Between after-school activities, homework, and work commitments, finding time for a family dinner can feel impossible. Yet sharing a meal together—even just a few times a week—offers lasting rewards. Research shows that kids who regularly eat with their families enjoy…
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…
North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands encompass five barrier islands—Sunset Beach, Ocean Isle Beach, Holden Beach, Oak Island, and Bald Head Island—along the southernmost stretch of North Carolina’s coast. It’s roughly three-and-a-half hours from Charlotte; from Ocean Isle Beach, you’re about halfway…
Charlotte City Brew Tour Send a group of beer-loving dads on a guided tour of Charlotte’s craft breweries. Choose the Original tour, or an abbreviated 3.5-hour version. In either tour, guests make at least three stops and sample more than…
Alexis Warren’s client was pregnant with her second child when she hired the designer to transform a space above the attic into a bedroom for her 2-year-old daughter. She wanted it to be fun and youthful, but it also needed…
HAVE A FAMILY DANCE PARTY Bring the whole family to Symphony Park on Saturday, June 11 for a Family Dance Party. The event runs from 1 to 5 p.m. and includes games, music, and a $500 dance contest, which consists…
Each month, our 8-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 Calle…
We all get anxious. For some of us, it feels like a natural nervousness—think first day of school jitters. For others, it feels overwhelming and might be associated with diagnosable anxiety. Anxiety can be genetic and/or due to a significant…
Lily Barnes is our 11-year-old resident kid baker. Each month she shares an original recipe that kids can make at home with their parents, plus a few behind-the-scenes tips and tricks to make your treat extra special. Here is Lily’s…
Q: My 8-year-old granddaughter lives with us full time, and she seems to be developing early. She has a 19-year-old sister to talk to, but I feel like I should be the one to take to her about puberty. How…
A Charlotte Parent contributor and mother of two shares her experience
Tell us about your family. How many children do you have and what are their ages? I have three children, Allie (21), Jake (19), and Evan (15). What are you most grateful for this Mother’s Day? I am most grateful…
The Crystal Coast is an 85-mile stretch of beaches that encompasses Beaufort, Atlantic Beach, Pine Knoll Shores, Emerald Isle, Morehead City, and Cape Lookout. It’s roughly five and a half hours from Charlotte by car depending on which town…
Tell us about your family. How many children do you have and what are their ages? My family consists of my global son, Brock Montgomery (16) (he has friends all over the world); my intelligent beyond-her-years daughter, Charli Ana (14)…
Tell us about your family. How many children do you have and what are their ages? I have two girls, Kaia Grey (5) and Nora Cole (16 months). What are you most grateful for this Mother’s Day? Our health and the…
When Traci Zeller’s clients bought their Myers Park home, they decided to turn an upstairs room, originally budgeted as a guest room, into a place where their two kids could have sleepovers. The sloped ceilings didn’t leave much space for…
CATCH SLEEPING BEAUTY ONSTAGE See the show that was shut down just hours before it was set to open in March 2020. Sleeping Beauty: A Fairy-Tailored Classic takes the stage at the Knight Theater through May 8. This family-friendly production…
I recently saw this meme on Instagram that made me chuckle (credit @mommycusses) ME: (Hanging one-handed from a cliff, seconds from death) MY KID: Can you hold this? While the situation is exaggerated, the sentiment is relatable. Moms…
Each month, our 8-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…
We all lose it. The constant pressures and unrealistic expectations mothers experience make us feel overwhelmed and maxed out. When it becomes too much, we lose it. The gentle, therapeutic term for this is dysregulation. Our toddlers do it when…
Q: I have a 15-year-old son. I love him but don’t know how to handle him. He’s moody, and bigger than me. He has never been physical or threatening, but sometimes I feel overwhelmed by him. My husband has talked…
