Moms Talk is a weekly feature on all Lehigh Valley Patches, in which local parents are invited to share opinions and advice on parenting issues.
Each week our Moms Council members will discuss a different issue. Join the conversation by weighing in on a topic or asking questions.
Our Moms Council members include:
- Lisa Amey, of Upper Milford Township, is a stay-at-home mom to an 8-year-old son and a 5-year-old daughter. A past president of the MOMS Club of Emmaus and long time member of MOPs (Mothers of Preschoolers), Lisa is an Independent Consultant for Arbonne International.
- Lisa Drew, of Emmaus, is a certified nutritionist and personal trainer, wellness and fitness coach with more than 17-years experience. She is the mother of a 13-year-old girl and a 9-year-old boy.
- Jennifer Elston, of Emmaus, has almost two decades of professional experience in child development and counseling. She is currently a stay-at-home mom to two beautiful girls. Together with her husband, Chris, she owns Christopher Elston Photography.
- Jeanne Lombardo of Nazareth is the mother to a 10-year-old boy and a 5-year-old girl. She’s new to the Lehigh Valley, having moved to Nazareth from Bergen County, N.J. in January.
- Lisa Merk, of Lower Macungie, is a stay-at-home mother of four boys – a 12-year-old and 6-year-old triplets. Lisa is a past president of the MOMS Club of Lower Macungie East. In her “spare” time, Lisa teaches piano to school-age children.
- Zoila Bonilla Paul, of Bethlehem, is a stay-at-home mom to two girls – a five year old and a 14 month old. Zoila is a member of her local “moms’ club” and says she is “well-versed in the fun that children can bring.”
Introducing Megan Patruno
The newest member of our Moms Council, Megan Patruno lives in Allentown. She is a mother of three – an 11-year-old boy, an 8-year-old girl and a 6-year-old boy. Megan also works as an admission counselor for Muhlenberg College in Allentown.
This week’s Moms Talk question comes to us from the editor of the Nazareth Patch, Mallory Vough, who says she’s “not a mom, and doesn’t plan to be one any time soon, unless you count fur babies.”
Even so, Mallory raises an interesting topic for Moms Talk – tattoos.
To legally obtain a tattoo in a tattoo parlor before the age of 18, a child needs a waiver signed by a parent. Mallory’s step-mother (and legal guardian at that time) allowed her to get her first tattoo when she was 17 and now she has a total of four tattoos and says she will likely get more.
So here’s what Mallory wants to know: Would you allow your child to get a tattoo before he or she turned 18? Is there really a great difference between getting your first tattoo at 17 with parental consent or making the decision on your own at 18?
Share your thoughts and stories with us in the comments.
If you would like to become a part of the Moms Council and/or have ideas for future Moms Talk questions, please email jennifer.marangos@patch.com.
