Q:  My kids just love to watch TV,  and it seems that every week they're spending more and more time doing it.  I dread the summer,  when they'll want to watch from  morning until night.  What's a parent to do?   A:  Who owns that TV?  Don't forget,  that as a parent,  you own your home and everything in it... junior does not.  The household and its resources are  under your control.  Set up time limits and boundaries for TV watching and stick with them!  At first you'll most likely get a lot of griping, complaining, or even tantrums.... but stand strong.   And your limits and guidelines …

Q: I live with three little tricksters who always seem to catch me by surprise. Friday is April Fools' Day and I would like to stay one step ahead of them this year. Any great ideas???? A: Thanks for the fun question. I have a pretty tricky house of my own (I'm still cleaning green stuff up from areas that the sneaky Leprechauns took over a few weeks ago). Following are a few ideas to bring fun, with a relatively small mess, into your home for April Fools' Day. Make non-sip-able drinks. The night prior fill a clear glass three-quarters of the way full with Jello.  Make sure that you match the…

Q: Right now our family of five is sharing one family computer, but my kids are really after me that they NEED to have their own computers.  I will 100 percent admit that there' s a major time overlap for each child trying to get their work done on the one that we all share. Also that they're right, we need to add at least one more computer (if not more) to the family. But I'm afraid that I'll lose control of what they are doing out in cyberworld by getting them each a computer that they have unlimited access to. How do I provide them the availability needed, but still control how they use it…

Spring break is coming up in a couple of weeks and it seems like everyone in the neighborhood is heading out of town except our family.  Do you have any suggestions for what we can do so my kids don't feel so left out? Our family loves to travel,  but we've also spent our share of school breaks at home.  A little planning can go a long way.  You probably don't want to just wake up each day and then try to figure out what to do with the little darlings.  Have a plan,  show enthusiasm for it, and your kids will be on board for some at home fun! One idea that has gained popularity in these …

Q: I'm worried that my 14-year-old son is living his life on his phone. Looking at his texting bill, I'm wondering how he has time to do anything but text. He's pulling good grades and enjoys sports, but I'm worried that he'll never be able to communicate in the "real world" if he's living his life through texting.  How can I get him to use his mouth to communicate instead of his thumbs? A: First of all, bravo mom for raising a son that seems to be well-rounded with his activities and school work. But to address your fear of too much texting, how do you know when too much is really too much? …

Drug testing is the question for the Community Unit School Dsitrct 95 Board.  The main purpose of random school drug testing isn't to catch kids using drugs, it's to keep them from ever using them.  Once students use drugs, it's harder for them to break their addiction. With many employers using drug testing it's very important for kid's futures not  to use drugs. Drug use is responsible for many crimes. It's worth the inconvenience for all of our futures. By testing, it gives the students another reason to "say no" to drugs.  According to a USA Today poll, almost 50 percent of 12th graders …

Q. Help!!!  I'm getting known as the mom who's never on time. It seems that no matter what time I try to leave with my kids, or where I'm going to, we are always running late. I'm ready to go but there's always a missing shoe, forgotten homework, or a stubborn child who refuses to get moving. How can I get out of the door faster and with less headaches? A. As moms we have all been there at one point or another. But there are three tricks that will help you get out of the door on time and less frazzled. GET ORGANIZED Kids (and adults) can get themselves moving quicker if they know where there …

Moms Talk is a new feature on Lake Zurich Patch that is part of a new initiative on our Patch sites to reach out to moms and families.  Lake Zurich Patch invites you and your circle of friends to help build a community of support for mothers and their families right here in Lake Zurich. 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 …