Summer's the time for..

Already the "Back to School" ads are appearing on t.v. and in the newspaper, but for some working parents, the first day of school won't come quickly enough. That's because during summer, even the best-intentioned working parents can end up in a fix, with childcare plans falling through and nowhere for their children to go.

Many companies allow employees to bring children in to the workplace in emergency situations like the kind that summer and those snow winter days can bring.

We have some tips to makes these urgent situations less tiresome for children, less stressful for you, and less troublesome for your coworkers and boss:

Call ahead. If possible, speak with your supervisor about the situation at hand. Some will signal with a green light and others may suggest you take the day off, or perhaps work a short day and take some work home.

If a child is old enough to understand, speak to him or her about how to behave in the workplace. Be clear about the need for their very best behavior. Pack plenty of snacks and interesting but quiet activities for your child.

Speak to your child about how you expect him or her to interact with your coworkers. Stress the need for them to speak courteously and appropriately.

Designate some space in your work area for your child. A table in your office or even a blanket on the floor that you designate as theirs will help shape a sense of workplace boundaries.

Plan on spending some time with your child throughout the day. Show him or her what you are working on, and how you have to have it done to meet your deadline. Who knows what kind of special stop on the way home awaits a young person who did his very best to make sure you got your project done on time?

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