Dear Moms: You're Awesome (And We Need Your Help)

Moms, we want to talk to you.

And we want you to talk to us. Often. We know you've got wisdom to share—not just with your children, but with other moms facing the same challenges, dilemmas, joys and opportunities you've encountered.

Although it seems like you can do everything (it really, really seems that way—we never stop being amazed by it), it wouldn't hurt to have some fellow moms around to share ideas and advice.

Here's the deal: Starting very soon, we're going to be offering a lot of information we hope you'll find useful. Tips and stories on everything from finding the best pediatrician or daycare to the best spot for a little overdue peace and quiet. We'll be exploring ways to get the most from the school system, from camp, from a night out, from a day trip, from your family budget.

If it matters to families, it matters to Patch.

But Mooooooooooommmmm (does that sound familiar?): We need your help.

We're asking you to sign on for the Naperville Patch Moms Council, to share your expertise and perspective with your neighbors (including us).

We want moms. We want Mr. Moms. We want grandmoms, stepmoms, single moms, married moms, new moms, adoptive moms, de facto moms, would-be moms, expecting moms, soccer moms and working moms (like there's such a thing as a non-working mom). If your kid moved out 20 years ago, well, you never stop being a mom. Heck, if the cast of Mamma Mia wants to join, we'll seriously consider it.

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

We'll put you on an e-mail list just for Moms Council members, where you (and we) can trade advice and ideas about being a mom in our community. We'll alert you to features on the site where you can chime in with tips or answer questions to help your fellow moms. We'll organize some gatherings for the benefit of moms and families overall, and we'll invite you to be a part of that.

So moms, please e-mail maryl@Patch.com or carrie@Patch.com and let Mary Ann or Carrie know we can count you in (come on, you have to—we said the magic word).

And because you probably don't hear it enough: Thanks, Mom.