Moms Talk Roundup: What You Had To Say

In Clawson they're asking ...

"When do you keep a sick kid home?"

Jolyn Felten, a former teacher and now a parent: "I'll always err on the side of caution. I care enough about the other kids/parents in the class to avoid spreading the illness to others when possible. ... Look at it from another parent's perspective. Imagine for a moment that your child isn't your own. Would you want him/her around your child, coughing, sneezing and sharing supplies?"

Staci B: "It is very difficult for some parents to get time off of work to stay home with a sick kid. Sometimes kids are sent to school a day or so too soon. You can't realistically keep your child home for 7-10 days until they are completely recovered either. I think as long as their cough and runny noses aren't too bad and are generally under control, you have to send them back."

Kimberly Middlewood: "I always think of my child first ... Even if she is not contagious, is she going to be miserable in school? As a former preschool teacher I know this story all too well. We have to remember that teachers are not our children's mothers and sometimes your child just needs you when sick."

In Birmingham they're asking ...

Have you ever requested your child's teacher?

Kathy Sullivan: I don't believe there is some thing as "the best teacher." Every child learns differently and what may best for one child, may not be the best for yours.

Hollie Eriksen: I strongly believe that you do have to learn to get along with (or at least tolerate) all different types of personalities. It's not like you'll be able to choose your boss or co-workers when you're an adult!

Martha Carter: Not to mention, there's the benefit of making it a "teachable moment" (pardon the pun). In life, you have to learn to deal with difficult professors, bosses, co-workers. There's no escaping that!

Sherrie VandePutte: I asked the principal about requesting a specific teacher. She said it was her preference for parents not to ask for a specific teacher by name, but to write to her in the spring, informing her of the type of classroom environment and teacher characteristics the parent preferred. It was a strategy that worked well for our family.

In Rochester they're asking ...

Should I send my daughter to school all day or half day for kindergarten?

Susan: Really, this is a personal decision that should be based on the child and family — no two children are the same. I have one who would not have done well in an all day kindergarten, while my other would have thrived.

Cathy: By the time they get settled, have recess, go to music/art/etc, there isn't all that much teaching time left. So, if they really think they need to raise the academic standards for 5 year olds I am sure all day will be needed at some point.

Kristin: Studies show that "academic-izing" kids early does not produce "smarter" kids later on.

Joshua: I could perhaps support all-day kindergarten if we were still on the 180 day school year with shorter days. Now with the longer days, it would make it even tougher for kids to make the transition. I think it is tough enough for children who are not in full-time daycare to make a transition to being away from home for a long time. ... BTW, I hope you all don't mind a dad speaking up on this issue even though it is "Mom Talk". We need more dads involved in their children's education. It would make a world of difference with some kids. (Editor's note: We don't mind at all; in fact we welcome dads, grandmas, aunts and guardians. It's a conversation!)

In Oakland Township they're asking ...

How do you deal with all those classroom Valentines?

Tiffany: Unless the teacher requires it, don't address each Valentine card with each child's name — just the signature of the child giving the Valentine. That way, kids don't have to waste time trying to match the card with the other kid's "mailbox" in the classroom.

As for treats, I don't feel obligated to give candy to the kids in the class. I will volunteer to make cookies or something similar for the class if there's a planned party, but the card really is all that is needed. For close friends, we might add a little piece of candy or lollipop with the card. But we figure kids get so much candy, we don't need to add to the pile!

In Berkley and Huntington Woods they're asking ...

How young is too young for Facebook?

Libby: What kind of communication are we encouraging by allowing our kids to communicate through FB? Personally, I would like to feel comfortable that my kids can effectively communicate face-to-face with both adults and other children. Are we providing kids a comfort zone to avoid face-to-face or voice-to-voice contact? ... My husband says 18; yet when schools are creating FB pages to keep kids informed with sports, and extra curricular activities, then I can understand the convenience factor. Maybe an 8th grade present.

In Ferndale they're asking ...

Did you make a mistake naming your baby? Or did you almost make a mistake with a name?

Amy replied to Ferndale editor Terry Parris Jr.: Terry, thank goodness your mom didn't name you Mork.

Do you have anything to add? Please, join the conversation on Wednesday, in the next Moms Talk.  We want to hear from moms, dads, grandparents — anyone who has a point of view on parenthood and all that goes with it. If you have a suggested question, please let us know!