It's time to shake the beach sand off your flip-flops and think backpacks and homework. Planning ahead -- even with the summer sun still warm on your face -- will help you and your family adjust to the back-to-school demands.

Try thinking about the job in 3 distinct tasks... preparing your home, your children and the school(s).

At home

• Renew bed times and bedtime routines if these were relaxed over the summer. Start a week prior so children will have time to adjust. ¹ Kids between the ages of 6 and 9 generally need 10 hours of sleep, with older children needing about 9 hours. ²
  
• Review all of the school information you've received and mark your calendar with important dates & days off. Talk with each child about room and bus assignments.
  
• Make extra copies of your children's health information to have on hand when they sign up for sports or extra-curricular activities.
  
• Designate and clear a space to "drop" backpacks at the end of the day. While you're at it, also establish quiet space for doing homework.
  
• Consider assigning each child his or her own storage box to keep old assignments, notes, tests and artwork during the school year.
  
• Renew your focus on good nutrition. Check the cafeteria menu and if you don't like what you see, stock up on healthy lunch and snack items to pack.

• Expect your child to show some anxiety at the start of a new school year. You can help by slipping encouraging notes into his backpack or lunch bag. Let him know you're confident he can manage what is expected of him and that it's natural to be nervous.
• Let him know you care but don't overreact. Children can absorb a parent's anxiety, so remain calm and confident. Chances are he will, too.
• Remind him of what to do if he has a bleed at school. While you're at it, also remind him about the kinds of activity that are safe for him to participate in.
• If there were difficulties last academic year, reassure him that you and he have worked on the problem. Let him know that this is a fresh start. ³
• Let him pack his own backpack, but check the final weight. Backpacks should never weigh more than 10 - 20 percent of a student's body weight. ⁴
• Review safety information with him for the bus and for walking.

• Schedule meetings with your child's new teacher and gym teacher to explain his hemophilia and what to do. Your HTC can help, either joining you at the school meeting or calling to follow up.
• If your child experiences frequent bleeds, your doctor or physical therapist may need to help the school develop a modified exercise program. ⁵
• Use this school handout to help you communicate with the school about hemophilia and what to do, who to call, in an emergency.
• See these helpful hints when talking to school personnel about your child .
• Get more tips for Keeping Him Safe Away From Home .