Lakeville Moms Talk Q&A: Are Kids Over Scheduled?

Each week in Moms Talk, our Lakeville 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 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 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?

Are today's kids over-scheduled, or do all the activities keep them out of trouble?

Nicole, mom of five: This is a tough one as we have five kids and three of them keep us insanely busy with their schedules yet, I am insisting that they other two do something. I want everyone to have an opportunity but, I am exhausted day in and day out driving from one end of town to the next.  I remember the days when all I did was go to gymnastics but my life revolved around playing hand ball, going to the park or just hanging with my friends in the neighborhood. I wish that for my kids at times.  Life just didn't seem so rushed and busy.

We'd love to hear what you have to say as well, so make sure to post your thoughts in the comment section below.

The above answers were provided by members of the Lakeville Moms Council. Members include mothers of toddlers to teens: Nicole Bella Remini-Wiskow, Janet Quick, Tonia Johnson, Pamela Zidarich and Charla Zappetillo. The Lakeville Moms Council meets monthly to discuss issues related to raising kids locally. For more information, email derrick.williams@patch.com.