sponsored by Bright Horizons Family Solutions

What does inspired learning look like? Come see! Join us for our Preschool & Kindergarten Prep Showcase Events to see how Bright Horizons helps children become enthusiastic students with a love of learning.

If you want to learn more about our Preschool & Kindergarten Prep programs, this event is a perfect family outing. You and your child(ren) will enjoy a fun-filled evening of learning and discovery. New families can learn more about the programs at Bright Horizons, while enrolled families visit your child's next age group to meet the teachers and see the classrooms in action. Read More

by Kimberly Froeschner

I remember the first time I held my sweet baby and wanted that moment to last as long as it could.  The whole period of infancy is such a short blip, even if it seems an eternity on those long sleepless nights.  We've now reached preschool age and are firmly rooted in finding independence.  As parents we get so used to taking care of these little ones, especially the first little one, that when they reach the point of doing things for themselves, we are often more skeptical and cautious than we need to be.  It's hard to let go and let the little bird out of the nest.   Read More

by Guest Blogger, Kelly Gunzenhauser

When my older son started kindergarten, it was a big change from cozy preschool. I felt a little lost, and my son did the big-kid-clam-up. He wouldn’t tell me what happened at school! Lots of kids do this. They just lived it; they do not want to talk about it again. Sheesh, Mom, give it a rest. But I was just so darn curious. OK, nosy. Here’s how I tried to find out what really happened. Read More

sponsored by Bright Horizons Family Solutions

Being a mom is full of tough decisions, and being a working mom takes those decisions to another level. Choosing to return to work is hard enough without adding child care to the mix. Still, it’s something working moms and dads must consider if they are to return to the workplace.  There is no handbook to help parents choose the best school or day care for their children, so what are the deciding factors? Location, curriculum, discipline methods, lunch menus…the list goes on! At the end of the day, we as parents must figure out how to get the best possible child care that will keep our kids safe while helping them grow. Read More

by Kristen Bagwell

The dreaded day has finally come...we've lost her. White sotfy, that is...my daughter's most prized possession. White softy was a gift when my daughter was born 4 years ago, and she is like Linus with her little blanket. It comforts her, it soothes her, it has fun with her, it does gymnastics with her...there is nothing white softy won't do.  Read More

By Guest Blogger Thea DeLoreto, author of The Lint Trap blog

I have a two year old. A two year who thinks she is 12. Or 22. Or 52. I am not really sure. But she certainly has no idea she is only two. With the limitations that come along with being two. Like not being able to read. Or go up and down stairs with out holding on. Or articulating what you want without speaking in the third person or taking your finger out of your nose.

Apparently being two is super hard. You have all this emotion inside and not many good ways to express it. So instead of saying “please” and “thank you,” there is foot stomping and shrieking. Instead of saying that a meal was enjoyable and you have had a sufficiency, it is better to flip your place mat over and send everything on it flying. Instead of expressing that you are tired and ready for bed, it is more effective to lay on the floor on top of your bunched up blankie sobbing for more milk. It is a beee-otch to be a toddler.  Read More

All moms deserve recognition just for being incredible people!  Here at Triangle Moms On Main, we want to highlight local moms and give them the props they deserve.  Meet these extraordinary women who are making a difference in the lives of their families, friends, strangers, and the community.  They might be movers, shakers, entrepreneurs, athletes, volunteers, or caregivers, but most importantly … they are moms!

For a look back at all of our moms on the move, click here...we've featured some great women! Read More

By Rachel Hoeing

We hope your children are off to a successful and fun 2011-2012 school year!  Whether your child is in preschool or high school, we have a helpful post for you today. 

Who better to give “back to school“ advice than teachers? I have interviewed teachers who work with children and teens of all ages. I also spoke to teachers of self-contained and special needs classrooms. I asked each of them, “If you could tell parents one thing, what would it be?” I hope your find their advice helpful and inspiring!  If you are a teacher yourself, please add your tips to the comment section at the end of this post.  Read More

by Kristen Bagwell

I was cruising through the morning yesterday, congratulating myself for being mostly on time, with mostly no fits from my 3-year old, until we got to school drop off. Everything was going normally until her teacher took me aside (which she never does) and said "You know, you're the only person I didn't get to talk to last Friday..."

About 1000 thoughts ran through my head, ranging from "I think you should name the new baby Ronald" to "Peyton got out the lefty scissors and was trying to kill her best friend at nap time" to "We really liked the doughnuts you brought for teacher appreciation day." Amazing how nervous I can get in the span of 2.3 seconds! Her actual words, though, were not good at all: "Friday is my last day."  Read More

by Shannon Ford & Kristen Bagwell

Thanks to our helpful readers, we have a preliminary preschool and day care directory! This is a tiny subset of the available facilities in our area, but we only wanted to include preschools and day cares that our readers endorse. With that said - if your favorite spot is not listed here (or even if it is), feel free to recommend it via email or in the comments section below.

You're also welcome to contact us (or the facility itself) one-on-one with questions or comments. We appreciate your input, and know it will be helpful to other moms out there!  Read More

by Katie Moosbrugger
As crazy as it sounds, it's that time again! The deadlines for preschool registration usually fall within the first few weeks of February, and open houses are taking place now. While I have four and a half years of preschool under my "mom" belt (with another year and a half to go), I know by now what makes me a happy preschool mom. Of course not everyone has the same criteria. But if you're in the market for a new preschool, here are some tips to consider. Read More

By Guest Blogger, Lisa Witherspoon

“Wolf! Wolf! Wolf!” We all know the story of the boy who cried wolf, but what do we do when our own children “cry wolf?” Here are some suggestions:

First of all, it is important to understand why children lie. There are several reasons that children may not tell the truth:

•Fantasy: Children, especially younger ones, may tell made up things or things they have imagined and present them as truth. This kind of lying really does no harm as long as children can separate reality from make believe.

•Fear: This one is classic. Two children are playing; a lamp crashes to the floor; they both point at the other and say “He did it!!” This kind of lie happens because children are afraid of the consequences they will face for their actions, so they blame it on someone or something else. Read More

By Guest Blogger Laura Buxenbaum

Before you know it, school will be back in full swing! Which means hungry kids will be running through the front door, frantically searching for an after school snack. In fact, they may also want to pack a snack for school and ask for another snack before bed. After all, statistics show that snacks between meals are the source of nearly 600 calories each day for children - that is 25 percent of kids' daily energy needs! Read More

By Guest Blogger Susan Stephens, Teacher at Knollwood Baptist Church Preschool

This past week, we have focused on Back-to-School posts for our Elementary and Middle School Children. Preschools in the Triad will be in full swing by next week, so if you have a little one who is gearing up for the big day, read our blog below from our loyal reader and Preschool teacher, Susan Stephens.

Well...it's that time of year again!! It doesn't matter if this is your first child to go to preschool or your third child, going to preschool can be both exciting and tearful all at the same time.

Read below to find some helpful tips for you and your preschooler as the start of the year gets closer: Read More

 By Katie Moosbrugger Read More

By Guest Blogger, Rachel Hoeing


Over the past few years, I have found the computer to be a wonderful tool in helping my children learn and develop many new skills. It is amazing how quickly they “catch on” to games. Many websites are so kid friendly, that once you log on and get your child started, even the youngest child can navigate through the website alone and play numerous games on their own. Read More