Best Parenting Advice of 2022
A roundup of advice from our Parents to Know.
Most Recent
Kid-Friendly Coffee Shops
Parenting calls for early mornings, late nights, and an endless amount of energy. These local java stops offer zip in a cup and perks to keep kids happy. Coco and the Director With built-in stadium seating, bean bag nests, and…
Rainy Day Activities for Kids in Charlotte
We all want our kids to get out and play in the great outdoors. But when Mother Nature interferes, there are plenty of indoor play options all over town. Sky Zone Trampoline Park Charlotte 7325 Smith Corners Blvd. 704-709-9050 Pineville…
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…
Where to Ski, Snowboard, and Tube Near North Carolina
Warm up this winter on a family skiing, snowboarding or snowtubing trip just a short drive away.
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…
Thanksgiving Takeout Options Around Charlotte
Angeline’s has Pumpkin, Bourbon Pecan, and Dutch Apple pies available for $30 each. For each pie sold, Angeline’s will make a $5 donation to No Kid Hungry Charlotte. Order online by November 18 for pickup on November 22 – 23. Babe & Butcher…
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…
A Step-By-Step Guide to Hitting the Slopes with Kids
Planning a ski trip puts fear into the hearts of many parents. Between safety concerns and deciding where to go, what equipment to rent, and when to book ski school, it can feel like a logistical nightmare. Ski Sapphire Valley…
Holiday Gifts That Last All Year
Last November, when I asked my sister-in-law for gift ideas for my nieces and nephew, she was stumped. My 9-year-old nephew had a few items on his list for me to choose from, but my twin 6-year-old nieces weren't asking…
Ways to Give Back in Charlotte
Charlotte is home to so many local nonprofits that serve neighbors in need. Here are 10 ways your family can get into the spirit of giving this holiday season—and throughout the year. Thompson Child & Family Focus acts as a…
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…
WEEKENDER: Washington, DC
Much like Disneyland and The Grand Canyon, a visit to the nation’s capital is an essential family vacation. Washington DC teems with iconic monuments, sights, and museums that give kids a glimpse into the country’s history. Tour famous landmarks like…
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. …
Where to go for your family photos this fall
Charlotte is full of talented photographers eager to help capture your family memories. We narrowed this list down to some of the best, most highly recommended photographers that are offering family portrait specials ahead of the holiday season. Nest…
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…
Books for Back to School
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…
TRAVEL: Island Hop Through the Florida Keys
Fly to Ft. Lauderdale or Miami, rent a car, and head south to the Florida Keys. Make these stops along the way or set up a home base and take a series of day trips with your family. Miami Book an…
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…
A Family-Friendly Guide to Fall
Here’s a guide to fall activities for parents and children—heck, grandparents and grandchildren, too—that comes close to what you might have encountered in 2019, the last time we could bob for apples without the embarrassment of having failed to take…
Ask A Mom: Boundaries, tough conversations, and curbing end-of-summer boredom
Q: My daughter and her boyfriend are going out a lot, but they never tell me where! And they come back so late! I don't know what to do... A: Ask her. You’re her mother, not her friend. You control…
