This week's question about childhood allergies is from Kate van Sleet. Question: It's allergy time! What is your advice for caring for little ones who suffer from pollen overload? Answer, from Alison: Luckily, my kids don't have any pollen allergies, so we haven't had to deal with that.  However, my older daughter is allergic to amoxicillin, and my younger is allergic to most sunscreens - both pretty severely, with hives that quickly take over their little bodies - and I often wonder whether other things will trigger allergic reactions.  I carry Benedryl in my bag, and hope for the best!   …

This week’s open-ended question come to us from Alison Mitchell. Question: What three pieces of advice would you give new parents in Somerville? Answer, Alison Mitchell: Join the SomervilleMoms Yahoo Group - a great way to exchange information with 1600+ local parents. Talk to people.  The best way to meet other parents is by starting a conversation - at the park, the grocery store, the library, wherever you happen to be.   Even though you're exhausted, consider doing some "grown up" things while your baby is still portable - going out to dinner, going to a museum (the Somerville Library has …

The Question, as submitted by Alisa Stendardo: How do you encourage or promote a healthy lifestyle in your kids? Do you lead by example? Do you limit TV/computer time? Is there such a thing as too much activity/sport participation? Answer from Allison: With most aspects of parenting/child development, I try to look at the big picture.  Some days are going to be very active, some days are going to be quieter, depending on the weather, illness, how tired the kids are, time of year etc.  We don't watch much TV in our house, but after the snow days this past winter, my girls could recite most of…

This week’s question about going out to eat with children comes from Alisa Stendardo. QUESTION: What to do about restaurants? When do we stop? When do we start? What do I do to soften our arrival to other guests and staff? ANSWER, Jessica Stowe: I think taking kids out to a restaurant is a great idea and can be fun for kids of any age!  It can be a great night or day out for the whole family.  However, to avoid disaster I have found that the following things tend to work: 1. Preview the menu before you go to make sure that there is something that your kids will eat.  If a restaurant has a …

Things must be busy for our Mom's Council panel this week since we only heard back from two of our resident experts. Still some Mom Talk is better than none... This week’s question about meeting other parents comes from Public TV Paralegal Kate Van Sleet. QUESTION: How do you meet other parents in town (especially when your kids are not yet in school)? ANSWER, Jessica Stowe: There are so many ways to meet local parents in town simply by getting involved in the community. The Somerville Library has a wide array of programs for parents with young children including weekly sing-alongs and story-…

This week, the Mom’s Council discusses ways to teach children about giving back. How do you instill a sense of compassion or generosity in your children? Let us know your opinion in the comments too.  Q: What can we do to teach our children about the importance of giving back? Answer from Jessica Stowe: Teaching our children the importance of giving back is one of the most important values we can instill in our children. As adults, we can start by leading by example and take part in a charity or organization that we are passionate about. Then, find a cause that is of importance to your child…

This week’s question about children’s toys comes from Alison Mitchell, moderator of the SomervilleMoms Yahoo Group, where several good discussions on this very question have been held recently. QUESTION: Let’s talk kid’s toys: How do you keep them organized and how do you keep too many from accumulating via gifts, etc.? When is enough enough? When is it time to pass on or toss toys that have been outgrown?   Add your own answer to the comment section, read on for the Council’s take.... ANSWER, Alisa Stendardo: Ugh…the topic of toys. This just came up for us as my son turned one last weekend. …

This week, the Moms’ Council takes on a current hot topic being discussed by the WorkingMomSomerville Yahoo Group, which new council member Alisa Stendardo founded. For more about the members of the Patch Moms’ Council, see below. QUESTION: With many local parents starting families later and balancing careers, having another child can be complicated. When’s the best time to have another child and how do you decide when—and if—it’s the right decision? Add your own answer to the comment section, read on for the Council’s take.... ANSWER, Alisa Stendardo: We had always "planned" for 2 kids, but …

This week, prodded by a chagrined parent, the Mom’s Council debates whether parents should assume kids' spaces are always peanut-free and pack snacks accordingly. Let us know your opinion in the comments too.  Question: I recently took my kids to an “indoor playground” (recommended by the Mom's Council – thanks!). I was sitting with my kids, having a snack, when a mom came up to me. “You know, this is a peanut-free place, don't you?” … I was of course upset to have missed such a thing, but could find no signs anywhere, nor had there been anything on the website. The guy in charge assured me …

The Question: Is there anything Somerville parents can learn from Amy Chua's (aka Tiger Mom) parenting style? Answer: From Kate van Sleet (read about Kate below)  While I am certainly an advocate for encouraging your children to live up to their greatest potential, I have to say that I am a little put off by the extreme nature of Chua's parenting style. I can't help but think that eventually her aggressive parenting will emotionally backfire. And while it may be a successful traditional Chinese method of parenting (so she claims), I wonder how well it really translates in today's American …

The Question: It’s too cold for playgrounds and yards and pushing a stroller over icy sidewalks is an ordeal of late. What are you doing to keep the kids (and yourself) sane and happy this winter? What activities, outings or indoor fun do you recommend? The Answers: Our Mom’s Council (for dad’s and guardians too) strongly recommends play dates, and Council member Kate Van Sleet put together a really helpful list of indoor outings for when you just have to get out--including some free fun for vacation week. Let us know what you do. Add your advice in the comments! A: From Lucas Friedlaender (…