It's a simple question, but one with remarkably layered and complex answers. When is the right age to start talking to a child about sex? There is, of course, no one-size-fits-all answer. As a parent, you don't want to have "The Talk" too early, lest your lecture go over your child's head. Nor do you want to have this discussion too late, lest your child end up a character on Teen Mom. Of all the subjects you'll tackle with your kids, this may be the most awkward and uncomfortable. And if you feel that way, imagine how your child feels. So what to do? How do you broach the subject? And when? …

New York Magazine posted a series of articles exploring the pros and cons of circumcision. Trends in recent years have caused parents to reconsider circumcision for their sons. The topic, tied to religious beliefs, hygiene issues, health, and even sexual pleasure, is emotionally charged.   In "Would You Circumcise This Baby?," author Michael Idov writes, "Circumcision is still, as it has been for decades, one of the most routinely performed surgical procedures in the United States—a million of the operations are performed every year. Yet more Americans are beginning to ask themselves the same…

This week ABC News ran a Good Morning America segment about the popular retail store Abercrombie & Fitch selling padded bikini tops for children.  Dr. Michael Bradley, child psychologist, was a guest on Good Morning America and said that we are shaping kids, telling them this is how they should be. He added the way the parents should deal with it is not to argue about it, but rather engage your child with a conversation. He suggested asking your child why she would want to wear padding and what would she get out of it. When asked at what age it would be appropriate for a girl to start wearing…

Every single parent has to do it, regardless of age, race, religious affiliation, geographic location, income level, educational background -- every single parent has to consider (and assign) a name that will be attached to this little bundle of joy for his or her entire life. If you think about it - and most parents do - this is quite a big decision! Some choose names based on family tradition - using names passed down over generations or in honor of a predecessor. Some choose names based on trends and what is popular at that time. Some choose to name their children after celebrities (Reese…

There was an article posted on Westminster Patch over the weekend about the state putting a tax on snacks and using those monies to help fund programs that aid in the fight against childhood obesity.  Several community members left comments on Patch about the article, primarily people (probably moms) suggesting that the government shouldn't be in charge of dealing with the childhood obesity increases, it's a parenting issue. So Patch wants to know - who do you think is responsible for making sure our kids (collectively) are eating healthy and staying fit - the government, the schools, …

There are differing opinions on paying children an allowance for doing chores around the house. Some say that the children should be pitching in anyway as a member of the household and some say that paying an allowance helps kids learn the value of a dollar.  In this article, Ray Martin of Moneywatch.com gives some practical advice on paying children an allowance.  We asked our Moms Council to weigh in. Their answers are listed below. This week's Moms Council contributors: Lisa Bass is the mother of two boys (ages 10 and 9) and one girl (5); Lisa Pennell is mom to a two-year-old girl;  Amy …

There was a time when it was the norm for families to end the day by sharing a meal together around the dinner table. There was conversation and sharing, eye contact and undivided attention, togetherness and often, home cooked food. For some families, this tradition has carried on. For others, busy schedules and long work days have made family dinners difficult. Studies and experts have long suggested that family meals are important and beneficial. A 2006 Time magazine article reports that the more often families eat together, the less likely kids are to smoke, drink, do drugs, get depressed…

According to the FCC website, broadcasters have wide discretion in choosing their programming. The First Amendment to the Constitution and the Communications Act prohibit the FCC from becoming involved in selecting the content of specific programs or otherwise engaging in activities that might be regarded as censorship.Indecent programming contains patently offensive sexual or excretory material that does not rise to the level of obscenity. The courts have held that indecentmaterial is protected by the First Amendment and cannot be banned entirely. FCC rules prohibit indecent speech on …

In a recent online edition of Time magazine, writer Annie Murphy Paul explored the idea of strict parenting in her article, "Tiger Moms: Is Tough Parenting Really the Answer?" Basing the article on author Amy Chua's memoir, Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother, Paul extracted some jaw-dropping details from Chua about why she chose to raise her children "the Chinese way."  Our new Westminster Patch Moms Council recently swapped opinions via e-mail on this topic. Three local moms—Lisa Bass (sons 9 and 10, daughter 5, ); Lisa Pennell (daughter 2);  and Megan Brown (daughters,  10 and 11 ) -- invite …