'Moms Talk': Spring Break, Potty Training and Sex Talks

Mom's Talk isn't limited to the . Check out some highlights from other moms councils to see what parenting topics have other Patches around St. Louis buzzing.

Play-Doh for our dear ones?
Laura Falk wrote: The Magic House is one of our favorite rainy day activities. The 2-year-old also loves going out to the Whittle Train Store in Valley Park for a morning of playing with trains. I'm also still consistently amazed at how long the kiddos will be engaged with simple things like Play-Doh or paints.
— In Clayton-Richmond Heights/Ladue-Frontenac.

Learning responsible drinking—in Canada:
Lew Bryson wrote: My 19-year-old son was just home on break last week. He and I took a road trip to Quebec during the break, and we both drank. We split a half-liter of wine with dinner, had a glass each at dinner the next night, and he had a total of three beers in three days (all at brewpubs, in very social, adult atmospheres). We walked everywhere and walked back to our hotel.

So … was that a bad idea on my part? He was of legal age in Quebec, though he is not when at home or at school. He was with me, he didn't have too much (and neither did I), and he didn't see other people drinking too much. Until, that is, when we stopped in Vermont on the way home and witnessed St. Patrick's Day. He wasn't even allowed IN one bar there, even though all we wanted was lunch; "too risky," the bouncer said, noting that the police were watching underage drinking closely that day.

My son looked at me, annoyed, and said, "50 miles north they'd have welcomed me and served me." All I could do was nod. So … I have mixed feelings about this. If my kids aren't allowed to drink at home or out when they're with me ... who is going to teach them how to drink responsibly?
— In Kirkwood-Webster Groves

Training us to train them:
Anita Branson wrote: First thing ... It does not matter if you are a "stay-at-home mom" or a "working mom," potty training is decided by your child's developing body. Ways to tell is if he is ready to potty train is if he starts staying dry for longer hours, letting you know that he has gone and wants to be changed and so forth. You are doing the right things by watching the videos with him and reading to him about it. Other things you can do is have him and dad go to the bathroom at the same time. Then, he can see dad sitting down and when he is older, standing up. One great advantage you have as a stay-at-home mom is that you can tell if he is having regular bowel movement. Once he is, you can plan to have him on his potty in time to go. Hang in there. He should start showing interest soon.
— In Lake Saint Louis Patch

A case of TMI in the birds-and-bees talk:
Denise Lee wrote: When I was pregnant with our son, our 4-year-old daughter asked how the baby would get out of my tummy. We explained the process using terms a child would understand and without a lot of graphic detail, but with perhaps too much information. Our daughter looked at me incredulously and said "You're kidding?!" While we have not withheld information, that first experience with our 4-year-old daughter taught us to deliver information at a steady pace to avoid overwhelming our kids. Now that they are teens, we talk about sex in the context of relationships.
— In Maplewood-Brentwood

Taking advantage of a few more years of shelter:
Holly Locke wrote: Short answer: I shelter my children. My husband and I give facts, but usually no visuals. We had a family member taking classes in Tokyo; they knew we were concerned for her. (She is now back in the U.S.) Through all our conversations, we were accurate in what we said, even if we were not specific on the scope of devastation. And put it in context with our faith. We can't shelter them forever, but we have a few more years. For now, it's a high-level discussion and then we pray as a family.
— In St. Charles Patch

News about how you snooze:
Bonnie Krueger wrote: As someone who has had a lifelong sleep disorder (and only diagnosed four years ago), I urge you to take your son to a sleep therapist. Most of the major hospitals have sleep clinics and should be covered under most insurance plans. You can be prepared by tracking his sleep, how often he's waking and how long it takes him to fall asleep. Insomnia is more than not falling asleep, it is also frequent night wakings. They will see if it is emotionally based or just bad habits. Then, they will look at it from a medical standpoint, which usually involves an overnight sleep evaluation (a parent stays with them). Again, I urge you to seek out medical help. You might be saving your son from lifelong sleep problems.
— In Town and Country-Manchester