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…
Kid-Friendly Restaurants with Healthy Options
If your 2023 goals include eating healthier, check out these local restaurants with good-for-you options even the littlest family member will love. Many continue to offer curb-side pickup and delivery, so you can eat well no matter how hectic the…
ROOM WE LOVE: A Neurodivergent-Friendly Space
In my book Our Neurodivergent Journey, I write about how important it is for your home to accommodate your child’s needs. Kids need a space that elicits feelings of calmness but also leaves room for rambunctious behaviors. Our library allows…
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…
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…
Ways to Keep Kids Busy During Winter Break
"It’s Beginning to Look at Lot Like Christmas" was first written over 70 years ago. In the decades since, parents have agreed upon one thing: Mom and Dad can hardly wait for school to start again. What about all those…
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…
Elf On The Shelf Is Back!
Last month, we asked readers for their feelings on Elf on the Shelf. 15% of you think it's fun, 34% find it fun for the first few days, and a whopping 52% of you consider it your holiday nightmare. So…
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…
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…
7 Things to Know About Creatif
Want a place for your kid to explore their creative side? Looking for a fun activity for both you and your child? Have a budding artist who needs some guidance to hone their skill? Looking for some arts and crafts…
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…
Why Teen Parents Should Know About B.R.A.K.E.S.
In January 2008, NHRA drag racing star Doug Herbert got the phone call every parent fears. His two sons, Jon and James, had been in a car accident. Neither survived. As Herbert fought his way through grief, he became resolute…
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. …
How Does Your Garden Grow?
As parents, it's common to worry about what our children are eating. We want them to enjoy a wide range of nutritious foods and to develop a healthy relationship with food, but getting children to try new flavors and eat…
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…
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…
