Latest news from our site

Keeping Baby Cool on Hot Days

Mon, 21 May 2012 16:28:35 +0100

Summer's coming on fast, and even on overcast days, Baby needs to be protected from the heat and sun. Ultraviolet rays reflect off pavement, water and sand, which is why it's wise to cover your baby's skin with a thin, breathable material even when you are out of direct sun. Hats are great protection for your little one's head and face. Sunglasses can prevent UV damage to the eyes; choose those that block 99 percent of UV rays. heat rash Infants can get it in hot weather from blocked sweat...

The New Child Neglect

Mon, 21 May 2012 15:42:53 +0100

"Honey! Where's Jenna? Will you go see? I have to finish my text!" IGNORING KIDS BECAUSE OF TECHNOLOGY HABITS Paying attention to your children is losing out to paying attention to your technology — your iPad, your cell phone, your must-do activity of the moment. And plenty of attention-loving kids aren't too happy about the fact that parents talk or text on their phones wherever and whenever they want to. Used to be — when all we had were landlines — that if you went to a playgr...

May 21-27, 2012

Mon, 21 May 2012 14:08:53 +0100

Tuesday, May 27Tuesdays for Tots: Sweet Treat Preschoolers and their parents can use paper, shaving cream paint, confetti and other materials to create a non-edible sweet treat craft. Cheekwood, 1200 Forrest Park Drive, Nashville; 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.; free with gate admission ($12 adults, $5 ages 3 and older); 356-8000 or cheekwood.org.FREE Turtle Search Ages 8 and older can participate in a box turtle research project. Nickajack Wetlands (call for directions), Murfreesboro; 3 p.m.; 217-3017 or mur...

Mexican Bean Stew

Mon, 21 May 2012 13:57:18 +0100

Serves 6. Recipe courtesy of Donalyn at allrecipes.com. Ingredients 1 cup dried pinto beans 1 cup dry black beans 1 cup dry garbanzo beans 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 onion, diced 4 cloves garlic, crushed 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1 (14.5 ounce) can crushed tomatoes 2 cups fresh corn kernels 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon salt and pepper to taste cayenne pepper to taste Directions Rinse and sort pinto beans, black beans and garbanzo beans. Place in a large bowl and cover ...

Sarahjanes Beachin' Style

Tue, 08 May 2012 14:44:44 +0100

There's a bag out there that is stain-free, wipes clean and you can even get the wrinkles out by just setting it in the sun! It's the Large Glitter Tote by Sarahjanes. It's made out of Mexican oilcloth and comes in a wide variety of colors and patterns — with a fashionable glitter bottom and three interior pockets. Durable enough to carry nearly all your beach necessities or pack for a day out at the park. It's a large tote, but not too excessive. I love the fact that you can just wipe it clea...

Beatles Tribute is Right as Rain, May 1 - 6

Wed, 02 May 2012 18:15:02 +0100

Rain: A Tribute to the Beatles (All ages)TPAC's Jackson Hall505 Deaderick St., Nashville782-4040 • tpac.orgShow times: Tue - Thu 7:30 p.m., Fri 8 p.m., Sat 2 and 8 p.m., Sun 1 and 6:30 p.m.Tickets: $25 - $57 A faux Fab Four is rocking the Tennessee Performing Arts Center this week during the Broadway touring production of Rain: A Tribute to the Beatles. And what a tribute it is! Wow! I'll readily admit that I've never been a real big fan of The Beatles, because they weren't prevalent in my ge...

celebrate the succulent strawberry

Tue, 01 May 2012 03:09:42 +0100

Spring’s snazziest fruit takes center stage during the 71st annual Middle Tennessee Strawberry Festival on Saturday, May 19 from 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. in downtown Portland. The festivities include a colorful parade at 2 p.m., live entertainment throughout the day and several fun activities for all ages. Children ages 3 - 5 can participate in the Heads Up contest at 9:30 a.m.; ages 6 - 9 can compete in a Jell-O eating contest at 10 a.m.; and ages 10 and older can sink their teeth into the season’...

free bowling for kids

Tue, 01 May 2012 03:07:46 +0100

Children 15 and younger can keep active now through the summer months during the Kids Bowl Free event available at two local lanes. Every day during the specified dates, kids can bowl two complimentary games at both Holder Family Fun Center locations (683 S. Water Ave., Gallatin, and 460 W. Main St., Hendersonville). To participate, register your child on the program’s website and choose which location you prefer. Strike up extra fun and hit the lanes with your kids with the $24.95 Family Pa...

try-boro kids race

Tue, 01 May 2012 03:02:50 +0100

Your little runner can participate in the Try Boro Kids 1-2-3 Run on Friday, May 11. Ages 5 - 14 can sign up for either the Try Boro 2.5K or 5K race that takes place on a lighted pathway at Gateway Island in Murfreesboro. Each child receives a shirt, medal, glow necklace and other prizes. There will also be awards in the different age groups. Parents, you are welcome to run with your child for an additional $5. Cost is $15. Pick up your packet at 4:30 p.m.; the first race is at 6:30 p.m. Parkin...

a must-see high-flying act

Tue, 01 May 2012 02:57:24 +0100

Love airplanes? Grab your chairs or blankets and bring the family out to the Smyrna Airport May 12 - 13 for the Great Tennessee Air Show for the second year in a row! Headlining the show are the world famous U.S. Navy Blue Angels (pictured here), with other featured acts like Dan Buchanan, Matt Chapman, Rob Holland, Corkey Fornof and more. Gates open at 8 a.m. and the parachute jump with the American flag and the National Anthem will kick off the show at 11:30 a.m. There will also be a kids’ z...

summer fun with shrek at gaylord opryland

Tue, 01 May 2012 02:45:06 +0100

DreamWorks Animation characters spring to life this season with Gaylord Opryland Resort’s “Summer Fun with Shrek & Friends.” The themed vacation package includes a two-night stay for a family of four in one room; a DreamWorks welcome amenity; ShrekFeast interactive character meal; Splash ‘N’ Screen Movie; DreamWorks Parade; meet and greets with characters from Shrek, Madagascar and Kung Fu Panda; scavenger hunt; and daily self-parking for one vehicle. We are giving away one of ...

sounds announce promotional schedule

Tue, 01 May 2012 02:39:21 +0100

Swing into the baseball season with the Nashville Sounds at Greer Stadium with daily promotions your family can take advantage of throughout the week during home games. The schedule is as follows:Monday: Dollar Hot Dog NightAll dogs are $1 all night. Tuesday: Tornados Tuesdays 2-for-1 TicketsBring receipt with proof of Tornado Snack Food purchase and get two tickets for the price of one.Wednesday: #WebWednesdaysE-mail newsletter subscribers and social media followers will receive the “Steal...

kids’ events and more at the franklin rodeo

Tue, 01 May 2012 02:34:30 +0100

The 63rd Franklin Rodeo takes place May 17 - 19 at the Williamson Agricultural Expo (4215 Long Lane, Franklin). The event, sponsored by the Franklin Noon Rotary Club, has been a family favorite since 1949. Starting at 7 p.m. each night (doors open at 5:30 p.m.), enjoy pro rodeo events like bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping, saddle bronc riding, calf roping, barrel racing and bull riding. Kids can enter to be a part of the mutton busting or the calf scramble and enjoy the silliness of...

sky high sports opens this month

Tue, 01 May 2012 02:27:58 +0100

Kids of all ages can burn energy and bounce off the walls — literally! — at Nashville’s newest indoor recreation center. Slated to open early May, Sky High Sports is an indoor trampoline park boasting 40,000 square feet of bouncing fun. The main jump court features trampoline floors and walls and a supersize foam pit. There’s also a dodgeball trampoline court and a dedicated jump court exclusively for little ones ages 8 and younger with their parents. A private jump court is available fo...

Queen for a Day

Tue, 01 May 2012 02:09:10 +0100

Drop plenty of hints before Mother's Day on May 13! POUCHEE: THE ULTIMATE PURSE ORGANIZERBy Poucheepouchee.com; $24 - $26.40Switch purses with ease with the Pouchee. This is the ultimate purse organizer that holds your cards, checkbook, phone, pens, just about anything small that you usually keep in your purse. Organize the items you use most in your Pouchee, and when it’s time to switch purses, all you have to do is take it out and put it in another purse. No more forgetting the important t...

Lovely Little Shop, April 28 - May 19

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 18:56:40 +0100

Tennessee Repertory Theatre presents: Little Shop of Horrors (Ages 12 and older)TPAC's Johnson Theater505 Deaderick St., Nashville782-4040 • tennesseerep.orgShow times: Tue - Thu 6:30 p.m., Fri 7:30 p.m., Sat 2:30 and 7:30 p.m.Tickets: $42.50 Upon entering the intimate Johson Theater in the basement of TPAC on opening night, it was apparent that Gary C. Hoff's impeccable scenic design for Tennessee Rep's final show of its 2011-12 season, Little Shop of Horrors, perfectly set the stage for an o...

Plan The Best Party Ever for Your Child

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 15:17:15 +0100

It’s a special day for your little one, here are tips to help make it something to remember. Back to basics with Birthday Parties: I have four children and two of them have summer birthdays. They seem to get the short end of the birthday-party stick with very small parties or just celebrating with family. But now we are back to school and the birthday parties are starting up again. So I started thinking about birthday parties and the economy and what are some modern-day considerations. &...

25 Old Fashioned Summer Activites

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 14:56:28 +0100

When the kids are out of school, don’t let electronics rob them of their childhood! 1. Construct a house of cards. Pull out the playing cards and see who can build the tallest card condo. Or, two or more children can work on the same house, each taking turns adding the next card.2. Create a nature collage. Collect small, natural objects in your backyard: grass, sticks, flower petals, seeds, nuts, leaves. Glue the objects to cardboard to create a collage. Make a picture of them or have the kids...

Funny Bones: How Humor Helps Your Kids

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 14:51:21 +0100

Your ability to “keep it light” as you parent will benefit the kids and you. Here’s how a sense of humor helps to make everyday family life that much better. We all know the parents — the ones who push, push, push their children to strive for more, more, more. And, typically, the pushier the parent, the sadder the face of the child. Sure, we all want our children to say the alphabet, count to 100, name colors and read and write their names as early as possible. But perhaps more important...

Road Trip: Horsing around in Yellowstone

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 14:40:51 +0100

The nation’s most famous national park offers views most families only see in picture books. Yellowstone National Park is busy with more than 3 million visitors annually. Spanning 2.2 millions acres across Wyoming’s northwest corner, the majority arrive in summer, yet for most families, summer’s the only time they can visit, so don’t let the prospect of crowds deter you. Ninety percent of visitors stray less than one mile from their cars, and it takes very little effort to escape the hor...

Giddy Up for Steeplechase

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 16:00:44 +0100

Your family can enjoy a day of equestrian delights... while helping raise money for the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt during the 71st running of the Iroquois Steeplechase on Saturday, May 12 at Percy Warner Park’s stable area on Old Hickory Boulevard in Nashville. Proceeds from the event support Children’s Hospital’s vital research that assists in providing cutting-edge critical care services to children. Gates open at 8 a.m., and the first race begins at 1 p.m. Tic...

The 5 S's - Simplify Soothing

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 15:46:42 +0100

Not sure about swaddling your infant when he’s fussy? A new study published in Pediatrics (from the American Academy of Pediatrics) backs up the claim that the happiest infants may be those who receive the 5 S’s of soothing when they’re upset. The 5 S’s come from Harvey Karp, M.D., author of The Happiest Baby on the Block (Bantam; $15.99 on Amazon). In aforementioned study, 230 2- and 4-month-old infants received either standard comfort from parents or the 5 S’s after receiving s...

Nominated Favorite Docs 2012

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 14:55:14 +0100

The 2012 list of Favorite Docs as nominated by Nashville Parent Readers. For more information on the doctor click the link (when available). Go Back to the Nomination Form Chiropractors R.J. Beel | Beel Chiropractic Center, Inc. Dentists - Orthodontists Anthony R. Togrye | Togrye Orthodontics Dentists - Pediatric Ed Purdue | Edward Purdue, DDS. Kurt Swauger | Pediatric Dentistry David Snodgrass | Snodgra...

Third Annual Sneaker Ball and Golf Scramble

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 13:55:21 +0100

Former NBA star Muggsy Bogues will be the featured guest at theThird Annual Sneaker Ball and Golf Scramble events to be held Friday, April 13 atSmyrna Air Center. The day’s events are the major annual fund-raiser for First Shot BasketballFoundation, a non-profit organization that benefits under-served youths inMurfreesboro and Rutherford County through a variety of athletic, academic and lifeenrichment avenues.Bogues, the shortest player to ever play in the NBA at 5-foot-3, will conduct a yout...

The Trouble with ADHD

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 20:09:06 +0100

To medicate or not to medicate ... is that the question? When it comes to a child with ADHD, finding the right “recipe” in order to help him is tricky. “There really are kids that need medicine for it. I wouldn’t have said that a year ago,” says Nora, a Brentwood mother of three children; two of whom have attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Nora’s oldest kids, both boys in middle school, have two different forms of ADHD. While one takes medicine for the disorder, t...

10 Things Every Child with Autism Wishes You Knew

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 16:50:17 +0100

Condensed from the book by the same title I am a whole child My autism is one aspect of my total character. I am a person with thoughts, feelings, and many talents—like you. Don’t allow stereotypes to limit your expectations of what I may be capable of. My sensory perceptions are disordered The ordinary sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and touches of everyday life that you may not even notice can be downright painful for me. I am not withdrawn or belligerent; I am just trying...

Child Development 101: Meeting Milestones

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 16:29:14 +0100

How is your baby developing? As a parent, you may begin to worry about how babies develop. If you’re following your child’s progress month by month, Baby will display signs to you about what he’s capable of. Questions like “Is baby sitting up?”, “Is baby talking?”, “Is baby walking?” and more will arise. There are six important areas of child development to examine in order to determine whether a child is progressing at a normal pace. In most instances, par...

Outdoor Safety is Key with Kids

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 15:45:48 +0100

Non Retractable Driveway Safety NetBy KidKusionkidkusion.com; $55This handy, three-foot-tall, 18-foot-long net provides a visual safety barrier at the end of your driveway to keep your little ones from riding into the street on their trikes or Big Wheels, and it’s also good for keeping balls from rolling into the road as well. The unit comes with two end poles and two ground sleeves to hold the net in place. — cy FOHAWXBy Fohawxfohawx.com; $19.99Plenty of kids have bicycle helmet...

sail on TITANIC

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 15:36:39 +0100

It’s been 100 years since the ship of dreams met its demise in the freezing waters of the North Atlantic Ocean. And we’re still mesmerized. Bounties of articles and books, several movies including an Academy Award-winning smash and we still can’t get enough of Titanic. Why? What is it about Titanic’s story that still captivates, and, after all this time, is there possibly anything new we can learn about it? The answer is a resounding yes. We’re still ca...

help raise funds and march for babies

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 15:32:21 +0100

Everyone in your family can stretch their legs, get exercise and help raise money for the Tennessee chapter of the March of Dimes during the nonprofit’s annual fundraiser, March for Babies. Sponsored by Baptist Hospital, the event takes place Saturday, April 22 at Centennial Park (2500 West End Ave., Nashville). There is no fee to participate, but walkers are asked to raise pledges. Funds support programs in the community that help mothers experience healthy, full-term pregnancies as well as re...

help raise funds and march for babies

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 15:32:21 +0100

help raise funds and march for babies

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 15:32:21 +0100

help raise funds and march for babies

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 15:32:21 +0100

cool art and birthday events at log cabin ceramics and more in smyrna

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 15:27:14 +0100

Little artists can create cool art and express their creativity at Log Cabin Ceramics and More, now open in Smyrna — one of the few ceramics studios available in this city. Here, you can paint your own pottery to take home. Pottery painting is fun and all ages can come and enjoy this kind of art project. “We offer affordable prices with no studio fees on painting your own ceramic treasure to keep and display or give as a special gift,” says owner Vivian Karros. Birthday parties are also ava...

Affordable Dental Care for Those in Need

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 15:22:00 +0100

It’s important to take care of your primary teeth, even those baby teeth, but being able to afford it is hard for some families. Interfaith Dental Clinic, a non-profit program which offers comprehensive dental services to low-income families at a price they can afford, recently opened a new location in Rutherford County. Local families can now visit the dentist to get the dental care they need even if they are uninsured. There is a current waiting period for new patients of eight to 10 weeks, a...

Family Fun at TAP ROOT’S Ranch Rodeo Series

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 15:14:59 +0100

Tap Root Farm’s 2012 Ranch Rodeo Series is now open on its 350 acres of rolling green hills, only three miles from Cool Springs Galleria. Taking place the second Saturday of each month now through October, Ranch Rodeos let cowboys, cowgirls and youth compete in events typical of a regular day’s work on a ranch. For example, in the Trailer Loading Competition, a team of four cowboys rope the cow and load it into a trailer — just as they’d do if a cow were sick and had to be loaded in ...

week of the young child emphasizes early learning

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 15:11:45 +0100

Every year, the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC; naeyc.org) sponsors the Week of the Young Child, a special week to raise awareness of quality childhood education in child-care settings. April 22 - 28 marks this year’s event with the theme, “Early Years are Learning Years.” While most of the workshops and seminars are for early childhood educators, the local event — sponsored by the Nashville Area Association for the Education of Young Children (NAAEYC), th...

week of the young child emphasizes early learning

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 15:11:45 +0100

Triathlon Great for Kids to Get Fit and Compete

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 14:55:46 +0100

Thirteen-year-old Maria Botha of Spring Hill loves competing in triathlons. In fact, she’s been doing so since she was 10, and last year participated in the inaugural Nashville Kids Triathlon, winning first place overall female and third place overall (male and female). “It’s a great triathlon for beginners as well as anyone who is competitive,” Maria says. “I love to push myself, stay fit and compete,” she adds. Her enthusiasm has rubbed off on her 11-year-old brother, Matthew, wh...

Triathlon Great for Kids to Get Fit and Compete

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 14:55:46 +0100

The Baby Fair - Saturday, April 14th

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 14:45:19 +0100

New and expectant parents can celebrate all-things baby during The Baby Fair, presented by Nashville Parent and Baptist Hospital on Saturday, April 14 from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. The fair features several demonstrations, speakers and exhibits ranging from safety equipment to baby furniture and accessories, plus samples and prize giveaways. Experts from Baptist will present classes on breastfeeding and newborn care, plus you can tour the hospital’s birthing facility. The Baby Fair is located at the Ba...

Diagnosing ADHD in Preschoolers

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 20:12:31 +0100

• Is your child in constant motion?• Does he make careless mistakes?• Does he seem to not listen?• Is he easily distracted?• Does he not finish tasks? Do the above points sound like a typical 4-year-old? Absolutely. Kids are like puppies when they are young, full of fun and energy ... and in need of self-control. That’s what growing up is for. But that’s also why the American Academy of Pediatrics’ (AAP) relatively new (five-month-old) guidelines to include children as young as 4...

Practically Perfect Poppins, March 20 - 25

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 18:57:12 +0100

TPAC’s Broadway Series presents:Mary Poppins (Ages 6 and older) TPAC’s Jackson Hall505 Deaderick St., Nashville782-4040 • tpac.orgShow times: Tue - Thu 7:30 p.m., Fri 8 p.m., Sat 2 and 8 p.m., Sun 1 and 6:30 p.m.Tickets: $30.50 - $72.50 A truly magical musical is at TPAC this week with the touring production of Mary Poppins. Based on the series of children’s books by P.L. Travers and the Walt Disney film, this Disney and Cameron Mackintosh production is stellar start to finish and ...

My Family Coupons

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 15:57:27 +0100

<div><object style="width:984px;height:787px" ><param name="movie" value="http://static.issuu.com/webembed/viewers/style1/v1/IssuuViewer.swf?mode=embed&layout=http%3A%2F%2Fskin.issuu.com%2Fv%2Flight%2Flayout.xml&showFlipBtn=true&documentId=120322155642-51c8fefadf6a4ec892787fde5b52f619&docName=mfc_nash&username=daycom&loadingInfoText=My%20Family%20Coupons&et=1332432259904&er=67" /><param name="allowfullscreen" val...

My Family Coupons - Demo Book

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 15:57:27 +0100

<div><object style="width:984px;height:899px" ><param name="movie" value="http://static.issuu.com/webembed/viewers/style1/v1/IssuuViewer.swf?mode=embed&layout=http%3A%2F%2Fskin.issuu.com%2Fv%2Flight%2Flayout.xml&showFlipBtn=true&documentId=120326185234-cd0bde92b22247aa9f3ded035fe7b69e&docName=mfc_proto&username=daycom&loadingInfoText=My%20Family%20Coupons%20-%20Demo%20Book&et=1332788178514&er=24" /><param name="a...

Dinner With Friends, March 15 - 25

Sat, 17 Mar 2012 17:25:43 +0100

Dinner with Friends (Ages 12 and older)Out Front on Main1511 E. Main St., Murfreesboro869-8617 • outfrontonmain.comShow times: Thu - Sun 7:30 p.m.Tickets: $10 adults, $5 students Out Front on Main celebrates its second anniversary with an outstanding production of Donald Margulies’ Dinner with Friends. It’s no surprise that Margulies won the Pulitzer Prize in 2000 for this drama given the twists and turns it takes. On the surface, it seems as if it’s about the breakup of the marriage be...

The Crafty Leprechan

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 20:08:52 +0100

What You’ll Need • 12. oz paper cup (like those used for coffee)• 2 Green and 2 orange pipe cleaners• Green, peach, yellow, and black construction paper (one small sheet each)• Green paint• One pair of googly eyes• A black pen, black marker, and red marker (or pen)• GlueWhat To Do1. Paint the paper cup green and let it dry.2. Cut out a face from the peach construction paper. Make sure it’s big enough to hide the cup’s rim when looking at it straight on.3. Cut out a hat from t...

Mother's Day Handprint Butterfly

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 20:08:52 +0100

What You’ll Need • Construction paper (three or more colors)• Pipe Cleaner• Googly Eyes• Computer paper• Markers Here’s What To Do 1. Trace your child’s handprints on construction paper and cut them out.2. Trace a long oval for the body and cut it out — use a complimenting color, different from the wings.3. Glue the handprints to the back of the body for the wings.4. Using markers or paper, make a design on the wings — like the dots above.5. Cut the pipe cleaner in half. Gl...

Studio Tenn's Miracle, Feb. 23 - March 4

Sat, 25 Feb 2012 19:09:09 +0100

Studio Tenn presents:The Miracle Worker (Ages 8 and older)The Franklin Theatre419 Main St., Franklin538-2076 • franklintheatre.com/studio-tennShow times: Thu - Sat 7 p.m. (no show Thursday, March 1), Sun 2 p.m.Tickets: $45 - $55 Studio Tenn serves up another absolute masterpiece of American theater with its current production of The Miracle Worker. Based on the inspirational true story of the life of young Helen Keller, Studio Tenn's production is flawless, deeply emotional and a perfect repre...

Kids and Summer Camp

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 19:54:13 +0100

Summer programs build self-determination and motivation in children. Parents spend a lot of time trying to motivate kids. Real motivation must come from within. Whether your child is outgoing or shy, summer camp programs engage kids to develop self-determination, motivation and resiliency. Summer Camp Activities Inspire Self-DeterminationTime at camp may be all it takes to spark a little self-determination in your child. Your school-age slacker — the one who expects you to find his h...

Local Consignment Sales This Spring

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 19:39:54 +0100

10 Tips for Savvy Moms Shop savvy during this month’s (and future!) local consignment sales. March in Middle Tennessee means it’s time to shop for new clothes for kids — consignment sale season has begun! You can save your family money with these 10 tips to help you make the most of your consignment sale shopping experience: 1. How Consignment Sales are OrganizedThe sale organizer provides the location, advertising and volunteer staff in exchange for a percentage of the profits of ...

Raising a Girl

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 19:23:24 +0100

Mother to Daughter or Dad and Daughters ... talking and really listening to your girl as she grows is key to her feeling close to you. When I had my daughter, I didn’t think for an instant about how I would raise her in this world full of confusing messages and images. The raising of a healthy, involved girl places her mother front and center in the role model position. That’s huge. her body By the time a girl enters elementary school, messages from Mom about how she views her body and m...

need a babysitter?

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 19:14:45 +0100

Co-ops with other parent friends in your community make for a great (and affordable!) way to find a babysitter when you don’t have family at the ready. When you really need a babysitter and can’t find one that’s qualified, reliable and affordable, consider a babysitting exchange? There are benefits to a babysitting exchange. “First and foremost, it’s free! You watch other children in exchange for group moms watching yours on a different date,” says April D. Young-Hendrickson ...

How Do You Know When You’re Done?

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 18:59:59 +0100

Another child? It didn’t feel like there was enough of me to go around! ... But then the dreams started. Within weeks after having my first baby, it seemed as though everyone (friends, co-workers, random shoppers at the mall) wanted to know when we were having another child. (I admit I have been guilty of asking this very question to new moms. It’s almost like it’s required along with “Is the baby sleeping?” — which is a truly ridiculous question). Aft...

Family Fun on Florida’s Forgotten Coast

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 18:08:15 +0100

From Apalachicola to St. George Island, the Sunshine State’s Franklin County offers a no-fuss, no-muss vacation. Florida’s lush gulf coast offers a bountiful bevy of fun-in-the-sun options, many of which boast numerous activities to keep everyone in your family busy on vacation. But once in a while, it’s nice to travel to a place a little more remote and quiet so you can spend a few days just relaxing and enjoying truly concentrated family togetherness without the whirlwind of things to do...

Spring Reads are Sprouting Up!

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 17:31:19 +0100

For the babes... Cuddle up with your child and a fun picture book. AND THEN IT’S SPRINGBy Julie FoglianoIllustrated by Erin E. SteadRoaring Brook Press; $16.99Ages 4 and olderThis sweet story of anticipating spring follows a young boy and his dog as they create a garden. In between digging and planting, there’s a whole lot of waiting ... until ... a small change brings hope. — sd BARNYARD DANCE!By Sandra BoyntonWorkman Publishing; $9.95Ages 3 and olderThe original Barnyard Dance! board ...

Register Now for Kids Triatholon

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 17:21:14 +0100

Register now for Kids Triathlon, benefiting Children’s Hospital and YMCA. The second annual Nashville Kids Triathlon takes place June 2 - 3 at Centennial Park, and registration is now open for the event sponsored by Nashville Parent, YMCA of Middle Tennessee and the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. The Junior Division (ages 6 - 10) consists of a 100-meter swim, three-mile bike ride and a one-half mile run; the Senior Division (ages 11 - 15) comprises a 200-meter swim, six...

The Art Barn Brings Creativity to Kids

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 16:34:02 +0100

Aspiring artists have a new place to let their talent shine — or simply take on an art project. The Art Barn recently opened and offers art classes for children in several formats in a multitude of mediums. Weekly art classes for home-school children in grades K - 12 allow students to learn about color and shapes, abstract representations, indigenous cultural art and more. Older students will cover artists like Van Gogh and Impasto, Gustov Klimt’s art nouveau stylized work, art journaling ...

Symphony Announces Pied Piper Series

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 16:21:21 +0100

The Nashville Symphony recently announced its 2012/2013 season comprising classical, jazz and pops offerings as well as its lineup especially for children. The Ann & Monroe Carell Family Trust Pied Piper Series includes four shows for young audiences led by Associate Conductor Kelly Corcoran. Each one-hour concert weaves music, narration and theatrics to engage the littlest ones in your family. Next season’s Pied Piper shows include “Halloween in the Wild West” (Oct. 27), “A Spirit...

Circle’s Titanic Sets Sail Early April

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 16:09:52 +0100

photo: The cast of Circle Players’ Titanic the Musical. Commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Titanic’s fateful voyage this month, Circle Players will reprise its production of Titanic the Musical April 5 - 8 in a new venue: TPAC’s Polk Theater. What’s more, Circle is making use of the set from the national touring production of the Broadway musical that nabbed five Tony Awards in 1997. Sixty-nine local actors, including children, will take the stage for five performances of ...

5 Most Common Childhood Illnesses

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 21:13:40 +0100

As much as you can’t stand to see your child sick, it’s going to happen. You’ve instilled good hand-washing in your children, but you can’t be everywhere with them 24/7. Kids are exposed to a number of germs and viruses every day. Here are the most common ones they are susceptible to:COLDS & RESPIRATORY INFECTIONSColds and respiratory infections are the most common problem for babies and toddlers. While Mom and Dad may average two to four colds a year, your child may get six to 10,...

Print Ad Sizes & Specs

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 20:24:02 +0100

The Baby Fair, Saturday April 14

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 06:00:00 +0100

New and expectant parents can delight in the world of babies during The Baby Fair, presented by Nashville Parent and Baptist Hospital on Saturday, April 14 from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. The Baby Fair features helpful demonstrations, speakers and exhibits ranging from safety equipment to baby furniture and accessories plus samples and prize giveaways. Experts from Baptist will present classes on newborn care and breastfeeding. Register to win thousands of dollars from select vendors. Admission and...

The Baby Fair 2012

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 06:00:00 +0100

South Pacific: Un-enchanted Evening, Feb. 7 - 12

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 18:35:06 +0100

South Pacific (Ages 12 and older)TPAC’s Jackson Hall505 Deaderick St., Nashville782-4040 • tpac.orgShow times: Tue - Thu 7:30 p.m., Fri 8 p.m., Sat 2 and 8 p.m., Sun 1 and 6:30 p.m.Tickets: $28 - $70 Ever since TPAC announced it’s 2011-2012 Broadway series last year, I’ve waited with bated breath to see the touring production of South Pacific. It’s one of the few true Broadway classics I have never had the opportunity to see on stage until this week. And it’s a Rodgers & Hammer...

Rep's Carnage Tickles the Funny Bone, Feb. 4 - 18

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 02:02:29 +0100

Tennessee Repertory Theatre presents:God of Carnage (Ages 16 and older)TPAC's Johnson Theater505 Deaderick St., Nashville782-4040 • tennesseerep.orgShow times: Tue - Thu 6:30 p.m., Fri 7:30 p.m., Sat 2:30 and 7:30 p.m.Tickets: $42.50 In our extremely PC-driven world of today's era, when it's considered impolite — and scandalous — to speak one's mind about what truly resides within, there is a definite freeing moment when niceties fly out the window and one finally unbottles the proverbial ...

Clip This: Learn To Save With Coupons

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 17:27:53 +0100

Yes, couponing is labor and time intensive, but it can save untold amounts of money. Faithful Provisions Kelly Hancock explains why. Everybody’s in on couponing now, and if you’re not you know you should be. Long gone is the taboo of cutting up the Sunday circular, but there’s lots more to it than that; it’s practically a life science. In the name of helping busy families save money, we asked Kelly Hancock, founder of Faithful Provisions, to help families get in on the game. Turn t...

Severinsen Sizzles at Schermerhorn, Feb. 2 - 4

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:26:36 +0100

Nashville Symphony’s Bank of America Pops Series: Doc SeverinsenSchermerhorn Symphony Center1 Symphony Place, Nashville687-6400 • nashvillesymphony.orgRemaining show times: Fri - Sat 8 p.m.Tickets: $44 - $129 A splendid delight takes place on the Schermerhorn Symphony Center’s stage this week as the legendary Doc Severinsen fills in for Marvin Hamlisch, who was on tap for this pops series installment but had to cancel due to illness. The first half of the show features the Nashville Symph...

Summer Camp Seriously

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 17:19:11 +0100

Kids do their best — at work, play and in relationships — when they’re having fun. From that standpoint, summer camp becomes the perfect complement to traditional education. Beneath Amy Chua’s personal struggle in Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother lies a deeper ambivalence about learning: What on earth should we do with our children outside of school, during unstructured free time? Chua is at times conflicted but wryly proud of her intense, authoritarian solution, a luxury reserved for ...

handling your child’s first CRUSH

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 19:00:50 +0100

It’s just a little crush, or is it? Learn how to navigate your child’s heart strings WHEN CUPID STRIKES. “Oh, how cute.” That’s what crossed my mind when a boy from summer camp called and asked my eldest daughter, who was in fourth grade at the time, to go to the movies. (She said, “No!” then ran from the phone.) But as I witnessed, a first crush — whether it’s initiated by your child or she’s on the receiving end of the romantic attention — is definitely anything but adora...

life skills for can-do kids

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 18:50:32 +0100

All kids, no matter their age, want to be independent. Good! You need them to be ... and as soon as possible, too. The best way to encourage your child’s independence is to give them the skills they need for it. But easy does it. First efforts and big-kid things require a lot of parental encouragement and participation. Children need to be able to take risks without feeling that their parents will criticize or correct them for doing something wrong. A child’s resiliency grows its deepest roo...

Bringing Home Baby

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 17:57:14 +0100

When it’s finally time to take your little bundle of joy home, things can get overwhelming. Here’s help. At the hospital, you can bask in the glow of your shiny, new infant. Nurses respond at the flip of a switch to answer any and all questions, and your meal arrives on a tray. It may not be fabulous fare, but it arrives on time, without any effort from you. If Baby is awake and you need to sleep, the little bundle of joy can be whisked away to the nursery until he needs to eat again. The...

Sweet Delights

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 17:42:19 +0100

Think outside the heart-shaped box and get your sweetie something delightful from your local bakery or sweet spot. Nothing Bundt Cakes21 White Bridge Road, Nashville354-6300 • nothingbundtcakes.comPrices varyDote on your special Valentine, young or old, with a perfect, single serving Bundlet from Nothing Bundt Cakes! These miniature-size bundt cakes are the perfect way to give something so scrumptious to your sweeties. Always fresh and deliciously moist, choose from one of the nine signature f...

19th Annual Our Kids Soup Sunday

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 17:39:14 +0100

soup sunday serves our kids Nothing hits the spot on a cold, winter day like a bowl of hot soup, and your family can feast on a variety of offerings during the 19th Annual Our Kids Soup Sunday presented by U.S. Foods on Sunday, Feb. 26. The event benefits Our Kids, a nonprofit that provides expert medical evaluations, crisis counseling and other services to children and families affected by child sexual abuse. During the event, more than 50 local restaurants will serve up their creations for gue...

MOPS Time for Togetherness

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 17:33:16 +0100

mothers of preschoolers: time for togetherness Moms, admit it: Becoming a mother for the first time is a huge responsibility that can cause you to feel overwhelmed and even isolated. You’ve got to have plenty of support to make your experience wonderful for you and your baby! That’s why moms’ groups are so popular. One of the leading mom groups in the country is Mothers of Preschoolers — MOPS for short — and there are plenty of chapters in Williamson County, offered and organized throu...

Creative World Play

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 17:10:05 +0100

kids play while parents run Looking for a place for your child to play while you run errands? Creative World Academy (CWA), now open in Murfreesboro offers drop-in child care for ages 6 weeks - 12 years with programs including Infant Play Dates, Mothers’ Day Out & Preschool, Kids’ Night Out and more. The facility is licensed through the Department of Human Services.“When a child visits our facility, they are free to be creative — with paint, arts and crafts, games, etc.,” says Di...

Grace Dance Company

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 16:47:02 +0100

come on lets dance! Little dancers can learn new moves at Grace Dance Company in Smyrna. Spring classes have begun, but you can still sign up and start at any time. Classes include Creative Movement for ages 3 - 6, Jazz and Tap for ages 7 - 13, Ballet/Contemporary for ages 14 and older. Cost for Ballet/Contemporary is $190 for 15 weekly classes and Creative Movement and Jazz/Tap is $95 for 15 weekly classes. Grace Dance Company also offers professionally taught group ballroom lessons by Shana...

Gymboree to Open in Green Hills

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 16:40:23 +0100

Nashville tots will have a new place to play and learn when Gymboree Play & Music (4004 Hillsboro Pike, Ste. 180-R) opens in Green Hills Friday, February 24th. Four main types of classes are available: Play & Learn, Music, Art and Sports. Classes are designed for ages 5 and younger with their parents. “I’m excited to be the first to bring this wonderful program to our community,” says Erin Alabaster, director of Nashville Gymboree Play & Music. “The play equipment was cust...

have video games roll to your child’s next party

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 16:36:03 +0100

Bellevue entrepreneurs, and local parents, John and Kate Richardson, have launched a fun, new business that your kids will clamor for when their next birthday comes around. Rolling Video Games Nashville is a 32-foot mobile video gaming theater that features a climate-controlled internal environment and four wide screen high-definition TVs and custom stadium seats (with vibration motors) allowing 16 players to enjoy gaming together. A professional game coach accompa...

nashville ballet expands offerings for little dancers

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 16:23:44 +0100

The School of Nashville Ballet offers expanded classes for ages 2 - 6 in a new children’s program that features increased date and time availability. Options help youngsters develop musicality, rhythm, movement skills, coordination, artistic expression and overall creativity. Classes include Mommy and Me (ages 2 - 3), Joy of Dance (ages 3 - 4), Creative Movement (ages 4 - 5) and Pre-Ballet (ages 5 - 6). “Offering boys and girls of such a young age an opportunity to explore art and movem...

Tooth Talk

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 16:02:31 +0100

Don’t be blasé about your child’s teeth.Preventative care begins even before the first tooth erupts! This year, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentisty (AAPD) is pairing up with the Ad Council to launch a program to teach the importance of oral health in children ages 2 - 5. Why? There’s been an upsurge in tooth decay in this age group. The AAPD says parents need to bring their youngsters in for pediatric dental care early for long-term healthy teeth. Here’s your game plan:BEFORE TEE...

Black History Month Library Events

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 20:30:00 +0100

Bellevue Branch Library 650 Colice Jeanne Road • 615-862-5854 Peanut Butter and More Did you know that besides peanut butter, George Washington Carver developed over 300 products made from peanuts? Come celebrate his life and his inventions. Miss Donna will attempt to make peanut butter using only peanuts and a little bit of oil. Will it work? If it does, you will get to taste it!Wednesday, February 1 • 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Preschoolers The Great Potato Chip CaperWho mad...

Cover Kids 2012 - Official Rules and Obligations

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 22:04:51 +0100

RULES AND OBLIGATIONS: (UPDATED DEADLINE) $20 entry fee (non-refundable). One photo per child. Twins/triplets will be considered one entry. The only group photos permissible are multiples. One child in each of four age categories — 0 - 12 months, 13 months - 2 years, 3 - 6 years and 7 - 10 years — will be selected to appear on a cover of this magazine. From Feb. 1 – MAY 11, you can upload a photo of your child. Deadlines subject to change. After the submission period ends, a panel of judge...

Wonderful, Witty, Wicked Divas! Jan. 12 - 14

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 18:54:31 +0100

Nashville Symphony's Bank of America Pops Series: Wicked Divas (All ages) Schermerhorn Symphony Center 1 Symphony Place, Nashville 687-6400 • nashvillesymphony.org Remaining show times: Fri - Sat 8 p.m. Tickets: $39 - $109 “Tonight is a celebration of divas, particularly Wicked divas,” says Conductor Albert-George Shram when introducing the Nashville Symphony’s current pops installment, succinctly titled, “Wicked Divas.” The charming, witty Shram leads the orche...

Vote Now for Nashville Parent's Favorite Doctors

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 21:40:51 +0100

Vote NOW for Nashville Parent's Favorite Doctors Nashville Parent's list of Favorite Health Care Providers serves as a vital resource to thousands of Middle Tennessee families. This single source, which lists personal recommendations to pediatric and family professionals, will provide guidance to Middle Tennessee families who might not otherwise know where to turn for their family's health concerns. Is your family doctor, dentist or health care professional exceptional? Do they...

Cover Kids Entry Cancellation

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 19:16:09 +0100

Whoops!
Your Cover Kids Entry Fee
has not been paid.
This order was cancelled.

If you want to complete your Cover Kids Online Entry,
please click here to start your order again.

Thank You.

Cover Kids Entry Successful

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 19:16:09 +0100

CONGRATULATIONS! Your Cover Kids Entryis complete! WANT TO SUBMIT ANOTHER ENTRY?CLICK HERE. OR CLICK HERE GO THE COVER KIDS GALLERY. Thank You....

Cover Kids 2012

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 21:07:53 +0100

The Addams Family — A Macabre Masterpiece, Jan. 3 - 8

Wed, 04 Jan 2012 18:56:15 +0100

The Addams Family (Ages 8 and older)TPAC's Jackson Hall505 Deaderick St., Nashville782-4040 • tpac.orgShow times: Tue - Thu 7:30 p.m., Fri 8 p.m., Sat 2 and 8 p.m., Sun 1 and 6:30 p.m.Tickets: $28 - $70 Cartoonist Charles Addams might be rolling in his grave, but if he is, it’s from sheer ghoulish giddiness about how spectacular his infamous kooky characters play on stage in The Addams Family musical. The show found Broadway success in 2010 and recently launched its first national tour, ...

5 Tips to Save Food Money

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 20:20:00 +0100

Feeding the family is more expensive than ever, so moms and dads have to be savvier at home and at the grocery store. Here are 5 tips to: SAVE WITH A WEEKLY MEAL PLAN 1) Use sales flyers from the Sunday newspaper or your favorite couponing web sites to map out meals for the week 2) If your grocery store is offering a sale on certain meats, plan on purchasing enough for two of your meals, that is, double the purchase of ground beef on sale or boneless chicken breasts 3)...

Smarter Kids - That Cheatin' Heart

Tue, 27 Dec 2011 16:57:20 +0100

SPOTLIGHTS | ONLINE EDUCATION: IS IT RIGHT FOR YOUR CHILD? | THAT CHEATIN' HEART LOCAL RESOURCES ON EDUCTION & ENRICHMENT It’s a copy/paste world out there for plenty of kids looking to just get the work done with as little hassle as possible. But what does that say about education?And what should YOU do if you catch your child scamming? Technology has evolved to provide a vast wealth of information at anytime, anywhere, and cheating has never been easier. From kids in class receiv...

Smarter Kids - At School, Online

Tue, 27 Dec 2011 16:48:58 +0100

SPOTLIGHTS | ONLINE EDUCATION: IS IT RIGHT FOR YOUR CHILD? | THAT CHEATIN' HEART LOCAL RESOURCES ON EDUCTION & ENRICHMENT According to The New York Times, there are now around 250,000 cyberschooled students in kindergarten through high school in the U.S. Is it right for YOUR family? It usually starts with a question about my children.It goes something like this: Question: How many children do you have? Answer: Five. Question: Wow ... What are their ages?Answer: 8,6,4,...

Smarter Kids Spotlights

Tue, 27 Dec 2011 16:34:28 +0100

SPOTLIGHTS | ONLINE EDUCATION: IS IT RIGHT FOR YOUR CHILD? | THAT CHEATIN' HEART LOCAL RESOURCES ON EDUCTION & ENRICHMENT if he needs a tutor “Make kids feel like a success and feel good about themselves and their efforts and they’ll be able to learn,” says Susan Webber, a Nashville mom of three boys, ages 9, 11 and 15. “I didn’t really grasp that until my second child struggled in school. My first boy was very focused, so I was kind of caught off guard when Zach brough...

Smarter Kids Academic and Arts Enrichment

Tue, 27 Dec 2011 16:14:44 +0100

SPOTLIGHTS | ONLINE EDUCATION: IS IT RIGHT FOR YOUR CHILD? | THAT CHEATIN' HEART LOCAL RESOURCES ON EDUCTION & ENRICHMENT academic support learning centers, tutoring centers and test prepAchieve Learning1945 Mallory Lane, Ste. 155, Franklin771-1226 • achievelearningnow.comOffers programs for students with accelerated goals as well as for students needing help. Programs include a reading program for grades K - 12, early reading for PreK - 1, upper level math, math and tutoring. Club ...

Snow Day follies!

Mon, 26 Dec 2011 22:40:05 +0100

Uh-oh! School’s closed and the kids are underfoot. That’s OK — you’ve thought ahead and have lots of snowday activities at-the-ready, right? Well, NOW you do! AT HOME Create Indoor Snow Families With the clay you have on hand, roll snow people out and attach hats, eyes and buttons in different colors. Use tiny twigs (or toothpicks) for arms, red hot candies for the nose and scraps of old fabric for scarves. Make several in different sizes to complete your family. Make ...

3 Must Haves for Managing Multiples

Mon, 26 Dec 2011 22:33:43 +0100

I have two singletons and one set of twins and I’ve discovered a few life-saving tricks to multiple mommying. I hope these will help you out, too: Magnetic notepad on the fridge Let me tell you, this $1 item has saved my sanity many times. The trick is to run to the fridge immediately after realizing what the needed item/errand is. Write it down, quick, before another request comes in for strawberry milk, juice, animal crackers, first-aid, bathroom assistance, to break up a...

baby food for thought

Mon, 26 Dec 2011 22:23:12 +0100

Help your baby to thrive by understanding the best ways to get healthy nutrients into his adorable little self! You want to breastfeed but you think maybe a bottle now and then ... you wonder about formulas and marvel at the various brands on the baby aisle — and then there’s the baby food. To help you sort through the questions you have of how best to feed your baby, we rounded up top pediatricians and baby experts to answer your burning baby food questions. Bonus: The answers mig...

Talk it Up!

Mon, 26 Dec 2011 22:06:05 +0100

Embrace a tech-free zone every night at home and get into communication with your kids. THE ART OF CHILDREN’S CONVERSATION TAOC; $14.95; taoc.com.au Ages 4 and older can enjoy this fun game that facilitates bonding, integration and attachment. Two hundred conversation-building questions help kids learn to be better communicators while learning about others and themselves. LOOK! 15 TALK-TO-BABY FLASH CARDSSterling Publishing Co.; $10.95; beginsma...

Announcing 2011 Coach of the Year! Bryan Richter

Mon, 26 Dec 2011 21:59:10 +0100

Nashville Parent proudly announces Coach Bryan Richter as the 2011 Coach of the Year. Coach Richter led the Middle Tennessee Diamond Jaxx from 2004 - 2010, and has coached the Diamond Jaxx Fastpitch softball team (now called TN Xplosion 98) since July 2009. An overwhelming amount of nominations came in for Coach Richter from parents and team members with a common theme of love and adoration for him and his tireless commitment to the team and his positive leadership of the girls. “He is ver...

Private School Open Houses

Mon, 26 Dec 2011 21:18:30 +0100

Sneak a peek into area private schools this month at one of these open houses: BAMBINI VILLAGE MONTESSORI1140 Cason Lane, Murfreesboro; 405-4778; bambinivillage.comSaturday, Jan. 28 from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. DAVID LIPSCOMB CAMPUS SCHOOL Elementary: 4517 Granny White Pike, Nashville; 966-6320; Middle and High: 3901 Granny White Pike, Nashville; 966-6409; dlcs.lipscomb.edu Sunday, Jan. 29 from 2 - 4 p.m. DAVIDSON ACADEMY1414 Old Hickory Blvd., Nashville; 860-5300; davidsonacademy.com T...