate your child’s attention and cause him or her to rush later.
• Build cushions into your family’s schedule so you don’t feel frazzled.
• Keep your child from being rushed by providing gentle reminders. For example, “The school bus will be here in 10 minutes, so you’ll need to put your shoes on.”
• Avoid unnecessary morning chores like emptying the dishwasher.
• Hang the family calendar in a place where everyone can see it. Older children can be proactive and place their musical instrument or uniform next to the door.
• When you feel stressed, your family can sense it. Wake up 15 minutes earlier so you can have some alone time to wake up and feel energized before the rush.
  

Taking these tips into consideration can make your mornings run more smoothly. Here's to a great school year!

FAST FACT: 55 million students across the nation are enrolled in grades K-12 this fall. They will be taught by 6.8 million teachers.

Colleen Schultz is the education manager at Children’s Health Education Center. She is a certified health education specialist with a bachelor’s degree in community health. She also has a master’s degree in education. For more information on parenting tips, or for information about community education classes, call Children’s Health Education Center, a member of Children’s Hospital and Health System, at (414) 765-9355.

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A toaster for $2! A set of encyclopedias for $10! The bargains we find at local rummage sales and resale shops can be too good to believe … and sometimes they are. Many people purchase or sell what might be dangerous or recalled items without even knowing it.

A recent survey conducted by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission showed nearly 70 percent of all resale shops visited had at least one dangerous or recalled product for sale. The next time you go bargain hunting, be sure to watch for recalled items or items that do not meet current safety standards. Be especially aware of these potential dangers:

Cribs. Older cribs can entrap, strangle or even suffocate children. Cribs with more than 2 3/8” between crib slats or cut-outs on the headboard or footboard may suffocate or strangle a child. Cribs with missing or broken parts or corner posts higher than 1/16” also present a risk of death.

Car seats. Car seats can be dangerous when the seat crash history is unknown. It also can be difficult to determine if all parts are present and in good working condition. It is recommended that seats not be used any longer than six years from the date of manufacture.

Clothing. Clothing with drawstrings around the neck on children’s jackets and sweatshirts can catch and strangle children.  Drawstrings can be pulled out or cut on children’s jackets and sweatshirts.

Toys. Toys need to be inspected for loose or missing pieces that could be dangerous, especially for a young child.

Before hosting your next garage sale or heading out for a little bargain hunting, visit www.recalls.gov. This Web site provides easy access to recall and safety information designed to help you become an educated consumer. You also may contact Safe Kids Southeast Wisconsin at (414) 390-2178 for more detailed information.

Bridget Clementi is director of Children’s Health Education Center. CHEC is the lead agency of Safe Kids Wisconsin and Safe Kids Southeast Wisconsin coalitions. Each offer resources and programs for children, parents, teachers and caregivers to help keep children healthy and safe. Safe Kids Wisconsin and Southeast Wisconsin specifically work to prevent childhood accidental injuries, the leading cause of death among children ages 14 and younger.

 
FAST FACT: In Wisconsin we call them rummage sales, but in other parts of the country these type of events are more commonly referred to as garage or yard sales. In the United Kindom they hold "jumble sales."