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…
One of the biggest challenges we face as parents is sleep—making sure our children get enough of it and finding a little for ourselves along the way. In addition to helping parents keep their sanity, adequate sleep is a huge…
Beginning this month, Charlotte kids with special needs have a brand new indoor adventure park to explore. Here are 7 things to know about Friendship Circle’s new Inclusive Fun Zone, which opens at 6619 Sardis Road on October 6. …
As parents, it's common to worry about what our children are eating. We want them to enjoy a wide range of nutritious foods and to develop a healthy relationship with food, but getting children to try new flavors and eat…
Q: My kid’s stepmom’s birthday is coming up. We’re not BFFs, but we get along really well and she’s been a great SAHM to my kids while I’m at work. We haven’t had much interaction outside of the kids, so…
The Kissing Hand, by Audrey Penn (2007) Age group: preschool, early elementary It’s time for Chester Raccoon to start school, but he doesn’t want to go without his mom. Mrs. Raccoon soothes his worries with the Kissing Hand—a family secret…
Fly to Ft. Lauderdale or Miami, rent a car, and head south to the Florida Keys. Make these stops along the way or set up a home base and take a series of day trips with your family. Miami Book an…
In honor of National Childhood Cancer Awareness month, we’re passing the pen to local mom, Clary Hilliard Gray. You might recognize her from Hilliard Studio Method, the popular fitness studio she co-founded with her mom, Liz Hilliard, in 2008. In…
Q: What do you say and do when the 2-year-old throws food at the dinner table? A: Ask them to pick it up? Not to be basic, but that’s what I do. My son, Hobie, turns 2 this month. Meals…
Since relocating from Tennessee in 2016, Drs. Sarah and Gaurav Bharti are relative newcomers to Charlotte, but you might already recognize them from around town. Gaurav, a board certified plastic surgeon, is the ‘B’ in H/K/B Cosmetic Surgery and has…
Because children’s brains are malleable, they can learn and retain new skills, like foreign languages, more rapidly than we can as adults. But bad habits tend to stick, too. In other words, a child who learns to love screens in…
Summer may already be in full swing, but that doesn't mean it’s too late to plan some family fun. We’ve got a roundup of outdoor adventures and weekend getaways you can still add to your calendar. *See approximate driving time from Charlotte listed…
Q: My 8-year-old granddaughter lives with us full time, and she seems to be developing early. She has a 19-year-old sister to talk to, but I feel like I should be the one to take to her about puberty. How…
It hit me when we were packing up to leave the hospital. As I dressed my daughter in her first outfit and placed her in her carrier, I got an anxious feeling in my stomach. It got worse as we…
We all lose it. The constant pressures and unrealistic expectations mothers experience make us feel overwhelmed and maxed out. When it becomes too much, we lose it. The gentle, therapeutic term for this is dysregulation. Our toddlers do it when…
The way many children with autism perceive the world around them is often distorted. What may seem like an ordinary smell, sight, sound, touch, taste, or movement to you and me might go unnoticed or seem threatening and noxious to…
Lily Barnes is our 11-year-old resident kid baker. Each month she shares an original recipe that kids can make at home with their parents, plus a few behind-the-scenes tips and tricks to make your treat extra special. Here is Lily’s…
When our son Ben grew too large to be carried from his wheelchair to the beach, we wondered how we’d manage future trips to the shore. His favorite pastime is splashing at the ocean’s edge, and we didn’t want him…
Aqua-Tots Founded in Arizona in 1991, this swim franchise offers group lessons for babies as young as 4 months old (with a parent) up to age 12. Instruction is available for children with special needs, and classes are 30 minutes each.…
Whether you are struggling with a couch potato or simply want to incorporate a healthy and active mindset, these free streaming video options have something for every kid. Cosmic Kids Yoga Age groups: preschool, elementary Master storyteller Jamie weaves…
MULTI-ACTIVITY FREE PLAY Sports Connection 11611 Ardrey Kell Rd. 704-583-1444 Pricing: Varies by activity Enjoy bounce houses, laser tag, bowling, arcade games, bumper cars, a ropes course, virtual reality, and more at this Ballantyne mega center. The littlest ones won’t…
Q: Dear Molly, I just got my third grader’s report card and am afraid he’s falling behind in reading and writing this year. Any good learning centers in town where I can supplement what he’s doing in school?—Katie A:…
When I was pregnant with my third child, my husband and I couldn't wait to tell our two daughters, ages 8 and 5 at the time. We explained that Mommy had a baby in her belly and both girls…
A mini-library on wheels named MoLi (pronounced "Molly") took to the open road at the start of the year. Here are 7 cool things to know about the library's newest addition. A New Generation Did you know MoLi isn't the…
