Parents to Know

ROOM WE LOVE: A Designer Nursery

Alexis Warren, owner of Alexis Warren Designs, was 7-and-a-half months pregnant with her first baby when she and her husband moved into their new house in Myers Park. “The first thing I wanted to do was get the nursery done,”…

Meet the Women Behind Piccadilly

When Katherine Pugh, Courtney Hall Pugh, and Sadie Pugh Wilson completed their first collection of small-batch dresses in October 2020, it didn’t take them long to land on a name. Piccadilly sounded fun and playful, but it was also a…

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…

PARENT TO KNOW: Christina Murphy

Yes, you’re seeing double, double. Christina Murphy is mom to two sets of twins! And now Christina is preparing to double her workload. She’s taking her COVID side hustle, The Pearl Pagoda, from pop-up to permanent. Next month, The Pearl…

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…

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…

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…

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…

PARENT TO KNOW: Clary Hilliard Gray

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…

PARENT TO KNOW: Neely Verano

Neely Verano’s lifelong passion for the arts led her to serve in various nonprofit leadership roles at the Mint Museum, McColl Center for Art + Innovation, and The Arts Empowerment Project. She’s also a co-founder of LaCa Projects, Charlotte’s contemporary…

PARENT TO KNOW: James Kopecky

James Kopecky recently completed his seventh season with Charlotte Ballet. In honor of Father’s Day this month, we caught up with the dancing dad to 3-year-old daughter, Hazel. James shares how he and wife Kate creatively avoid the word “no,”…

Yes, I Am a Stay-At-Home Dad

  Shannon Carpenter has been a stay-at-home dad for 14 years. "Initially, I was joking when I suggested to my wife that I stay home with our then 15-month-old son,” he says. “But the more we talked about it, the more…

PARENT TO KNOW: Jessica Russell

  The pandemic’s consequences on young people’s mental health has been significant. But Jessica Russell, a licensed clinical mental health counselor with Thriveworks, is encouraged to see more kids and teens discussing their mental health as a result. For the…