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…
The holidays can be a sensory explosion—and not just for children. I’m talking about parents, too. As soon as the holiday season kicks off, your to-do list goes from 1 million to 10 million items, with shorter deadlines and more…
Q: Kids are 12, 9, and 7. What are some good YouTube channels that are entertaining but not just complete brain rot? A: Honestly? I don’t like any of them. Even YouTube Kids, which is marketed directly to children. My…
Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) has a robust magnet program that gives students access to free Montessori School, STEAM Academies, Dual Language Immersion (with your choice of five languages!)—programs that would otherwise cost you thousands in tuition. Elementary magnet schools are…
In a world that often feels hurried and disconnected, Elizabeth Anne Russell is on a mission to bring back kindness, confidence, and the lost art of good manners. As founder of Mannerly and the Charlotte School of Etiquette, she’s helping…
Get a little side help, or go full turkey to pie
October is ADHD Awareness Month—a time to celebrate brain differences, not judge them. When you understand how the ADHD brain functions and processes information, you are more likely to parent productively, as opposed to feeling frustrated because nothing is working.…
Q: I’ve heard and seen lots of reports about kid accidents on e-scooters and e-bikes. Yet they’re all around our city and fairly convenient. Should my kids ride them? At what age? What are the ultimate risks and how do…
When my children were little, discussions about what costumes to wear for Halloween began in September. They loved dressing up, attending Halloween parties at school, trick-or-treating with friends, and then sorting (and eating) the candy they collected. While my children…
When my son was in a tween, he asked if he could take golf lessons. I signed him up for introductory lessons with a golf pro. He enjoyed it so much I sent to a summer golf camp for a…
Q: A few weeks ago, my 2-and-a-half-year-old daughter broke two plates in the kitchen (thank God she didn't hurt herself). I remember keeping the plates in the middle of the table, so I asked her how they broke. She said…
Each year, our sister publication, Charlotte magazine, releases a list of the Castle Connolly Top Doctors in Charlotte, based on a peer survey conducted by Castle Connolly. Doctors are selected through a peer nomination process, and then evaluated by a physician-led research…
For moms, cosmetic surgery comes with extra considerations
It's back-to-school season, and for some families, it involves more than just buying new backpacks, folders, and pencils. For neurodivergent families, this is a time to focus on developing executive function skills. If you want your morning routine to be…
One of the toughest parts of parenting is watching your child struggle. Whether they're upset about a grade, being left out of a party, or not making the starting lineup of a sport, it's hard to ignore the immediate impulse…
Q: How do I as a parent deal with other kids coming over for a play date with cellphones? We are pretty strict with no iPads, video games, or phones for our kids (ages 8 and 10), but this is…
With a new school year on the horizon, you might be on the hunt for additional activities to fill the hours between 3 and 6 p.m. A good after school program or extra-curricular activity can turn those aimless afternoons into…
I discovered Trey Kennedy several years ago while scrolling TikTok. One of his videos popped up on my feed—it was a skit about the difference between Mom waking a kid up for school and when Dad does it. I laughed…
A Q&A with the mom of three and essay architect
Whether you're looking for sparkly for your little princess or snow boots, these stores have you covered.
July is Disability Pride Month, which celebrates the achievements and contributions of people with disabilities. It’s also a time to reframe the negative ways children with different abilities are often portrayed. While they do require extra support and assistance, the…
Q: Hi, Molly! The other day, someone asked me, “How many kids do you have”? Simple question, but not an easy one to answer if you’ve lost a child. Do I say four, but one is in heaven? Or do…
Since 2021, Harper & Skyler’s Toys & Sweets has been Charlotte’s go-to for treats, candy boards, toys, and personalized accessories. If you’re a frequent customer, you might recognize 11-year-old Harper Weiss, who often helps out behind the counter. Her dad,…
Anna Stallmann is a public relations ace and owner of Anna Stallmann Communications, a women-led firm that serves a diverse group of local and national businesses and nonprofits. She’s also a mom of two daughters, Savannah, 6, and Madeleine, 4.…
José Rolón, a New York-based wedding planner, content creator, and activist, has more than half a million followers on TikTok. Under the handle, @nycgaydad, Rolón posts about family life as a single father of three. "I began posting on Instagram…
