Between after-school activities, homework, and work commitments, finding time for a family dinner can feel impossible. Yet sharing a meal together—even just a few times a week—offers lasting rewards. Research shows that kids who regularly eat with their families enjoy…
The holidays can be a sensory explosion—and not just for children. I’m talking about parents, too. As soon as the holiday season kicks off, your to-do list goes from 1 million to 10 million items, with shorter deadlines and more…
Q: Kids are 12, 9, and 7. What are some good YouTube channels that are entertaining but not just complete brain rot? A: Honestly? I don’t like any of them. Even YouTube Kids, which is marketed directly to children. My…
TURKEYS IN DISGUISE By Cynthia Platt Illustrated by Josh Cleland A hilariously fun read-aloud picture book where children think quickly and creatively to disguise a group of turkeys and save them from becoming Thanksgiving dinner! THE HUMBLE PIE By Jory…
Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) has a robust magnet program that gives students access to free Montessori School, STEAM Academies, Dual Language Immersion (with your choice of five languages!)—programs that would otherwise cost you thousands in tuition. Elementary magnet schools are…
In a world that often feels hurried and disconnected, Elizabeth Anne Russell is on a mission to bring back kindness, confidence, and the lost art of good manners. As founder of Mannerly and the Charlotte School of Etiquette, she’s helping…
Get a little side help, or go full turkey to pie
CELEBRATE FALL IN STATESVILLE Head to downtown Statesville on Saturday, November 1 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for Statesville Pumpkin Fest. Look for a classic car show; a kids’ zone with inflatables; live entertainment; food vendors; and beer, wine,…
Updated October 2025 Charlotte Allstars 11011 Monroe Rd. Matthews Charlotte Allstar’s offers use of their gym which includes an inflatable obstacle course, slides, trampolines, foam pit, swinging rope and more. Birthday parties include a party hostess, setup and cleanup, one…
October is ADHD Awareness Month—a time to celebrate brain differences, not judge them. When you understand how the ADHD brain functions and processes information, you are more likely to parent productively, as opposed to feeling frustrated because nothing is working.…
Vicky Little’s clients hired her to reconfigure their second floor to accommodate a laundry room and two bathrooms—with one big ask: keep the charm of their two-story Myers Park home intact. The 3,600-square-foot house had the typical trappings of a…
Don't let Halloween play tricks on your safety.
Q: I’ve heard and seen lots of reports about kid accidents on e-scooters and e-bikes. Yet they’re all around our city and fairly convenient. Should my kids ride them? At what age? What are the ultimate risks and how do…
When my children were little, discussions about what costumes to wear for Halloween began in September. They loved dressing up, attending Halloween parties at school, trick-or-treating with friends, and then sorting (and eating) the candy they collected. While my children…
Here are 20 options for birthday gifts under $25 for kids, tweens, and teens.
Photos by Grant Baldwin Saturday, Sept. 27, at Junior Achievement of Central Carolinas
In Partnership with Charlotte Mecklenburg Library
Getting kids to decide on their Halloween costume is half the battle. Not changing their minds in late October is the other. Finding the costume should be easy with these local shops: Morris Costumes 800-522-2956 4300 Monroe Road Spirit Halloween …
Traveling with a baby for the first time can feel like stepping into the great unknown, even for seasoned parents. How many diapers should you pack? What about entertainment, nap schedules, TSA rules? Should you gate-check your stroller? We sat…
CATCH A SPOOKY MOVIE UNDER THE STARS Head to Stowe Park in downtown Belmont for a family movie night on October 4 and 25. Belmont Movies in the Park will feature outdoor showings of The Addams Family (Oct. 4) and…
When my son was in a tween, he asked if he could take golf lessons. I signed him up for introductory lessons with a golf pro. He enjoyed it so much I sent to a summer golf camp for a…
Prepare for a thrilling weekend or evening scare at one of these haunted houses or trails.
The Who, What, When, Where, Why and How
It's that time again
Q: A few weeks ago, my 2-and-a-half-year-old daughter broke two plates in the kitchen (thank God she didn't hurt herself). I remember keeping the plates in the middle of the table, so I asked her how they broke. She said…
Learning centers, tutors, and supplemental education programs
Who to call for your family photos this fall
Lori Shaw and Jennifer Dolan met eight years ago, when their kids were in preschool. Both had lived and worked in New York; now, they lived five minutes apart in south Charlotte. “We came from the northeast, where fall is,…
In Partnership with By Taren Coley, MD, Psychiatrist & Director of Child & Adolescent Services at HopeWay A global survey found that 73% of Americans believe raising a happy child is the most important goal of parenting, a view shared in…
All eyes are on this weekend's home opener. Here's what to know: It’s a new force in women’s sports. Carolina Ascent FC kicked off its inaugural season in August 2024, and their home opener marked the return of women's professional…
Each year, our sister publication, Charlotte magazine, releases a list of the Castle Connolly Top Doctors in Charlotte, based on a peer survey conducted by Castle Connolly. Doctors are selected through a peer nomination process, and then evaluated by a physician-led research…
In Partnership with Charlotte Mecklenburg Library
CHECK OUT THE YIASOU THE GREEK FESTIVAL The Yiasou Greek Festival returns to the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral September 5-7. Enjoy cultural exhibits, folk dancing, live music, and authentic Greek cuisine. The Kids Playland has rides, children’s activities, and…
For moms, cosmetic surgery comes with extra considerations
In Partnership With Levine Museum of the New South
Labor Day family fun around the QC
It's back-to-school season, and for some families, it involves more than just buying new backpacks, folders, and pencils. For neurodivergent families, this is a time to focus on developing executive function skills. If you want your morning routine to be…
One of the toughest parts of parenting is watching your child struggle. Whether they're upset about a grade, being left out of a party, or not making the starting lineup of a sport, it's hard to ignore the immediate impulse…
Fall festivals feed your need for fried dough, live music and family fun.
Find bargains this fall at one of these Charlotte-area consignment sales.
Q: How do I as a parent deal with other kids coming over for a play date with cellphones? We are pretty strict with no iPads, video games, or phones for our kids (ages 8 and 10), but this is…
These farms are within a two-hour drive
With a new school year on the horizon, you might be on the hunt for additional activities to fill the hours between 3 and 6 p.m. A good after school program or extra-curricular activity can turn those aimless afternoons into…
CELEBRATE YOUR LITTLE READERS The Little Learners Literacy Fest, co-hosted by Arnie the Armadillo and Moving Little Minds, returns for its second year at Northeastern University Charlotte on Saturday, August 16. Enjoy free hearing screenings, interactive story times, expert-led workshops…
For Charlotte families wanting a beach weekend that doesn’t involve airport security or hours of “are we there yet?,” Hilton Head is an ideal summer getaway. The 12-mile-long island is about 20 miles northeast of Savannah and inhabited by an…
I discovered Trey Kennedy several years ago while scrolling TikTok. One of his videos popped up on my feed—it was a skit about the difference between Mom waking a kid up for school and when Dad does it. I laughed…
A Q&A with the mom of three and essay architect
Whip up some fun for aspiring chefs preschool aged through teens at these culinary hot spots.
Whether you're looking for sparkly for your little princess or snow boots, these stores have you covered.
July is Disability Pride Month, which celebrates the achievements and contributions of people with disabilities. It’s also a time to reframe the negative ways children with different abilities are often portrayed. While they do require extra support and assistance, the…
