Finding the Funny in Family
I discovered Trey Kennedy several years ago while scrolling TikTok. One of his videos popped up on my feed—it was a skit about the difference between Mom waking a kid up for school and when Dad does it. I laughed…
Kids + Media
KID TO KNOW: Harper Weiss
Since 2021, Harper & Skyler’s Toys & Sweets has been Charlotte’s go-to for treats, candy boards, toys, and personalized accessories. If you’re a frequent customer, you might recognize 11-year-old Harper Weiss, who often helps out behind the counter. Her dad,…
ROOM WE LOVE: A Pretty Playhouse
Anna Stallmann is a public relations ace and owner of Anna Stallmann Communications, a women-led firm that serves a diverse group of local and national businesses and nonprofits. She’s also a mom of two daughters, Savannah, 6, and Madeleine, 4.…
5 Ways Things Have Changed Since Parents Were Kids
Parents may think they know what it’s like to be in elementary, middle, or high school since they’ve been through it already. But is childhood really the same as it was when we were young? The answer is yes—and no.…
DARBY CAMP: The Charlotte teen and rising Hollywood star IRL
At 17, Darby Camp seems far too young to appreciate a good 1980s movie reference. But her beloved shih tzu, Marty McFly, is a nod to her favorite movie, Back to the Future. Darby’s natural ease in a room full…
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.
Teens and Social Media: How to Protect Their Mental Health
What therapists want you to know about the risks and rules you might consider
LET’S MOVE! The Best Streaming Fitness for Kids
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…
ASK A MOM: Valentine inspiration, disciplining step-children, and how to discuss pornography with your teen
Q: What are some creative ways to make Valentines for the kids' classmates that don’t include candy?—Shannon A: I swear I’m not being a smart aleck, so, please don’t laugh… but your child handmaking a card, with no candy or…
7 Things to Know About Creatif
Want a place for your kid to explore their creative side? Looking for a fun activity for both you and your child? Have a budding artist who needs some guidance to hone their skill? Looking for some arts and crafts…
ASK A MOM: Toddler table manners, camps for kids with developmental disabilities, and boundaries with video games
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…
A DIGITAL DETOX
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…
LILY BAKES: Breakfast Bread With Mixed Berry Spread
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…
GO. PLAY. SEE.: 4 Fun Things to Experience in Charlotte This Month
CATCH SLEEPING BEAUTY ONSTAGE See the show that was shut down just hours before it was set to open in March 2020. Sleeping Beauty: A Fairy-Tailored Classic takes the stage at the Knight Theater through May 8. This family-friendly production…
ASK A MOM: Media literacy, language delays, and overworked school systems
Q: How do I talk with my kids about what’s happening in Ukraine? –Veronica A: When COVID deaths were rampant, parents asked how to explain the sadness to their kids. When 2020 Presidential debates highlighted name-calling, parents asked how…
7 Things to Know About 'MoLi'
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…
GO. PLAY. SEE.: 4 Fun Things to Experience in Charlotte This Month
TOYS, GAMES, AND TRAINS EXHIBIT Take a day trip to the Kings Mountain Historical Museum and check out the 19th annual Toys, Games and Trains exhibit. See model train displays assembled by local “S” gaugers, railroad memorabilia, antique toys, and…
HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE: 2021
From electric scooters and fidgets to cookie kits and activity boxes, we’ve got a round-up of the season’s best toys, treats, and games—and where to find them in Charlotte. We caught up with Dan Weiss, owner of Harper & Skyler’s…
PARENTS TO KNOW: Dawn and Joe Hewitt
As parents of four, Dawn and Joe Hewitt understand how hard it is to coordinate a myriad of activities and schedules. It’s why the Huntersville-based couple founded Groupeasy, an app to help busy parents streamline all of their email-based communication…
How Well-Mannered Are Your Kids?
Melinda Wenner Moyer always knew she wanted to write a parenting book but wasn't sure what aspect she wanted to tackle. One evening, she and her husband were discussing current events over dinner. "I was getting increasingly frustrated by the unsavory behavior…
How Parents Can Use Technology to Socialize With Their Kids
'I think any time you can join your kid in a shared hobby is a chance to talk with them about what is going on with their lives'
ADVICE: Why Does My Kid Struggle with Noise?
A few hours at a local pizza restaurant with singing animals on stage, screaming kids, and the incessant pings of arcade games is enough to put me over the edge. I can usually hold it together, but as soon as…
How to Transform Tantrums
Helping children handle the strongest of feelings
