Family Forum: Important Topics

Family Forum is the new name of our previously named Moms Talk column. This is a new initiative on our Patch sites to reach out to local families.

Also, this new forum will allow you to reach out to your neighbors as well as we share comments and information with Sayville, Sachem, Bayport, Blue Point and Patchogue. We invite you and your circle of friends to help build a community of support for families.

Each week in Family Forum, our council of experts take your questions, give advice and share solutions. If you are interested in joining our council, email Denise@patch.com.

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.

Family Forum 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?

So grab a cup of coffee and settle in as we start the conversation today. Please tell us your opinion in the comments section below.

Today’s question: Do you discuss important topics with your children - such as drugs? How do you approach the topic?

Debbie Bacon: I do touch on the subject of drugs, abuse, and poor-decision behavior with my children.  There's no avoiding it.  The signs, ads, commercials, and 'proof' are everywhere! I tell them what my mother used to say: 'Everywhere you go, there is someone who knows me, which means they know you, which means I will know what you are doing.' Besides the internet, there are camera phones in every pocket and making a poor-decision, even once, can jeopardize your future. People who have a moment of weakness fall victim to drugs.  Be strong and during your moment of weakness, call a friend instead (or your mother). 

Kiersten Bartolotta: I love that there are now so many good books to introduce these tough topics to our children.  Whenever I want to talk about sensitive issues, I always try to read a book with them on the topic and then we discuss it.