Where to Hike With Kids Within an Hour of Charlotte
Try one of these family hikes that make a great day trip from Charlotte.
Development
TikTok Star Chip Leighton is Capitalizing on Teen Cringe
The 52-year-old dad has amassed a following by finding the humor in raising teens.
COOKING WITH KIDS: Summer Fun Fruit Salad
Summertime is when peaches, berries, and melon are in their prime. Depending on where you live and shop, you may also find local plums, grapes, and figs. Take your kids to any local farmers market to meet the farmers who…
ASK A MOM: Sharpee damage, summer boredom, and attention-seeking toddlers
Q: Hi, Molly! This probably sounds familiar: My 3-year-old took a black Sharpie to my white wainscotting AND upholstered couch. He drew X’s down the staircase and into the living room “to protect his sister from the ninjas.” (I swear…
PARENTING AND SOCIAL MEDIA: Why I Stopped Posting Photos of My Social Life
I want my kids to be thoughtful and self-assured. My own social media habits demonstrated the opposite.
5 Pieces of Advice from a Mom of Big Kids
Since becoming a parent almost 30 years ago, not a day has gone by that I haven't questioned myself and wondered, "Did I do the right thing?" or "Could I have handled that situation better?" The reality is that there…
ASK A MOM: Sportmanship, teacher gifts, and athleisure brands that won't break the bank
Q: My 3rd grader and his friends are so competitive when they play sports. It seems someone always gets upset, is a bad sport, complains about fairness, the person losing storms off, etc. We’re talking a dozen different boys who…
IN THIS TOGETHER: Meet the NICU nurse, the mom, and the baby girl who defied the odds
Baby Penelope’s 205-day stay at the NICU with Novant Health NICU nurse Courtney Hass
ROOM WE LOVE: An Indoor Obstacle Course
As a mom of three boys, ages 4, 5, and 7, Kiara Harlow wanted—and needed—a playroom where her kids could literally climb the walls. When she met Cassie Albergotti, co-founder of Wild Child, she knew she found a solution. Their…
How to Survive Jet Lag With Kids
Bring the kids, ditch the jet lag
ASK A MOM: Separation anxiety, social media, and self-esteem
Q: My 10-year-old cannot handle it when we go away for the weekend or even an overnight trip. The separation anxiety and homesickness for us makes it almost not worth going. It doesn’t matter who she stays with—grandparents, best friend—there’s…
Mom, Do I Look Fat?
Your teen daughter is getting ready for a party with friends and seems angsty. She's staring in the mirror, looking at herself from every angle, pulling at her clothes and visibly upset. “Mom,” she says, “Do I look fat?” While…
PLAY TIME: 6 neurodivergent, kid-friendly activities in the Queen City
If you ever wonder where you can take your neurodivergent child around Charlotte, well, wonder no more. I’ve done the research with my own children to save you time and narrow down the search for sensory, budget-friendly, and fun places…
ASK A MOM: screen time alternatives, budgeting, and gaming safety
Q: What do your kids DO in evenings and weekends when screen time is used up, especially now that it's winter? Mine are 11 and 13, and I'm the "worst mom EVER" for cutting them off after an hour. —Libby…
Rainy Day Activities for Kids in Charlotte
We all want our kids to get out and play in the great outdoors. But when Mother Nature interferes, there are plenty of indoor play options all over town. Sky Zone Trampoline Park Charlotte 7325 Smith Corners Blvd. 704-709-9050 Pineville…
A Novel Idea: Making book clubs fun for kids of all ages
Many adults join book clubs as way a way to socialize and broaden their minds. When you commit to reading the same book and get together to discuss, it’s an opportunity to spend time with friends, enjoy literature, and perhaps…
Teens and Social Media: How to Protect Their Mental Health
What therapists want you to know about the risks and rules you might consider
PARENT TO KNOW: Justin Perry
Justin Perry is a therapist and founder of Perry Counseling Healing and Recovery PLLC. He has over 15 years of experience working with children, adolescents, and adults who have experienced trauma, and/or are managing mental health and substance use disorders.…
ASK A MOM: pronouns, plane etiquette, and learning to tie shoelaces
Q: Hi Molly! I need some advice on how to discuss gender identity and pronouns with my kids. My fourth grader was over my shoulder when I was filling out the new Student Information Form from CMS and didn’t understand…
48 Hours in High Point
High Point, just 90 minutes north of Charlotte, is known as the furniture capital of the world. It’s also the first Certified Autism Destination (CAD) on the East Coast, and the second in the country. Becoming a CAD means tourism,…
ASK A MOM: Restrictive eating, talking to your teens, and improving sleep quality
Q: If we have any dessert type item in our house, my 9-year-old daughter goes straight for it first thing in the morning when no one is looking. She always shamefully fesses up to it because we’ve said that sweets…
Clean Up!
Getting kids to keep their rooms clean is an ongoing struggle for many parents. Kids often view their bedroom as "their space" and feel they should have autonomy. But for the parent, walking past a room with clothes all over…
ASK A MOM: Ear piercing, embarrassing moments, and a toddler's place on maternity leave
Q: Where are the best (read: cleanest) places in Charlotte to get my daughter's ears pierced? A: I took your question to Tiny Gods Jewelry where Mary Margaret Beaver, who founded the fine jewelry shop in south Charlotte in November…
Raising Financial Savvy Kids
Many parents shy away from talking about money with their kids. It’s deemed a “grown up” topic, and sharing your family’s financial situation with children can feel awkward. But understanding finances is a crucial life skill. Earning, saving, taxes, budgeting,…
