Back-to-School Countdown is On: Moms Talk

It seems like last week, the kids were singing, "No more pencils, no more books, no more teacher's dirty looks!"

And, suddenly, kids are facing at least the pencils and books again. open on August 25.

These final days are a time of transition. It's time to go from vacation mode into school mode.

And the transition isn't just for the kids, it's for the parents. Your mornings are about to get a bit more hectic, your schedule more demanding, your evenings a bit more crowded.

Commiserate and share ideas here.

What are some of the most important things to do in this final week to help the kids get ready physically and mentally?

How do you prepare the children without stressing them out?

Do you find yourself bummed out, too? What's your biggest stress right now?

How do you stay on top of school-related demands in your home?

Talk amongst yourselves in the comments.

Joining us, as always, is our wonderful Moms Council.

 is a freelance reporter with Patch. Julie, a longtime reporter and communications professional, is a first-time mom of a son born in November.

 works in public relations. She and husband Timothy have a daughter, Amara. Monina is also a member of the Disney Moms Panel, one of 15 moms selected nationwide, advising people online about planning Disney vacations.

 is a mom of three children ages 5 and under with her husband, Bill. They are expecting their fourth child in early 2012. She also works part-time.

 is a native of New Jersey. She is a marketing professional who has worked in advertising, market research, vending and equipment companies. She and her husband live in Avon with their two children.

 is a mom to a Girl Scout and lives in Avon.

 is the newest member of  and a former president of Avon Early Childhood PTA. She will also be blogging for Avon Patch. If you're a parent and want to share your experiences raising children in Avon, you, too, can .