Author: TownNews Staff - Danielle Ellis

Signs of a Happy Child

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…

New Season, New Energy

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…

Best Pediatricians in Charlotte

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…

GO. PLAY. SEE.: 4 Fun Things to Experience in Charlotte This Month

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…

THRIVE: 6 Ways to Prepare Your Child to Go Back to School

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…

A Guide to After School Activities in Charlotte

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…

GO. PLAY. SEE.: 4 Fun Things to Experience in Charlotte This Month

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…

WEEKENDER: Hilton Head

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…

Finding the Funny in Family

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…

THRIVE: Celebrating Neurodiversity and Individuality Through Travel

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…

KID TO KNOW: Harper Weiss

Since 2021, Harper & Skyler’s Toys & Sweets has been Charlotte’s go-to for treats, candy boards, toys, and personalized accessories. If you’re a frequent customer, you might recognize 11-year-old Harper Weiss, who often helps out behind the counter. Her dad,…

ROOM WE LOVE: A Pretty Playhouse

Anna Stallmann is a public relations ace and owner of Anna Stallmann Communications, a women-led firm that serves a diverse group of local and national businesses and nonprofits. She’s also a mom of two daughters, Savannah, 6, and Madeleine, 4.…

José Rolón Talks Single Fatherhood

José Rolón, a New York-based wedding planner, content creator, and activist, has more than half a million followers on TikTok. Under the handle, @nycgaydad, Rolón posts about family life as a single father of three. "I began posting on Instagram…

PARENT TO KNOW: Dr. Seti Byrd

Dr. Seti Byrd is the founder of the uptown luxury dental practice, Skyview Dentistry. Here, the mom of three talks to us about emotional regulation in parenting, the importance of couple trips, and how to get kids excited about brushing…

THRIVE: The Impact of Fathers' Role in Parenting

When my children were younger, I envied the relationship they had with my husband. I felt like their dad was the fun parent and I was the one they were forced to have. He was a delicious piece of cake,…

Promote Your Extracurricular Activity With Charlotte Parent!

When it comes to extracurricular activities, Charlotte families have more options than ever. That's why Charlotte Parent is revamping, rebranding, and expanding its popular Charlotte Enrichment + After School directory. For the first time ever, we've created a robust set of…

7 Things To Do With Dad on Father's Day in Charlotte

Father's Day is June 15th, so we've pulled together a list of events and gifts fit for a Charlotte dad. South End Eats Father's Day Food Tasting June 15, 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. A free, family-friendly event filled with music,…

ROOM WE LOVE: Anchors Away!

“I’m not a regular general contractor,” says Mark Aymer, owner of Aymer Luxury Building and Design. “I don't just seek out kitchens and bathrooms. I’m a unique builder.” It’s why his clients hired him to build a 34-foot-long pirate ship…

Summer Festivals for Families in Charlotte

Tianyu Lights Festival Now thru June 22 Evenings, Concord Mills, Tickets start at $20 (over 12), $15 (under 12) Walk through 25 handcrafted luminous art installations with three themed areas: Enchanted Land, Animal Kingdom, Ocean World, along with the Illuminated…

SUPPORTING FEMALE ATHLETES: What Parents Need to Know

Dr. Jonathan Riboh is a team physician for Charlotte FC and the Carolina Panthers, where surgical knee repairs are part of the job description. But in his day job as an orthopedic surgeon for OrthoCarolina, he regularly sees torn anterior…

Last Minute Charlotte Summer Camps

Many Charlotte summer camps open for registration as early as January. But if you struggle to make summer plans while still in a winter coat, don’t panic. Here are some camps that still have some availability. For a full list…

3 Family-Friendly NC Destinations for Memorial Day Weekend

As travelers gear up for Memorial Day weekend, these three scenic, drivable destinations blend beach relaxation, mountain air, and plenty of small-town charm.  CRYSTAL COAST, NORTH CAROLINA The Crystal Coast is an 85-mile stretch of beaches that encompasses Beaufort, Atlantic…