School’s Out – Now What?
Who can’t stop singing Alice Cooper’s “School’s Out for Summer” this time of year. Certainly not me!
Three months – give or take – of no school, no homework, no after-school activities. Three months of, “Mom, I’m bored.”
What about your kids? Are they old enough to stay home while you go to work? Do they want to go to camp? Do they have summer jobs?
Wherever your summer adventures take you, the Better Business Bureau has a couple tips that will make sure your summer is bug free.
First, you and I already know that our kids will be in front of the computer at any given moment. So if you haven’t already, make sure your computer has all the latest updates and patches and is running current antivirus software. Sit your child down and discuss “stranger danger” scenarios that happen online – inappropriate conversations in chat rooms and cyberbullying, for example – and what to do about them (leave the room, report it to mom or dad, even the police if the situation warrants it).
Second, a variety of summer camps for every possible interest are available, be it soccer camp or computer camp or scout camp. To protect your children, don’t take the glossy brochures or Web sites at face value. Take time to research the camp and check out references before handing over the camp fee.
And if you go on vacation, research travel companies and lodging with the BBB before making the reservation to ensure that the “family friendly” resort is indeed just that.
How will you and your kiddos play it safe this summer?