Moms Talk Round-Up: Careful Planning

Each week, our Patch sites ask local moms, dads and grandparents to chip in on questions posed by our Mom Councils. This week, the grownups tackled topics of when to plan vacations, handling after-school activities and dealing with medication.

After-School House Rock:
Jessica Hoagland wrote: After trying to let my elementary-school aged kids play outside in the neighborhood, I eventually enrolled my kids in after-school programs because there was nobody outside to play with!
Schools are important community centers, and I am a big advocate of creating rich environments at school, filled with free choice and free play, after a long structured day in school. Of course, it all depends on what kind of kid you have. Some kids just need to come home and chill out.
-In Clayton-Richmond Heights Patch/Ladue-Frontenac Patch

Fears of Meds:
BMorrison wrote: One should always be careful with these drugs. Previously, they caused diabetes-related conditions including hyperglycemia and other blood sugar disorders. The FDA is not always fast to comment on serious drug side effects. One should always be careful and look into the side effects of a drug being prescribed, even after a doctor has said it would be OK to take.
Here's a list of drugs that have been either pulled from the market or relabeled -- http://www.yourlawyer.com/practice_areas/defective_drugs
-In Kirkwood-Webster Groves Patch

Fun in the Sun or School:
Stasia wrote: Sounds fun, but let’s jump through a couple hoops before finalizing the trip. First, make sure your daughter is OK with being gone for so long with the grandparents. Then, I'd ask the grandparents if they could possibly delay the trip until after school is out. If they can't prolong the trip a few weeks, I'd talk to my daughter again, if she's still in, I'd talk to her teachers and make sure she wouldn't be missing anything major, and if she could get much of the work to do “on the road.” If everything seems to be jibing right, I say go for it! It is a once in a lifetime opportunity to travel to a fun spot with grandma and pa :)
-In Lake Saint Louis Patch

Brisk Walk in the Neighborhood:
Katrina Sommer wrote: One of the nice things about living in Brentwood is that we are close to everything! When the weather is nice my husband and I put on our walking shoes, throw a cooler and ice packs in our son's stroller and walk to Whole Foods for fresh groceries for dinner. On the weekends, we walk to St. Louis Bread Co. for breakfast or lunch, and at least once a week we walk to Tilles Park. Walking is so easy, and it’s something the whole family can do (well almost the whole family - our 11-month old son thinks he can walk, but only if there is a couch, coffee table, and/or hand to hold)!
-In Maplewood-Brentwood Patch

Sticking to Tradition:
Melissa Short wrote: Over the years, these traditions have changed due to family dynamics. Having my own children and the passing of my father has created a strong desire to keep my family closer to my heart. Since I was a little girl, my family has ALWAYS gathered at my grandparent’s house for an Easter lunch. I cannot remember a year that we didn’t gather around their kitchen table to gorge on food, reminisce about the past and just visit with loved ones. This year, tradition will change a bit as I will now host the annual Easter lunch. It may not be exactly the same feeling, but our family will be together once again to eat and visit and enjoy the presence of one another. Just being with my family on this special holiday is enough for me. I want to instill the value of family in my children’s lives and help create a lifetime of lasting memories for them.
-In St. Charles Patch