Q: Hi Molly! My kids are 4 and 6 and I want to talk to them about stranger-danger without giving them too much anxiety. I’ve heard about families having a code word that only safe and authorized people know so…
March brings awareness to developmental disabilities like autism, ADHD, and Down syndrome, which are part of the rich spectrum of human experience. Every child's developmental journey is unique and should be supported with empathy and tailored strategies. I want to…
Creating a baby registry can be overwhelming to a first-time parent. With so many products available, it’s difficult to know what’s what. As a mom of four, I’ve learned that less is more for the newborn stage. Our nursery setups…
Score some bargains at these Charlotte spring consignment sales.
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.…
I don't often have the privilege of interviewing others for my articles; I usually find myself in the role of the expert being interviewed. However, when I sought insights into Generation Alpha, I discovered a valuable opportunity for connection with…
Where your gently used items can do good
If you’re a parent of girls, you may have heard about two new organizations turning heads: Girlhood Charlotte and Growing Our Girls. Though not officially affiliated, their founders share a vision—to create new ways for moms and their daughters to…
Fun ways to celebrate LOVE as a family
If you’re like me, you may find it challenging to rest and recharge your batteries. I’m the type of person who goes until I can't anymore. Recharging is active work; I can only do it by putting effort in. However,…
Q: I am 5 months pregnant with our third, and my oldest (5-year-old girl) is asking how the baby is going to come out of my tummy. What’s an age-appropriate way to approach this? I also have a 3-year-old boy.…
In many families, money and finances are considered grown-up topics. Parents may believe children shouldn’t be privy to the family budget or included in any discussions regarding financial decisions, and while they have good intentions, shielding children from the topic…
Local spots to get out and fuel up with the kids
Melissa Lee’s clients’ two-story Matthews home was built in 1972, and the homeowners had changed a few paint colors and light fixtures since moving in five years prior, but now they were ready to modernize the choppy layout and make…
This week, we asked readers for their feelings on Elf on the Shelf. A whopping 53% of respondents have managed to avoid welcoming the December elf into their home. For the rest of us, here are some ideas and "elfluencers"…
Q: Hi Molly! My daughter (11) has always been a solid girl. Our pediatrician was concerned about her weight at her last two check-ups and recommended cutting back on sweets, fast food, etc., which we have. We even let her…
An Interview with Kim and Penn Holderness
Q: My kids are having the constant “it’s not fair!” battle and it’s exhausting. Responding with “life’s not fair” isn’t working. What’s an effective way to shut this down? A: The F-word is not allowed in our household. No one…
When parents decide to divorce, it can be difficult to break the news to kids in an age-appropriate way. What are some explanations they can understand? How do you reassure them that while Mommy and Daddy won’t live together anymore,…
Danielle Steiner’s clients loved their two-story colonial in historic Dilworth, but with two young children and frequent guests, they were running out of space. “They have a lot of family from outside the U.S. come to visit and stay for…
Insight and tools to managing the stress and complexities of divorce
In just a few generations, the college application process has gone from filling out forms and taking a few standardized tests to navigating a gauntlet of portals, essays, application fees, and letters of recommendation. We sought out two local Charlotte…
Q: Do you know of a resource in town that could help me child-proof my kids' iPad? They are ages 6 and 8, but they are getting to the point where they know more about using iPad than I do.…
The only thing worse than a trip to the DMV is a trip to the DMV with your new teen driver. From ensuring you have the right paperwork to setting your child loose behind the wheel, it’s nothing short of…
