Introducing the Tolland Patch Moms Council

You've probably seen  asking local moms and caregivers to share their expertise and perspective. Over the last week, you may have noticed that we’ve started producing material we hope parents find useful. We will continue giving you the latest information on your schools, compelling opinion columns from other parents and local deals to save money.

We'll be launching our first ever "Moms Talk" discussion at 3 p.m. today here on Tolland Patch.

But before we do, we'd like to introduce you to the parents who were kind enough—or rather brave enough—to participate in our Moms Council. In no particular order, here they are:

Nancy and her husband, Bryan, recently relocated to Tolland from Florida. She served as in-house or outside counsel to countless businesses, shared legal wisdom at the university and graduate levels, and presides over five children (three bio and two step).  

Nancy continues to advise clients in real estate and corporate transactions and in the set-up, management and operations of their businesses.  When she and Bryan are not hunting down new dining destinations, Nancy is desperately searching for time to read, write and work out.

Laura is the mother of a 13 and 16 year old. She has been a PTO President for TEPTO, which encompasses Birch Grove and TIS, at the time about 1,200 students! She has been an active volunteer in the schools for years—a room parent, helper, you name it. Presently, she volunteers as the uniform coordinator for Tolland Travel and Recreation, over 1,000 kids.

Jenn is a full-time working mom with two boys under the age of four—loving and living life in Tolland. She grew up in wonderful Ellington, then attended college in Worcester, MA. After college, she landed a job in Boston, MA, where she spent 10 soaking up all that city had to offer. 

Four years ago, Jenn married the love of her life, Mike, whom she met while in Boston.  Two months after they said, "I do," her doctor said, "You are!"  Yes, they were pregnant! 

With the pending arrival of their son, they thought long and hard about where they wanted to raise their family.  Naturally, they decided Tolland was the place to be!  Not long after they settled into their new home, their family welcomed the arrival of Jenn’s second son.

Rachel, a 1994 graduate of , has a passion for educating folks on older adult/aging issues that not only affect the aging population, but also the generations of people who love or have contact with older people. We are all aging.

 She has a BS in Human Development and Family Relations, with a minor in Gerontology, and an MSW, with a major in policy and planning and a minor in community organization. During her working career, Rachel was a support group facilitator for the Alzheimers Association from 2002 to 2006, educating staff regarding memory impairment/dementia care, and taught a class on Gerontology at the University of Bridgeport 2005.

Rachel is now a proud mom, currently staying at home with her two children ages 2 and 4. “This decision was very important to me. Staying home with my two children is best for me and my family,” she said. “I hope to encourage a respect for intergenerational relationships in my children while helping other mothers like me who may be struggling with issues facing the sandwich generation.”

So Tolland Patch readers, what better way to welcome the members of our Moms Council than by participating in a lively debate with them during our first ever "Moms Talk" discussion today at 3 p.m.?

Feel free to post a comment, agree or disagree with other readers who will engage in the discussion. We welcome any and all opinions, so check our site every Wednesday at 3 p.m. for the latest "Moms Talk."