One week ago, our area felt the impact of the Good Friday Tornadoes. While Creve Coeur was spared, our neighbors in Maryland Heights, Bridgeton and Ferguson were not. And we all got another lesson in staying in the basement to ride out storms when the sirens go off. Creve Coeur students who attend Pattonville schools, and even some who attend Parkway schools in unincorporated parts of St. Louis County are likely dealing with friends who may have sustained damage to their homes, and in many cases severe damage. I'm curious to hear what parents out there are doing to make this a teachable …

We have reached that time of year. Teenagers can see the finish line of the school year right around the corner, the prom and graduation party season is essentially here. Creve Coeur Police recently reported breaking up a pair of large gatherings where people were ticketed for Minors being in Possession of Alcohol. As parents, what works best when it comes to having that conversation with your child about the dangers of drinking, the importance of not falling victim to peer pressure, or, alternatively, what do you do when you discover your child has been at one of these parties where they …

Much ado about nothing? Glorifying gender bending? Or brilliant marketing? Depending on your point of view, the now much-publicized J.Crew advertisement depicting a mother with her young son with pink toenails has seen plenty of attention, as noted by the Chicago Tribune and other news outlets. Some commentators say the ad sends the wrong message about gender identity while others, including comedian Jon Stewart, have poked fun at the dust-up by pointing out that even "tough guys" like mixed martial arts legend Chuck Liddell have painted their toenails.

The level of childhood obesity has risen in the U.S. over time, survey data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show. In Missouri, the number of overweight or obese children declined between 2003 and 2007, the National Survey of Children's Health states on its website. Nonetheless, the children's health survey found that as of 2007, nearly one in three Missouri children was overweight or obese. Numerous resources are available to those interested in reducing those figures. The website of the St. Louis County Department of Health, for example, offers links to resources that …

A recent study out of Australia confirms what fire experts have known in various forms for years: children sleep through fire alarms. The latest research, is courtesy of Victoria University in Australia and published in the journal Fire and Materials. The study tested 123 children and found 78 percent of them did not wake up, even though the alarm went off for 30 seconds. Children in the study were asleep for anywhere from 1-3 hours. So with this week's Moms Talk Q&A, we want to talk about a few things: Do your kids know what to do when they hear a fire alarm? Do you think they'd wake up if …

Each week in Moms Talk, our Moms Council of local parents takes your questions, gives advice and shares solutions. Moms, dads, grandparents and the diverse families who make up our community will be 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. Moms Talk 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 …

It has now been a week since a devastating earthquake struck Japan, fueling a tsunami which raged across the Pacific Ocean. We've been seeing heart-wrenching images, as people mourn the lost, and search for those missing. We're watching the unfolding nuclear disaster there, and in some cases, asking the question: Could it happen here? All of it has been constant, thanks to the internet and cable television news. Patch met some amazing children at Craig Elementary School this week who have taken what they've seen on TV and read in the news and are trying to do what they can to help support the…

Editor's Note: Today's Q & A focuses on a subject that's probably hit everyone at some point: Chances are, you've been bullied, you may have even been a bully. I was bullied growing up. As an elementary school child it was verbal--words will never hurt you, right? Well, don't believe it. But it got worse in middle school. No sticks or stones. Instead it was physical intimidation. Punches. Getting slammed to the ground after the bell rang and we were getting on the bus. Daily. Gut-wrenching. I went to a good school, with good teachers and administrators, but there wasn't much that could be …

A proposed Illinois state law would make it tougher for teenagers to take advantage of tanning beds. As the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and other outlets have reported, the bill would ban anyone under the age of 18 from using a tanning bed. Right now in Illinois, you need to be at least 14 years old and if you're under 17, it requires a guardian's permission. In Missouri, a 2010 proposal would have banned those under the age of 16 from tanning and would also require anyone under 18 to have a parent or guardian show up in person to sign off on it. It did not become law. The National Conference of …

Moms Talk is a new feature on Creve Coeur Patch that's part of a new initiative on our Patch sites to reach out to moms and families. We invite you and your circle of friends to help build a community of support for mothers and their families right here in Creve Coeur. 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 pharmacies and the …

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