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Join us for a magical morning of discovery and play at Baker Demonstration School’s ‘Bloom & Grow: Spring Playdate Adventure.’ Your child will explore our thoughtfully designed early childhood spaces, plant flowers to nurture at home, play in our garden playground, and experience the joy of learning through play—the Baker way! This special event is designed for families with children ages 3-5 (by September 1st) who are curious about our early childhood program. While children engage in guided exploration, parents will have the opportunity to observe our child-centered approach in action and chat with our experienced educators. This is a free event, but RSVP is required. Please go here to register. Ample parking in the school parking lot This is an external partner event. Please contact the organization directly with any questions or concerns: skinser@bakerdemschool.org.

The third annual Double Good Days is a free event that provides all-abilities fun for children with special needs, along with their families and caregivers. Created by the Double Good Kids Foundation, the event aims to provide a special day filled with interactive, sensory-friendly activities while fostering meaningful social opportunities for kids. This is a free event, but RSVP is required. Please go here to register. Onsite parking lot available at Kohl Children's Museum. This is an external partner event. Please contact the organization directly with any questions or concerns: alexa.durkin@doublegood.com.

🦖Dinosaurs on Left, Right or on The Rocks Preschool Game, digital download, printable, There is some assembly on the spinner and you will need scissors, a small paper clip, a push pin. Cardboard is nice for the spinner base and either tape or clear Contact paper to preserve it. You create this game with your child. It's a fun way to spend quality time and to teach left/right.

Mother’s Day in Chicago often brings to mind flowers, brunch reservations, and maybe a last-minute card scribbled with love (and crumbs) from the kids. And while mimosas and pancakes are always welcome, the truth is — many moms are craving something deeper this Mother’s Day. I asked moms across Chicago, from Rogers Park to Beverly, what they really want. The answers? They're refreshingly real. “I want a break. Just a real break.” "I'm with my kids all the time — I love them to death, but I'd give anything for a day with no one saying 'Mom' for a few hours. Even two!" — Jasmin, mom of 3 in Bronzeville Rest topped nearly every response. And not the kind of rest where you sneak in a nap between laundry loads. Moms are asking for guilt-free, uninterrupted rest. The kind where someone else handles things, even if just for a day. “Help around the house — without having to ask.” "A clean kitchen. No laundry on the stairs. I want my family to just see what needs to be done and do it." — Maria, Logan Square For many moms, emotional labor is the real thief of peace. The gift of initiative — not having to direct help — was high on the list. More than physical gifts, moms wanted the mental load lightened. “Time alone. And time together.” These two may sound contradictory, but Chicago moms are masters of nuance. "I want to start the day alone with a hot cup of coffee and a guilt-free scroll through my phone. Then I want to end it with my family, doing something simple like a movie night, a bedtime story, or even a picnic at the park." — Shaye, Hyde Par Solitude and connection are both precious — and most moms want a balance of both. “To be seen — and appreciated.” "Honestly? I want to feel like what I do is noticed. Not just on Mother’s Day, but still... it’s nice to hear ‘thank you’ and know it’s meant." — Katie, Edgewater A sincere thank-you, a handwritten note, or even a heartfelt conversation can go a long way. It's not about a grand gesture. It's about being seen. “Time off from the invisible job.” While many workplaces offer PTO, parenting doesn’t come with days off — even on Mother’s Day. "I love my kids more than anything, but what I want is someone else to plan the meals, pack the bags, think through what everyone needs. Just for one day." — Leigh, Lakeview Being the default parent, the planner, the finder of lost shoes — it’s exhausting. Taking over that invisible labor, even temporarily, is one of the most thoughtful gifts a partner or family member can give. The Bottom Line Yes, brunch is lovely. But what Chicago moms really want this Mother’s Day is something that lasts longer than a latte. They want space to breathe. Support without asking. Gratitude that feels real. So if you're wondering how to show up for a mom in your life this year — ask her what she needs. And then listen. It might be brunch… but it also might be silence, sleep, or someone else doing the dishes.

Witnessing a child being emotionally abused by a caregiver is not only hard to watch, but very hard to not step in to protect the child. Let’s be honest here: children are often the casualty of an adult's displaced anger or a need to be validated. Children having a voice (and being heard) is still relatively new for a lot of cultures. This article is dedicated to all the little humans that cannot find the words to express the depth of their emotions about a complex world that is shaping them. This is not to disregard adults in need of being heard, but to invite them, including you, the reader, to connect with your inner child. Remember how vulnerable you were as a child? How was your level of dependency on your elders for guidance? What about when you look back and think about how helpful it would have been to have a trusted adult validate your experience instead of dismissing it? Most of us know that children are the most vulnerable people in homes, in our schools and in this very complicated society we have all contributed to. In my professional experience, I’ve been granted a great deal of knowledge concerning the school setting. It’s been a very rewarding experience to have worked with children and young adults from all over the world. Because of my personal and professional experiences, I have seen a concerning pattern that crosses not only race, but ethnicity, religion, class, and sexual orientation. That pattern that I speak of is the lack of emotional intelligence toward young people. So what is emotional intelligence, you ask? Well, Emotional intelligence (EI) refers to the ability to understand, manage, and express one's own emotions, as well as recognize and respond appropriately to the emotions of others, essentially encompassing self-awareness, self-regulation, empathy, motivation, and social skills. It's often considered a key factor in building strong relationships and navigating social situations effectively. It’s what connects humans (when EI is high) and what disconnects us (when EI is low). Coined by a Rutgers psychologist Daniel Goleman, who at the time, wanted to establish the importance of emotional intelligence in business leadership, Goleman's Emotional Intelligence Theory is considered to be a groundbreaking perspective on human intelligence within the mental health field. He suggests that emotional intelligence (EI) can be more important than traditional IQ. The theory highlights five key domains: self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skills. Similar domains are taught to Chicago Public School (CPS) students under the framework of socioemotional learning standards. My work with CPS and a nonprofit agency trained me on EI. As a fellow mental health professional and a human who is an empath, I absolutely love how EI has reminded me that it is an invaluable life skill that benefits every relationship we hold dear to us. Let’s review two examples I see a lot of humans struggling to manage: self awareness and self-regulation. Self Awareness is the ability to understand one’s self and how we impact others. Self-regulation is the ability to manage & express one's own emotions. When we think of our world today, in person and how it is filtered on our devices, we see an unlimited supply of examples of people unhinged due to the lack of self regulation. This is problematic for children who are accessing these mixed messages from adults of authority. This often causes children to “hide” who they really are to practice “wearing a mask.” What if adults made intentional time to learn about their child’s emotional intelligence? Show compassion when their child’s EI levels are at a concerning low? Make space for the children who have a genius level of EI? What if you learned about your own EI level? I promise you this: it would “clear the fog” some of us experience in relationships that impacts us most. When it comes to my profession, my strength is rooted in my ability to “read” facial expressions, listen for inflections in the voice and body language to name a few. Connecting to the client’s inner world/perception of their external world has helped me to build a connection that has garnered me a level of trust with my clients of all backgrounds. Compared to some colleagues and relatives, this is how I have thrived in all my connections; including with children (especially my own!). We all benefit from more kindness and understanding. Why not start with connecting with your own needs by identifying the areas of yourself that need to be addressed in order to be cultivated to reach its maturity level? This will aid in your approach to others and improve your connection; a human need that’s worth improving. For more support to learn and/or strengthen you and loved one’s relationships, dive into some of these gems I gathered for you. https://blog.hptbydts.com/famous-emotional-intelligence-eq-characters https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-emotional-intelligence-2795423 https://hbr.org/2015/04/how-emotional-intelligence-became-a-key-leadership-skill

Come and enjoy time with your family and others at this NPN playdate at Bubbles Academy! Bubbles Academy is Chicago's home for creative learning, offering caregiver and child classes, a year-round preschool program, and a community that comes together to celebrate holiday and cultural events! Join NPN and Bubbles Academy for this special playdate where you can begin to make connections and build a foundation that will last a lifetime! At this playdate you and your child can: 👶 Enjoy their colorful playroom with soft, plush toys and tumbling mats for infants, crawlers, and climbers 🪵 Explore their gorgeous Nature Playground 🎵 Sing along with your favorite Bubbles musical artist 🫧 Exercise fine motor muscles with sensory play Bubbles Academy Arts-Integrated Preschool is located at 2184 N. Elston Ave. Parking and entrance: Free parking in the preschool lot adjacent to the Nature Playground at 2184 N. Elston! Questions? Email amy@npnparents.org. NPN is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. You help us keep these playdates free with your paid membership or donation. Thank you for supporting NPN!

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Join us for this Mother's Day event for the whole family and for a great cause! Play, enjoy a concert, and make a special bouquet. Light snacks provided, coffee sponsored by Werewolf Coffee Bar. Plus, meet the team behind Chamber of Mothers and learn more about their efforts to advocate for maternal rights in the US. The proceeds from this event will be donated to Chamber of Mothers non-profit.

Get ready for an awesome interactive storytime with author Rachel R. Adler! Rachel will be reading their new book, Tiger Tuffy and the Awesome Birthday Bike and sharing some related activities. This is a free event and no RSVP is required. But please go here for more information. Street parking available. This is an external partner event. Please contact the organization directly with any questions or concerns: thehatchcomic@gmail.com.

Join Bubbles for this Mother's Day event for the whole family and for a great cause! Your little ones will enjoy open play, an interactive concert, make an art project and bouquet for mom or special caregiver. Light snacks provided and coffee sponsored by Werewolf Coffee Bar. Plus, meet the team behind Chamber of Mothers and learn more about their efforts to advocate for maternal rights in the US. They focus on 3 core areas: paid family leave, affordable childcare and maternal health. https://chamberofmothers.com/ Entry is $10. The proceeds from this event will be donated to Chamber of Mothers non-profit. RSVP is required. Please go here to register. Onsite parking lot available. This is an external partner event. Please contact the organization directly with any questions or concerns: bigbubble@bubblesacademy.com.

Join Emily Winsor, Managing Director of Tuesday's Child, in the second of a three-part series on Special Education in Chicago. This session will walk you through the first steps you need to take when entering into special education with your child. You will learn about the difference between IEPs and 504s, the continuum of special education services and learning environments in Chicago, the steps of the IEP/504 process, and what to expect during IEP and 504 meetings. This session was recorded live on 4/16/25.

Gather with Chatham Hall, Dana Hall School, Emma Willard School, The Ethel Walker School, Miss Porter’s School, and Westover School for a panel facilitated by local educator and Head of Sacred Heart Schools Meg Steele. Join us at Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba! For a lively discussion about the value of girls’ education, followed by an informal dinner reception. This is a free event, but RSVP is required. Please RSVP by Wednesday, April 23, 2025. On street parking available. This is an external partner event. Please contact the organization directly with any questions or concerns: Apaul@ethelwalker.org.

🎥 Win Two Tickets to The Goonies 40th Anniversary in Concert with The Chicago Philharmonic! 🎵 🎉 NPN is excited to offer members the chance to win two tickets to the one-night-only performance (Saturday, April 26 @ 7:30pm) of The Goonies 40th Anniversary in Concert with The Chicago Philharmonic at the Auditorium Theatre! Audiences will experience one of the most-loved films of the '80s with the Chicago Philharmonic playing the Dave Grusin score live to film. How to Enter: Comment on THIS POST through Monday 4/14 sharing your favorite '80s movie. Here is the link to the post: https://www.npnparents.org/forums/topic/192850-win-2-tickets-to-the-goonies-40th-anniversary-in-concert-with-the-chicago-philharmonic/ Deadline: Entries must be submitted by Monday 4/14. The winner will be contacted via email on Tuesday 4/15. Don’t miss your chance to experience this beloved adventure comedy from 1985 that follows a group of misfits on a search for long-lost treasure, complete with an ancient map, deadly booby traps, a ruthless crime family, and Baby Ruth candy bars! 🌟

Experience one of the reasons Families Together is such a great place to learn and grow – messy sensory play! You and your child are invited to make some beautiful messes with playdough, paint, glue, water, and more. Learn about the benefits of sensory play and how our play-based, emergent curriculum supports children’s development starting at age 2 ½. Meet Families Together teachers and director Ann Gadzikowski (author of Creating a Beautiful Mess: Ten Essential Play Experiences for a Joyous Childhood). Join us for snacks, parenting resources, and fun give-aways! Messy Morning PlayTime is for children ages 2-3 (age 2 by 3/1/25) and their adult caregiver(s). 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: businessmanager@ftcns.org.

At Chicago Signs & Screen Printing we focus on delivering a top notch customer experience by offering a versatile line of high quality custom printed goods, comprehensive account management, and competitive pricing. We strive to make your ordering process of custom apparel, custom signage, and promotional items the most satisfactory in Chicagoland. If your search started with screen printing chicago, custom embroidery chicago, or custom signage chicago, you’ve ended up at the right place! Explore Our Range of Custom Print Services!

Marc Berkman is the CEO of the Organization for Social Media Safety (OFSMS), the first consumer protection organization focused on social media. In this episode he talks with Amy and Sitaara about how the organization uses a consumer-oriented approach of education, advocacy, and technology in working to make social media safe for children. Learn about children’s drive for “clout”, the lose-lose parenting trade off, and practical safety interventions that parents can implement at home for children from preschool to young adulthood. We discuss the legislation the Organization for Social Media Safety is working on to protect children online and the impact schools can have in keeping students safe. After listening to this episode listeners will walk away with practical advice on safety software options and concrete steps to take to make social media safe for everyone. This recording is the eleventh episode of NPN's podcast, Chicago Style Parenting. The podcast was published on 3/11/25. For more information and resources about this topic, visit the podcast episode's show notes.

Join Emily Winsor, Managing Director of Tuesday's Child, in the first of a three-part series on Special Education in Chicago. This session will walk parents through the basics of the special education process. You will learn who special education is for, important terms, and Emily's key takeaways on the best way to approach the special education process. This session was recorded live on 4/3/25.