Settle in to read these holiday classics with your family and reminisce about the holiday spirit of your childhood. Mr. Willowby’s Christmas Tree Mr. Willowby’s Christmas tree is beautiful but too big for his parlor, so he has the butler…
Q: Hi Molly! My daughter (11) has always been a solid girl. Our pediatrician was concerned about her weight at her last two check-ups and recommended cutting back on sweets, fast food, etc., which we have. We even let her…
In Partnership with Charlotte Mecklenburg Library
Q: My kids are having the constant “it’s not fair!” battle and it’s exhausting. Responding with “life’s not fair” isn’t working. What’s an effective way to shut this down? A: The F-word is not allowed in our household. No one…
In just a few generations, the college application process has gone from filling out forms and taking a few standardized tests to navigating a gauntlet of portals, essays, application fees, and letters of recommendation. We sought out two local Charlotte…
Q: Do you know of a resource in town that could help me child-proof my kids' iPad? They are ages 6 and 8, but they are getting to the point where they know more about using iPad than I do.…
In Partnership with Charlotte Mecklenburg Library
At 17, Darby Camp seems far too young to appreciate a good 1980s movie reference. But her beloved shih tzu, Marty McFly, is a nod to her favorite movie, Back to the Future. Darby’s natural ease in a room full…
Q: Hi Molly! My 8-year-old daughter keeps asking how much money my husband and I make. She wants to know the specific dollar amount on our paychecks. I just tell her we make enough to afford our house, food, and…
Get your kids and your home ready for school routines
On January 1, 2007, the American Academy of Pediatrics published an article about the importance of free play and how crucial it is for a child’s development. Dr. Ken Ginsburg, a professor of pediatrics at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, sited…
Expert Jeremy Boone’s tips on how to best support your little athletes
Q: I’ve had this gut feeling that my 18-month-old son has autism since his first birthday. He wasn’t a super smile-y baby, rarely makes eye contact, and often fixates on ceiling fans or windshield wipers. My pediatrician says it’s impossible…
Looking to take a breather from your family’s packed summer schedule? When you’re ready to log off, power down, and unplug, take a two and a half hour drive to southern Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains and treat yourself to a…
Try one of these family hikes that make a great day trip from Charlotte.
The 52-year-old dad has amassed a following by finding the humor in raising teens.
Q: Hi, Molly! This probably sounds familiar: My 3-year-old took a black Sharpie to my white wainscotting AND upholstered couch. He drew X’s down the staircase and into the living room “to protect his sister from the ninjas.” (I swear…
In Partnership with Charlotte Center City Partners
I want my kids to be thoughtful and self-assured. My own social media habits demonstrated the opposite.
Since becoming a parent almost 30 years ago, not a day has gone by that I haven't questioned myself and wondered, "Did I do the right thing?" or "Could I have handled that situation better?" The reality is that there…
In Partnership with Charlotte Mecklenburg Library
Q: My 3rd grader and his friends are so competitive when they play sports. It seems someone always gets upset, is a bad sport, complains about fairness, the person losing storms off, etc. We’re talking a dozen different boys who…
Q: "My 11-year-old has become a “Sephora kid,” and I swear some of her skincare products are more expensive than mine! This seems excessive for a tween. Are there any cheaper, drugstore alternatives to tide her over until she ACTUALLY…
I don’t know about you, but when springtime hits, my food thoughts go to strawberries. Heavy rainstorms notwithstanding, we’re lucky to have a long strawberry season here in the Queen City with lots of pick-your-own options. While strawberries are normally…
