Lisa McElroy

Associate professor of law

For the past two years, my girls have been in different schools -- one in middle, one in elementary. And, without making too big a drama out of it, I have to tell you that it has been a huge pain for my husband and me.

Ronnie Citron-Fink

Managing Editor, Moms Clean Air Force

Not only is it unfair to ask financially strapped parents to provide such items, it downright stomps all over our environment.

Domenick Scudera

Professor of theater, Ursinus College

My heart goes out to these gay students, because in spite of all the strides the gay community has made in recent decades, these kids are still struggling. I admire these students, who can be so out and so strong, but I do not envy the turbulent and aggressive atmosphere that they live in.

Lindsey Mead

Writer, A Design So Vast

It is both the ultimate cliché and the central question of parenting: where did the time go?

Alison Patton

Family lawyer and mediator, author of the blog Lemonade Divorce

Summer started out so promising -- the lazy mornings, long days without the burdens of school and homework, sports and driving. But as the months passed, the honeymoon began to wane.

Beth Kobliner

Personal finance journalist; Author, 'Get a Financial Life'

Even though 85 percent of parents say they'll find sales, here's one surefire way parents can save a little money and teach a valuable lesson: let kids pitch in.

David Valdes Greenwood

'Screen Dad' and Author, 'Homo Domesticus: Notes from a Same-Sex Marriage'

For all the functional objects schools might request, the most crucial tools for your child are not physically tangible all, but rather values that will influence every moment of the school day -- and not only for them.

Annmarie Kelly-Harbaugh

Writer, mom, and high school teacher

Thanks to some exceptional pre-tween marketing, Katie now views the locker as an "extension of her style." She's 7.

Bonni Brodnick

Author; Lifestyle Columnist

I was trying to run down the hall to put my books away so that I could get to gym class on time but I couldn't find my locker. I suddenly remembered that it was five flights up and down a long hallway. When I finally got to my locker, I blanked on the combination. Was it 24-left or right?

Marva Soogrim

Nanny to the stars

I often say that the most important thing to do first is "fix the parents, not the kids." Here are six ways to find your Zen in the midst of back to school chaos.

Kara King

Recent grad, blogger and social media junky

Even though no outfit will show the subtleties of my personalities, I can tell the world something bold about my self through fashion. For this first day, I can be whoever I want to be.

Sheree Fletcher

Star of VH1's Hollywood Exes

Sheree Fletcher is the star of VH1's "Hollywood Exes" and the former Mrs. Will Smith. For most, back-to-school means that we gather the required sup...

Common Sense Media

Commonsensemedia.org

This year, back to school will bring another big surprise: more technology -- both in and out of the classroom -- than ever before.

Jamie Anne Richardson

Author, Mother

Let you kids hear you say no. Life lessons like prioritizing and saying no aren't taught in school. They are taught by example.

Stephen Cowan, M.D.

This time of transition can be a wonderful opportunity for your family to pause and prepare your child for the coming school year with a sense of heightened joy and anticipation.

Lisa Holt

Lisa Holt Design Group

It can be challenging to transition from warm days and beaches to schoolbooks, early mornings and car-pooling to soccer games and ballet practice. I find that there are two important aspects to a smooth and successful adjustment back into the real world.