Shower of Love Collects for Local Moms, Babies

The seventh annual event focuses on prevention of child abuse and neglect. Volunteers are needed Thursday, April 25.

Police: Parents Left Children Unattended at Bar While Drinking 'Large Amounts of Alcohol'

A St. Charles County couple acted with "criminal negligence" by leaving their children unattended at Lehmann's Landing Bar and Grill in Bridgeton as they drank "large amounts of alcohol," police say.

Two parents face charges for leaving their children unsupervised as they drank in a bar, police said. Jessica Allen, 28, and Daniel R. Allen, 28, both of the 1300 block of Park Ashwood Drive, just south of St. Peters in St. Charles County, were charged Aug. 2 with two counts of endangering a child. A witness called police Jan. 14 believing the children had been abandoned at Lehmann’s Landing Bar and Grill in Bridgeton, the police said in a report. Bridgeton Police said in the report the parents were drinking in an area where they could not see the 3- and 4-year-old children. Police said in the report the parents acted with “criminal negligence” by leaving the children unattended as they drank “large amounts of alcohol.” Jessica Allen told …

• Photos (1)

Teen Charged After Breaking Into Parents House, Throwing Party

Girl was discovered asleep on the floor of a basement bedroom at 6:30 a.m. Tuesday. She was charged with first-degree trespassing in St. Charles County Circuit Court.

A St. Charles County teenager was charged Tuesday with breaking into her parents’ home and throwing a party while they were away. After the party, several items were missing from the home. Kandace Lancaster, 17, entered the residence by breaking a window in the rear of her parents’ home in the 4000 block of Stonecroft Drive in St. Charles County, just off Kisker Road, according to a St. Charles County Sheriff’s Department report. Deputies said she moved out of the home in January and has no permanent address. Lancaster then invited numerous friends to a party on Sunday and Monday nights, deputies said in the report. During the party, two computers, an iPad, a Wii and several pieces of jewelry were taken. Lancaster was discovered asleep on …

• Photos (1)

Raising Cain: Thoughts on Motherhood

Tips to Survive After-School Student Pickups

The unwritten golden rule of the elementary school parent pick up line.

Allow me to vent, if you will. I know there are more important issues at hand, and in the grand scheme of things, this doesn’t matter. I also know I have no more control over it than I do the wind or the rain. But it still chaps my hide. Every day I leave my house at 3:30 p.m. to wait in the parent pick-up line at school until my children appear at 4 p.m. I take a book, I take my iPhone, I take a notebook and write. I come early, because if I wait much later, the line becomes very long and that means my kids will have to wait awhile before it’s my turn to get them. My oldest son has ADHD so the less time he has to get into trouble, the better.  If you knew the chaos he could cause in five minutes, you (and your children) would thank me. …

•  5 Comments
• Photos (1)

Patti Baratta

6:46 pm on Wednesday, May 18, 2011

In my past, pre-writing mommy life, I was a substitute teacher in the Ft. Zumwalt district. I have been out there during pick up. Some parents are just rude. It is sad. I don't think they stop and think.   more ›

Moms Talk

Moms Talk: Do Cell Phones and Kids Belong Together?

This weeks Moms Talk discusses cell phone use among young kids.

I have this strong feeling my future kids will look at me like I'm insane when I talk to them about my first cell phone. I was a few weeks shy of 20-years-old and beginning my sophomore year of college when I got my first mobile device. My phone was cheap and simple and did little more outside of calling friends. Of course, this was only 2005 so this was right around the time a lot of people were getting their first cell phones—I wasn't alone. Still, everyone has a phone now. I have two, one for work and one for personal calls. My phones both can access the internet. I use my phones more for e-mails and texts than I do for making calls.  Wednesday night, I went to the St. Louis Cardinals game with my sisters. In the row in front of us a …

•  4 Comments
• Photos (1)

Kate Manfull

2:56 pm on Monday, May 2, 2011

We don't have an age pegged yet as I'm assuming the need and the responsibility factors will come into play differently for each child, but our kids will have phones sooner than later, I'm sure. My husband and I both use our phones for business (and fun) and they see that all the time. I'll let them play games or watch Netflix movies on it already and we see it as another computer. I realize they…   more ›

Moms Talk: Taking Some Time Off

This weeks edition of Moms Talk develes into what moms (and dads) do to get to take a break.

Parenting, I've been told, is a full-time job. I only have a dog and taking care of him wears me out. I can't imagine what it's like raising kids. All the work of clothing, feeding and molding the child—or children—has to take a lot out of parents.  That brings us to our question this week for Moms Talk (and dads, feel free to chime in as well): What's your favorite thing to do unwind and get away from it all? When things get too high stressed, what do you like to do to cool off and relax? Is it even possible? Let us know in the comments. 

•  1 Comment
• Photos (1)

Holly Hunt

11:10 am on Sunday, April 17, 2011

When I'm at the end of my rope, the last thing I want to do is socialize. If the kids are at school, I like to catch a movie at the theater- it's practically empty during the weekdays. If the husband is in town and I need a break, I'll head out for a run or take the dog for a long walk. Sometimes I don't want to GO anywhere or DO anything- I just want to snuggle on the couch in my sweats and …   more ›

Moms Talk

Moms Talk: What to do on Spring Break

Spring Break for several school districts is taking place this week so we take a look at things to do to keep the kids occupied.

While it may not feel like it outside just yet, spring break season for schools is here.  This week Fort Zumwalt and Francis Howell will be on break which means the kids will home from school. For the whole week. Many people take the break as an excuse to get away and go on a trip. With high gas prices and a still recovering economy, others are staying home. Which brings us to our question this week. What are some fun activities to do with kids for spring break if you're at home? Is it better to have a structured plan, or just let the kids entertain themselves?  Let us know in the comments below. 

• Photos (1)

Moms Talk

Moms Talk: When is the Right Time to Get a Pet

How young is too young to own a pet is the question in this weeks moms council.

Each week in Moms Talk, our council of smart parents take your questions, give advice and share solutions. Meet the council of moms here. Our question this week comes from Sharon F.: "My son has been begging us to get a dog for the family for years. He's only 7-years-old. Is he old enough to take on this large responsibilty? Should we start small with like a gold fish and see how that goes?

•  3 Comments
• Photos (1)

Kalen Ponche

3:19 pm on Wednesday, March 2, 2011

I got a guinea pig when I was about 5 (I named him Mac, after our computer) and by the time I was 7 my parents were sick of having to clean his cage. One night I was at a sleep over and came home the next morning and Mac was gone. My parents said they gave him away --- but he might have died from neglect. I never got the whole story.   more ›

No Service: St. Peters Aldermen Says No to Craft Beer Bar

Board of Aldermen vote 7-0 to deny special use permit for Exit 6 Pub and Brewery.

Exit 6 Pub and Brewery will not be coming to St. Peters. Jeff Britton, owner of Exit 6, petitioned for a special use permit to open an upscale craft beer bar in the Promenade Center on the south side of Mexico Road and east of Devondale Place. The bar’s planned location placed it within 200 feet of Mid Rivers Elementary—something that didn’t sit well with parents and the Board of Aldermen. By a 7-0 vote (Alderman Dave Thomas, Ward 1, abstained) the Board voted to deny Britton’s special use permit. “I’m not very happy with the way things went,” Britton said. “I don’t understand why they charged me $250 [in fees] plus another $700 in mailings only to come here and get completely shutout.” Britton had cleared every hurdle prior to Thursday’s …

•  5 Comments
• Photos (2)

Moms Talk

Moms Talk: Should I Make My Kids Be Active?

Our Moms council tackles the issue active kids.

Each week in Moms Talk, our council of smart parents take your questions, give advice and share solutions. Meet the council of moms here. Our question this week comes from Holly Hunt: "I'm currently looking at some sort of activity for E. and C. to do. Neither of them really wants to do anything I suggest. I'm thinking of signing them up for something anyway—it will be good for them. But should I make them do something if they really would rather stay inside, watch TV and play video games?" Moms council member Patti Baratta weighs in with her thoughts: "Over the years I have signed my kids up for a variety of activities—soccer, basketball, softball, baseball, piano, guitar, flute, ice skating, art camp, academic camp (they are teens and …

• Photos (1)