It is approaching that time again.

To try and cut down on what can be for some a stressful time here are our 5 top tips for making the return to school as painless as possible:-

1. Get Organised - Have you got all the provisions needed for lunches etc and dinners at home? Do you know where everything is that they need? Is the car full of petrol etc?

2. Clothes ready - Get their school kit laid out the night before for each child so both they, and you, know what they are going to wear. In time they will start dressing themselves!

3. Set alarm - Nothing worse than getting up late and being behind. It also affords you time to drag "them" out of bed after weeks of lie ins!

4. Think breakfast the night before - get the table ready and the boxes of cereal out or the toaster. All of this saves times and the kids can start helping themselves. Nothing worse than a child screaming he is hungry!

5. Get a school HQ - How many times have you been looking for those trainers or homework just before you are due to leave? Get a designated area in your house where all the school gear goes.

The key is to try and get a routine in place. The kids will get used to it and that means it will cut down on the amount of hassle you have trying to leave the house in the morning. Even if you are not the one taking the kids to school the more organised you and your partner are the better it is for everyone! Good luck.