Giving voice to women whose children were adopted
Recently, I was watching an episode of a popular counseling show where the therapist asked a mother, “Does your daughter know your story?” I thought this was such a powerful and important question to ponder — one that removes the mommy veil and invites us in to see the person behind the title. As Mother’s Day approaches and we navigate all the ways we will celebrate those who call themselves mothers, it’s important to acknowledge the myriad stories that surround motherhood, including the stories of women whose children were adopted. In her book “Relinquished: The Politics of Adoption and the...
Pre/Post Natal Fitness for New and Soon-To-Be Moms
Heather Perren (left) with Lagreeing At Home Co-Founder, Lexi Heiziner (right). Welcoming a new member into the family brings immense joy. Still, it also marks the beginning of a journey filled with physical changes, challenges and countless questions, especially when it comes to maintaining a safe and effective fitness routine during and after pregnancy. Here are some of the more frequently asked questions on how to manage safe and effective at-home workouts for new and soon-to-be moms. Editor’s Note: Always consult your physician before beginning any exercise program. Is it safe to continue exercising during pregnancy? Heather Perren on Lagree...
Grilled Peach and Burrata Salad with Breadcrumb Crispies
Sara Forte's latest cookbook "Around Our Table" has recipes for the whole family. PHOTOS BY HUGH FORTE SoCal food blogger and James Beard Award-nominated cookbook author Sara Forte released her latest cookbook, "Around Our Table," which offers a peek into her life in addition to family-friendly recipes like this grilled peach and burrata salad. The following recipe is excerpted with permission from "Around Our Table" by Sara Forte published by Hardie Grant Publishing, April 2024, RRP $40.00 Hardcover. Grilled Peach and Burrata Salad with Breadcrumb Crispies SERVES 4 Grilled Peach and Burrata Salad with Breadcrumb Crispies I consider this a...
May/June Magazine: Family Travel
Welcome to our May/June magazine! The L.A. Parent team loves covering travel — family excursions, solo journeys, couple and friend voyages. We travel to expand our understanding of people, place and history. What is just as essential is acknowledging that, wherever we go, we are bringing our foundation — our childhood dreams, accomplishments, wisdom, assumptions and limitations — with us. To travel is to navigate this two-way relationship. Whether we are visitors or the ones being visited, we are simultaneously students and teachers. In our May/June magazine, come along with us as we explore, play and make life-long memories. In addition to...
Meet L.A. Actor and Children’s Book Author Tal Anderson
Tal Anderson is best known for her work on the Netflix series, “Atypical,” as Sid. The actor and filmmaker has recently tapped into her own personal journey of being on the autism spectrum to write a beautiful picture book called, “Oh Tal! Not Today.” The whimsical book is a celebration of differences, as well as creativity, tenacity and independence. L.A. Parent had the pleasure to catch up with Tal recently. Why did you decide to write this children’s book? “Oh, Tal! Not Today.” is the first book in a series of picture books called “Oh, Tal!” which I’ve been planning...
The Perfect Addition to Your Little Adventurer’s Bookshelf
It may come as a surprise to tourists and even some Los Angeles transplants, but picturesque parks, sprawling trails and native animals are all in the backyard of this dense urban city. Hiking enthusiast and L.A. native Nell Cross Beckerman is sharing the joy of natural surroundings in her new children’s book “From Park to Playa: the Trails That Connect Us.” Nell in front of Playa sign. PHOTOS COURTESY NELL BECKERMAN After a decade of trekking the same hike up in Baldwin Hills, Beckerman discovered that the trail continued to another side — where she could overlook the glistening city towers of Downtown L.A. The seemingly endless trail was no accident; through...
We Love It: From Toys and Games to Strollers and Swim Diapers
Birdfy Feeder Bamboo Enjoy nature with this smart bird feeder made from FSC-certified bamboo. Features a solar-powered camera for eco-friendly operation, allowing for bird watching with minimal environmental impact. Supports AI recognition to identify more than 6,000 bird species. $279.99, birdfy.com “Dear Graduate” This book challenges that age-old question “What do you want to be when you grow up?” by changing it to “What will you do when you grow up?” It asks 33 questions of graduates of any age about how they want to spend their time and what values they’ll develop. $15.99, ages 5-18, deargraduatebook.com Joolz Aer+ Designed to make...
What Summer Camp Counselors Wish You Knew
Got Game camps are held at four locations in Los Angeles County. PHOTO COURTESY GOT GAME CAMP The sun is beating down harder as daylight stretches into the late evening, which means another school year is rounding to a close. For many of you, however, the drop-offs, lunch packing and daily activity schedules are year-round — particularly if your children are headed to summer camp. During those hours, it’s the camp counselors who become an essential facet of your child’s summer. If you find yourself wondering how to enhance summer camp not only for your child, but also the counselors...
Exploring Fiji with Family
A Fiji Airlines A350 flies over one of the Fiji Islands. PHOTO COURTESY FIJI AIRWAYS Fiji, the glistening jewel of the South Pacific Ocean, offers visitors rich cultural heritage, tropical landscapes, pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters and vibrant coral reefs. This knockout paradise is full of treasures for the whole family, whether goals include staying active by jet skiing or hiking, utterly relaxed and immersed in a book while languishing on a beach or around a pool or expanding the mind with the culture and history of Fiji and its people. Notably, the people of Fiji are ready to welcome you...
Playing in Portland: High-Density Family Fun
Portland is a great place for the whole family to play. PHOTO COURTESY TRAVEL PORTLAND Portland has a reputation for being a little unusual. The phrase “Keep Portland Weird” is often said with great pride — and that kooky magic is great for kids of all ages. Even with a population of 700,000, downtown Portland presents an intimate, walkable city. It’s a place rich with epic nature opportunities, educational fun and quality family time. Thanks to Portland’s light rail (MAX), bus and streetcar system, every activity here is doable without a car. Visit trimet.org to download the mobile app that...
The Artistic Reach of the ‘Octopus’ of Leimert Park
Artist Ben Caldwell has been called the “Octopus of Leimert Park” because of his long and broad influence. If you’re lucky, certain people you encounter in life are destined to become cardinal points on your personal map. Dependable, open-hearted folks you meet by chance and who continue to illuminate and inspire you even as time speeds past. The artist Ben Caldwell has long filled that role for me. More years ago than seems possible, I had my first conversation with Caldwell. I was working as a young reporter for one of Los Angeles’ scrappy alternative newspapers, writing about the L.A....
How to Keep Your Family Healthy on Vacation
Colleen Kraft, M.D., pediatrician at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.PHOTO COURTESY CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL LOS ANGELES Family vacations are one of the best ways to bond and make lifelong memories. But we all know that the change in schedule and adjusting to sleeping and eating in new places can be challenging, especially for kids. We reached out to Colleen Kraft, M.D., a pediatrician at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, for some tips on how to incorporate wellness into your next adventure. How important is staying hydrated when traveling, whether by car or plane? It’s important to stay hydrated. Here’s a good chart on...
Yeastie Boys: It’s (Bagel) Brunch Season
Plenty of enterprises tell tales of humble beginnings, but Evan Fox, founder of Yeastie Boys, is looking to stay humble forever. The Lox Deluxe is a fan-favorite menu option at Yeastie Boys, and guests can add a hash brown if they'd like. PHOTOS COURTESY YEASTIE BOYS In 2014, he was making bagels in his L.A. apartment, arranging them into logo-adorned pink boxes and delivering them to friends and local tastemakers. He served hungry festival goers at the Coachella campgrounds the following spring and took the wheel of his first food truck later that year, too. A brick-and-mortar shop was never the...
Editor’s Note: Wherever You Go, There You Are
When I was a kid, my family didn’t get to travel, so I’d spread one of my grandmother’s patchwork quilts under the fig trees in our backyard, lie down and stare at the sky. I envisioned myself on adventures in New York City, Barcelona, Paris, Greece, Morocco — places I read about in my mother’s romance novels and in the National Geographic magazines she bought from our local newsstand. A dreamer herself, my mother would carefully tear out the magazine’s maps and tape them to the fading floral wallpaperin her bedroom, inviting us to explore these paper depictions of the world with our fingers and eyes. One day, I will go there....
Azusa’s Eco-Fair Helps Us Care for Our Planet
With the anticipation of rain looming over us in a cloud-covered sky, families poured into Azusa’s Outdoor Recreation & Eco-Fair in Memorial Park this spring to learn about ways we can help care for our planet. Activities included ax throwing, a snow area, rock climbing, face painting, petting rare animal species and eco-friendly arts and crafts. And after all of that: free food! As families perused, The Silverados band provided the soundtrack, belting out familiar tunes from the Beatles and The Chicks. Getting up close and personal with a central bearded dragon at Azusa’s Outdoor Recreation & Eco-Fair. PHOTO BY CHERIE...
New Podcast Celebrates Nontraditional Paths to Parenting
When L.A.-based postpartum doula and lactation educator Maria Pasquarelli heard comedian and actor Molly Hawkey’s podcast “SpermCast,” she realized how many people in her own orbit had unique stories on how they formed their families. And so, she turned to her longtime friend, Ann-Sophie Morrissette, an L.A. native and communications consultant, to co-host a podcast of their own. “Our Families Ourselves” launched in January with Hawkey as their first guest. The podcasters discussed the highs and lows of navigating sperm donors, miscarriages and solo parenting. Morrissette, who lives with her wife and two kids in Northeast L.A., always wanted to create...
La Puente Students Host Health & Wellness Fair
Of the many things we can gleam from a world with the pandemic in our rear-view mirror, perhaps what is at the top of most lists is the necessity of mental health care. Since 2022, the World Health Organization reports, there has been a 25% increase in anxiety and depression globally. May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and in the vein of championing our wellness care, Nogales High School students in La Puente recently hosted a health and wellness fair. I laced up my HOKA sneakers and took a stroll to my alma mater. A librarian at Nogales High School shares self-help books with...
Hollenbeck PAL: A Community Passion Project
Nestled squarely in the heart of East Los Angeles is a nonprofit proudly serving three of the oldest neighborhoods of Los Angeles. Hollenbeck PAL is an organization on a mission to heal its community by providing a safe environment during non-school hours for kids ages 10-17. Donald Levier of Hollenbeck PAL (center) poses with graduates. PHOTO BY OFFICER EUGENE OLEA Founded in 1992 by the Hollenbeck division of the Los Angeles Police Department and community residents in response to the increase in juvenile crimes, Hollenbeck PAL offers several programs: career development (PAL-UP), sports recreation and leadership skills. The cornerstone of the organization...
In Santa Ynez Valley, Buellton Beckons
Zip lining over the South African protea flowers at Highline Adventures. PHOTO COURTESY HIGHLINE ADVENTURES Whenever I travel, near or far, I like to bring home a little taste of the place I will inevitably leave behind. This morning, I opened a small glass jar of tea I purchased during a quick zip to Santa Ynez Valley a few weeks ago. I inhaled deeply, wistfully. The flavors — sweet and earthy mixed with a peppery bite that some might consider a bit risky — carried me back to the memories my husband, teen son, mother-in-law and I created in just...
David Rocklin on discovering stories, building community and raising kids in L.A.
David Rocklin is author of the new novel "The Electric Love Song of Fleischl Berger." PHOTO COURTESY DAVID ROCKLIN On Sunset Boulevard in Echo Park, there’s a little storefront you’d miss if you weren’t looking for it. Its sign reads “The Echo Park Time Travel Mart,” and while it does stock UFO stickers, levitating moon lamps and rocket ship patches, it’s actually the eastside home of 826 L.A., a non-profit writing and tutoring organization. 826 L.A. has served local youth since 2005, but adult writers gather here, too, and David Rocklin is among them. Though he grew up in and around Chicago, Rocklin...
Best Mother’s Day Gift Ideas, Experiences & Events in L.A.
PHOTO COURTESY SUSIECAKES Mother's Day is celebrated on the second Sunday in May since it was established in 1908. This year, Mother's Day is on Sunday, May 12. Mother's Day is a chance to celebrate and honor all the moms and mother figures in our lives-- and that includes you! Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat for yourself, a festive brunch with your family or thoughtful gift for your own mom, we have several roundups to help you celebrate Mother's Day weekend. From mini getaways and retreats to special brunches and sweet treats, we’ve rounded up some ways to...
Best Graduation Gifts
Dear Graduate This book challenges the age-old question, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” by changing it to, “What will you do when you grow up?” It asks 33 questions of graduates of any age about how they want to spend their time and what values they’ll develop. $15.99, ages 5-18 years, deargraduatebook.com Troomi - Safe Smartphones for Kids Provide kids with guardrails for safety and opportunities for growth, learning, personal discovery and preparation for the future. Features flexible safety controls that allow parents to customize their children's phone based on individual needs. Give them everything...
Unique Mother’s Day Gifts
If you're looking for something unique for mom, we have some fun picks for you. Check out these NAPPA Award winning products that make great Mother's Day gifts. Birdfy Feeder Bamboo Relax and enjoy nature all around you with this smart bird feeder made from FSC-certified bamboo. Features a solar-powered camera for eco-friendly operation, allowing for bird watching with minimal environmental impact. Designed for easy refilling and cleaning. Supports AI recognition to identify over 6000 bird species, enhancing the bird-watching experience. $279.99, birdfy.com Joolz Aer+ Designed to make traveling with your little one smooth and comfortable. Features the one-hand one-second...
10 Places for Mother’s Day Brunch in L.A.
Celebrate the mom's in your life with a classic Mother's Day brunch at one of these unique places in L.A. Have a picnic at the Aquarium of the Pacific, brunch on a cruise in Marina del Rey, breakfast in the garden at Theatricum Botanicum and more with these Mother's Day brunch ideas. Mother's Day Brunch at Pinstripes Topanga 10:00am - 3:00pm Sat, May 11 - 12 | Pinstripes TopangaCelebrate the mom in your life this Mother's Day weekend at Pinstripes Topanga with a special Brunch Buffet dedicated to honoring moms everywhere. Treat mom to a tasty brunch, including signature waffles,...
May Book Corner: Celebrate AAPI Heritage
This curation of books celebrates AAPI authors and the stories they have penned. From enthralling tales about food, family memories and different generations to inspiring biographies, each of these books will teach your young reader a little something about other cultures, and the power of embracing their own. We Are Here By Naomi Hirahara 23 million people of Asian and Pacific Islander Descent live in the United States. Amidst the depth and nuances of each of these individuals, "We Are Here" is a collection of biographies. These biographies highlight 30 AAPI individuals who have impacted the social, cultural, and political...
Celebrate AAPI Heritage Month with These Family-Friendly Events in L.A.
Every May since 1990 we celebrate Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities for AAPI Heritage Month. May was chosen because the first Japanese immigrants arrived in the U.S. on May 7, 1843 and the transcontinental railroad, which was built mainly by Chinese workers, was completed on May 10, 1869. If you're looking for ways to celebrate AAPI Heritage Month, we rounded up some fun, family-friendly events highlighting the AA and NHPI communities. AAPI Heritage Month Events in L.A. Asian Comics: Evolution of an Art Form 10:00am - 4:00pm Sat, Mar 9 - Sep 08 | Bowers MuseumThe Bowers...
Freedom in Play: Why Children Should Participate in Extracurricular Activities
By Stratford School The old adage “all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy” still holds true even today. Playtime and extracurricular activities help contribute to a child’s overall development. If we want to raise successful children, it’s important to acknowledge that learning isn’t something that only takes place within the four walls of a classroom. A tremendous amount of learning also happens outside of a classroom setting. According to Jeanne Huybrechts, Stratford School’s Chief Academic Officer, the most tangible benefits of getting your child involved in extracurricular activities include teamwork, a sense of belonging and early skill...