Romance Vs. Family On Valentines Day?

Moms Talk is a new feature on Algonquin Patch that is part of a new initiative on our Patch sites to reach out to moms and families.

Algonquin Patch invites you and your circle of friends to help build a community of support for mothers and their families right here in Algonquin.

Each week in Moms Talk, our Moms Council of experts and smart moms take your questions, give advice and share solutions.

Moms, dads, grandparents and the diverse families who make up our community will have a new resource for questions about local neighborhood schools, the best pediatricians, 24-hour pharmacies and the thousands of other issues that arise while raising children.

Moms Talk will also be the place to drop in for a talk about the latest parenting hot topic. Do you know of local moms raising their children in the Tiger Mother's way and is it the best way? Where can we get information on local flu shot clinics for children? How do we talk to our children about the Tucson shootings? How can we help our children's schools weather their budget cutbacks?

Here's this week's topic: With Valentine's Day coming up, we're thinking about relationships. 

• What percentage of the time should Mom and Dad (or partner) go out on dates, and what percentage of the time should they include the whole family in outings and activities?  
• Does going on a date "leave out" the kids, or does Mom need "adult time" dates to nurture her relationship with the man in her life?  
• Is it a good thing or bad thing to let the kids see Mom and Dad kissing?  
• And finally, where will you celebrate Valentine's Day?