Back to School: Vital parenting information from Eyewitness News

Getting your child into the rythm of back to school time is easy with a little advance planning. In the days before classes begin, get back into the sleep routing. Maybe even teach your child how to set the alarm. Then tackle any first day jitters with a reminder, that everyone feels the butterflies on the first day, and that school is fun! Then at the bus stop, drop and roll. Dr. Joe Matusic says don't hang around and commiserate.

Dr. Joe Matusic
Just don't linger. Get them ready for it, get them psyched up about it. Take them to the bus stop get them on the bus then leave! Or take them to school.

Back packs are a necessity. So choose wisely. Wear it the wrong way and you'll be headed to the doctor with muscle strains or pulls.

Dr. Joe Matusic
The backpack really shouldn't be more than 20-percent of the childs weight
You should wear both straps. A lot of kids want to be cool and wear one strap then they get these neck strap injuries and sometimes it goes further down or up into the higher neck and you don't realize that's what causing it.

Also, check your school handbook to see if roller back packs are permitted.
Plus, if you lost this routine, it's time to get back into the healthy habit of serving a nutritious breakfast. And make up healthy lunch menus with your children. They're more likely to eat the lunch if they helped make it.