Ready for the new school year?

The holidays are over, everyone's cranked down by several gears, but the time is approaching when you'll all be back in the swing. So what can you do to make the transition back to school easier for all concerned? We get you all off on the right foot

Shop early for school uniform. Most kids will have outgrown last year's if you're going into a new season. Some stores start re-stocking as early as July, and it's worth grabbing what you can in a couple of different sizes, then taking back whichever doesn't fit so well in September.

Check first that the store operates an open-ended or 90-day returns policy rather than a 28-day one, though. If they only offer 28 days, it's still worth buying early and checking the fit again in August, but going for the slightly roomier sizes.

Try to buy non-iron clothing if you can go to the added expense. It will save you hours of ironing time in the long run, as well as being easy to wash and wear at the drop of a hat in an emergency.

If you're worried about the energy expended in tumble-drying (which is the only care required instead of ironing), just consider how much electricity you'll use ironing five shirts at a time as opposed to tumble-drying them in batches of two or three on low heat for 10 minutes at a time.

Get your child into the habit of rising early again. You can tempt him by arranging a couple of treat outings late in the holidays that warrant an early start. How about a day's fishing with Dad or a trip to the coast with some friends?

You could arrange a trip to an away football match or even the dreaded theme park (reasoning with your child that you might beat the queues if you get there early)? If all that sounds a bit on the pricey side, how about promising an extra pound of pocket money each time he gets up early before school starts (and gauging when you begin this reward system so it doesn't work out too costly for you!).