Family

Special Olympics Athlete Has Hockey Dreams

Megan O’Donnell,

Decked out in a two-sizes-too-big red, white and black Carolina Hurricanes jersey, Rory Kinane of Charlotte entered the RBC Center in Raleigh to cheer on the Canes at a recent home game. The 10-year-old Special Olympics North Carolina speed skater is a huge hockey fan and one day wants to play on a team.

The Learning Dilemma: Educating your special needs child

Kara Lynn Mann,

Raising a child with special needs, whatever his or her limitations might be, is challenging. Trying to find a program or a school that fulfills all his or her education needs may be even more difficult. The public school system has specialized programs, but, for some, exploring alternatives outside the public school system just might be the answer.

Guiding Kids Through Grief

Brenda Nixon,

Hurricanes, terrorist attacks, accidents, old age, war and terminal illnesses are a part of life today. Death is never an if — it’s a when event. And with loss of people, pets and the familiar comes a stinging sadness. Educating children about death and guiding them through grief is something we prefer to avoid. But it’s one of our teachable moments. With our help, children can appreciate the feelings that are unique to this occasion, learn new coping skills and how to embrace life.

Alternative Parenting Styles

Kelly Williams,

Before you roll your eyes at the term "alternative parenting," and assume it encompasses some new wave, holistic theory, consider the fact that concepts known to strengthen parenting skills have been around for years, some since the days of antiquity. These include theories on nurturing children, natural infant hygiene and extended breastfeeding.

Amazing Birth Stories

Sandra Gordon,

When you’re expecting a baby, you do what you can to take control of the experience. You go to your OB/GYN appointments and childbirth classes, take prenatal vitamins and try to eat a healthy diet. Still, there’s always that feeling that Mother Nature’s really the one in charge and you’re just along for the wild ride. Ever wonder what you’d do if your pregnancy or labor suddenly took a surprising turn?

Keep the Lines of Communication Open

Michelle Kemper Brownlow,

As parents, we all know the day will come when our teenager would rather stick needles under her fingernails than have a meaningful heart-to-heart with us after school. She will get behind a locked bedroom door, blast some music and call her best friend to cry about the embarrassments of the day.

Give Board Games a Spin

S.C. Torrington,

The next time your family is making a beeline toward the video game department of a toy store, try taking a detour into the board game section. You’ll find plenty of old favorites and new variations. Along with the simpler luck-of-the-dice racing games for younger children, there are complex scenario strategy games for older kids and teens.

A GRAND Sleepover

Gina Roberts-Grey,

Make sure everyone has sweet dreams at Grandma's. Spending a weekend together can be exciting and exhilarating. Hosting your grandchildren for the night or a weekend slumber party can also be challenging and stressful unless you are prepared.

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Grandparents + Grandkids: It's a Trip!

ARA Content,

There are more than 70 million grandparents in the United States and many of them have a passion for travel, providing an incredible opportunity to share this love with their grandchildren. Traveling with grandkids offers a unique bonding activity that can’t be experienced during a family get-together or a short visit.

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Safety Tips for Traveling with Pets

Carolina Parent,

Labor Day weekend signals the end of vacation season, and many dogs and cats will be joining their owners for a final summer getaway. Although car trips can be stressful for many household pets, experts agree that they do not have to be if drivers take some simple precautions.

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Make Johnny Appleseed Proud!

Jessica Fisher,

If Johnny Appleseed would love North Carolina! Our state has an abundance of fresh farm apples to pick this fall, so take advantage of it. Try any of these fun activities or recipes to make the most of the season.

Tips for Single Mom Survival

Angela Thomas,

As a gift to our children, we can become healthy single moms who are strong and amazing women in spite of our circumstances. My hope is that I can pass on my notes on to other single moms. Maybe you will get a head start on some of the things that make single motherhood a little easier and find encouragement for every place you feel weary or discouraged. ?

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Meet a Pink Power Mom

Site Staff,

Life and death. Like most young couples, Charlotte resident Mary Hamrick and her husband Chris sort of took this for granted. Life was something that you were granted until you got really old and then you died. That was so far off. Married less than a year, they were your typical 30-something newlyweds: busy being in love, working hard and thinking about starting a family. Cancer certainly did not fit into the plans . . . until one day, Mary found a lump.

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Considering Adoption? This Should Help

Katrina L. Cassel,

I have two biological children and three adopted children, one a private adoption from Iowa, one from Haiti and a child adopted out of foster care. When people hear that I’ve adopted, many interested persons have asked questions about adoption. Here are some of the questions I am frequently asked.