Turning my calendar to July has made me realize that while summer vacation is in full swing, the new school year is approaching more quickly than I realize. I've also slipped on my goal of having my kids read every day, so I'm taking steps to remedy that by building reading into our remaining summer fun!

At what age are you comfortable with letting your child go by himself to a public bathroom? For most of us, the answer is pretty well "never"--or at least until they can show their driver's license! It makes me nervous to allow my 10-year-old daughter or 8-year-old son go to the bathroom without me in a restaurant or other public bathroom. However, as long as I know they are safe, then I try and minimize my helicopter hover and prepare so that a solo kid bathroom trip can be a stress-free success.