Picture Perfect Porches
Lori Shaw and Jennifer Dolan met eight years ago, when their kids were in preschool. Both had lived and worked in New York; now, they lived five minutes apart in south Charlotte. “We came from the northeast, where fall is,…
PARENTS TO KNOW: Drs. Joya and Drew Lyons
Drs. Joya and Drew Lyons are spouses and owners of Smile Savvy and Cosmetic Dentistry, the state’s only cosmetic dentistry practice owned by a Black couple. The Lyonses are also parents to 7-year-old Brielle and 2-year-old Trace, who was born…
RECIPE: Chef Drew Ward's Pasta Carbonara
As executive chef at Brewers at 4001 Yancey and corporate executive chef of Artisinal Brewing Ventures, Drew Ward writes menus for nine taprooms including Southern Tier, Victory, and Bold Rock. At home, his sons Jared, 12, and Ryan, 10, request…
4 Dream Destinations for Dads
Gather a group of fathers, invite grandpa, or grab the kids for a daytrip or weekend getaway. Bad music, tall tales, and dad jokes are encouraged. Here are four destinations for dads, all within driving distance of Charlotte: Banner…
ROOM WE LOVE: A Laundry Factory
As founder and principal of Greentree Homes, Emily Bramwell oversees the design and construction of custom homes across Charlotte. As a mom of three young children, she does laundry around the clock. When she and her husband bought a 1929…
Father’s Day Gift Ideas for Charlotteans
The Sporting Gent Find men’s apparel and accessories, home goods, and outdoor gear like hunting garb and fly fishing equipment. Even less-sporty dads will enjoy the luggage, bar accessories, and leather goods. Visit the store or shop online. 2848…
Editor's Note (June 2021): 'A Fist Bump for the Dads'
I gave birth to my son on Father’s Day, so I have a running joke with my husband that I never have to give him another Father’s Day gift again. He watched the US Open while I endured 44 hours…
GO. PLAY. SEE.: 4 Fun Things to Experience in Charlotte This Month
SWIM IN A QUARRY Head to the quarry at Carrigan Farms for Open Swim. Take a dip in the quarry, jump off the rocks, swing off the rope swing, and fish in the ponds. Hours are 10 a.m. to…
20 Family-Friendly Events and Activities in Charlotte: June 2021
June 4 Charlotte Knights versus Nashville Sounds. Truist Field, 324 S. Mint St. 7:04 p.m. $10+. Spend Friday evening with the Knights as they take on the Sounds at Truist Field, and stay for the special Friday Night Fireworks promotion.…
In Step with… Kevin Cassidy
Former Hollywood stuntman Kevin Cassidy and his wife Megan opened Ninja Nation in Huntersville on May 22. The 12,000-square foot facility has a state-of-the-art obstacle course arena designed for “sports-tainment.” Ninja Nation hosts classes, open gym sessions, birthday parties, field…
The Pint-Sized Foodie: Hawkers
Each month, our 7-year-old resident foodie visits a different Charlotte-area restaurant that’s kid-friendly—but not a kid-topia. He orders something he’s never tried before and reports back with his recommendations for kids and their parents. Here is his review of the…
In Step With...Aarthi of Magpies
We sat down with Aarthi of the mother-daughter duo behind Magpies to learn more about their pop-up bakery. You may know Aarthi and Addy from: Magpies, their bakery that pops up around town at farmer’s markets. The name is…
ADVICE: Why Does My Kid Struggle with Noise?
A few hours at a local pizza restaurant with singing animals on stage, screaming kids, and the incessant pings of arcade games is enough to put me over the edge. I can usually hold it together, but as soon as…
RECIPE: Kevin Flack’s Weekend Breakfast
As director of operations at YAFO Kitchen, Kevin Flack is surrounded with Middle Eastern street food every day. At home, the father of four is in charge of the weekend routine, which includes “pancake day.” Wife Allison works as an…
ROOM WE LOVE: Above and Beyond
John Soprano, owner of Sopranos Building and Restoration, has done custom carpentry in and around the Fort Mill area for more than 20 years. From master closets to staircases to pool house gazebos, there’s almost nothing he can’t do. When…
10 Things Charlotte Families Must Do This Summer
A checklist
Six Things to Know About Operation Dream Force
After more than a year of remote learning, we’ve seen how important it is for students to have access to computers, ipads, and reliable Internet. But at least 11 million students across the country don’t have a device for online…
Parent to Know: Jenna Enoch
Jenna Enoch’s mornings typically begin at 2 a.m., when she heads to her post at Spectrum News to report the day’s headlines from 5 to 9 a.m. After her workday wraps at noon, she goes home for her “second shift”…
Ask A Mom: Bath Time Protocol, Covid Weight Gain, and Special Needs
Welcome, May. Ten months into writing for Charlotte Parent, and you guys are bringing legitimate, tough questions. This month, editors chose three. I tracked down experts for #2 and #3, but opted to poll a few Charlotte moms to answer #1.…
When Mother’s Day is a Hard Day
We can all agree that motherhood is hard work and moms are more than deserving of a day that celebrates them and all they do. But for some people, Mother's Day can be difficult. "There is an assumption that it's…
Mother's Day Gift Roundup for Charlotte Families
Saturday CLT Scavenger Hunt. Multiple locations. Go on a Mother’s Day-themed scavenger hunt and collect fun gifts from local businesses for Mom. The two-day event is May 7-8 and includes four hunt locations each day. Mother's Day-themed clues will be…
Editor's Note (May 2021): 'Mom Strong'
Earlier this year The New York Times published an article called The Primal Scream: America’s Mothers Are In Crisis. If you didn’t read it, there’s a good chance you heard about it from a mom who did. My senior editor…
MOM WE LOVE: Shannon Spake
Between hosting NASCAR race coverage for Fox Sports, anchoring the daily NASCAR show RACE HUB for FSI, and interviewing NFL players for FOX on Sunday afternoons, Shannon Spake knows how to juggle. She and her husband Jerry McSorley are parents…
Take the Summer Break Challenge with Charlotte Mecklenburg Library
In Partnership with Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Charlotte Mecklenburg Library encourages reading and learning all year long. The summer months, when students take a break from school, are critical to expanded learning. In fact, summertime poses the most academic risk because…
GO. PLAY. SEE.: 4 Fun Things to Experience in Charlotte This Month
SPEND FRIDAY NIGHT AT CAMP NORTH END Head to Camp North End for a night of live music, food, and public art. Grab dinner at one of the food stalls or have a beer at Free Range Brewing. Kids can…
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