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…
On January 1, 2007, the American Academy of Pediatrics published an article about the importance of free play and how crucial it is for a child’s development. Dr. Ken Ginsburg, a professor of pediatrics at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, sited…
Q: I’ve had this gut feeling that my 18-month-old son has autism since his first birthday. He wasn’t a super smile-y baby, rarely makes eye contact, and often fixates on ceiling fans or windshield wipers. My pediatrician says it’s impossible…
I want my kids to be thoughtful and self-assured. My own social media habits demonstrated the opposite.
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…
Your teen daughter is getting ready for a party with friends and seems angsty. She's staring in the mirror, looking at herself from every angle, pulling at her clothes and visibly upset. “Mom,” she says, “Do I look fat?” While…
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…
Justin Perry is a therapist and founder of Perry Counseling Healing and Recovery PLLC. He has over 15 years of experience working with children, adolescents, and adults who have experienced trauma, and/or are managing mental health and substance use disorders.…
Q: Hi Molly! This year, I decided to stop packing my 3rd and 4th graders' backpacks every morning before school. My husband and I agreed it was time to give them this responsibility. Problem is, they keep forgetting their lunches,…
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…
The obsession began this past holiday season. I am a Christmas decorating enthusiast and turn my home upside down in November in decorating mayhem. Until complete, it is a chaotic, divorce-worthy mess. Last year, I made my husband a deal:…
Q: Where are the best (read: cleanest) places in Charlotte to get my daughter's ears pierced? A: I took your question to Tiny Gods Jewelry where Mary Margaret Beaver, who founded the fine jewelry shop in south Charlotte in November…
One of the most difficult questions for a new mother to answer is, Do I stay home or go back to work? Many moms don’t have the gift of choice, but for those who do, the decision can feel overwhelming.…
Q: Why are moms mean? A: Oooooo… this question clearly has context not being relayed. I’m going to tackle it anyway. Mom shaming is alive and (un)well. The truth on how to handle shaming is easy to say, hard to…
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,…
You and your partner have decided your family is complete. Now the question you must answer: Who will take responsibility for making sure your bodies stick to the plan? We spoke to a urologist and gynecologist to get all the…
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…
Q: Hi, Molly. My 10-year-old son has started asking if he can ride his bike along the greenway by our house without a parent. When I was his age, my parents wouldn’t have blinked. But I just feel like the…
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…
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…
As moms, finding and maintaining authentic friendships can be difficult. How nice would it be if the opposite were true? What if moms felt free to be real and unite through the messy experience of motherhood? Instead, we tend to…
My husband and I lived in our South Charlotte neighborhood for about a year before we had any meaningful interaction with our neighbors. Then one weekend, I showed up to the pool sporting 38 weeks of pregnancy. Suddenly I was…
