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Community Corner

Time After Time: I Need a 28-Hour Day

Patch and NJ Mom's Guide offer answers to parenting questions.

Being a mom is one of the most thankless jobs in the world. Maid, tutor, chef and chauffeur are just some of the duties in the job description that make even the most intrepid multi-taskers freak out a little bit on their first day.

The hugs, the kisses and the unconditional love make it all worthwhile. But there are days – no matter how experienced you are in life in the Mother 'Hood – when you need someone to share the laughs, the tears, the drama and the doubts. So Patch, with the help of NJ Moms' Guide co-founders Kate Motz and Christina Castro, will provide a forum for questions and answers from your friends and peers in the front car of the emotional roller-coaster.

Mom In Need: My 4 year old goes to preschool in Westfield for only two-and-a-half hours each day. How do I make the most out of that time? - Heather W. from Westfield

Find out what's happening in Scotch Plains-Fanwoodwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

MomsGuide: Moms spend so much time rushing around — trying to get everything done and keep everyone happy — that we forget how important it can be to enjoy a little downtime ourselves. If you have to run a quick errand or two, fine. But overall, use that time to head to the gym, get a mani/pedi, sit down and read, grab a cup of coffee and catch up with another another mom. If you’re refreshed and relaxed, you’ll be ready for anything and your children, your husband and your friends will catch the vibe.

MIN: What are some convenient delivery services in the area that can help me save time and get my weekly errands done? - Erika G. from Mountainside

Find out what's happening in Scotch Plains-Fanwoodwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

MG: Here are a few great nearby places that we’ve tried ourselves:

  • Green Village Cleaners (http://www.greenvillagecleaners.com/) provides free pick-up and delivery dry cleaning and services the Summit, Chatham, Westfield, Madison and Short Hills area.
  • Fresh Direct (www.freshdirect.com) allows you to order your groceries from home and will deliver everything right to your door.
  • Frank’s Auto Repair & Auto Body ( offers a convenient pick-up and delivery shuttle service or if you prefer to wait, coffee and a clean waiting area is available. In addition, every car that is serviced receives a complimentary wash, vacuum, and tire shine.

MIN: How do I handle kids with different schedules? - Donna W. from Mountainside.

Mom's Guide: The age-old debate: How can I be in two places at once? You can't, so relax. Make friends with the parents of kids in each of your children's classes and activities. When you see that they've got conflicts, just as you do on occasion, offer to help. Then don't be afraid to ask for help yourself. When soccer practice is at one end of town and the dance recital is in a church basement in the opposite direction, you'll work it out. And it will be fun for the kids to hang with their friends.

Kate Motz and Christina Castro are partners at www.njmomsguide.com, a statewide resource for moms. If you have questions, answers or ideas that you would like to see covered in this column, contact njmomsguide.com or email Scotch Plains-Fanwood Patch editor AlanN@patch.com.

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