Spring is here, the weather is warming up, and the kids will be out of school soon.
The minute the kids returned to school after spring break, the schools made their final push to keep the kids behavior in line for the remainder of the school year.
My middle schooler heard the famous "You're not invisible speech" again.
This is where the principal reminds the kids that it's not time to throw all the rules out the window - that people are still watching.
And my sixth grader signed a contract outlining the behavior required to participate in the fun year-end activities.
This means that it's time for parents to start thinking about summer time activities for kids.
For many, that means summer camp! Yes, there are lots of overnight camps available, and I'm sure that a lot of kids will spend a week away from home this year.
But that's not what I'm talking about.
I'm talking about the wide variety of daytime summer programs out there.
During the school year, the choices are somewhat limited.
First, by time.
The kids need to go to school until about 2 or 3 o'clock.
Then by geography.
How far can you drive them after school every day, especially while you work? But summer is a different matter altogether.
Kids can go to a summer camp that lasts a few hours every day, up to the entire day while Mom and Dad work.
There are general camps where kids go to play, learn, be occupied and have fun.
Then there are activities specific camps of every flavor.
Is your child an aspiring cheerleader, actor or swimmer? What about art, marine biology, or soccer? If your child wants to pursue a favorite activity a little further, this is a great time.
If he or she wants to try something new, this is their chance.
Many camps allow you to enroll your child for one week at a time, so they can participate in a variety of activities over their summer break.
Here's the part that might surprise you.
It's time to start researching summer camps now, especially if your child is interested in something specific.
Spaces fill up fast.