Stay Home or Go Back to Work?
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.…
Parenting
ASK A MOM: The Mother's Day Edition
Q: Hi Molly. Need you to settle this once and for all. Should my husband spend Mother’s Day with me and our children instead of his own mother? He makes the same argument every year, that I’m not his mother, so he…
ASK A MOM: Mean Moms, Group Punishments, and Depression in Children
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…
ASK A MOM: Kids' Clothing, Homeschool Resources, and Answering Tough Questions
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,…
PARENT TO KNOW: Jen Kraus Rosen
Jen Kraus Rosen is the Chief Advancement Officer of Moishe House, a global organization that facilitates engaging communities for Jewish young adults. When she’s not traveling the globe for work, the Indiana University grad devotes her time to family and…
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…
PARENT TO KNOW: Esezele Payne
Esezele Payne has a refreshingly direct style, which might be out of necessity. Like most moms, she is very busy. Esezele is the Vice President of Operational and Environmental Services at Atrium Health and is active in several charitable organizations…
FAMILY PLANNING: Who Should Be Snipped?
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…
A First-Timer’s Guide to Planning a Disney Vacation
A trip to Walt Disney World tops many family’s wish list, but the cost and time it takes to plan that magical experience can be mind-numbing. The logistics are more complicated than a beach vacation or a mountain getaway, so…
11 Toddler-Friendly Restaurants in Charlotte
These Charlotte restaurants have the menu options, ambiance and entertainment to keep wiggly kids occupied while parents enjoy a satisfying meal. Cabo Fish Taco Find coastal Mexican cuisine in a laid-back Baja surfer environment. Guy Fieri visited the flagship NoDa…
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…
Baby Registry Must-Haves
I remember the day my husband and I, in all our naivete, went to create our baby registry. Four hours later, we emerged from the store anxious, bewildered, and in need of a very long nap. Attempting to stock yourself…
Best Parenting Advice of 2022
A roundup of advice from our Parents to Know.
Tips for Parents of Reluctant Readers
When my daughter was in the first grade, her teacher required students to complete a reading log each school night. I remember one evening when my daughter had tears as she struggled to get through her 15 minutes of required…
ASK A MOM: Unsupervised bike rides, Seasonal Affective Disorder, and scheduling time to do nothing
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…
Stress-Free Bedtimes
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…
PARENT TO KNOW: Molly Carroll
Molly Carroll's family has made a festive splash on their Plaza Midwood street during the holiday season for the last several years. And each year their yard on Wilhelmina Avenue draws a bigger crowd. When she’s not spreading inflatable holiday…
ASK A MOM: Holiday stress and how to give back this season
Q: Hi, Molly. I have four kids under age 10, and I feel like I have nothing fun to offer them. All I do is yell at them to pick up their toys or hurry up and get ready for…
ASK A MOM: Fidgety students, healthy eating, and Thanksgiving etiquette
Q: My son's teacher is always sending home a report that he can't sit still and stay focused. I talk to him about being respectful of his teacher and classroom, and have tried to offer him some breathing strategies when…
PARENT TO KNOW: Patrice Gopo
Patrice Gopo is an award-winning essayist and author who often returns to themes of race, immigration, identity, and belonging. Her essay collection, All the Colors We Will See, was a Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Writers selection. Her debut picture book, All…
ASK A MOM: A good apology, gender reveal parties, and rules for rough-housing
Q: I have a weird problem. My 4 yr old was at a play date at her friend’s house who has a pet hamster. She got really excited to hold the hamster and squeezed too hard…and now they don’t have…
Why Teen Parents Should Know About B.R.A.K.E.S.
In January 2008, NHRA drag racing star Doug Herbert got the phone call every parent fears. His two sons, Jon and James, had been in a car accident. Neither survived. As Herbert fought his way through grief, he became resolute…
7 Things to Know About Friendship Circle’s New Inclusive Fun Zone
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. …
ASK A MOM: Blended families, inflation anxiety, and age-appropriate books
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…
