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Hey Mom And Dad

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Hey Mom and Dad, What Worries You Most About Your Children's Future?

Parents, Patch wants to hear from you on the questions that get families talking.

Welcome to "Hey Mom and Dad"—a weekly feature in which we ask our Facebook fans to share their views on parenting. Every week, we get the conversation started by taking a look back at a question we asked parents the week before on Patch Facebook pages from around the area. That brings us to this week's question: Take a look at what people had to say and join the conversation in the comments section. Donna Campbell: Fear children becoming "friends" with the wrong type of kids! — Batavia Patch Facebook Julie Wlodarski Bruns: Just being happy. Between the stresses of school and sports and the competitiveness they seem to have now and bullying, I just want them to know that them being happy is all that matters. — Elmhurst Patch Facebook Amy De…

Mouse

10:55 am on Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Though I'm not a parent (thank God) I would probably say the quality of life from cost of living to the air they breathe is what would worry me most. We need to start fixing the problems now before they get too out of hand to handle!   more ›

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Hey Mom and Dad, When Is It Time To Pitch Your Child's Pacifier?

Parents, Patch wants to hear from you on the questions that get families talking.

Welcome to "Hey Mom and Dad"—a weekly feature in which we ask our Facebook fans to share their views on parenting. Every week, we get the conversation started by taking a look back at a question we asked parents the week before on Patch Facebook pages from around the area. Children get accustomed to certain security items and habits at a young age, whether it's sucking their thumb or a pacifier, or holding onto a special blanket or stuffed animal. Some children lose attachment to those items on their own, but in other cases, parents have to help the transition along. That brings us to this week's question: Take a look at what people had to say and join the conversation in the comments section. Ellen Posledni: Pacifier -- three months. That…

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Hey Mom and Dad, When Is It Appropriate to Let Your Kids Start Dating?

Parents, Patch wants to hear from you on the questions that get families talking.

Welcome to "Hey Mom and Dad"—a weekly feature in which we ask our Facebook fans to share their views on parenting. Every week, we get the conversation started by taking a look back at a question we asked parents the week before on Patch Facebook pages from around the area. With Valentine's Day close at hand, love is in the air. Valentines exchanged in school from an early age are innocent enough, but it's not long before classmates start developing crushes. That brings us to this week's question: Take a look at what people had to say and join the conversation in the comments section. Laurel Stanard Flinn: Age 16. Most kids would rather drive themselves on a date than to be shuttled around. ... Have a talk with your child about the …

Robin Smith

9:47 am on Wednesday, February 6, 2013

When the parents think it's appropriate for their child.   more ›

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Hey Mom and Dad, When Should You Let Your Daughters Start Wearing Makeup?

Parents, Patch wants to hear from you on the questions that get families talking.

Welcome to "Hey Mom and Dad"—a weekly feature in which we ask our Facebook fans to share their views on parenting. Every week, we get the conversation started by taking a look back at a question we asked parents the week before on Patch Facebook pages from around the area. Girls have been sneaking makeup past parents for generations. They'll wait to get to school to put it on, and wipe it clean away before they dare step back in the house. It's an issue that's not likely to go away any time soon. That got us wondering when girls should be able to stop sneaking around and openly wear makeup. Take a look at what people had to say and join the conversation in the comments section. Matthew Browne: I don't think there is a particular age. The …

Emily

12:03 pm on Friday, February 1, 2013

I'm in middle school and high school next year. Most girls even started wearing makeup in 5th grade. Just lip gloss and mascara. But in 6th grade it actually matters to keep your friends sounds stupid right? It is. But they may act rude if you say no, because they are risking losing their friends or maybe a crush. In 7th grade (I have acne kinda bad) I mostly covered up blemishes with foundation …   more ›

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Hey Mom and Dad: What's the Best Approach for Raising Kids?

Hands on or hands off?

Welcome to "Hey, Mom and Dad"—a weekly feature in which we ask our Facebook fans to share their views on parenting. Every week, we get the conversation started by taking a look back at a question we asked parents the week before on Patch Facebook pages from around the area. This week we looked at a hugely popular parenting blog that appeared on a Patch site outside of San Francisco. You can find it here. The blog has gone viral and has touched a nerve with a lot parents.  In a nutshell, the blog centers on two different parenting techniques — one in which the parents hold their children closely and protects them from harm. The other allows the children to make mistakes and sometimes get hurt in the process.  Here's what a few of our …

Suzanne Matthies

3:15 pm on Thursday, January 24, 2013

Do we have to choose between coddling and tough love? How about being flexible and open to the notion that each child and each moment is different. How about blending safety and opportunity. How about being the best role model you can be.   more ›

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Hey Mom and Dad, How Much TV Do You Allow Your Children To Watch?

Parents, Patch wants to hear from you on the questions that get families talking.

Welcome to "Hey, Mom and Dad"—a weekly feature in which we ask our Facebook fans to share their views on parenting. Every week, we get the conversation started by taking a look back at a question we asked parents the week before on Patch Facebook pages from around the area. In the new year, many parents have resolved to promote a more active lifestyle for their children, spending less time in the house and more time outside playing with friends. But how do you get your kids unglued from the TV screen? That brings us to this week's question. Take a look at what people had to say and join the conversation in the comments section. Michelle Angela Vasquez-Sottile: Movie Night Monday with the family is all the television during the week, unless…

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Hey Mom and Dad, How Do You Convince Picky Kids to Eat Healthy Meals?

Parents, Patch wants to hear from you on the questions that get families talking.

Welcome to "Hey, Mom and Dad"—a weekly feature in which we ask our Facebook fans to share their views on parenting. Every week, we get the conversation started by taking a look back at a question we asked parents the week before on Patch Facebook pages from around the area. Many families have resolved to try to eat better in the new year. However, this can often be easier said than done, with picky kids prone to pushing vegetables around on their plate and each dinner turning into a battle of willpower between you and your child. That brings us to this week's question. Take a look at what people had to say and join the conversation in the comments section. Dennis Wholey: Eliminate the normal goodies at home and buy only the good items you …

Avett Green

3:19 pm on Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Plant a small veggie garden with your children! They'll get excited about watching the seed turn into a plant, they can help weed and water, etc. Make it a fun activity, and they'll be more apt to eat the final product since they invested time taking care of it.   more ›

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

Hey Mom and Dad: What Is Your New Year's Resolution For Your Family?

Parents, Patch wants to hear from you on the questions that get families talking.

Welcome to Hey Mom and Dad—a weekly feature in which we ask our Facebook fans to share their views on parenting.  Every week, we get the conversation started by taking a look back at a question we asked parents the week before on Patch Facebook pages from around the western suburbs. Each new year, people vow to make a fresh start for themselves or loved ones. With recent gun violence in the news, some parents have told us they plan to cut back on their kids' consumption of violent movies or video games. Others may want to eat more family dinners together or have their kids spend more time outside. This brings us to this week's question: Take a look at what Patch users throughout the western suburbs had to say and join the conversation in …

Melissa

11:01 am on Wednesday, January 2, 2013

I would like to work on better time management since I'm expecting number 2, and I want to get the family to church a little more often.   more ›

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Hey Mom and Dad: What Holiday Gift Did You Refuse to Buy Your Child?

Parents, Patch wants to hear from you on the questions that get families talking.

Welcome to Hey Mom and Dad—a weekly feature in which we ask our Facebook fans to share their views on parenting.  Every week, we get the conversation started by taking a look back at a question we asked parents the week before on Patch Facebook pages from around the western suburbs. Take a look at what Patch users throughout the western suburbs had to say and join the conversation in the comments section. Elizabeth Carini Salamon: Wii/DS. Kids spend way too much time with electronics. — Batavia Patch Facebook Brenda Garcia: A Karaoke machine! Although someone else got it for them and I didn't know so I guess all I can do is add to my list some good ear plugs. Why? Three kids fighting to take a turn and "sing" very " beautiful" songs.... …

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Parents, How Did You Address The Connecticut Shootings With Your Kids?

Patch likes to hear from you on questions that get families talking and certainly, nothing is weighing more heavily on our minds this week than last week's tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School. Here's how your neighbors discussed it with their kids.

Welcome to "Hey Mom and Dad"—a weekly feature in which we ask our Facebook fans to share their views on parenting. We're starting off with a question we posed recently on the Patch Facebook pages. Last week's tragic shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT left the entire country shocked and speechless. Nevertheless, many parents felt they needed to discuss what happened with their children. That brings us to this week's question: Take a look at what people had to say and join the conversation in the comments section. Michele M Kilcoyne: We (are) talking to our son, but letting him ask us questions that he had concerns about. This way we did not say more then he needed or wanted to know. We were very honest and promised (…

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