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Many of us have experienced that warm and fuzzy feeling that comes with giving. During this fundraising season, the NPN staff team asked ourselves how can we as an organization be generous while doing the critical work of raising money? Enter the NPN Dreams Come True Family Vacation Sweepstakes. In the spirit of generosity, we’ve put a twist on our end-of-year fundraising campaign. This year, for every $40 you donate, you will have a chance to win the NPN Dreams Come True Family Vacation Sweepstakes. If you win and you are an NPN member, we will give you an additional cash prize of $100 - $1,000 depending on the amount of money raised. You can donate to enter the sweepstake and see all of the details here. The funds that we raise in November and December are critical to NPN’s operations. As a member, you are just as critical to NPN’s success. Every time that you engage with NPN by renewing your membership, attending an event, commenting in the discussion forum, sharing social media posts, or forwarding a resource to your parent community, you help NPN flourish. I hope you catch that generous feeling every time you engage with NPN, because every engagement is a form of giving. When you win the sweepstake (why not you?) NPN will celebrate three times. Once for having raised the funds we need to operate next year, once in celebration of your generosity and support, and finally, we’ll celebrate because you won a dream family vacation! I hope you have fun with this campaign and share it with your friends. Should you make a donation and enter the sweepstakes, I hope you win! Truly, you make a difference in the lives of every Chicago family who depends on NPN for support and resources. I can not thank you enough for your generosity. With gratitude, The NPN Team

Join Bubbles and Santa for a morning of fun at The Learning Experience in Sauganash! This is a Free and Family Friendly event so feel free to bring your friends! No RSVP is required, but please go here for more information. Free lot parking is available. This is an external partner event. Please contact the organization directly with any questions or concerns: sauganash@tlechildcare.com

Join us for music, free snacks, free zines, and more! The Teen Creative Agency at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago is celebrating 12 years (and counting) of DIY publications by teens! This event showcases the original artwork, activism, and social practice of Chicago-area youth, as captured in zine form. TCA highlights teen ideas and perspectives in the museum space. Its members gather at the MCA from all over the Chicagoland area to collaboratively create public responses to relevant contemporary issues. In doing so, they build relationships alongside other cultural institutions, organizations, and professionals in Chicago’s vibrant art scene. We are excited to have partnered with the Newberry Library in developing this year’s zines, which focus on the history and evolution of traditional Mexican foods including Corn, Watermelon, and Mole! This event is curated and produced by members of the Teen Creative Agency—a group of young people ages 15 to 19 from all over the Chicagoland area who meet weekly at the museum to view and engage with contemporary artists and their work, guided by Lead Artists Olive Stefanski and Miguel Limon. TCA is assisted by Ahmad Bracey, Manager of School, Youth, and Communities. This event is free for youth ages 18 and under; discounted tickets for Chicago residents. Please go here to register. The parking garage is located on Chicago Avenue just west of Fairbanks Court and adjacent to the museum. The garage does not provide direct access to the museum. When you exit the garage, simply turn right and walk west up Chicago Avenue. Our entrances face Mies Van Der Rohe Way. This is an external partner event. Please contact the organization directly with any questions or concerns: sypervaiz@mcachicago.org.

Join Bennett Day School for an afternoon of storytelling, music, and fun! Families with children ages 2-10 are invited to attend this FREE event. This is a free event, but RSVP is required. Please go here to register. There is limited parking available in the gravel lot on the NW corner at Morgan and Hubbard (across the street from Bennett's campus). There is also free parking available on the west side of Morgan and the south side of Hubbard, or metered parking on Grand Ave. This is an external partner event. Please contact the organization directly with any questions or concerns: samantha.rud@bennettday.org.

As winter settles in, many people cope with the change in weather by planning their next family vacation. But if your last family vacation has you wanting to never venture out as a family again - you're in luck! We've gathered the top travel hacks from NPN members on how to master your next family vacation and a ✨magical opportunity to make the financial planning part of your next family vacation a piece of cake! Hack 1: Pick A Location That Works For Everyone The opportunity to get away with your family only presents itself a few times a year. Make the most of your trip by traveling to a destination that will please all of your carry ons - ahem, children. Destinations like amusement parks, cruises, beaches, and family-friendly resorts are always a win! ✨NPN is excited to offer your family the chance of a lifetime! Win a magical family vacation while supporting NPN and Chicago families! Win big while giving back by purchasing a chance to win in the NPN Dreams Come True Family Vacation Sweepstakes! The sweepstakes is now open so secure your tickets today! Hack 2: Don't Stretch Your Budget Family vacations aren't cheap but overspending doesn't have to be your only option. Plus, if you overspend, you'll be more likely to not be able to enjoy your trip because you're too busy worrying about paying for everything later. Do yourself a favor and try to save during the year for your next family trip. Plan ahead and divide the anticipated total cost up each month or pay period to make your dream vacation a reality for your bank account. ✨P.S Did we mention that tickets to NPN's Dreams Come True Family Vacation Sweepstakes are only $40 and that the grand prize includes a check to cover airfare, lodging, tickets to the park, and spending money? Read more about each prize level and secure as many tickets as you want here. Hack 3: Leave The Planning To The Pros There are two types of people out there - those that love planning things and those that don't. If the thought of planning meals and activities makes you nervous, tag in a vacation planner to handle the details! Before you start thinking of your grandparents who used travel agents “back in their day,” remember that travel agents are experts in wanderlust and have relationships that can lead to a better vacation and a much less stressful experience for you. For example, if you're planning a trip to Disney, it can be hard to know how soon to plan your trip, what a Genie+ is, or how to find the best deals. If you're planning things at the last minute or haven't been to Disney since you were 10, a planner may be the expert you need. Looking for recommendations? This forum post has a few! Hack 4: Carve Out Time For Yourself + Time With Your Spouse I know, I know - it's a family vacation. But YOU are a part of your family and so is your spouse! Try to find time to stay up late and catch a movie together or to take a dip in the pool, solo. You'll be amazed how therapeutic it can be! Where possible, choose a family-friendly resort, a cruise with a kids club, or find activities that your kids can do on their own (if they are old enough) to give you a few minutes of alone time. Your kids will also appreciate this time to be independent! Hack 5: Don't Sweat The Small Stuff Every trip is sure to have its share of surprises and things that you didn't expect or prepare for. Try as best as you can to go with the flow and be prepared to pivot under pressure. Figure out how to make the best of crappy weather or meltdowns or sickness to avoid spoiling an entire day or the whole trip. Not only will this help you have a less stressful time, but it'll also show your kids a great example of how to handle disappointments, snafus, and changes of plan—something they’ll carry with them (and that’ll make them awesome travelers) for life. Try (as best as you can) to plan ahead. Bring extra snacks with you (did you know that you're allowed to bring your own food into Disney?!) to avoid the inevitable "I'm starving" whines, pack ponchos to be prepared for random rainstorms, and be prepared for attitudes and tantrums from kids who may not appreciate all of the work that goes into making their dreams come true! There's no need to be afraid to plan your next getaway with your kiddos and there are major benefits to traveling and creating memories with your family. We hope these tips make your next family adventure, a dream come true!

The NPN team is pleased to introduce Sarah Davis, founder and CEO of Olive You Nanny as a resident expert at NPN. You've watched her in NPN's live sessions, read her articles on our website, and seen her recommended on the forum. Now is your chance to ask her everything you wanted to know about the process of hiring, working with, and building a positive relationship with your nanny. Post your questions for Sarah on the NPN Discussion Forum on Thursday, November 30th from 7:00 AM - 9:00 PM. Sarah will answer your questions throughout the day. Once all questions are answered, we will close the thread, but it will live on in the forum for your reference. Go ahead and ask her anything! A bit about Sarah: Sarah Davis is the Founder and CEO of Olive You Nanny and its sister brand, Olive Us. Sarah began her entrepreneurial career as a nanny in her early high school years. She moved from a small town in Wisconsin to San Francisco after school for a nanny role. She moved to Denver and then Chicago, learning about what it took to build a successful career as a nanny. Each time she moved, she was met with the same reality - there were no agencies who cared about the personal connections between families and nannies. They didn’t seem to understand that nannies are an integral part of each family they work for. So, in 2005, she began sourcing and matching nannies for families in Chicago. She would meet with the families in their homes and then meet with the potential nannies in person as well, asking more profound questions about their personalities, their parenting styles, and more. She officially launched Olive You Nanny in 2005. Since then, Olive You Nanny has expanded to 8 cities, including Austin, Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Los Angeles, Nashville, and Phoenix. In each city, they provide full-service support to families. Important Information about this Event: NPN's Discussion Forum is available to NPN members only. Not a member of NPN? Join now and use promo code join30off to save $30. Other NPN programming for New Parents 11/15 Developmental Differences Parent Support Group 11/29 Member Networking (NPN members only) 12/3 NPN Playdate at Mary Meyer School 12/12 New Parents Group (NPN members only)

Join Kids' Work Chicago Riverview and observe our PreK classrooms to see the curriculum and learning environment in real-time, then chat with lead teachers at a Q&A session! This is a free event, but RSVP is required. Please go here to register. Ample parking in Kids' Work Riverview's private lot in front of our center. This is an external partner event. Please contact the organization directly with any questions or concerns: sierra@kidsworkchicago.com.

Join Kids' Work Chicago Riverview and observe our Jr.K/Kindergarten classrooms to see the curriculum and learning environment in real-time, then chat with lead teachers at a Q&A session! This is a free event, but RSVP is required. Please go here to register. Ample parking in Kids' Work Riverview's private lot in front of our center. This is an external partner event. Please contact the organization directly with any questions or concerns: sierra@kidsworkchicago.com.

For nearly 60 years, RPMS has been supporting families and children, preparing them to wonder, to collaborate, and to lead. We are a community guided by the philosophy of Maria Montessori. Serving children ages 2-14, our families come together to form strong relationships.

We are thrilled to invite you to our sensory-friendly Fall-themed Open House in celebration of our brand-new center at North Shore Pediatric Therapy in Evanston. Join us for an evening where the essence of Fall meets sensory understanding and inclusivity. 🍁 Activities Include: ~ Guided Tours: Explore our state-of-the-art pediatric therapy center built for all children. Our staff will be available to answer any questions you might have about our services and your child's unique needs. ~ Pumpkin Decorating: Get creative and decorate your very own pumpkin! ~ Fishing for Apples: A twist on a classic autumn activity. ~ Free Play: An opportunity for kids to play and parents to mingle. ~ Cookie Bar: Delight in delicious cookies and make your own edible masterpiece. ~ Cozy Meals: Indulge in a range of comforting, seasonal eats to warm your heart and belly. Meet our clinicians, including Speech-Language Pathologists, Occupational Therapists, Behavior Therapists, and Board Certified Behavior Analysts. This is a free event, but for more information and to reserve your spot, please go here. Public transportation and paid lot parking available. This is an external partner event. Please contact the organization directly with any questions or concerns: salsa769@yahoo.com.

As parents, it's our job to do everything we can to make our children feel safe and secure. So it's only natural to default to avoiding topics that may frighten, concern, or cause panic in our children. But what should you do when the topic impacts you directly because of your religion or beliefs or when the topic feels unavoidable due to news and social media coverage? Ever since October 7th, many families (including my own) have been torn on how to answer this question. So, I compiled expert advice from trusted sources on how to best navigate these difficult conversations with their children in this age-by-age guide. Tip 1: TAKE INITIATIVE Don't wait for your child to ask you about it. Not all children will start a conversation or ask questions about what's going on and may instead choose to rely on information from their peers or social media. In order to ensure that your children are receiving accurate information, it's important to take the lead. Waheeda Saif, a program coordinator at Riverside Trauma Center in Massachusetts suggests using open-ended questions to start a conversation: "'Have you heard what's been going on in the world?' 'Have you heard anything about what's going on in Israel and Palestine?' And just see what they say, and take it from there," she said during a conversation with NPR. Children of all ages deserve a conversation — even those without loved ones who live in Israel or Gaza. Tip 2: LEAD WITH EMPATHY, NOT POLITICS Regardless of what you believe, we can all agree that everyone has a right to life. While this seems like a known fact, it's important to start here. According to Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health’s Claude Bruderlein, leading with empathy in these discussions will help dissociate ourselves from categories like race, nationality, and religion, which can become divisive. “The first, more sensitive step is really to take a stand that everybody has a right to life and dignity, regardless of their nationality, regardless of their religion, regardless of their gender and age,” Bruderlein told The Boston Globe. Tip 3: IT'S OKAY TO NOT HAVE ALL THE ANSWERS It can feel impossible to answer all of the questions that may pop up during your chat but it's important to remember that you don't have to have all of the answers and that you are not expected to turn into a historian or political scientist overnight. Often children just want to better understand why and how people can be so cruel to one another and as difficult as it can be to explain, it's okay to redirect them towards believing in the possibility of peace and coexistence. Allow them to lead by asking them how they can improve the immediate world around them by being kind to others. Tip 4: CHECK IN WITH YOURSELF Protecting your mental health at this time is vital. Family clinical psychologist Dr. Jennifer Hartstein, recommends that you "...check in with how you are doing, as well, to ensure that you are not flooding your own nervous system...be mindful of how you are feeling so that you can be more present for you children." How to Explain the Israel-Hamas War Age-By-Age *Source, Parents.com PRESCHOOL Many experts agree that discussing the war with your preschooler is not necessary UNLESS they ask you about it or see it on the news. You want to avoid dismissing them because of their age while keeping the topic age-appropriate by using words and situations that they can relate to. Leading the conversation with statements about people hurting each other and expressing that it is never okay to hurt someone else is an easy way to start. ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Keeping things simple with this age group is best as well. You can begin by showing them a map of where the conflict is taking place, discussing why people may be sad or upset and being direct about what it means to be at war. MIDDLE SCHOOL Once social media has entered the chat, the discussion needs to be dialed up a bit. It's important to help your middle schooler realize how to spot fake news and how to fact-check information that they may find on the internet. For this age group, it's important to let them lead the conversation. You can do this by asking questions to see what they already know and to help determine how they may already feel about it. Respect their opinion while introducing them to and educating them on the history of the conflict. If you don't know it, this is a great opportunity to learn together. HIGH SCHOOL Helping your high schooler learn to discern fact from fiction is key. Help them identify and follow reputable, non-biased sources that you know and trust to try to help beat the algorithm of content that is designed to spark an emotional reaction. Help them understand the importance of being mindful of their mental health. Scrolling social media and seeing photos and videos of death and violence can be traumatic. According to reports, Israeli and Jewish schools in the U.S. have even urged parents to delete social media apps from their children's phones to shield them from seeing any purported hostage videos from Hamas. Deleting social media from their phone may seem extreme so it's important to remind them to take breaks from social media when they feel overwhelmed with any content they may see and to also report the content on social media to keep it out of their feed. A major part of keeping our children as safe as possible is to make sure that they are aware of what is going on around them. I hope these tips help prepare you to do just that. Let us know how your discussions go on the forum.

2023 Holiday Chicago Toy and Game Fair, North America's largest toy & game fair open to the public with experiential and immersive events, interactive exhibits, and activities for all ages! November 4 and 5, 2023 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL. FUN FOR ALL AGES! Catan Sheepmobile Gel Blasters Star Wars Characters And LOTS more!

Lycée Français de Chicago invites you to attend our open house. This event will allow you to tour our school and ask key questions to our teachers, staff, parents, and students! Hours: 10:00 am - 11:00 am, 11:00 am - 12:00 pm & 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm: Pre-K (3 year old by 12/31/2024) through 5th grade 11:00 am -12:00 pm, 1:00pm - 2:00pm & 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm: Middle, High school & IB program (taught in English, starting in 9th grade) This is a free event, but RSVP is requested. Please go here to register. Street parking nearby is possible. A nearby parking garage, Ravenswood Garage (entrance off Damen Ave.) is also available. This is an external partner event. Please contact the organization directly with any questions or concerns: admissions@lyceechicago.org or call 773-665-0066 ext 201.

We invite your whole family, including children, to come by Bennett Day School on Saturday, November 11 any time between 9:00 am - 12:00 pm to learn more about our innovative PreK-12 program. This is a free event, but RSVP is required. Please go here to register. There is free parking available on the west side of Morgan and south side of Hubbard, or metered parking on Grand Ave. We are two blocks west of the Grand Blue Line stop and the Halsted 8 bus, and 2 blocks north of the Pink/Green Line Stop at Morgan if those options are convenient to you. This is an external partner event. Please contact the organization directly with any questions or concerns: samantha.rud@bennettday.org.

How To Handle Academic Pressure in Middle & High School: Panelists: Martin Moran, Lead Designer of Middle and Upper School, Bennett Day School (Panelist Sponsor) Anna Carey, Assistant Headteacher , British International School of Chicago, South Loop (Panelist Sponsor) Sarah Moon-Sarudi, Assistant Principal of Student Support, Walter Payton College Prep (Panelist) Tiffany Brownridge, Counselor, Whitney Young Magnet High School (Panelist)

Bubbles Academy is Chicagoland's premiere early childhood enrichment center and preschool offering classes and child development programs for ages 0-5. Join us as we ignite wonder through music, movement, drama, art, and play! Ignite Wonder Through The Arts & Play! Early childhood education for whole child development, offering caregiver and child classes & preschool.

Hyde Park Art Center, the renowned non‐profit hub for contemporary art located on Chicago’s vibrant South Side, announces programs for Chicago‐based artist Candace Hunter’s largest solo exhibition to date: Candace Hunter: The Alien‐Nations and Sovereign States of Octavia E Butler Fall Center Days at the Hyde Park Art Center celebrates the opening of Candace Hunter: The Alien‐Nations and Sovereign States of Octavia E. Butler with exhibition viewing and related art-making activities, in addition to an Afrofuturism and science fiction popup book shop with local Black women-owned bookstore, Semicolon Bookstore & Gallery. Offered quarterly, Center Days activate the entire building with intergenerational art-making activities, artist workshops, artist talks, open studios, and community collaborations. Hyde Park Arts Center is proud to be free and open to the public seven days a week. The Center is open Mondays - Thursdays from 10 am - 7 pm, Fridays from 10 am - 4:30 pm, Saturdays from 10 am - 4 pm, and Sundays from 11 am - 4 pm. This is a free event and no RSVP is required. Street parking is available. This is an external partner event. Please contact the organization directly with any questions or concerns: maggie@silvermangroupchicago.com.

Hyde Park Holly-Day is back for 2023! Presented by the University of Chicago in partnership with Downtown Hyde Park, the Hyde Park Chamber of Commerce, and the South East Chicago Commission. We've planned some great (FREE!) activities for you to enjoy in Hyde Park: ICE CARVING DEMONSTRATION 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. | Harper Court Watch an ice artist carve two sculptures with a chainsaw from blocks of ice. SELF-GUIDED ICE SCULPTURE STROLL All Day | 53rd Street from S. Lake Park Avenue to S. Woodlawn Avenue. Find all 12 ice sculptures – take a photo/video and tag us at #hphollyday SOUL SANTA & MRS. CLAUS - FREE FAMILY PHOTO 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. | The Promontory, 5311 S. Lake Park Avenue West NOTE: This is a very popular event. We cannot guarantee everyone will be able to take a picture with Santa. We’ll do our best to accommodate as many people as possible, but we may have to stop the line prior to 1 p.m. to ensure we finish on time. Thanks for your understanding. HOLIDAY CRAFTS (while supplies last) 10 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. | The Promontory, 5311 S. Lake Park Avenue West COSTUMED CHARACTERS 12-2 p.m. | Local Businesses TBD BUDDY THE ELF 12:30-3:30 p.m. Be on the lookout for Buddy! He'll be visiting 53rd Street, The Promontory, The Hyde Park Shopping Center, and local businesses. DANCE PERFORMANCES Starting at 1:30 p.m. | The Promontory, 5311 S. Lake Park Avenue West LIVE REINDEER & SLEIGH 2-4 p.m. | Hyde Park Shopping Center Courtyard Meet two live reindeer and sit in a sleigh! For event details go to hphollyday.com Interactive Hyde Park online map and app – welcometohydepark.com This is a free event and no RSVP is required. Paid and street parking are available. This is an external partner event. Please contact the organization directly with any questions or concerns: acsrodon@uchicago.edu.

Free all-ages event at Holy Covenant United Methodist Church in Lincoln Park/Lakeview featuring treats, crafts, art, games, community, and more! This is a free event and no RSVP is required. Street parking available. This is an external partner event. Please contact the organization directly with any questions or concerns: office@holycovenantumc.org.

Join Kids' Work Chicago Riverview and observe our Jr.K/Kindergarten classrooms to see the curriculum and learning environment in real-time, then chat with lead teachers at a Q&A session! This is a free event, but RSVP is required. Please go here to register. Ample parking in Kids' Work Riverview's private lot in front of our center. This is an external partner event. Please contact the organization directly with any questions or concerns: sierra@kidsworkchicago.com.

Join Kids' Work Chicago Riverview and observe our PreK classrooms to see the curriculum and learning environment in real-time, then chat with lead teachers at a Q&A session! This is a free event, but RSVP is required. Please go here to register. Ample parking in Kids' Work Riverview's private lot in front of our center. This is an external partner event. Please contact the organization directly with any questions or concerns: sierra@kidsworkchicago.com.

Join Kids' Work Chicago Riverview and observe our PreK classrooms to see the curriculum and learning environment in real-time, then chat with lead teachers at a Q&A session! This is a free event, but RSVP is required. Please go here to register. Ample parking in Kids' Work Riverview's private lot in front of our center. This is an external partner event. Please contact the organization directly with any questions or concerns: sierra@kidsworkchicago.com.

Join Kids' Work Chicago Riverview and observe our Jr.K/Kindergarten classrooms to see the curriculum and learning environment in real-time, then chat with lead teachers at a Q&A session! This is a repeating event, with a 2nd open house on for Jr.K/Kindergarten on Wednesday, October 25, 2023, 9:45 A.M. - 11:00 A.M. This is a free event, but RSVP is required. Please go here to register. Ample parking in Kids' Work Riverview's private lot in front of our center. This is an external partner event. Please contact the organization directly with any questions or concerns: sierra@kidsworkchicago.com.