As students and parents in Westwood ease back into the "School Routine" during the new school year, one issue that may arise for teenagers is how to stay occupied and/or busy. Sports certainly aren't for everyone, and we're wondering what parents of young teens do to encourage them in taking part in extracurricular activities. Each week, members of 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, …

Students in Westwood have now been back in the classroom for a little more than a week now. But that doesn't mean the chaos of getting back "into a groove" has come for everyone. While some parents may look to go with the flow of things once school begins each year, others may choose to adhere to a pre-planned schedule to help stay organized. Each week, members of 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 …

It's a busy week for students in Westwood; the start of the 2011-2012 school year began Tuesday morning. Students are back in the classroom and on the fields and courts for the fall season, and we're wondering how your family deals with the transition from Summer to Fall. Each week, members of 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 and the thousands of other issues …

A fair number of Westwood residents dealt with power outages this week due to the damages caused by Hurricane Irene. The storm was downgraded to a tropical storm by the time it hit the area on Sunday, but that didn't stop the weather from causing some headaches. To help with the problem, Westwood High School opened its doors for those without hot water to use its shower facilities. And as of Tuesday, NSTAR predicted that all of Westwood's power would be restored by 10 p.m. Saturday, according to the company's website. As such, we're focusing our parenting discussion this week on how to keep …

It's that time of year again - time for stocking up on school supplies, getting ready for fall's cooler weather, and, of course, fall sports. But how do you, as a parent in Westwood, juggle all of that stress? How do you prioritize? This is the topic of this week's parenting discussion on Westwood Patch. Each week, members of 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 …

Each week, members of 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 and the thousands of other issues that arise while raising children. Sept. 11, 2001. It's not an easy topic, but one that is unavoidable, especially with the impending 10th anniversary. The Westwood Board of Selectmen announced Monday night the plans to hold a 10th Anniversary Memorial Service on Sunday, …

Each week, members of 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 and the thousands of other issues that arise while raising children.  The first day of school (September 6) is still a few weeks off. But getting into the back-to-school mindset is right around the corner. As such, we're wondering what your kids will be eating this year. Last week we asked if parents in …

Each week, members of 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 and the thousands of other issues that arise while raising children.  August is here, which means that summer is halfway over.  But before the school buses hit the road on September 6 - the first day of the 2011-2012 school year in Westwood - there is plenty of time to still enjoy the beach, barbecues and …

Each week, members of 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 and the thousands of other issues that arise while raising children.  Earlier this week, Westwood Patch blogger Susan Bunker wrote a small post about how she and her children tend to buy local produce in the area during the summer months, whether at farmers markets or other produce suppliers. As such, this …

Each week, members of 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 and the thousands of other issues that arise while raising children.  It's now mid-July and the summer is half-way through. This week, we're looking to see where Westwood families whisk off to during the hot weeks of summer. We've already asked you what you like do with your children during the summer for …

Each week, members of 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 and the thousands of other issues that arise while raising children.  This week, we're taking a more serious look on the side of child safety. Specifically, we're looking to see what are some good tips to keep your kids safe from stranger.  Whether it's constantly informing your children of the dangers of …

Each week, members of 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 and the thousands of other issues that arise while raising children.  This week, we're looking to see what parents in Westwood are doing with their kids this summer for fun and excitement. From back-yard water games to enjoying a day trip to the beach, or even the annual Fireman's Foam event and the …

Each week, members of 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 and the thousands of other issues that arise while raising children.  With the Fourth of July right around the corner, we're reaching out to moms in Westwood to see what plans they have in place for the family this year.  From setting up decorations to seeing fireworks in a town nearby, we want to know what…

Each week, members of 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 and the thousands of other issues that arise while raising children.  This week, we're focusing on how to keep children keen on staying safe in the streets. Last week, Westwood officials and consultants of Beta Group, Inc. proposed a handful of traffic-calming measures for several neighborhoods near High …

Each week, members of 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 and the thousands of other issues that arise while raising children.  This week, as part of Moms Talk Q&A, we're looking to see how you, as parents, enjoy watching big sporting events with your kids.  Not only are the Boston Bruins eyeing the Stanley Cup in Game 7 tonight against Vancouver, but one of …

This morning, we listed some ways for Westwood residents to keep cool during this week's mini heat wave.  There's no doubt that the soaring temperatures Wednesday and Thursday are a sign of the hot months ahead this summer.  As such, we're wondering, as parents, how you keep your kids cool and shaded from the heat and sunlight during the hottest months of the year, whether it be the use of simple sunblock applications, or maybe just continuing to keep the kids hydrated throughout the day. Either way, we're wondering how you keep the kids, as well as yourself, cool during the summer.  Each …

While seniors at Westwood High School will be graduating on Sunday, all other students with in the Westwood Public School System will remain in their desks until the last day of school on Thursday, June 23 (that's three weeks from tomorrow!). But before the buses start flying home on that last day before the highly-anticipated summer break, students still need to keep focused on such anxieties as final exams, projects, reports, and the like. So we're wondering how parents in Westwood and their children are facing that anxiety as the 2010-2011 school year comes to a close. Each week, members …

Memorial Day is right around the corner, which means June is right behind. And that means warmer weather, and the highly anticipated back yard barbecue and summer party.  We're already looking to Westwood residents and chefs to see what they think are the best barbecue recipes, and now we're asking local parents what kinds of games they enjoy playing with their sons or daughters during a summer outing, whether it be a quick game of horseshoes, a relay race, or even a bean-bag toss. Each week, members of our Moms Council of experts and smart moms take your questions, give advice and share …

The annual Westwood High School junior/senior prom is this Friday, a landmark event that truly shows summer (and, for seniors, graduation) is near.  The event kicks off on Friday at 6 p.m. sharp at Lake Pearl Luciano'sin Wrentham. But before the students head off in their tuxes and gowns, we're wondering how you'll be celebrating.  Perhaps you're having a group photo shoot with sparkling cider and some appetizers, or maybe you'll be holding an after party to celebrate the event. Maybe it's a chance for the whole family to get together and enjoy some company before hand. Whatever the plans, we…

The weather is warming up and June is almost here. It's no doubt that during the summer months it's just more fun to be outside. Lining up with the topic of this week's Patch Picks, we're looking to see where moms in Westwood best enjoy a picnic with their children, whether it's Buckmaster Pond or somewhere along the many trails and fields at Hale Reservation.  Earlier this year, we asked you about your favorite park in the Westwood area. The topic garnered several responses, and maybe those locations are ideal for your picnic.   Each week, members of our Moms Council of experts and smart …