Summer is on its way, are you ready? None of us want our kids sitting in front of the TV all summer, absorbing the latest pop culture has to serve up. When the kids are not in summer camps, at the pool, on family vacations, or in summer school, technology can help to keep them entertained and engaged over the hot summer months.

Sheppard Software is one of my favorite "go-to" spots for helping my kids engage their brain and learn when they're not at school.  Fun for lots of different ages, they make education an interactive and fun online experience.

What are some other ways you use technology to engage your kids' brains? Feel free to discuss in the comments section here, or discuss in the family technology forum.

A computer can be a valuable and life-improving purchase for your child. It can help to broaden their horizons with academic research, and communication. It can also be a way for them to keep up with news and current events. And, as we all know, being connected is part of being a young person these days.

But, purchasing that first computer for your kid can be an overwhelming experience. There are so many choices, brands, retailers, and styles. Also, when you're making that kind of an investment, you want to make sure you get it right. If you're wondering where to even start, here are some important questions to ask.

As you start thinking about school coming to an end, you're probably going to want to keep your kids engaged in some learning activities through the summer routine. Starfall.com is a great way to do that. If you haven't had a chance to check out Starfall yet, you're missing out! If you've got young kids and you're looking for a great alternative to the afternoon TV, this website is a good resource.

Starfall is an educational website designed to help kids with reading, math, and phonics, among other things. It's designed by experts to engage your kids in the learning process through visual and audio cues, and playful interactivity. From a preschooler learning their ABC's to a 2nd grader working on multiplication tables, this website can be a great resource for your family.

My favorite things about Starfall are:

1. Kids love it! The sounds, music, visuals, and activities are all designed by experts who know how kids learn best. Even my preschooler can navigate around and find his way to his favorite games.

2. They focus on the fundamentals. Reading and phonics are so important to a child's educational development, and Starfall nails it! The better your kids know the fundamentals, the more success they'll have as lifelong learners.

3. It works. My kids' have learned a ton from their time on the website, and it's been a great and effective supplement to their education.

Summertime is a great time to work on fundamentals of education with young kids. Find out more about this great resource.

There's no question that too much focus on technology can become a negative influence on the family. But I've often argued that it's not the technology's fault, it's the lack of boundaries established by the parents.

A new gadget, or computer application, or website is just like any other "new" thing. It can become the focus to the detriment of other important things in your life. Here are some simple boundaries that are important to our family:

1. No phone, TV, internet while we're eating dinner.

2. No Smartphone or iPad surfing after we're in bed.

3. Try to make technology a family inclusive event.

4. If it's a problem, take a temporary break, or cut it out completely.

Setting these boundaries, and continually educating yourself will help assure that your family is not negatively affected by technology.