Trade the beach chairs for a bunk bed built for sleepovers.

I am not a parent (but a very doting Godmother) and I see and hear about a particular kind of denial that sets in every August: tweens and teens insisting summer isn't over while the school supplies are rolling in. As parents, maybe there are ways to use their denial to your advantage. Trade the beach chairs for a bunk bed built for sleepovers, because nothing softens "back to school" like the promise of a best friend crashing on a Friday night. Layer on some cozy Fall-toned bedding too…maybe cinnamon, mustard, deep forest green, making the bedroom feel like a warm hug instead of a countdown to the next math test. New wall art doesn't hurt either; swap the faded unicorn poster or last year's movie star obsession for something that matches the kid they're turning into, not the one they were in June.

Suddenly bedtime isn't the enemy, maybe it's the best part of the day. The goal isn't necessarily that their Pinterest board comes to life (although my goddaughter Liv shares hers with me incessantly); it's just a room your kid actually wants to walk into after a day of fractions, fire drills and soccer field face-offs. And let's be honest, parents: this is really for you too. While the kids are busy dreading the return of homework, you get to play interior designer and sneak in some sanity along with the style. For a teen girl, a proper dressing table with good lighting can turn "I have nowhere to put my 18 lipglosses and yes I need all of them" into an actual morning routine (miracles do happen). For your guy, a real desk with shelves for books and collectibles can be the difference between "wtf is he doing in there" and "wait, he's actually doing homework." It won't necessarily make anyone excited about the first day back, but a bedroom that feels like a sanctuary is a pretty solid consolation prize. By the time they notice summer's gone, they're too busy loving their room to complain.

Maybe you're all laughing at me like "yeah, right, Little Miss Sleep CEO…" what do you know? But what if they surprise you? I'm hoping my grade on this test is an easy A!

Happy Teen Dreamzzz,