Moms Talk: Taking a Sick Day

Ever feel like you would love to sit down and talk with some mom friends, but the baby's napping, you're waiting for the school bus and there's no one to babysit? 

You don't need to hire a sitter, call your mom or even get dressed to get some much-needed Moms Talk.

Moms Talk is a  weekly feature at Avon Patch, where parenting issues large and small are tackled together. Log in at Avon Patch (it's easy-peasey to create an account) and use the comments to share your thoughts on the week's topic.

So, pour another glass of iced tea, log in and make Moms Talk an enjoyable part of your Wednesdays. 

Here's this week's topic:

Few things can stop a mom cold faster than hearing her kid say, "Mommy, I don't feel good."

More moms around the area are hearing this as influenza has reached widespread status in Ohio. As someone who just got over it, the flu is not fun.

Sometimes, keeping a child home from school is a no-brainer. Fever? Vomiting? Diarrhea? Lots of coughing/congestion? Yep, they're staying home.

Other calls aren't as easy to make. There's no fever, but your child is lethargic and whiny.  What tips you towards telling your child to go back to bed, or telling your child to go get dressed for school?

Joining us on Moms Talk is our wonderful Moms Council:

 is our parenting columnist. Julie, a longtime reporter and communications professional, is a first-time mom of a son born in November.

 works in healthcare. She and husband Timothy have a daughter, Amara. Monina is also a member of the Disney Moms Panel, one of 15 moms selected nationwide, advising people online about planning Disney vacations.

 is a mom of three children ages 5 and under with her husband, Bill. She also works part-time.

 is a native of New Jersey. She is a marketing professional who has worked in advertising, market research, vending and equipment companies. She and her husband live in Avon with their two children.

So, as Linda Richman used to say on "Coffee Talk" ... Talk amongst yourselves.