Ideas to help parents get out of the house with children who have special needs By Megan Murray Elsener Special Parent - 2/14    Getting out of the house with your children can be quite an ordeal. Yet, experiences outside of the home are important to a child's growth and social development. For children with developmental... Continue Reading →

Camp Mom: 10 ways to keep the kids entertained during long summer days By Megan Murray Elsener Chicago Parent - 6/16 School's out and summer days are long. Instead of dreading summer break, embrace the time with your kids and make your own fun for little-to-no cost. With a little preparation and creativity, pick a theme... Continue Reading →

Organize your life: 7 tips to avoid back to school chaos By Megan Murray Elsener Chicago Parent - 8/15  After a carefree summer of sleeping in, leisurely breakfasts and unstructured days, the return to school can be jarring for the entire family. From packed lunches to school papers to sports practices, the chaos begins with the... Continue Reading →

How to do gratitude 365 days a year By Megan Murray Elsener Chicago Parent- 11/16  It turns out that being thankful is not only good manners, but it’s also good for you and your kids. According to Dr. Jeffrey Froh, psychologist and author of Making Grateful Kids, grateful kids are happier, more satisfied with their lives,... Continue Reading →

Inspiring curiosity: How five Chicago museums are making learning more fun By Megan Murray Elsener Chicago Parent - 1/15  When it comes to finding ways to fuel the natural curiosity of today's kids, Chicago is blessed. The people behind some of the best educational museums in the country are using the latest technology, new research on... Continue Reading →