It’s that time of year.

School activities seem to be at a frenzied pace  with plays, concerts, presentations and ice cream socials. Add in some spring sports, and it’s a full plate. But don’t let the frenzy take the fun out of it. Emily Harmon offers ideas for how to share the activities with your kids in a countdown that uses math skills and other skills but keeps it enjoyable.

It’s also a time of year filled with stress for parents and kids. A lot is happening for everyone. Stay on top of it and organized with these tips. Remember to start and end each day with calm, and hand out praise.

Keep an eye on everyone’s health. Too many projects and too little time can have kids staying up too late. You can’t do your kids’ work for them, but you can help them with time management.

Enjoy this last bit of the school year — it’s an accomplishment. Look at how far your kids have come since September. Remind yourself and your family that you all did it together — whether it’s mastering the times tables or surviving chemistry. It’s done! Bring on the summer.

Pam Parker is the editor of Lake Erie LifeStyle, Her Times and House to Home at the Erie Times-News in Erie, Pa.