This summer our regular babysitter has been vacationing, and we have had to use other sitters in the interim--mostly on the recommendation of a friend or friend-of-a-friend. One of them charges much less than our regular sitter, and that got me thinking... Q: What is an appropriate pay scale for a babysitter these days?? Do we pay too much? Does our sitter's higher education deserve a higher pay? A: I rarely leave my youngest child with a babysitter, and if I do, it is usually a family friend. With my oldest being old enough to babysit, I use him for my other children. However, being as busy …

July Fourth for me is a symbolic passage through the middle of summer--right before it gets its hottest. I am not sure if that would apply this year since we have seen an unprecedented heatwave since the beginning of June.  Whether you call it July Fourth or Independence Day, the holiday has been a constant in the lives of so many of us from infancy including cookouts, fireworks and the presence of loved ones. So when planning a trip to the market, filling up your gas tank or gathering swim gear consider--what does this weekend mean to you and your family? Q: Is it reminiscent of your …

This week's Moms Talk Q&A discusses protecting our children. As parents we vow raising our children to be the best adults they can be, and as parents we instinctively protect our kids from danger, misfortune, and even from themselves. In light of recent events in the public eye, in our courtrooms and on our streets, this question resonates with many:   Q: How far will mothers go to protect a child from consequences of the child's own mistakes? A: As a mother, I have made my share of mistakes while trying to smooth over a boo-boo, my son's missed homework assignment, inappropriate language in …

Today is Father's Day and this week's Moms Talk Q&A discusses how the day will be spent with dad. Q: Father's Day is a much touted and commercialized holiday, in what way does your family celebrate this special day? A: My husband travels often on business so we are lucky to have him in town this year. Our day will include early mass, relaxing, barbecuing and general good cheer. Marilyn Wood, Moms Council A: Being a blended family, we like to make sure both dads are celebrated. My boys will spend the morning with their dad, and meet with their stepdad and I, and their baby brother for lunch. …

We all know of someone who has been a victim of domestic violence: a friend, a neighbor, a co-worker. When a bad situation turns worse and the unthinkable happens, it can cause one to look at the situation and think, "Could I have helped the person?" Q: What do you do when an acquaintance or friend has clearly become a victim, but is too afraid or ashamed to come forward? Do you contact authorities? A: Sometimes it's hard to know when one is interfering and when one is helping. But be reassured, anytime violence is taking place between two people, it is wrong. Support for the victim(s) is a …

"Have a safe and happy summer!" Why does everyone say that?  I think it's a big change to the routine when summer hits. Since we have been slammed with an early heatwave this year, lots of folks will be venturing out to lakes and pools a lot sooner this year. Every year we hear about drownings in our local community which is both frightening and heartbreaking. We want our kids to have the chance to work off their energy while staying safe and having fun throughout summer. Q: What are some ways you keep your kids safe in and out of the water? A: No matter how I prepare, it takes vigilance to …

Now that another school season is just about over and summer is almost here, this week's Moms Talk Q&A focuses on what to do with the kids to keep them active and entertained. Q: Despite the recent chill in the air, summer is almost upon us. With just a few days left in the school year, what do you have planned for the summer? A: I start planning for summer really early on, in March. The schedule itself can be a little interesting. I try to not to overwhelm my kids with weeks and weeks of traveling and activities but I want it to be fun. So, like anything else, it's all about balance.  A week…

At the grocery store and at the mall, signs pop up everywhere to get our attention: 50 percent off, Buy One Get One Free, Clearance, etc. It's normally easy to navigate through the discounts and make our purchases accordingly. But what do you do when you arrive at the checkout and items ring up incorrectly, are improperly labeled or mistakenly shelved? Q: At what point are we being taken advantage of as consumers, and most importantly, which stores are the biggest offenders? A: I pay very close attention to everything I put into my shopping cart. I read the fine print, check the bar codes and…

In Georgia, it has been a rough spring season for allergies and illness. Unlike seasons past, many children have had exceedingly high bouts of strep, flu, croup, as well as allergic reactions. Like most parents, I don't want my child to be uncomfortable or in pain, but it's hard to keep them out of school every time they sneeze. So the question is: How sick is too sick for school? Is a fever the only barometer to measure by? A: It's been a tricky year regarding illness in my family. Missing too much school can send administrators into a frenzy, but sending children to school when they can't …

Lent is nearly over and Easter weekend is upon us. The stores are filled with images of this Christian celebration. Once a celebration of spring, hence the bunnies, chicks and chocolate eggs--Easter is another reminder of the Christian dominance in our country. This week's Moms Talk Q&A deals with the conversation with your children about religion. Q: How do you discuss religious differences with school-aged children? How do you instill tolerance and eliminate prejudice? A: My children are young enough to appreciate that every holiday includes a prize of some sort. I felt like it was a good …

Death can come in an instant. Whether by a tragic accident, heart attack, or long illness, death is often difficult to explain to kids young and old. This week, my son shared some disturbing news with me after his baseball practice. A father of a teammate and friend had suffered a stroke over spring break. Next came the question from my younger children, "Will he die? What happened? Will this happen to YOU?" I'll admit, I was ill-prepared for this barrage of questions, as I am every time I have had to deal with death or serious illness questions with my kids. Q: How do you approach these …

Planning for prom begins in your child's junior year of high school (if not sooner). Some teens attend multiple proms and have to plan ahead for the potential costly event(s). Party411.com estimates prom to cost around $1,500 per couple including, pre-prom dinner, flowers, rentals, dresses, shoes, accessories and spa treatments. Not to mention, pictures, souvenirs and transportation.  In this tortured economy--that is a lot of money to spend on one event for the average 17-year-old. Yes, it is a once in a lifetime experience, and one I will personally never forget, but things may be getting a…

Moms Talk Q&A is a forum designed to give hard-working parents a place to ask questions and have an open and honest discussion about the issues they face. We provide the questions-- you and the Moms Council chime in with the answers. This week's Moms Talk Q&A focuses on the dangers of drinking and driving during the upcoming high school social event season. With high school prom, graduations, and parties right around the corner, kids are getting excited about planning their next big event. That excitement comes with little worry, unless you are a parent of one of these teens. Q: At what point…

Moms Talk Q&A is a forum designed to give hard-working parents a place to ask questions and have an open and honest discussion about the issues they face. Need advise on an after-school program for your child? Or maybe you need help understanding why your newborn won't stop crying in the middle of the night. Are you faced with a bullying situation? When do you discuss sexual issues with your children? These are just a sample of some of the questions we will be tackling. Moms Talk Q&A is here for you. You ask the questions and the Moms Council offers their answers. Today's question and answers…

So, what is Moms Talk Q&A? It is a forum designed to give hard-working parents a place to ask questions and have an open and honest discussion about the issues they face. Need advise on an after-school program for your child? Or maybe you need help understanding why your newborn won't stop crying in the middle of the night. Are you faced with a bullying situation? When do you discuss sexual issues with your children? These are just a sample of some of the questions we will be tackling. Moms Talk Q&A is here for you. You ask the questions and the Moms Council offers their answers. Today's …

So, what is Moms Talk Q&A? It is a forum designed to give hard-working parents a place to ask questions and have an open and honest discussion about the issues they face. Need advise on an after-school program for your child? Or maybe you need help understanding why your newborn won't stop crying in the middle of the night. Are you faced with a bullying situation? When do you discuss sexual issues with your children? These are just a sample of some of the questions we will be tackling. Moms Talk Q&A is here for you. You ask the questions and the Moms Council offers their answers. Today's Q&A …

So, what is Moms Talk Q&A? It is a forum designed to give hard-working parents a place to ask questions and have an open and honest discussion about the issues they face. Need advise on an after-school program for your child? Or maybe you need help understanding why your newborn won't stop crying in the middle of the night. Are you faced with a bullying situation? When do you discuss sexual issues with your children? These are just a sample of some of the questions we will be tackling. Moms Talk Q&A is here for you. You ask the questions and the Moms Council offers their answers, and anyone …