Triangle Parents & Experts Share Their Thoughts
Parenting is a joy, a struggle, a sometimes nerve-wracking and exhausting journey filled with laughter, tears and special moments. Where would we be without friends who share their stories and listen to ours? Life in the Triangle with kids offers a multitude of possibilities. Whether you're looking for fun places to visit with your tot or ways to get exercise with kids outdoors, you'll find answers here. Our bloggers will make you laugh and remember your own stories. And they invite you to share them in every blog.

Beth Shugg is associate editor at Carolina Parent magazine and mom to two boys and one girl who keep her on the go. She loves to read and play with iPhone apps in her spare time, and will share "Books, Bytes and Bits" of information with you each month in her blog posts that expand on what we cover in our magazine.

Brittany is the mom of three rambunctious boys. If you liked this blog and wish to read more stories about her perspective as a mom, please visit her personal blog at Suburban Rebel Mom.

Odile Fredericks is mom to two and Carolina Parent's web editor. Look in Daily Post for family fun in the Triangle, especially freebies, as well as opinions and news that matters to local parents. She welcomes your comments. Check our home page on Thursdays to see her weekend fun planner.

Carolina Parent welcomes writer and blogger Sharon O'Donnell, who will share her humorous insights on being a mom and wife. The chosen blog name, "Lady of the House," refers to the moms in every house who experience the challenges and rewards of motherhood, as well as of being a woman.

Heathy Living is written by practitioners at UNC Family Medicine Center (FMC), who understand how important your pregnancy, birth experience and the first years of your child's life are to you and to your family. FMC's Maternal and Child Health Program offers evidence-based and family-friendly prenatal care, personalized care during labor and delivery, and early childhood pediatric care.

Cara McLauchlan celebrates the simple joys of life in her blog, Joy Goggles. It's a chance to look at our days through "Joy Goggles" and discover the beauty in ordinary moments.

If you're looking for a meaningful way to celebrate MLK Day with your child, Beth Messersmith , a Triangle mother of two, suggests you head to a free kid-friendly birthday party Jan. 16, for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The event will feature a free English/Spanish story time, songs, crafts, and birthday cake, and you'll hear Paula Young Shelton, daughter of civil rights activist Andrew Young, read from her book A Child of the Civil Rights Movement.

Mental Health Matters! is written by clinical staff at the The Lucy Daniels Center for Early Childhood in Cary, the largest and most comprehensive non-profit agency providing children's mental health services in the Triangle. The Center is devoted to promoting the healthy emotional development of young children through its preschool and kindergarten programs, mental health services, and outreach programs including Lucy's Book Club.

Southern MOMentum is a collaboration of sleep-deprived, Gen X gals who started out as friends and became grounded together in a wonderfully, challenging journey called motherhood ... some Southern by birth and others, transplants, who fell in love with front porch swings and sweet tea. Each mom contributes her unique blend of witty, realistic approaches by encouraging moms to put away their SuperMom cape and enjoy the journey of motherhood!

Carolina Parent publisher Brenda Larson is mom to a teenage daughter, which sometimes explains the exasperated sigh. She enjoys her work with the amazing team at Carolina Parent and welcomes your comments and suggestions about the magazine and Web site any time.

Tough times demand creative solutions. Our goal? Live better with less. CarolinaParent.com's staff brings you easy ways to save on products and services for kids, moms and dads in our Frugal Family blog.

Kristi Butler is a mother of four girls, teacher and blogger. Her site, There's No Place Like Kindergarten, offers advice drawn from her 20-plus years of teaching experience. She is a Transitional Kindergarten teacher at Peace Presbyterian in Cary.

Ready to head to the movies? Find out what's appropriate for your tot, tween or teen before you head out in Jean's Movie Choices for Kids.
On First Fridays, when downtown Raleigh stays open late, Jonathan Pishney offers reviews of free sci-fi movies at the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences.

Allison is a new mom learning the ropes of parenting in the Triangle. Active by nature and nurture, she loves to get out and go. Luckily, so does her 1-year-old son! Get new ideas as well as all the details and information you need for a new adventure at mominchapelhill.blogspot.com. Check out the photos to this blog on her site!

Joe Miller writes about fitness and the outdoors in North Carolina; his work appears primarily on his blog, in The News & Observer of Raleigh and the Charlotte Observer. He is the author of "100 Classic Hikes in North Carolina" (Mountaineers).

Robin Hutchison is the Marketing Director at Carolina Parent. She's been with Carolina Parent for 17 years while raising her three children, aged 26, 24 and 22. In her spare time, Robin enjoys reading, cooking, movies, yoga, and especially taking pups Baxter and Nellie on long walks.


