My Son, the Teenage Dad
I did not know what to say when my teenage son, Robin, told me one winter afternoon that he was going to be a father.
Family
How to Nurture an Attitude of Gratitude
Thanksgiving may get short shrift in retail stores or the media, but you can nurture thankfulness this month and year-round in your children’s hearts and minds.
Ages & Stages: 11-18: Nurture Relationships Between Teens and Grandparents
Is your child’s lackadaisical attitude toward spending the night at her grandparent’s house bewildering? At 8 years old she longed to seek refuge from her siblings at Grandma’s house. Now, as a teen, you can hardly pry her away from her friends and the phone to spend an afternoon — let alone a good portion of the holidays — visiting her grandparents.
Say Mistletoe! Taking Holiday Photos
My family adores receiving photo cards during the holidays and opening each one like a little gift. We also love sending photo cards as it allows our friends and family all over the country to see how our children have grown. But putting together the perfect card is often an ordeal for all involved.
Home for the Holidays: Being Mom in Your Mom's House
Nigel Bronson is an inquisitive and enthusiastic 2-year-old who likes to run and explore. His mom thinks that’s just fine; if he falls, he learns to slow down. "With a child, it’s better they learn through experience," explained Courtney Bronson of Charlotte. "I can say, ‘No, Nigel. Stop Nigel, don’t do that,’ but Nigel is going to do it until he learns there are consequences to it. I’d rather he learn that than to continually holler and go after him."
'Tis the Season for Identity Theft
Is identity theft on your wish list this year? Probably not, but according to the FBI, identity theft is the fastest growing crime in the United States, affecting millions each year. And with so much spending occurring during the holiday season, consumers are especially vulnerable.
Fenwick's Restaurant
At some point, you will happen upon Fenwick’s along Providence Road. It is close to uptown in an older residential area of Charlotte. Here, you can safely assume the cash oozes from every pore of the local residents. The restaurant’s size and facade lack a little ambition, being largely inconspicuous and somewhat diminutive, but is in no way out of place amid the eclectic mix of buildings found along this section of Providence.
Family Friendly Resolutions
It’s that time again. For parents, New Year’s resolutions aren’t always just about themselves. Many parents choose to set goals the entire family can participate in during the new year.
Love Is ...
I love you — three little words that send the most powerful message in the world. It’s hard to believe only eight letters have so much impact on our lives.
12 Ways to Say 'I Love You' to Kids
It’s fun to find creative ways to show our kids we love them. Here are some ideas for sharing the love on Feb. 14 — and all through the year.
Make Tonight A Family Game Night
Games are not mere toys, but can rank right up there with books on the educational scale. They even have an advantage over books, in that older kids can’t use them in solitude.
Take a Time-Out for Love
Even if you can only spare a weekend away or a simple dinner-and-a-movie night out, a brief parental "time out" might be just the thing to clear your mind and revitalize your relationship, which is good for the entire family.
Family Dining: Encore Bistro & Bar
Encore is located in the Blakeney Shopping Center just two miles south of I-485 on Rea Road — perfect for those living in south Charlotte, but somewhat of a trek if you live closer to uptown.
Moms Find Clothes Sew Easy
Finding the perfect outfit for your child can be a daunting task, but have you considered making your child’s clothing? An increasing number of women are turning away from the mall and heading for their sewing machines.
Family Dining: Big Daddy's Burger Bar
We arrived a little late on a Tuesday night at Big Daddy’s Burger Bar on East Boulevard, Frank Scibelli’s new Dilworth dining spot, and found ourselves with a 20-minute wait.
International Adoption: A Journey into a Land of Unknowns
In September 2007, at the end of our international adoption process, my husband and I traveled to Liberia, West Africa, to pick up our two children who had been living at an orphanage in the city of Monrovia.
International Adoption: Additional Resources
Here are several resources, from books to agencies to Web sites, to help families considering international adoption.
Life, Liberty, the Pursuit of . . . Summer Vacation? ?
That annual vacation isn’t a right, it’s a luxury. Financial planner Diane McCurdy offers some simple ways to break the costly "vacation entitlement" habit — and start ?saving now for next summer’s outing.
Sticky Fingers Rib House
Sticky Fingers, based in Charleston, S.C., has two locations in the Charlotte area: on Johnston Road near Ballantyne and next to Concord Mills.
8 Earth Day Activities for Kids
If you haven’t introduced your child to celebrating the global day that is set aside for appreciating the environment, there is no better time than the present to start.
7 Ways to Make Summer Camp Affordable for Families
While it's hard to put a price tag on their children's learning and growth, parents certainly have their family budgets to think about when considering camp.
7 Tips for Family Farmers' Market Fun
Farmers’ market outings are fun (and educational) for kids
Angela’s
Family friendly restaurant review - Angela's
A Parent’s Guide to Letting Go
It seems like only yesterday that proud high school graduate was a helpless newborn. Now that baby is about to step away from the family and build an independent life.
