Don't fret back-to-school prep with this checklist

Yep, it's summer, and as twisted as it sounds, that SHOULD mean back-to-school prep for parents to avoid the inevitable nervous breakdown that comes with waiting until the last minute on absolutely everything.

Don't spoil your family's fun in the sun by stressing out on break, but give up the notion that you can tick off your long list of school lead-up chores the week before the start of a new academic year.

"Parents enjoy the summer, too, and they don't want to think about school," said Stephanie Vozza, founder of Theorganizedparent.com and a mother of two school-age boys in Rochester, Mich.

"Your head isn't there yet, but so many little things over the summer can make a huge difference."

A checklist for tending to back-to-school tasks without summer buzzkill:

PAPERWORK & APPOINTMENTS

Make a well-visit appointment with your child's pediatrician if summer camp paperwork didn't require an up-to-date health and immunization record and one is needed for school. Schedule eye exams and dental appointments. Everybody's trying for the same appointment times, so planning ahead pays off. Bring along necessary forms for the doctor's signature.

Athletics programs may require a physical on a short cycle, say only six months old, and many doctors will do a special "sports physical" covering less ground if it's not time for an annual, Vozza said.

If your child is entering a new school, you may still be recovering from the admissions and registration process, but you need to watch your pile of summer mail for any back-to-school correspondence from the PTA or teachers. Also, make sure you've notified the people you've listed as emergency contacts.

Make haircut appointments early, for a couple of weeks before school starts.

For the college bound, grill your freshman on what paperwork is needed and when, from checkups to dorm assignments, then make sure deadlines are met.

Leanna Hamill, an attorney in Hingham, Mass., said parents of children over 18 should make sure their newly minted adult signs a health care proxy and a durable power of attorney for finances. The documents allow parents (or someone else the teen chooses) to have access to medical information or make medical decisions if the child can't. Once a child is over 18, none of his medical information can be given to a parent without permission.

FASHION & SCHOOL SUPPLIES

Little fashionistas may be too busy showing off their new bathing suits and beach covers to focus on school clothes, but if they need to sign off on fall wear, shopping early makes sense for the best selection and helps to avoid sizes selling out.