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Every Wednesday, in Moms Talk, our "Moms Council" take your questions, give advice and share solutions.Most people would agree that there are significant cultural differences between the West and East coasts. But are there noticeable differences between parenting styles and child rearing within the same state? New York Times blogger Lisa Belkin looked at "loco-parenting" or the role your community plays in your parenting, and Medford moms took up the discussion. Tiffany Reevior: I definitely think parenting varies by region. I've lived in three different states since becoming a parent, and each had its own parenting culture. In the San Francisco Bay area, babywearing, nanny-sharing, and …
Welcome to Moms Talk, a weekly feature at Medford Patch where local parents discuss a hot-button issue. Let's jump right to this week's question: What steps is your family taking to be "greener"? And what keeps you from doing more? Tiffany Reevior: We do some very basic things, like reducing water use as much as possible, turning off lights and unplugging appliances when not in use, using compact fluorescent bulbs whenever possible, and recycling everything we can to the fullest extent of Medford's recycling program.Going a bit further, we hang our clothes out on the clothesline in good …
Welcome to Moms Talk, a weekly feature at Medford Patch where local parents discuss a hot-button issue. Let's jump right in to this week's question: The school district is considering a plan to give every student at the high school a laptop. When do you think the right time is to introduce kids to computers? And do you think giving every high schooler a computer is a good plan? Adrienne Szafranski: As long as they don't use them during City Council meetings! No, seriously, access to and aptitude with technology will keep every student on the right side of the knowledge and education gap. …
Welcome to Moms Talk, a weekly feature at Medford Patch where local parents discuss a hot-button issue. Let's jump right into this week's question: What are some options for families that stay at home for school vacation? Do you have a go-to local activity? Or maybe something the family can do without leaving the house? Stacey Hilliard: This April vacation, we're taking spring cleaning to a new level. We've already begun sorting through our closets, toy chests, and book shelves... the basement storage shelves are next. The kids are planning to help me with an April yard / garage sale at the …
Welcome to Moms Talk, a weekly feature on Medford Patch where local parents discuss a hot-button issue. Let's jump right in with this week's question: Medford has announced they are going to take a look at all the parks and rec spaces in the city and create a seven-year master plan. What is your favorite park/recreation resource in the area to take your kids? And what do you think the city needs, as far as parks go? Adrienne Szafranski: Capen Park is our family favorite. The city keeps it pretty clean, and it has sprinklers that the kids love once the weather gets warm. Hickey Park and Carr…
Welcome to Moms Talk, a weekly feature on Medford Patch where local parents discuss a hot-button issue. Let's jump right in with this weeks question: Can a kindergartner be a bully? In kindergarten and preschool, what is inappropriate acting out and what are actions with malicious intent? Maria Alcindor: Bullying is definitely present in kindergarten and preschool. Most commonly I've seen it in the physical form on the playground. Being pushed off playground equipment or not allowing another to use the equipment. I believe at these young ages it comes from an acceptance in their …
Welcome to Mom's Talk, a weekly feature at Patch where local parents discuss a hot-button issue. Let's jump right in to this week's question: While many mothers sacrifice careers for parenting, some do the reverse. Is it possible to balance motherhood and a career? And what sacrifices are appropriate for the mother who wants to have a career, too? Nancy Quinn: I think it is possible as long as you are willing to be flexible on both sides. If your career needs extra attention at a particular point – you may need to give up some parenting control for that time. Hopefully you have a partner, …
Welcome to Mom Talk, a weekly feature at Medford Patch where local parents discuss a hot-button issue. Let's jump right in to this week's question: A recent online medical journal asserted that many parents are "fever-phobic." What do you do when your child gets sick? And do you ever think you're taking it too far? Adrienne Szafranski: Somewhere along the line, I read that the brain starts to cook itself at a fever of 104 degrees. Throughout my pregnancies and kids' early childhoods, I never read or heard anything to contradict this. So when my son had a fever of 106 for two days, we were …
Welcome to Moms Talk, a weekly feature at Patch where local parents talk about hot-button issues. Lets just right in to this week's question: What do you think of the custom of goodie bags for kids at birthday parties? And how about no-present parties? Tiffany Reevior: I'm not a huge fan of goodie bags, but unfortunately they are expected at kids' birthday parties these days. I groan internally when my son brings home yet another goodie bag of cheap toys that break quickly or never worked in the first place. Yet I know it's difficult to spend a lot of money on goodie bags when you've already…
Welcome to Moms Talk, a weekly feature at Medford Patch, where local parents discuss a question related to a hot topic. Let's jump right in to this week's question: Should hospitals allow photo taking and videotaping in delivery rooms? A recent New York times article covered the growing debate about hospitals banning cameras in delivery rooms. Reasonable and understandable? Restrictive and unfair? Stacey Hilliard: As one who is often guilty of excessive photographing and/or videotaping, I actually agree with banning cameras in the delivery room -- at least during active delivery. I was …
Every Wednesday morning, Medford Patch hosts "Moms Talk," where a group of local parents respond to a question related to a hot button issue. Here's today's question: What do you think of the School Departments consideration of changing the cut-off age for kindergarten? When do you think the appropriate age for kindergarten is? Adrienne Szafranski: Most communities have a September cut-off for school age. To me it only makes sense to bring the age cut off in line with other communities. If you moved to another town, and your child had a December 31 birthday, he or she would consistently be …
Welcome to Mom Talk, a weekly feature at Medford Patch, where local parents discuss a question related to a hot topic. Let's jump right in to this week's question: With three more snow days left until some action will have to be taken in Medford, which would you prefer for your kids: A week of longer school days, or having school on a Saturday? And if school was held on Saturday, would you make them go?Stacey Hilliard: Knowing the number of extracurricular activities kids are involved in, I think it would be hard – if not impossible – for an awful lot of families to commit to sending their …
Welcome to Moms Talk, a new feature on Medford Patch that's part of a new initiative to reach out to moms and families. Each week in Moms Talk, our "Moms Council" take your questions, give advice and share solutions. For Moms, dads, grandparents and the diverse families in Medford, it will be a new resource for questions about local neighborhood schools, the best pediatricians, 24-hour pharmacies and other issues that arise while raising children. Moms Talk will also be the place to drop in for a talk about the latest parenting hot topics, like "Where can we get information on local flu shot …
