Tuesday, February 12, 2013
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
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 …
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
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 …
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
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 …
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
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
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 …
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
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 …
Tuesday, December 25, 2012
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
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 (…
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
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. It's a rite of passage for nearly every child: Begging your parents for that first cat, dog or guinea pig as a holiday present. The debate on our local Facebook pages took many different turns this week, and we want to hear from you too. Take a look at what people had to say and join the conversation in the comments section. Katie Herrmann: Please don't surprise kids or other people with puppies as presents. I foster for a rescue and the shelters see an influx of puppies a…
Robin Smith
9:47 am on Wednesday, February 6, 2013
When the parents think it's appropriate for their child.   more ›