It’s summer, and it’s humid out – extra ice cream cones and popsicles come along with the territory. While you are watching over what your kids are eating, you might forget about taking care of yourself. In a Blog Post on the Mahwah Patch earlier this month, holistic nutritionist and health coach Rosy McCann offered the following tips on making good nutritional choices during this time of the year: Choose live food whenever possible (salad, vegetables, fruit, nuts granola and trail mix) Eat a healthy meal or snack before you go (so you are not as tempted by the funnel cakes and ice cream!) …

News broke this week that a new law in Missouri makes it illegal for teachers to be Facebook friends with their students. According to a report in Mobiledia, the law is in an effort to "more clearly define teacher-student boundaries." The law does, according to the report, allow for teachers to have "Facebook fan pages" that allow for public interaction between instructors and their classes. Do you think the law is a good idea? Do you think the law is necessary? Should New Jersey consider something similar?

In light of Tuesday’s bus accident in which a pedestrian was struck by a Coach bus, parents of tweens and teens in Mahwah likely have driving at the top of their minds. According to AAA, teen drivers are at a higher risk of crashing the first time they go at it alone, when they are driving with other teens in the car, and when they are driving at night. The group also reports that teens are more likely than adults to make calls or send texts while driving and not wear their seatbelts. AAA’s website advises parents that even after teens get their licenses, “you and your teen should still …

According to the Huffington Post, a new nationwide poll shows that MTV’s The Jersey Shore isn’t hurting New Jersey’s image. In fact, it might actually be helping, according to the Farleigh Dickinson University Poll. The results got Patch wondering: How do Mahwah parents feel about this and other Jersey “reality” shows? Do you let your kids watch them? Do you feel they are giving kids a warped perception of what it is like to live here (or go on vacation down the shore), or, as the poll suggests, is it not that big of a deal?

My 5 1/2-year-old showed up at lunch proudly wiggling his first loose tooth! My first thought was "EWWW!" My second "Oh no! I hope I don't have to pull it out!" And then finally a few minutes later, while listening to Ben yammering on and on to his little brother about how the tooth fairy was going to come and visit him and give him money for Legos, I came around to "Uh-oh. I have no idea how much a tooth goes for nowadays!" The price of the first tooth is important. It sets the standard by which all 19 other teeth will get paid. I asked my parents. They told me that they gave me a quarter …

Now that the Fourth of July has passed, Mahwah families are headed out the door! Vacation season has officially begun. For families that have yet to make plans, what are your recommendations for family-friendly getaways? We all know the obvious choices, like down the shore of Disney World. If you've been on another interesting trip that your family really enjoyed, near or far, share your experiences!

Though summer often means more time outside for kids, many also use some of their newly found free time to play video games. What are the gaming rules in your house? Do you utilize the ratings on games, or another system of determining what games are appropriate for your kids? Do you limit the amount of time they can play, or leave it up to them to decide?

It's summertime, and the spending can be easy. With the kids out of school, day trips, shopping sprees, and summer activities, this is often an expensive time of year for people. So, what are your summer money saving secrets? How can you save some green while making sure that your family has a fun summer?

This Friday, several hundred township families will watch their sisters, brothers, nieces, nephews, and grandchildren reach a milestone. As graduation nears, so too does the gamut of emotions for all friends and family members - excitment, anxiety, anticipation, and sadness, everything that goes along with closing one chapter and beginning another. Any advice for family members or for the graduates?

Ramapo Ridge's eighth grade dance is this Friday. Is it OK for kids to get caught up in dance festivities - dresses and tuxes, hair, nails, make-up, etc.?  Is it a chance for them to indulge and have fun, or an excuse for them to focus on looks and how much money their peers can spend? Have you talked to your kids about this issue? Mom's Council Member Lauren Rosen says, "Yes, it is ok to get caught up in the excitement of the dance festivities. These dances are supposed to be “special occasions” and many students have as much fun planning for them as they do attending the actual event. The …

How do you work out summer reading with your kids? Many parents don’t want their kids to completely forget about schoolwork during the summer, but also want to allow time for physical activity, socialization, and relaxation. What are your thoughts on summer reading?  Mom's Council member Lauren Rosen had the following to say: "Who says you can’t enjoy summer while preparing for the next school year? I am certain that you can do both. Research shows that kids lose quite a bit of ground academically through the summer months. It is critical for students to read consistently throughout the …

What is your family doing for Memorial Day? How do you explain the significance of the day to your kids?

It seems like there are so many options for kids this summer - camps, sports programs, volunteer opportunities, or, for older kids, internships.  What are your kids doing for the summer? Will kids actually get a break this summer? Can they be over-involved in summer activities? Mom's Council member Lauren Rosen said: "Camp was always my number one choice for my children when they were young. Each of my three children had different needs; therefore, I chose different camp settings and  programs for all three. My main goals were to have them socialize with other kids their own age that they may…

While many kids already have summer vacation on their minds, most have a pile of important tests to wade through before reaching relaxation, swimming pools, camp or summer jobs. Whether kids are taking the NJ ASK at JK or the Ridge, or preparing for SATs and class finals at the High School, testing is important this time of the year. How do you help your kids prepare? How involved should you be with the study routine? Are classes outside of school necessary? 

In light of the death of Osama bin Laden, and the memories of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, today’s Mom Council question asks how you discuss these topics with your children. How do you explain television images of the attacks? Do you share this information with your kids? Mom’s Council member Lauren Rosen said: “I wish I had a clear answer to this highly controversial question, but unfortunately, I don’t. Every child has a different level of curiosity and tolerance for adversity. Parents know their children best and can base the decision to share details of this difficult …

Springtime means a plethora of fresh and healthy foods – from strawberries and grapes to spinach leaves and asparagus are once again gracing our kitchens. The question is – how do I get my kids to eat all of this healthy food?

As we are hearing about more and more students getting letters back from colleges to which they applied, parents of younger children can’t help but wonder, “when do I need to start worrying about that?” So, today Patch is asking – when do kids and parents need to start thinking about applying to college? Should we be thinking about extracurricular activities, applications and essays starting freshman year? When should I pick up an SAT study book for my child and sign up for a CollegeBoard.org account? Check out more advice on paying for college from a seminar the high school held earlier this…

We reached 80-degree temperatures on Monday, spring sports have arrived, and everyone, kids included, is happy to shake off the long winter. However, there are two months of school left. How do you avoid spring fever taking over your kids, and keep them focused on schoolwork during these warmer months?

This year, the Mahwah Township School District is taking state-mandated steps toward dealing with bullying in schools, the police department and MMA are sponsoring events to combat bullying, and there seems to be a heightened sense of awareness about adolescent relationships and interactions in the community. So, today Patch is asking parents in town - How involved should you be in your kids' relationships with other kids?

Now that the weather is getting warmer, spring sports are getting underway. Mahwah High School sports are holding season opening games this weekend, and Township of Mahwah Youth Sports Boosters have open registrations for many sports, including t-ball, softball, track and field, and street hockey. Whether it be organized or backyard, sports are some of the main ways Mahwah kids stay active during the warmer months. So, today Patch is asking Mahwah parents:  Should I encourage my child to play organized sports this spring? What other ways can I get my kids outside, engaging in healthy …