Family Matters: Calling all Mothers and Fathers

Parents: We know you've got wisdom to share—not just with your children, but with other mothers and fathers facing the same challenges, dilemmas, joys and opportunities you face every day.

We want you to talk to us. Often. Patch is looking to pull together a Parent's Council -- Parents willing to offer their own advice, from their own experiences in parenthood.

Starting very soon, we're going to be producing a lot of material we hope you'll find useful: Tips and stories on everything, from finding the best pediatrician, to the best spot for peace and quiet. We'll be exploring ways to get the most from the school system or summer camp, from a night out or a day trip, to your family budget. If it matters to you, it matters to us.

Patch is asking you to sign on for the Parent's Council, to share your expertise and perspective with your neighbors (including us).

And we also want Mr. Moms, grandmoms, stepmoms, single moms, new moms, de facto moms, expecting moms and working moms (like there's such a thing as a non-working mom).

What's involved? As much or as little as you like.

We'll put you on an e-mail list just for Parent Council members, where you can trade advice and ideas about being a parent in our community. We'll also tap you and the rest of the council to evaluate our targeted content, suggest stories that resonate with parents, and help select the kids we will feature in our weekly feature, currently called "Whiz Kid." We might eventually organize some meetings for the benefit of parents and families overall, and we'll invite you to be a part of that.

So parents, please e-mail c.zawadi.morris@patch.com and let her know she can count you in.

And because you probably don't hear it enough: Thank you for everything you do.