The best inventions are often born from necessity, and this was certainly true for Stacy and Michael Baker, co-owners of Grow Café. As working parents with two daughters under age 4 (they also have a 17-year-old son), they struggled to…
Expert Jeremy Boone’s tips on how to best support your little athletes
CELEBRATE AMERICA AT THE BALLPARK See the Charlotte Knights take on the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp on July 4 at 6:35 p.m., and stay for a fireworks show at Truist field immediately following the game. Gates open at 5 p.m. Tickets…
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…
VISIT THE NEW SULLENBERGER AVIATION MUSEUM The Sullenberger Aviation Museum officially opens its doors on Saturday, June 1, at 10 a.m. Captain C.B. “Sully” Sullenberger, who maneuvered the famed “Miracle on the Hudson” landing, will be in Charlotte to celebrate…
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…
If you’re looking for easily accessible, neurodivergent-friendly destinations for your family, here are three that are a short drive from Charlotte. GREENVILLE, SC With plenty of parks, trails, and museums, this pedestrian-friendly city has plenty to offer families for a…
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…
Bring the kids, ditch the jet lag
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…
This month I’m cooking with my 8-year-old neighbor, Luke Tolley, and we’ve prepared what Luke calls “Mystery Baked Sandwiches.” This is a fun one, and it’s super simple. So simple, in fact, there’s not really a formal recipe. All you…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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,…
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…
You might feel sad—and maybe a bit nostalgic—after you leave your kids at a sleepaway camp. Afterall, the memories we make—the friendships, camp songs, and late nights roasting s’mores—stay with us into adulthood. So why can’t parents relive some of…
If your summer schedule doesn’t allow for an extended vacation—or you’re looking for a fun weekend getaway with the family—take a 4-hour drive down I-85 and spend some time in Atlanta. Catch a game at Braves Truist Park, explore the…
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,…
(©Jorik Kleen/Unsplash) Need something to keep the kids occupied once school's out for the season? Introduce them to a new pursuit: bowling. There are plenty of great deals to be had throughout the Charlotte area, including alleys that let kids…
Q: My 9-year-old wants to wear ratty gym clothes every day. I don’t need him in a suit and tie, but I think it’s important to look presentable. This discussion usually ends in tears. Where can I get decent looking,…
Designer Lori Shaw has a reputation for bold, unapologetic use of color, but she made her biggest personal statement earlier this year inside her own 8,000-foot home. She transformed her sitting room into a library for her “household of bookworms.”…
When Donna Meyer's two sons were little, she tried getting them involved in every sport available in her town. "They were very active kids,” she says. “I knew all the benefits they would get from playing sports, from physical exercise…
