While web surfing the other day I came across a poll that asked, “What is a mother?” As the writer of a column entitled Moms Talk, I’d like to think I could answer that question lickedly split. Then the poll continued, “What encompasses the parameters of a mother?” Huh? First of all, I don’t think a mother has any parameters. No boundaries, no limits, nothing to confine her, or her love. Second of all, I’m not sure the most accurate way to phrase the initial question is to ask what a mother is. I think the truer question would be to ask what a motherdoes. That I can answer … A mother, Stays …

This week's question is so appropriate, and comes from Wayland Patch: How do you help your kids transition from school to summer time? (Go on and read it... we'll wait). The last day of school in Weston was yesterday. How are your kids handling it? Do you have plans to help them with the transition, or are you just hoping for the best?

How are you celebrating Dad this year? Going out to breakfast, giving him a special gift.. What's on the agenda?

School is winding down and with that comes the long, hot days of summer. Kids who are used to having scheduled activities all week may suddenly be at a loss over what to do.  When your kids come complaining to you that they're bored — and you don't want them to watch any more TV or play any more Xbox or to fight with their siblings — what do you do? How do you encourage your kids to stop whining about how bored they are and to go and do something?

It's no doubt an embarassing conversation but it's a necessary one: Explaining sex and sexuality to your children. There's so much to consider in this day and age with raised awareness of sexually-transmitted diseases, increased acceptance of gays and lesbians and popular shows like "16 and Pregnant" that glamorize teenage pregnancy. How do you explain it all? Do you give your 5-year-old and 12-year-old different "talks"? Do you let school and/or your religion handle it? 

Common childhood fears run the range from fears of the dark and monsters in the closet to fears about kidnapping or getting hurt in some kind of natural disaster.  How do you help your kids deal with these kinds of worries and fears? What are your strategies for helping your kids get a grip on their feelings and their stress?

For some Weston kids, the MCAS is just a recent memory. But for others, it's a current topic. How do you help your kids deal with testing stress? What are your strategies for helping them relax and prepare effectively without going overboard? 

It's hard to believe that summer vacation will soon be upon us. Soon the kids will have no more homework, no more after-school activities.  What are your plans for your kids this summer? Will they be going to day or sleepaway camp? Do you have some great vacations planned? Are you going to be the mean mom or dad and make them do workbooks so their academic skills stay current? 

I have two younger sisters and we had our fair share of fight as children and teenagers—over everything. They were the pretty typical fights, over stuff like whose turn it was to sit in the front seat and over who borrowed who's shirt and Moooom, she's making that face at me again!  As adults, our relationship is great, but it was some hard years there for my parents.  How do you mediate fights between your kids—or do you? Do you let them fight it out or do you step in? What's the best way to promote healthly relationships between siblings?

We've all heard the conventional wisdom that you should try to have a family dinner most nights—that it promotes better eating habits, lower rates of obesity and that kind of thing. So do you have family dinner? Do you have any rules about what can and can't be said or done at the dinner table? What made you decide to have family dinners—or not have them? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

When I was growing up, we saw my grandparents about three times a year, because we lived in Massachusetts and my grandparents lived on Long Island, N.Y. We would sometimes get cards for various events, like birthdays, and my grandparents would call every now and then. But for the most part, we didn't see them very often. I marvel today at how my two-year-old is able to talk to one set of grandparents, who live in New Jersey, using our laptops and Skype. She loves interacting with them and whenever we do see them, she seems so comfortable with them - but of course, she's been talking to them …

As many parents know, a lot of kids are dependent on routine - regular bedtimes, regular snacktimes, that kind of thing. And it can go haywire on vacation, with jetlag, irregular bedtimes, too many snacks from Grandma and just plain misbehavior from kids who aren't in their regular routine. How do you keep things moving smoothly? How do you keep the fights to a minimum? What's your secret for making family vacations less stressful and more fun?

I've always liked the warmer weather, but I never realized how important outside time is until I had a kid. Now my family practically jumps for joy when the thermometer goes above 50 degrees. We're not stuck inside! We can go for a walk or hit the playground and run off some of the excess toddler energy. So where do you go in Weston and the area to find some good outdoor activity? Do you hike or ride bikes? Where are the best playgrounds? What do you like to do outside as a family when the weather cooperates? 

When you're a new parent, advice is everywhere—from your friends, your family, the pediatrician, magazines, the Internet, strangers at the supermarket, etc. It's hard to avoid, and yet some of it can actually be quite useful.  Advice about the best methods to do this or that change with every generation, but some things are universal. My favorite bit of parenting advice comes from a family friend, whose long-time maxim with child-rearing has been, "You can't make a happy kid happier." What's the best advice you received when you were a new parent? What advice would you give to someone who's …

Today's question is one that all moms, be they stay-at-home moms or working-out-of-the-home moms, hold dear. With commitments to your children, to your spouse, to your extended family and friends always present, how do you find time for yourself? What's your go-to way to unwind and relax? Wine and a bath? Going to the gym? Monthly visits to the spa? Let us know your secrets to getting some time to yourself.

We've all watched in horror this week as we've witnessed the devastating earthquake and accompanying tsunami hit Japan last Friday. And with the daily news that the Fukushima Daiichi power plant may be facing a meltdown, it gets even worse every time you check the news. How do you talk to your kids about something like this? Do you edit it down? Do you tell your oldest something and then your younger children something different (or not at all?) How do you balance the fine line between being honest and not completely freaking your kids out?

This week, our moms council talks about clothing: namely, children's clothing. How much leeway do you give to your children in picking out their own clothing and/or accessories?  Has your answer changed from when they were toddlers to pre-teens or teens? Is it just a battle you've decided isn't worth it? Our moms will answer in the comments—join in on our conversation!

Today, we're trying a new format for the Moms Talk Q&A: A conversation in the comments. Our expert moms will chime in with their answers, and we hope that you, too, will tell us what you think. Just put your thoughts in the comments section at the end of this page and join in on the conversation. Today's question: Do you give your children an allowance? Why or why not? 

Moving to a new community can be daunting enough, as you meet your neighbors and learn where the supermarket is. But if you have kids, how do you make friends? Do you get past any shyness and chat people up at the playground? Do you join groups? Our moms council tackled this issue in today's Q&A. (Please note: Two of the moms are away on February vacation this week). Heather Stephens: When I first moved to Weston over 14 years ago, I was one half of a young married couple sans kids.  For those first 2 years, my husband and I spent our time commuting back and forth to the city and didn’t make …

Our moms panel this week tackles a issue that's hard to do in these connected, busy times: How do you limit your children's screen time, with TV, Internet, handheld gaming devices and more? Lisa Williams: Limiting the kids' screen time can be extremely difficult. We have a set time limit for screen time in our house.  The problem is that as soon as I turn my back, take a phone call, deal with an argument between the other kids or feed the dog, for example, the time limit tends to go out the window.  In other words, if I don't actively monitor the screen time, basically by physically being …