Charlotte Parent Magazine

3 weeks ago | charlotteparent.com | Taylor Bowler

Staying put this spring break? Why not experience the Queen City like a visitor? Below are some fun hometown activities for when you want to ditch the day-to-day routine. Museum of Illusions: Experience the mind-bending hijinks created by mirrors, lights, and depth perception challenges at uptown’s newest museum. Tickets are $29 for adults (ages 13+), $25 for children (ages 5-12), and $26 for seniors (ages 60+ with ID). Children under 5 are free. 601 S. Tryon St., Ste.

3 weeks ago | charlotteparent.com | Taylor Bowler

VISIT CHARLOTTE SHOUT!This multi-week festival returns to uptown April 4-20. See more than 200 installations, performances, events, and activations. Nearly all the events are outdoors, free, and open to the public. charlotteshout.comEAT BARBECUE FOR A GOOD CAUSE Head to uptown on April 4-5 for the Carolina BBQ Festival and help raise money for Operation BBQ Relief and Hungry Heroes. The event is part of Charlotte SHOUT! and features 16 pitmasters from across the Southeast.

1 month ago | charlotteparent.com | Randi Mazzella

A 2014 survey conducted by Braun Research found that 82% of adults reported having regular chores growing up, but only 28% said that they require their own children to do them. Parents choose not to assign their kids chores in the house for many reasons. With little kids, it may seem easier and more efficient for parents to do the tasks themselves. As kids get older, it can feel like a chore to get them to do a chore.

1 month ago | charlotteparent.com | Amanda Howard

Mindy Vergakis is a licensed clinical social worker in private practice, working with children, adolescents, and families. Formerly a counselor at Charlotte Latin, she specializes in ADHD, anxiety, depression, perfectionism, and behavior challenges and offers individual and family counseling, as well as parent coaching and school consultations. Here, the mom of three talks to us about the necessity of failure, when to seek professional support, and her gratitude for the women in her family.

1 month ago | charlotteparent.com | Taylor Bowler

CELEBRATE ST. PATRICK’S DAY IN UPTOWNThe Charlotte St. Patrick’s Day and Festival returns to uptown on Saturday, March 15. The festival takes place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and extends down Tryon Street from 3rd Street to Levine Avenue of the Arts. See live bands and Irish dancers on stage, peruse artisan vendors, and grab a bite from a food truck. The parade kicks off at 11 a.m. on Tryon Street with bagpipes, marching bands, floats, and more than 1,000 marchers.