Moms Talk Around Town: Summer Camps, Technology Overload, Correcting a Stranger's Child in Public

We asked moms, dads and others concerned with family issues  what they thought about a variety of subjects, from correcting a stranger's child in public to how much technology is overload for kids. Here's what you had to say.

Would you correct a stranger's child in public?

Bridget wrote: "I am a teacher and I do correct other children. I usually refer to setting a better example for my children and I would like their help teaching my children what is right and wrong. Most of the time the children respond very well to my plea for "help," but it doesn't always work that perfectly!"
 
Responses on Canton Patch Facebook:
Marion Zidzik Rozum: "Last night I had a conversation with 8 teens who sat behind me at the Emagine theater while everyone around them attempted to watch Gnomio and Juliet. If any reader out there knows their teen attended that movie at 7pm on 2/22/11...just know they were a very bad reflection on teens."

Bruce Koldys: "Yes had to do it once. Kid kept throwing a paper airplane at me and everyone else in the waiting room. Destroyed the plane and the problem was solved."
Canton Patch ‎@Bruce Koldys: So, did the other adults in the room approve, disprove or act like they didn't see what you did?
Bruce Koldys: "They ignored it, sort of like they were glad SOMEONE did it. A couple of them were hit in the face so I expected at least a gift card to Outback but no such luck. Never had to do that again in my life."

Do you send your children to summer camp? If so, where do you send them? What do you look for in a good camp? Give us some suggestions.

Bradford Parks: "My son goes to Ferndale Recreation summer camp at the Kulick Center and loves it. They have tons of activities and field trips, swimming, and cool weekly themes . Plus he gets to see all his friends from school. And most importantly--he comes home exhausted. :) Highly recommended!

Linda Jackson: "I love Blue Lake fine Arts camp! Sidnie is going this summer for band. Blue Lake representatives visit Ferndale Schools each year and let any student (5th grade and up) try out for a partial scholarship, which goes toward camp fees.
Last year Haley went and became really good friends with a cabinmate. That friend spent the weekend of the Ferndale Schools All City Concerts with us and she had so much fun hanging out with Haley and all of her Friends that she didn't want to leave Ferndale! For more information the website is www.bluelake.org."

Kristy Stammer Stoll: "My 10-year-old will be doing a Harry Potter-themed science camp at Cranbrook. He will also go away to Sherman Lake YMCA (near Battle Creek), which is an awesome camp and facility. He might also do Camp Invention, overnight at the Detroit Zoo... and some various hockey camps. I also hear there is a music/band thing offered to the Ferndale Schools kids that we will be learning more about. Whew, getting exhausted already, but he loves them all! My 5- year-old will probably do some day camps at the Zoo and perhaps one at Cranbrook. Ditto that Metro Parent is a good resource."

Public, private or home school?  

Heather Camps: "I believe that one of the things that makes our country great is that every children has the right to an excellent education regardless of their socio-economic class ... what we have to realize is that most of the population do not have the resources to send their kids to private schools and rely on public schools to educate their children, because of this I believe it is important to send our kids to public schools, to be involved and aware of the state of public education and to ensure that every future generation has the same if not better educational opportunities."

How do you manage your child's exposure to technology?

Arbie: "I feel like my job as a mom some days is to find ways to keep my kids off technology. I start to become Mom the circus clown trying to entertain my 2 younger kids. My older kids (14 and 12) were deliberately kept from cable TV and video games until they got much older. I wish I had done it with my younger kids (twin 8's), because they are completely incapable of self-entertaining unless it involves technology."

Laura: "We limit the kids' electronics usage to the weekends. They can use the computer if their homework requires it but typically all tv , computer, and video game time is limited to the weekends. We encourage the kids to focus on being creative , reading or just doing things together."

Vera Lucksted: "If grades aren't where they should be or if chores are not completed, the iPod, Wii, Xbox or PC become off limits for a period of time. We also try to limit tech time to before dinner. I think that too much TV, PC or gaming in the evening can disrupt sleep."

Maureen McRae: "We keep right up with them. Our house is an electronic playground. However, we also 'unplug' frequently and bring out the cards and board games."

Look at the choices before the school board, and put yourselves in their shoes. Which option would you choose? Do you have a different option? (Note: The Huron Valley District has been weighing options for consolidating or closing schools)

Vanessa Dawn said: "None of them are pleasing, but closing one of the middle schools would bring more money to the school's budget and we wouldn't be right back here again in a few years with the minimal savings to the district that closing Brooks would do; it's a quick fix, not a long-term solution. Unfortunately, this is the only decision that seems to do both the students and the budget some actual good. We shall see!"

Caroline Lanfear said: "I think we should close Muir middle school. Moving 5th graders into the middle school is just a procrastination tactic. I do think they should also explore a middle school IA and moving the high school IA program in the near future. "

Scot Powers said: "It is never fun when a community is forced to make cuts in the education system. My family lived in Redford 5 years ago, when we were faced with the fact that we had to shut down an elementary school. My son was attending the school that was re-purposed and therefore had to move to a new school. But he moved with many of his friends, and several of the teachers. After a few months in the new school, we come to question why we put up such a fight about closing "our" school. When we should be looking at making "our" school DISTRICT better. The fact is that there are fewer students in the district, consolidation only makes sense. The numbers I've seen seem to suggest closing Muir, or re-purposing it. I do like the idea that Caroline proposes about exploring the option of an IA Middle School. But my question is, does moving IA, and expanding to include IA Middle School in the vacated school still provide the same budget relief?"

What advice do you have for parents helping their children with the college search?

Sally said: "One thing that really helped us was the Barron's Profiles of American Colleges book. It has every school listed with many details. The best part is that it comes with a CD that you can use to search for various features - location, size, fields of study, etc.

Nancy said: "My daughter has very definite opinions about NOT wanting to go where all the others at her school are going -- and I worry that as a result, she's overlooking options that might be right for her just so she'll avoid doing what 'everyone else' is doing."

Who's to blame for childhood obesity?

Paige said: "The first study mentioned here could be a testament to a socioeconomical issue. Families with a lower income do not have the option for the mother to stay home, thus these mom's work throughout the child's life. Additionally, fresh fruits and vegetables are less economical these days; they are more expensive and spoil faster than canned fruits/vegetables. Just a thought.

"The study that looked at feeding children solid food before four months is definitely thought provoking. Certainly the benefits of breastfeeding has been proven lately in the research, and I feel again that this article supports the notion that there is something about breast milk and breastfeeding that is protective. I wonder if they had looked at children who were breast and formula fed (supplemented occasionally with formula) or children who ate expressed breast milk from a bottle what they would have found. Meaning is it the breast milk that is protective or not eating from a bottle? I am asking this because my son eats expressed milk and I find that I will "encourage" him to finish the bottle if there is only a couple ounces left in the bottom so as not to waste it. I just wonder if this teaches him to overeat?"

Jason said: "I currently have a three year old whom I split custody with. Half the time I have him he eats a well balanced diet of proteins and vegetables and gets a snack for good behavior or if he has just eaten a meal and may require some energy to play. I monitor my food intake and the times I eat and what I eat. His mother does not. I can see through the years his energy peaks and lethargy are do completely to his choice in foods. His mother gives him instant mac, mcdonalds, chocolate, and whatever junk he asks for right in his hand whenever he wants. He cries and she defaults to that instead of being a parent. I notice also his weight increase through his switching between his mother and myself.

"I think it is the parents responsibility to encourage and supply good foods, with bad foods in severe moderation."

Did Cinderall Eat your Daughter? Tell us what you think?

Stephen @ Suzanne Sadlocha said: "I worry about any influence that teaches little girls all they need in life is to look pretty. The end product is Kim Kardashian. Do you ever wonder why she is so famous? Why everyone is so taken with her? Have we all been eaten by Cinderella? ... give me a little girl who has compassion for others, is inquisitive and loves books. As a mother of two sensitive and caring, educated and naturally beautiful women, I say, Thank God, not Cinderella.
Don't get me wrong, I loved the book and the movie like everyone else, but as is typical of our society today, it can be overdone. Just one more thing, Kim, get a job!

What do you think of the stay-at-home dad?

Staci B said: "I don't think it matters which parent it is that stays home. I think any child is lucky to be able to stay home with a parent. I don't think there are many Dads that are willing to do it, so for those that do, that's great!! I think we're seeing more Dads staying home these days due to the unemployment rate. I'm sure they're enjoying their time with the kids, but I'm sure they'd rather be out providing for the family. Props to those Dads that stay home!!!!"

Carrie Chambers said: "I'm lucky to have an amazing husband that does stay home with our kids, although I will admit I have some jealousy. You know that saying, the grass is always greener...
He works at night so we flip flop and I do think he has the harder position than I do (getting up w/ kids in the morning AND working the night before). But as a chick I always assumed I would be the soccer mom, the taxi driver and the housekeeper, ect. It isn't easy at times, that's for sure. Sometimes the guilt sets in and I think I try to "make up" time with the kids so I feel like I am the full time parent too, but in reality we are both making decisions together, the kids rely on both of us and this is what works for us right now so...I feel lucky that we don't have to take them to daycare and we are able to raise them ourselves! Am I the only one with this guilt?!"