Back-to-school means back to a daily routine, and planning helps families adjust to the new busy schedule. G4 Publishing, of Tinley Park, Ill., which produces the Family Planner planning systems, offers these 10 simple tips to ease the stress of getting back into a school routine:

* Practice getting the children up early one week before school starts to aid in the transition.

* Pick a designated spot in the home for doing homework. This "homework spot" should be quiet, well lit, and contain the basic school supplies needed to complete most homework assignments.

* Try to have children do homework after school when the lessons are still fresh in their minds. Leaving homework until the evening, when children are likely to be tired, can be counterproductive.

* Since children are most content on a full stomach, offer a healthy snack before or during homework. …