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When Should Your Child First See the Dentist? A Pediatric Dentist Explains

Published

By Jenny Garcia, D.D.S.

Whether you’re welcoming your first baby or adding another little one to the family, one question often catches parents by surprise: When should my child first see the dentist? The answer is probably sooner than you think.

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends scheduling a child’s first dental visit by their first birthday or within six months of the first tooth erupting. While many parents assume dental visits can wait until preschool, those first years are an ideal time to establish healthy habits and identify potential concerns early.

As both a board-certified pediatric dentist and a mom of two, I know how overwhelming those early parenting decisions can feel. Between feeding schedules, sleep routines, and developmental milestones, it’s easy to wonder if you’re doing everything “right.” That’s exactly why an early dental visit can be so reassuring.

Building healthy habits from the very beginning

A baby’s first tooth often appears around six months of age, right around the time many families begin introducing solid foods. That’s also when oral hygiene should begin. 

Baby teeth may be temporary, but they play an important role in a child’s development. They help children chew, speak clearly, and hold space for their permanent teeth. Caring for them early helps establish healthy habits that support oral health as children grow. Tooth decay remains one of the most common chronic diseases of childhood, yet it is also largely preventable. Early dental visits provide parents with education, guidance, and the opportunity to address questions before problems arise.

What happens during the first dental visit?

Parents are often relieved to learn that the first visit is usually simple, gentle, and focused on education (not treatment). During the appointment, your pediatric dentist will examine your child’s mouth and discuss topics such as:

• Proper brushing techniques

• Healthy feeding and nutrition habits

• Fluoride recommendations

• Teething expectations

• Oral development

• Pacifier and thumb sucking habits

• Injury prevention

• What to expect as new teeth erupt

It’s also an opportunity for parents to ask questions (no matter how big or small). Establishing a dental home early allows families to build a relationship with their pediatric dentist and may help identify concerns before they become more complex. Prevention is one of the most valuable tools we have for supporting children’s oral health.

Creating positive dental experiences matters

One of the greatest gifts parents can give their children is the opportunity to develop a positive relationship with dental care. Children begin forming impressions at an early age. When their first dental visits are calm, playful, and pressure free, they may be more likely to view dental care as a normal part of staying healthy rather than something to fear.

Many pediatric dental offices are designed specifically with children in mind, using age-appropriate language, playful environments, and gentle approaches that help children feel safe and comfortable. Even if your child cries or doesn’t cooperate perfectly during their first visit, that’s completely normal. The goal isn’t a perfect appointment: it’s gradually building trust, familiarity, and confidence over time.

Positive early experiences can encourage children to feel more comfortable with dental visits as they grow and may help establish healthy habits that last into adulthood.

Nighttime routines make a big difference

One of the most common conversations I have with parents involves bedtime routines. While breast milk and formula are wonderful sources of nutrition for babies, once teeth have erupted, frequent nighttime exposure to milk without cleaning the teeth afterward may increase the risk of early childhood cavities. Establishing a simple bedtime routine that includes brushing

before sleep is one way parents can help protect their child’s growing smile.

Pacifiers and thumb sucking: When should parents be concerned?

Pacifiers and thumb sucking are completely normal ways for babies and young children to self-soothe. In fact, many children naturally stop these habits on their own. The concern comes with prolonged use. As children grow, continued thumb sucking or pacifier use can affect jaw development and tooth alignment, which may increase the likelihood of

orthodontic treatment later in childhood.

Fortunately, there are many gentle, positive strategies that can help children transition away from these habits when the time is right. Every child develops differently, so discussing your child’s specific needs with your pediatric dentist can help determine the most appropriate approach.

Prevention starts with partnership

The first dental visit isn’t just about checking teeth, it’s about beginning a partnership between families and their pediatric dentist.

By starting early, asking questions, and creating positive experiences, parents can help support a lifetime of healthy oral habits.

Jenny Garcia, D.D.S., is a board-certified pediatric dentist, mom of two and founder of Oui Smile Pediatric Dentistry in Los Angeles. She is passionate about helping children build healthy smiles through prevention, education, and positive dental experiences while empowering parents to make informed decisions about their child’s oral health.

Los Angeles Indie Book Crawl Invites Readers to Explore 13 Independent Bookstores

Published

PHOTO COURTESY CHEVALIER’S BOOKS

Book lovers have a new way to explore Los Angeles this summer. The inaugural Los Angeles Indie Book Crawl will take place July 24–26 at independent bookstores across the region for a weekend celebrating local booksellers, neighborhood discovery and literary community.

From Manhattan Beach to Montrose, 13 independent bookstores are joining forces to create this unforgettable weekend for L.A. bibliophiles. Events will take place during each bookstore’s regular store hours (check website for information). This special event, modeled after popular book crawls in San Diego and Seattle, is an invitation for readers to explore the diversity of L.A.’s indie bookstores, shop local and have fun while discovering a new favorite read and a new favorite spot to get properly lost in. The event is free and open to everyone.

How the Los Angeles Indie Book Crawl works

Find a new favorite book, make some friends and become a Los Angeles expert as you traverse our local literary landscape. To participate, visit any one of the bookstores anytime between July 24–26 — and make your first purchase of at least $10. From there, you will receive your Book Crawl Passport and first passport stamp.

Then, visit the next bookstore (in no particular order) and make a purchase of $10 or more at each stop. Many prizes and exclusive merchandise are available at every store. Hit as many as you can: The more you visit, the more prizes you accrue. and the more of L.A.’s diverse and welcoming literary scene you get to explore.

Each store has listed its most iconic Los Angeles landmarks as well as neighborhood gems you can add to your L.A. book crawl itinerary.

Book Crawl merchandise.

Grand prize for visiting every store

People who get their passports stamped at all 13 stores will receive a goodie bag full of fun bookish treats including the grand prize: $25 gift cards at each store, totaling $325 in value.

Why independent bookstores matter

“Independent bookstores are having a resurgence,” says Jennifer Caspar, founder and owner of Village Well Books & Coffee, an independent bookstore and café located in downtown Culver City and opened in 2020. “They are the third places people need more than ever in this era of digital optimization, which can be very alienating and lead to loneliness. 

“People still like to browse, touch and see physical books and hang out in stores that are third places, where community and culture — and sometimes coffee! — meet,” she said. “We are modeling our event after the highly popular San Diego Book Crawl and are thrilled that so many great stores are joining together to explore L.A.’s literary scene.”

Supporting independent bookstores in Los Angeles sustains the city’s diverse culture, keeps money in the local economy and provides vital spaces to read, work and be in community with others. Indie shops, the backbone of L.A.’s literary and culture ecosystem, offer human-curated recommendations and serve as essential hubs for local authors, book clubs and grassroots civic engagement.

Visit 13 Independent Bookstores Across Los Angeles

Annabelle’s Book Club LA (Studio City)

The Book Jewel (in the heart of Westchester)

Book Soup, bookseller to the great and famous (West Hollywood)

Chevalier’s Books (Larchmont Village)

Children’s Book World & CBW Teens & Adults (West Los Angeles)

diesel, A Book Store (Santa Monica)

Malik Books (Culver City)

Once Upon A Time, America’s Oldest Children’s Bookstore (Montrose)

pages: a bookstore (Manhattan Beach)

The Ripped Bodice, A Romantic Bookstore (Culver City)

Skylight Books (Hollywood/Los Feliz)

Village Well Books & Coffee (Culver City)

Vroman’s Bookstore (Pasadena)

Plan your book crawl

PHOTO COURTESY CHILDREN’S BOOK WORLD

For hours, location, a description of each store and their event schedules for the weekend, visit laindiebookcrawl.com/about-5.

For more information on the crawl, visit laindiebookcrawl.com and follow on Instagram (@laindiebookcrawl) for updates.

Participants are encouraged to use public transit whenever possible to visit any or all of the bookstores. Check this custom transit map for information on Los Angeles Metro and bus accessibility.

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The Crème School Opens First California Location in Irvine’s Great Park

Published

PHOTOS COURTESY THE CRÈME SCHOOL

Families in Irvine now have a new option for early childhood education. The Crème School has opened its first California location, The Crème School of Great Park, offering research-based preschool programs, enrichment experiences and modern learning spaces designed to support children’s growth ages 2 and up.

Located in Irvine’s growing Great Park neighborhood, the school will serve nearly 200 children. It introduces Crème’s newest school design, the first of its kind, featuring modern learning environments, elevated family amenities and personalized educational experiences designed to support every stage of a child’s development.

The Crème School of Great Park also offers signature enrichment opportunities and thoughtfully designed classroom spaces that encourage exploration, creativity and collaboration. These high-quality early learning environments combine research-based curriculum, hands-on discovery and enrichment opportunities that help children build academic, social and emotional skills.

“We’re thrilled to bring the Crème experience to California families,” said Stephanie Sturdevant-Ward, vice president of operations for The Crème Schools. “The Crème School of Great Park is redefining child care with innovative learning spaces, personalized experiences and enriching opportunities that spark curiosity, inspire creativity and help children thrive.”

The Crème Learning Approach brings together engaging, research-based curriculum, exceptional teachers and enhanced educational experiences to support joyful, meaningful learning each day, school officials said. It emphasizes executive function skills, including attention, memory, flexible thinking, collaboration and emotional regulation, helping children build confidence and strong foundations for success in school and in life. Crème’s proprietary curriculum enables students to focus on skills that complement its signature enrichments. Starting at age 2, children engage in daily 30-minute rotations and small-group lessons in STEM, music, art and Spanish.

The school’s opening marks a significant milestone in Crème’s national growth strategy as the company continues expanding its footprint of premium early childhood education schools across the U.S.

Families interested in learning more about The Crème School of Great Park can visit here.

Why Yosemite Is One of California’s Best Family Getaways

Published

By Michele Raphael

An easy visit to the national park reveals breathtaking views of Half Dome, sequoias and waterfalls – and a haven for the whole family at the new Waybound Yosemite.

PHOTOS BY MICHELE RAPHAEL

When I headed to Yosemite National Park for work last summer, I knew I’d come face-to-face with towering sequoias, the steep, granite walls and cascading waterfalls. What surprised me was how often I reached for my phone — not to document the trip, but to FaceTime my children. 

As a frequent solo traveler and new empty nester (or free bird, as I call it), I’m familiar with the feeling of being in awesome places that make you wish the people you love were standing beside you. That feeling stayed with me during my time in Yosemite. 

For Los Angeles families who are traveling together or meeting up for a reunion, Yosemite is one of those bucket-list destinations that is closer than many realize. After navigating traffic, busy schedules, school calendars and the hectic pace of city life, the transformation is palpable. Within a few hours of leaving L.A., the scenery changes completely. Palm trees, smog and freeways give way to winding mountain roads, varieties of pines, fresh air and primordial-rock landscapes. 

Yes: the perfect escape.

A comfortable basecamp outside Yosemite

Part of what made this trip especially enticing was a preview stay in the deluxe private cabins that officially launch this month as Waybound Yosemite, a boutique collection of reimagined premium cabins immersed in nature and located in Fish Camp just outside Yosemite’s south entrance. Situated alongside its sister property, the longtime family favorite Tenaya at Yosemite, the 50 spacious, two-bedroom Waybound cabins, called The Havens, sleep up to six, providing multigenerational families (and their pets) with a comfortable vacation home. 

The Havens also include all the amenities at Tenaya’s full-service resort. Together, the two hotels, operated by Delaware North Parks & Resorts, make an ideal basecamp for exploring Yosemite. Each stand-alone Haven features a front porch, back patio and expansive picture windows opening to abundant nature, a living room with a fireplace and plush, leather couches and a full kitchen (including a full-size fridge), plus curated touches, including cocktail chests for craft mixology and spa boxes with locally inspired wellness products. 

Speaking of wellness, restorative treatments are available at Tenaya’s expansive spa. In August, a resort pool and hot tub will make a welcome debut. For now, guests at The Havens have access to three pools, four hot tubs and lounge areas at Tenaya.

The Commons serves a central hub with tables and chairs, ample couches and plush lounging chairs, a large fireplace and big screen TV, plus a long wooden patio for outdoor dining and socializing. Dining options onsite include The Coffee Counter, with breakfast bites and barista service; Plates + Pours, a social spot with afternoon and evening bartenders and á la carte breakfast, lunch and dinner and The General Store, with curated provisions, merchandise and grab-and-go meals. 

Full dining and restaurants are available for Havens guests at nearby Tenaya. At The Havens, evenings come alive with multiple fire pits circled by Adirondack chairs and complimentary s’mores, a fun way for families to gather under the star-studded night sky.

When I excitedly opened my door to my Haven, I first noticed how it fit into the surrounding landscape. I was delighted to discover the native flowers, birdsong and a babbling brook, shaded by fragrant pines that surrounded my cabin and back porch. I breathed in the cool, fresh mountain air and felt refreshed. Throughout my stay, I indulged in reflective moments on the back porch, sipping my morning tea while lounging in my hotel robe in a red rocking Adirondack chair and watching squirrels dance in the trees. Late at night, after spending my days and evenings exploring, dining and stargazing, I relaxed in front of my own fireplace. 

Getting to Yosemite from Los Angeles

For many Angelenos, planning a family vacation often comes down to one question: How far do we need to travel to feel like we’ve escaped? While popular spots in Hawaii, Mexico or Europe may top wish lists, daunting airfare prices, flight delays and security concerns are keeping many families closer to home this season. Luckily, for L.A. families, some of the most unforgettable adventures are fairly close to home.

For road-trippers, the drive to Yosemite takes about five to six hours, making the park an ideal destination for a long weekend, school holidays and summer vacation. Families who would rather fly have convenient options. Fresno Yosemite International Airport is the closest commercial airport, just about a 90-minute drive from Waybound Yosemite and Tenaya at Yosemite. 

Several flights connect L.A. with Fresno each day, allowing families to be surrounded by mountain scenery before lunchtime. I took an easy, quick flight on Southwest. Once in the area, rental cars are readily available, and the resort can assist with arranging airport transportation, as well. 

Exploring Yosemite National Park

Planning a trip to Yosemite is simpler this year, as the national park is not requiring advance vehicle reservations for most visits in 2026. Guests of Waybound Yosemite and Tenaya at Yosemite receive complimentary park entrance passes, making it even easier to begin each day’s adventure. 

Visitors who prefer not to drive through the park can explore Yosemite on guided excursions and transportation, so parents and kids can relax and enjoy the scenery, while learning about the abundant natural flora, fauna and jaw-dropping landmarks. Through Tenaya’s Yosemite 360° Tours, families can book private guided sightseeing tours and customized excursions within the national park.

A highlight was exploring Yosemite with my guide, Janet, who was personable, kind and knowledgeable. She told my group stories about the black bears we saw on our drive to the park and kept us laughing — and safe. She also made sure we stopped at Tunnel View, one of the most remarkable vistas in the U.S., where El Capitan, Bridalveil Fall and Half Dome are visible in a panorama; walked a trail beneath the giant sequoias of Mariposa Grove (some more than 2,000 years old) and strolled to Lower Yosemite Fall for a refreshing break. Though tourists made their way to these same spots, it didn’t feel overcrowded. 

One of the most memorable moments of our Yosemite adventure day was sharing an idyllic picnic prepared by Tenaya, complete with a basket and red-and-white checkered tablecloth. Sitting beside the Merced River, I watched families floating along. When a current picked up quickly, my group spotted a young man in danger and called out to some sturdy swimmers for help.

Later, Janet took us to an ancient natural spring gushing beside the road, and we gleefully filled our bottles with pure, ice-cold water, sipping it on the drive back.

Relax and recharge after a day outdoors

Whether after a day on the trails or just to recover from L.A. stressors, Ascent Spa at Tenaya gives guests a chance to recharge. Its services include customized massages, hydrating facials, body treatments and wellness experiences inspired by the Sierra Nevada. 

Family activities beyond the trails

It’s also an ideal retreat for parents while the kids enjoy the pools or other supervised activities. My work group and I bonded as we waited for our treatments in the relaxation room in our matching robes, sampling teas, fruits and snacks and chatting about our park adventures. My Swedish massage was gentle and restorative.

The activities at Waybound and Tenaya are designed to bring families closer together, whether they are embarking on a guided nature walk, cooling off in resort pools or relaxing on their Haven’s private porch after a rewarding day in the park. 

And in addition to playing or swimming in the pools or lounging poolside, fun activities to do with kids include lawn games, pickleball, bocce ball, rock wall climbing, archery lessons and a fascinating, interactive “noctotourism” stargazing experience, led by astronomer Andy Skimmer. The Sierra Nevada’s limited light pollution makes it one of California’s best areas for seeing stars. On clear nights, constellations, planets and the Milky Way creating a glittering, magical skyscape.

Where to eat near Yosemite

In addition to the casual food options at The Havens, guests at both properties have lots of choices at six diverse dining choices, in addition to room service. Some recommendations: Jackalope’s Bar & Grill serves hearty breakfasts before families head into the park, along with favorites like the Jackalope Burger, Nashville hot chicken sandwich, grilled salmon and blackened chicken tacos later in the day. 

Desserts such as warm sticky toffee pudding and huge chocolate-chip cookies topped with vanilla ice cream are big-time faves. For a more refined dinner, Embers features seasonal California cuisine, premium steaks, seafood, handmade pasta and thoughtfully curated wines in an upscale setting.

Travel to Yosemite with your dog

For many Angelenos, the best vacations include family pets. Waybound and Tenaya offer pet-friendly accommodations, as well as dog-friendly areas and kennel services for days when families want to explore parts of Yosemite where pets aren’t permitted. 

Nature sounds on

The final morning of my stay, I took a meditative solo walk from my Haven to the brook below. I recorded a video of the path that lay before me, capturing a sun star and its side rays shaped like iridescent butterfly wings shining through pine trees, the soft crunching my sneakers made over dirt, leaves and sticks, the sound of birds singing and the brook gurgling hello. 

I felt a sense of calm and, of course, I couldn’t wait to return and share it all with my children. While technology kept us connected, there’s nothing like the real thing. 

Michele Raphael is an L.A.-based culture, health, lifestyle and travel writer and editor. She can be found on Instagram at @michelebraphael.


Empty Chair Club: How One Family Turned Tragedy Into a Movement for Safer Roads

Published

Sixteen years after the death of their 13-year-old daughter, Emily, in a car crash on Pacific Coast Highway, Michel and Ellen Shane continue to honor her legacy through advocacy, education and a renewed call for safer roads across California.

Michel Shane, a Hollywood producer known for films including “Catch Me If You Can” and “I, Robot,” co-founded the nonprofit Emily Shane Foundation and has become a leading voice for traffic safety in California. This year, Shane is raising awareness through The Empty Chair Club, a public safety campaign that uses the image of an empty seat at the family dinner table to highlight the lasting impact of traffic-related deaths.

The initiative aims to encourage safer driving habits and supports efforts to improve roadway safety, particularly during this time when L.A. is welcoming visitors for major international events, including the FIFA World Cup 2026.

Beyond traffic safety advocacy, the Emily Shane Foundation serves underserved middle school students in Los Angeles and Ventura counties through its Successful Educational Achievement Program, which provides tutoring, mentorship and academic support. Since its founding, the program has served more than 1,200 students and was named California Nonprofit of the Year in 2024.

Learn more about The Empty Chair Club at gosafelyca.org/empty-chair-club and the Emily Shane Foundation at emilyshane.org.

What’s New at Disneyland Summer 2026

Published

By Esther Carlstone

“Bluey’s Best Day Ever!” celebrates the heart and humor of the critically acclaimed animated series “Bluey” in the Fantasyland Theatre in Disneyland park. PHOTO BY CHRISTIAN THOMPSON/DISNEYLAND RESORT

July is here, and it’s time to entertain the troops. Summer at Disneyland is always a little bit magical, but this year, the resort is pulling out all the stops. After a recent media visit with my own three kids in tow, I can tell you the new additions are worth the trip.

The big theme this season: kids rule. Disneyland’s “Kids Rule Summer” runs through Sept. 7, and the new experiences lean into exactly what kids love most right now.

The Millennium Falcon got a whole new mission

If your household has any Mandalorian fans — and mine definitely does — Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run just became a must-do all over again. As of May 22, the ride debuted a brand-new mission timed to the release of “Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu.” Now your crew chooses their own destination — Bespin, the wreckage of the second Death Star near Endor, or the city-planet Coruscant — and engineers get to call Grogu in real time during the mission. My kids, ranging from 7 to 14, all loved it so much that we went on it three times in a row. 

While you’re in Galaxy’s Edge, keep an eye out for BDX droids roaming Black Spire Station and note that, for the first time, you can encounter characters from across the Star Wars timeline — Darth Vader, Luke Skywalker, Leia and Han Solo could all just be right around the corner.

Bluey, dance parties and more summer fun

More Bluey? Yes, please. “Bluey’s Best Day Ever!” at the Fantasyland Theatre is the surprise hit of the summer for the little-little (or even not-so-little) crowd.

Bluey and Bingo appear live on stage, and the whole venue transforms into a fun fair with games, dance-alongs and themed food. It’s a great time to give your tired legs a break and sit in the shade to refuel while your kids dance along. Don’t miss the Magic Asparagus (actually a chocolate-covered pretzel), the loaded Troubadour Baked Potato or the Mud Cake Cold Brew for a sweet pick-me-up that may just be my new favorite coffee drink at Disneyland.

Over at Disney California Adventure, the new “Disney Friends Dance Party” in Hollywood Land is a great evening option when energy is somehow still high. Back in Disneyland, Stitch’s Intergalactic Beach Party Blast returns to Tomorrowland Terrace. And on July 2, Soarin’ Across America made its debut — a new version of the popular attraction taking guests over iconic American landscapes.

Plan ahead to save

If you’re going with kids ages 3 to 9, the kids’ summer ticket offer is a real steal: $50 per child for a one-day park hopper valid through Sept. 7. Hotel guests can also snag up to 15% off Sunday–Thursday stays through that same date. Reservations fill up, so book early — especially if you’re targeting peak summer weeks.

Beyond the Summer Slide: What Kids Really Need to Thrive

Published

By Jorie Das

Summer learning matters — but so do confidence, resilience and the trusted adults who help children grow.

This summer feels especially meaningful for my family. My toddler will start preschool in August, and we’re preparing to welcome our second son this fall. Like so many parents, I’ve found myself thinking about routines, transitions and the kind of childhood I hope to create for my boys.

Everywhere I look, I see advice about avoiding the “summer slide.” Keep the learning going.

As a parent, I understand why. School success matters. I want my children to love learning and walk into school feeling confident and prepared.

But over the past several years, I’ve also had the privilege of leading Friends of the Children–Los Angeles, where every child we serve is paired with a paid, professional mentor — whom we call a Friend — who commits to walking alongside them from kindergarten through high school graduation. That experience has reinforced something I now believe deeply, both as a leader and as a mom.

I’ve come to believe that children don’t experience life in silos, so we shouldn’t support them in silos either.

At Friends of the Children–Los Angeles, we care deeply about school success. We want every child to love learning, graduate from high school and discover what’s possible for their future. But we’ve learned that those outcomes are built on so much more than academics. They’re built on social and emotional development, physical health, meaningful relationships and overall well-being.

Because children are whole people, not test scores.

As parents, I think we know this instinctively. A child who’s hungry, anxious, lonely, exhausted or overwhelmed isn’t in the best position to learn.

Jorie Das is executive director of Friends of the Children–Los Angeles.

That’s why I believe the conversation should be about summer slide and relationships. Summer reading matters. Math matters. School readiness matters. But children are also building confidence, curiosity, emotional security and resilience. Those are the qualities that help them walk back into the classroom ready to learn.

One of the biggest surprises of becoming a parent has been realizing that parenting isn’t just about raising children. It’s also about managing ourselves.

Our children borrow more than our advice. They borrow our calm, our stress and our confidence. Which means one of the greatest gifts we can give them is making sure we have enough support to keep showing up as the parents we want to be.

I’ve also noticed something else as a new parent: It’s incredibly easy to become focused on what’s next. Are they talking enough? Should they know more letters? Is it time for potty training? Do they need another activity?

I recognize that instinct in myself because, at its core, it comes from love. We want our children to thrive. But my work has taught me to ask a different question. Before asking, “What’s next?” I try to ask, “What’s already beautiful about this child?”

Maybe they’re deeply curious. Maybe they’re kind. Maybe they notice every butterfly on a walk or are finally brave enough to try something new. Those strengths deserve our attention, too.

When we talk about the summer slide, we’re often talking about what children might lose. But I find myself wondering what they might gain. If we’re only measuring what they haven’t mastered yet, we risk overlooking the strengths they’re developing every single day.

One of the reasons I care so deeply about this work is because I’ve experienced childhood from two very different perspectives. I grew up with very few resources. We shopped the clearance rack. I qualified for free school lunch. Summer camps and enrichment programs simply weren’t part of my childhood.

Today, I’m raising my sons with opportunities I never had. That’s not something I take for granted. But becoming a parent has reminded me that, regardless of our income, neighborhood or circumstances, most parents are asking the very same questions: Am I doing enough? Is my child okay? Will they grow into a kind, confident person?

What changes isn’t how much we love our children. What changes is the amount of support we have around us.

I’ve yet to meet a parent who didn’t want the very best for their child. I’ve simply met parents with different levels of support, opportunity and resources available to help them get there. That’s one of the reasons I’d love to see us change the way we talk about families navigating adversity.

Too often, we begin with what’s missing. At Friends of the Children–Los Angeles, we try to begin with what’s already there. A family experiencing housing instability isn’t defined only by instability. They may also be remarkably resourceful, resilient and deeply committed to creating a sense of home under incredibly difficult circumstances.

Recognizing those strengths doesn’t diminish the challenges they face. It reminds us that people are always more than the hardest thing they’re going through.

The same is true for children. Children are not their trauma. They’re curious. Creative. Funny. Kind. Resilient.

When we begin with strengths instead of assumptions, everything changes.

Last summer, one of our professional mentors — whom we call a “Friend” — spent every Wednesday with her mentee. Sometimes they went to the library. Other times they explored a park or grabbed lunch together. The activities almost didn’t matter. What mattered was that every Wednesday, that child knew someone was coming.

That’s what makes our model different. Our Friends aren’t volunteers who come and go. They’re trained, paid professionals who make a long-term commitment to a child — from kindergarten through high school graduation. We believe consistency isn’t simply nice to have; it’s one of the most powerful ingredients in healthy child development.

Most parents aren’t looking for someone to replace them. They’re looking for trusted adults who reinforce what they’re already building at home.

Children thrive when they’re surrounded by caring adults who know them, believe in them and keep showing up over time.

One of the things I love most about raising a family in Los Angeles is that children grow up surrounded by people who shape them in big and small ways — a teacher, a coach, a neighbor, another parent or a mentor. We all become part of one another’s village.

As parents, we spend a lot of time asking, What should my child be doing this summer? Maybe another question is just as important:Who are the adults helping my child become who they’re meant to be?

This summer, I hope we worry a little less about checking every developmental box and spend a little more time noticing the child right in front of us.

The one who asks a hundred questions.

The one who notices every butterfly.

The one who’s finally brave enough to try something new.

Those moments are building something, too.

So yes, read together. Visit the library. Go to the beach. Explore a museum. Cook dinner together. Get bored enough to imagine something new. But don’t underestimate the ordinary moments: the conversations in the car, the trusted adult who keeps showing up and the confidence that’s quietly growing.

Maybe the real measure of summer isn’t just what our children learned. It’s who they became — and who helped them get there.

Jorie Das is executive director of Friends of the Children–Los Angeles. 

San Diego Zoo Wildlife Experts Help Rescue Birds After East L.A. Oil Spill

Published

PHOTO COURTESY UC DAVIS

More than 100 birds have been rescued following the crude oil pipeline spill in East Los Angeles, and San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance wildlife health experts are among the responders helping rehabilitate affected birds through the UC Davis-administered Oiled Wildlife Care Network (OWCN).

Since late May, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Wildlife Care and Wildlife Health team members have deployed to assist with the rescue and rehabilitation effort. Their work has included stabilizing oiled birds with IV fluids, tube feedings and medications, collecting blood samples, washing birds and providing ongoing care as the animals recover.

The Oiled Wildlife Care Network is a statewide network of trained wildlife care providers, regulatory agencies, academic institutions and wildlife organizations that work together to rescue and rehabilitate wildlife impacted by oil spills. San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is one of 24 partner organizations that responded to the spill.

To date, 131 visibly oiled birds have been rescued. Eighty-one have already been rehabilitated and released, while 24 remain in care.

Learn more at sdzwa.org.

Cat Dads Help Save Lives During Kitten Season

Published

By Deborah Felin Magaldi

As shelters fill with vulnerable kittens and stray cats, more men are discovering the rewards of fostering— and helping save furry lives.


Allie, Domestic Short Hair, Adoptable. PHOTOS COURTESY HELEN SANDERS, CATPAWS

Kitten season doesn’t usually make people think of a grown man sitting cross-legged on a bathroom floor at 2 a.m., coaxing a kitten the size of a deck of cards to take a bottle. But that’s exactly what’s happening in homes across L.A. and Orange counties right now. And if you ask those men whether it counts as fatherhood, most of them say yes, it does.

We’re in the thick of kitten season. From spring through late summer, the pace at public shelters becomes relentless. Neonatal litters arrive without mothers. Young male cats, barely past kittenhood themselves, come in as strays. The need for people willing to open their homes and truly show up is greater right now than at any other point in the year.

With more than 16 years of leading CatPAWS, a nonprofit cat rescue and advocacy organization, I’ve watched all kinds of people answer that call. And some of the ones who surprised me most were the men.

Why Men Make Great Cat Foster Caregivers

There’s a quiet assumption that animal rescue skews a certain way — that it belongs to a particular kind of person. That assumption is wrong, and kitten season proves it every year.

The men who foster are some of the most grounded, capable caregivers I’ve had the privilege of working alongside. They learn quickly, stay calm when things get hard and figure out how to warm a kitten safely, how to read the signs that something is off and how to celebrate a small weight gain like it’s the best news they’ve heard all week.

There’s something genuinely moving about watching someone who came into this thinking it would be a minor commitment discovering that it changed something in them. That happens a lot with cat dads. 

What Kitten Season Really Looks Like

I’ll be straightforward, because I think that serves people better than painting an easy picture.

The youngest kittens — those in their first weeks of life without a mother —require a level of round-the-clock attention that is real and demanding: frequent feedings, careful monitoring, the kind of presence that doesn’t clock out. It’s not for everyone, and that’s completely fine to acknowledge.

But fostering isn’t one single thing. We also have young adult male cats who come in as strays, a little bit skittish, shut down, sometimes never having had a gentle hand near them. A big part of what we do is rehabilitating them: rebuilding their trust slowly, in a quiet foster home, until they’re ready for a permanent one. Those cats ask for very little from a foster. Mostly just consistency, and someone willing to sit with them while they figure out that the world can be safe.

Right now, we need both. And both matter enormously.

Why Spaying and Neutering Matters

Kitten season doesn’t just mean litters showing up without mothers. It also means young male cats arriving at shelters having already, unknowingly, started families of their own.

Getting those cats neutered before they’re adopted is one of the most practical, high-impact things we do. It’s quiet work; it doesn’t make for dramatic headlines. But it’s how you interrupt a cycle that otherwise keeps feeding itself: fewer unplanned litters next spring, fewer kittens in crisis, fewer families separated before they’ve had a chance to begin.

Our low-cost spay and neuter program serves cats across Los Angeles and Orange counties. We’ve always believed that pulling cats from shelters and preventing the next wave of overcrowding aren’t two separate missions — they’re the same one, running on a different timeline.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is kitten season and why does it matter? Kitten season runs roughly from spring through late summer, when warmer temperatures lead to a surge in cat births. Public shelters across Los Angeles and Orange counties see their intake numbers spike dramatically during this period, and neonatal kittens without mothers are among the hardest cases for under-resourced facilities to manage. That’s where foster caregivers become essential.

Do I need experience to foster a cat or kitten in Long Beach? No prior experience is required to foster most cats and kittens. Helen Sanders CatPAWS provides foster caregivers with supplies, food and full medical coverage, including veterinary visits and medications. Experienced fosters within the network are also available to guide newcomers through the process, from the first feeding to the final adoption handoff.

The exception is for the youngest bottle baby kittens, who require around-the-clock feedings and specialized care. Because of their unique needs, Helen Sanders CatPAWS requires prior bottle baby fostering experience for caregivers taking in these neonatal kittens.

What does Helen Sanders CatPAWS provide to foster caregivers? Fosters receive everything they need: food, supplies and all medical care for the animal in their home. You provide the space, transportation and the time. The organization handles the rest, including veterinary appointments and any specialist care a cat may need.

Can men foster cats? Is fostering only for certain types of people? Absolutely, and this is worth saying clearly. Foster caregivers come from every background. Some are retired, some are working parents and some are people who never considered themselves cat people until the right moment. The only thing that matters is the willingness to show up consistently for an animal that needs you.

What if I can’t foster — are there other ways to help during kitten season? Yes. Following and sharing the organization’s content during kitten season helps connect cats with adopters and recruits new fosters when the need is highest. And if you’ve been thinking about adoption, right now is a meaningful time to act. Every cat that finds a permanent home opens a spot for the next one coming in. Donations go directly to the animals and the programs. You can give at helensanderscatpaws.com.

How You Can Help During Kitten Season

Visit helensanderscatpaws.com to see what fits your life right now. If you have a spare room and a little time, fostering is where the need is greatest. Go to “Join Our Team” and click “Foster.” If you’re not quite ready for that, but you have a cat parent heart, adopting a cat who’s already waiting is its own kind of experience, and every adoption creates space for the next rescue.

And if neither of those is an option right now, passing this along to someone who might be ready costs nothing and could make a real difference. Kitten season moves fast — and so does a share. Follow along on Instagram at @helensanderscatpaws to find the cats and adoption news as it happens.


Deborah Felin Magaldi is the Director of Helen Sanders CatPAWS, a nonprofit cat rescue and advocacy organization she has led for 16 years. She began fostering more than 20 years ago and never stopped. Learn more at helensanderscatpaws.com. 

Happy 100th Birthday, L.A. Central Library: Family Guide to Central 100 Events

Published

By Cassandra Lane

It may have taken Los Angeles Public Library 50 years of planning before opening its Central Library, but once the doors finally cracked, there was no turning back.

The stunning rotunda at Los Angeles Central Library.
The stunning rotunda at Los Angeles Central Library.

For 100 years, LAPL has helped Angelenos discover new worlds through books, research school projects and family histories, learn new skills and connect with the larger community. And the library possesses an uncanny ability to reinvent itself: rebuilding Central Library after a devastating fire in 1986, finding new ways to provide services to people in need, fighting against book banning, creating a makerspace lab named in honor of the great sci-fi novelist Octavia E. Butler and running one of the wittiest and most culturally engaging Instagram accounts in the social media universe. 

As the iconic Art Deco landmark celebrates “Central 100” this year — with special exhibits, multiple programs and events (including the Centennial Festival on July 11), online podcasts and blogs and an old-fashioned melodrama to close out the year —families have plenty of reasons to join the party and the memory-making journey. And don’t forget to pick up your free copy of L.A. Parent magazine at nearly 70 branches!

LAPL Timeline

YearEvent
1872LAPL founded
1926Central Library opens
1986Fire
1993Renovation
2026Centennial

Central 100 Summer Bucket List

□ Attend the July 11 Centennial Festival
□ Explore a centennial exhibit
□ Pick up a special Central 100 library card
□ Complete a reading challenge
□ Collect and stamp catalog cards
□ Take a docent-led architecture tour
□ Visit a neighborhood branch
□ Share a family memory with the Oral History Project

Library Events for All

Centennial Festival – July 11: The biggest celebration of the year is a free, family-friendly festival held both inside and outside Central Library. Expect hands-on crafts, musical and dance performances, author talks, artist presentations, book signings and activities for all ages.

Central Library Stories – Dec. 5–6 and 12-13: A lively, family-friendly melodrama will chart the ups and downs — and twists and turns — that led to the building we have today and will take place at the end of the year with free performances.

Find dozens more events at branches across the city can be found on lapl.org. And check out six special centennial exhibits exploring the library’s history and impact. Includes two recently opened time capsules.

More Ways to Celebrate

Go on a library adventure. Visit Central Library or any LAPL branch to pick up special centennial color-by-number sheets featuring scenes from the library. Families can also participate in a reading challenge while exploring different library locations. And don’t forget to order your limited-edition Central 100 library card!

Collect history. One of the most creative centennial activities invites visitors to collect historic catalog cards and stamp them at library branches throughout the city. Turn them into keepsakes, collages or family art projects.

Share your story. Families can contribute memories through the Community Oral History Project, helping preserve personal stories connected to one of Los Angeles’ most beloved institutions.

“L is for Librarian.” The first children’s book published by Angel City Press introduces kids to the ABCs of Los Angeles Central Library.

Explore the Octavia Lab. Named in honor of the legendary science-fiction author Octavia E. Butler, the library’s makerspace offers opportunities to create, invent and learn, using modern technology and hands-on tools.

For littles, tweens and teens. Central Library continues to host storytimes, performances, workshops, teen programs, films and special events throughout the year.

Free architecture tours. Central Library is one of L.A.’s most beautiful buildings. Guided tours reveal hidden details, artwork and stories behind the landmark’s famous “Light of Learning” theme.

Kern River Rafting With Kids: The Ultimate Family Glamping Adventure Near Los Angeles

Published

By Margot Black

Planning an outdoor family getaway? Here’s why rafting and glamping on California’s Kern River is an unforgettable adventure that’s surprisingly easy for parents.


Family and guide selfie opportunity on the Kern River. PHOTO COURTESY MARGOT BLACK

As a parent, I love the idea of outdoor adventure, but the reality is often somewhat less glamorous.

Family camping trips can involve enough organization to launch a small military operation. There are tents to pack, meals to plan, sleeping bags to remember, and somehow, despite being surrounded by nature, parents often end up putting in more work than they do at home.

So, when I discovered an overnight Kern River rafting and glamping experience near Kernville, I was intrigued. Could it really deliver all the benefits of a family adventure without the stress?

The answer, it turns out, is yes. In fact, it may be the easiest family adventure we’ve ever done and here’s why.

Why an Overnight Kern River Rafting Trip Is Perfect for Families

Just a 3-hour drive from Los Angeles, Momentum River Expeditions offers everything from half-day rafting trips to multiday adventures. For families testing the waters, however, the overnight experience hits a sweet spot.

You get the excitement of a real outdoor escape without committing to four or five days in the wilderness. As someone who has done her share of family travel, I cannot sing the praises of the overnight option loudly enough.

You feel completely immersed in the experience, yet you’re never too far from home. It feels like a true expedition without requiring a week off work or a boot camp mentality.

In short, it’s adventure with the perfect exit strategy.

A Stress-Free Outdoor Adventure for Parents


Taking on some rapids with my family. PHOTO COURTESY MOMENTUM RIVER EXPEDITIONS

Our getaway really began in Kernville, a charming mountain town 42 miles northeast of Bakersfield. We stayed the night at the family-owned Piazza’s Pine Cone Inn, a vintage-style motel within walking distance of town.

The next morning we fuelled up on pastries and coffee from the delightful Sequoia Mountain Bakery, then headed to meet the team at Momentum.

From the moment we arrived, it was obvious we were in good hands. Life jackets? Sorted. Wetsuits? Sorted. Dry bags? Sorted. This entire operation runs like a well-oiled machine.

As a mom, there’s is something incredibly reassuring about arriving somewhere and discovering that every detail has already been thought through. All we had to do was show up and enjoy the adventure.

What It’s Like to Raft the Kern River With Kids

The rafting itself was exhilarating, although I’ll admit, before we got into the water, I was worried about the cold, worried about my shoulder, worried I might spend the entire day exhausted. 

Instead, I found myself enjoying every splashy moment, and that was thanks to the incredible team leading our expedition. 

By sheer coincidence, every guide happened to be a woman, and they were a highlight of our stay.

Our personal guide, Shana, had rafted everywhere from Alaska to South America. Watching her expertly navigate the river, while keeping a raft full of nervous beginners relaxed, was genuinely impressive.

I loved that my teenage son got to see women leading, teaching and thriving in the outdoors. This wasn’t fake social media empowerment; these were real women doing remarkable things. 

Confident, capable, funny and utterly in command, they ran the camp, led the river expeditions and made the entire experience feel effortless.

Why Families Love Rafting the Kern River

The Kern River carries you more than you might expect. There were exciting rapids, calmer stretches where we could take in the scenery and plenty of opportunities for the kids to play in the water.


I found a hammock  and was hard pressed to move out of it. PHOTOS COURTESY MARGOT BLACK

At one-point, older children took turns leaping from a cliff into the river below, all fully supervised. My son and his friend thought it was the greatest thing ever.

The entire experience encourages teamwork. Everyone has to paddle together, work together and trust each other. Best of all, it’s impossible to stare at a screen when you’re navigating rapids. 

I was truly grateful that my son had the chance to bank some big memories that didn’t involve a phone connection. There was no signal and nobody cared. It was a gamble — but one that paid off.

Glamping on the Kern River: Camping Without the Hassle

We arrived back at camp late afternoon and were treated to snacks of fruit and cold cuts. It was here that the trip became something else entirely. 

Momentum describes the experience as “luxury camping,” but I prefer the term “concierge camping.” Biggest mom win: no schlepping anything.

Our gorgeous riverside safari-style, walk-in tent sat just steps from the water. There were comfortable beds, communal dining areas, hammocks strung between trees and the constant soundtrack of the river rushing past.


Inside out tent for the overnight portion of our adventure.

I found myself stretched out in a hammock overlooking the water while somebody else prepared dinner. For years, I’ve planned family adventures, packed bags, planned meals, booked campsites and managed logistics. This time, someone else did the work and it was glorious. 

Dinner was served under a canopy. The food was excellent, the atmosphere relaxed and by the time darkness settled over the river, all the guests were chatting away. 

Why This Kern River Getaway Is Worth the Drive

The next morning, we woke to birdsong, fresh mountain air and another day on the river. As family trips go, it struck the perfect balance between comfort and adventure. 

What surprised me was how much adventure was packed into a short amount of time. Before the trip, I assumed a meaningful outdoor experience required a significant commitment. Instead, one overnight stay delivered all the magic.

For families curious about rafting, camping or simply spending more time outdoors together, it offers a wonderfully accessible introduction. And perhaps the greatest luxury of all: A family adventure where the parents get to enjoy themselves, too.

Family Tips for a Kern River Rafting and Glamping Trip

Pack bug spray, a flashlight and water shoes.
Simple essentials can make a long day outdoors much more comfortable. 

Bring baby wipes and hand sanitizer.
They’re handy for quick clean-ups before meals and after rafting. 

Wear sun-protective clothing.
Rash guards, hats and lightweight layers are ideal on the water. 

Take a waterproof phone pouch.
You’ll be able to capture the fun without worrying about splashes. 

Go with the flow (literally and figuratively).
Let someone else handle the logistics and focus on enjoying the ride.

Margot Black is a Los Angeles-based travel writer, mom and founder of Black Ink PR.

LAUSD Screen-Time Limits: What Parents Need to Know

Published

Los Angeles Unified is introducing new classroom screen-time limits by grade level. Here’s when the policy begins and what it means for students and families.

While it’s not an outright ban, Los Angeles Unified School District students will soon have less access to technology during the school day. The Los Angeles Unified Board of Education has approved a new policy establishing age-appropriate limits on classroom screen time beginning this fall. 

Building on cellphone restrictions that LAUSD adopted last year, the new guidelines are intended to ensure technology supports learning without replacing teacher-led instruction and face-to-face interaction. 

District leaders say the goal isn’t to eliminate technology from classrooms but to encourage thoughtful, developmentally appropriate use.

“As we continue to navigate the evolving role of technology in education, our priority remains ensuring it is used in ways that support high-quality instruction, student engagement, and overall well-being,” Superintendent Andrés E. Chait said. “Technology is an important tool that can expand access and enhance learning, but it is most effective when used purposefully and guided by educators.”

What will change?

The policy establishes maximum instructional screen-time limits that vary by grade level.

Beginning in August, students in early education through first grade will generally not use individual devices during classroom instruction. Schools will still be able to use shared device carts when needed for assessments, Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and other approved exceptions. Students in the district’s Virtual Academy are exempt from the policy.

Starting later in the school year, older students will have daily or weekly limits on instructional screen time, including homework:

  • Early education, kindergarten and Grade 1: 0 minutes per day
  • Grades 2-3: Up to 20 minutes per day (100 minutes per week)
  • Grades 4-5: Up to 30 minutes per day (150 minutes per week)
  • Grades 6-8: Up to 60 minutes per subject each week
  • Grades 9-12: Up to 90 minutes per subject each week

The district also plans to restrict student-led use of YouTube and other video-streaming platforms during instruction and review existing classroom technology contracts.

When will the changes take effect?

Implementation will happen in phases:

  • August 2026: Early education through Grade 1
  • November 2026: Grades 2-5
  • January 2027: Grades 6-12

District officials say schools will receive professional development, while families will receive back-to-school resources and guidance before each phase begins.

Why is LAUSD making this change?

According to district officials, the policy reflects growing research on children’s screen use and feedback from nearly 19,000 participants through the LAUSD’s ThoughtExchange community engagement process.

The new guidelines are designed to:

  • Preserve teacher-led instruction
  • Prioritize educational use of technology
  • Reduce unnecessary screen exposure
  • Encourage developmentally appropriate learning experiences
  • Balance technology with whole-child development

“Our charge now is to recalibrate, evaluate the role of educational technology in the classroom and balance access to that technology with the kinds of instruction and interaction we know help students thrive,” Board Member Nick Melvoin, who introduced the resolution, said following the board’s vote.

Will parents have a voice?

Yes. An amendment approved with the policy requires the district to conduct annual public reviews and gather feedback from educators, students and parents on how the guidelines are working. The first review may include school experience survey questions asking families whether students spend too much, too little or an appropriate amount of time using devices at school.

District officials say the policy will continue to evolve as new research emerges and schools gain experience implementing the guidelines.

At a Glance: LAUSD Screen-Time Limits by Grade Level

GradeScreen-Time LimitStarts
Early ed–Grade 10 minutesAugust 2026
Grades 2–3Up to 20 min/dayNovember 2026
Grades 4–5Up to 30 min/dayNovember 2026
Grades 6–8Up to 60 min/subject/weekJanuary 2027
Grades 9–12Up to 90 min/subject/weekJanuary 2027

Andrés E. Chait Named LAUSD Superintendent

Published

New LAUSD Superintendent Andrés E. Chait. PHOTO COURTESY LAUSD

The Los Angeles Unified Board of Education has appointed longtime educator Andrés E. Chait as superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District, making permanent the leadership role he has held on an interim basis since February. The former superintendent, Alberto Carvalho, resigned June 21 amid federal investigations.

The new appointment comes as the district works to maintain academic progress, address financial challenges and provide stability for nearly 400,000 students.

Chait, who began his career with LAUSD as a kindergarten teacher nearly three decades ago, was unanimously selected by the school board after serving as acting superintendent through labor negotiations, budget planning and the completion of the 2025-26 school year. Board members cited his institutional knowledge, collaborative leadership style and commitment to students as key reasons for the appointment.

“At this moment, our students, families, employees and communities deserve stability, focus and confidence in the future of Los Angeles Unified,” Board President Scott Schmerelson said.

Throughout his career with LAUSD, Chait has served as a teacher, assistant principal, principal, Local District superintendent, superintendent of Local District Northeast, chief of school operations and acting superintendent, giving him experience in both classroom instruction and districtwide leadership.

“It is the honor of a lifetime to serve as superintendent of Los Angeles Unified,” Chait said. “This district has shaped my life and career.”

He said his priorities include strengthening academic outcomes, supporting educators and staff, maintaining safe school environments and ensuring every student has access to a high-quality education.

Board members said appointing Chait provides continuity at a critical time as the district advances key academic, financial and operational priorities.

Why JW Marriott Desert Springs Is the Perfect Palm Desert Getaway

Published

By Cassandra Lane

From spa treatments and blue zone-inspired wellness to pools, flamingos and family activities, here’s why this Palm Desert resort is worth the trip.

Aerial view of JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa. PHOTO COURTESY JW MARRIOTT DESERT SPRINGS RESORT & SPA

Until recently, I never understood the appeal of escaping to the desert for a summer vacation. Why swap a mild L.A. summer for a dry and brown furnace intent on sucking every drop of moisture out of your hair, skin and throat?

In the middle of L.A.’s “June gloom,” I left behind our 70-degree weather for a scorching high of 109 in Palm Desert, which averages about 300 days of sunshine per year.

On the drive, I consoled myself with imaginings of sparkling lagoons and spa tubs, crystal bowls and chimes and the feel of cool hotel-room air on my skin. This was, after all, a solo retreat to one of Palm Desert’s oases: JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa. 

My evening view from 7th-floor balcony at JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa. PHOTO BY CASSANDRA LANE

I wanted to see how Spa Desert Springs incorporates treatments, wellness tech and practices inspired by those who live in the world’s blue zones — five regions across the globe where researchers have found people live exceptionally long, active lives.

Who doesn’t want to live to 100, especially if they can do so in reasonably good health? I hope to still be dancing, writing up a storm, making new friends of all ages and seeing new-to-me parts of the world well into my 10th decade. 

A girl can dream. Especially when she’s on a solo retreat.

Best Desert Advice: Hydrate, Eat Light, Embrace the Night

I didn’t need to run the A/C for the first part of my drive, but I switched it on as my car floated into an invisible cave of heat that had me reaching for my water bottle. It was already warm. Luckily, I had stopped in Rowland Heights for two throat soothers: a jelly-lychee drink and coconut-pineapple juice, so I sipped on those until I pulled into the resort’s self-parking garage. 

Enjoy an evening boat ride on the lake. PHOTOS COURTESY JW MARRIOTT DESERT SPRINGS RESORT & SPA

I decided to leave my bags in the car and relax in my room with no agenda until the sun said its final goodbye. On the way to the checkout desk, I saw a table holding two large containers of ice water — one with orange slices and one with cucumbers. I drank a glass of each. 

The lobby was buzzing with activity. Folks were seated around the bar at Aquifer65 (which serves California cuisine, bar bites and sushi), watching the FIFA World Cup. A few families with children were waiting in line to board boats for the sunset cruise around the resort’s lakes. The boat rides are $5-$10, depending on the day and time. 

Set on 450 acres of desert gardens, lakes and mountain views, the hotel is Palm Desert’s largest resort, with 884 guest rooms.

From my 7th-floor room balcony, the sun was casting a pink light across the jagged edges of the San Jacinto Mountains. I could see couples and families dining on Rockwood Grill’s patio to my left, lit-up boats sailing across the wide lake in front of me and people soaking in the cool waters of the three Oasis pools tucked in the center of the lake. 

Inside JW Entertainment Zone.

The sound of water runs throughout the resort, a soundtrack that seems to cool things off. A little.

Once the sun was nowhere to be found, I slipped out of my room and descended to the walking path surrounding the lake, familiarizing myself with the location of the restaurants and my main reason for being here: the spa. Before I left, I stashed my water bottle and the hotel’s courtesy waters in my room’s fridge — treats to look forward to after my daring venture into the hot, hot night. 

I took at peek inside Mikado Japanese Steakhouse, which offers a classic teppanyaki experience where the entertainment is as much a part of the main course as the food. Guests sat around a sizzling grill while chefs put on a lively, family-friendly show. The menu features steak, chicken and seafood cooked right in front of you, along with sushi options if you want something lighter. I backed out, deciding to save this bit of theater for a return visit with family. 

After locating the spa, I circled back to the hotel to check out a popular family venue: JW Entertainment Zone, a 12,000-square-foot space that just so happens to be California’s largest resort arcade. You’ll find Pac-Man, Skee-Ball, duckpin bowling, simulators, racing games and many more machines lighting up the space. There’s also a movie lounge with beanbags to stretch out on. The film of the night was “A Goofy Movie.” I smiled at a little girl tugging on her father’s hand. “Let’s watch the movie,” she said, and he followed her lead without protest. 

Like most of us parents when we get to treat ourselves to some me-time, I thought of my own son. Even at 19, he’d love it here, heading straight for what he considered “vintage” games.  

By the time I retrieved my bags and returned to my room, the temperature had tiptoed to 86 degrees. I ran my bubble bath in the deep oval tub flanked by shutters exposing it to the room. Under this additional sound of water, I sipped my refrigerated H20 and nibbled on a yellowtail roll I picked up from Aquifer65. 


It was a perfect bath and dinner. In fact, Japanese cuisine, seafood and salad turned out to my only nutritional sources during my entire stay. Light, tasty, satisfying and, most importantly, cool.

It’s Spa Time

Inside the Couple’s Spa Suite.

Like many people around the world, I was mesmerized by Netflix’s “Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones.” In the early 2000s, National Geographic explorer Dan Buettner set out to decode the secrets of longevity. His expeditions unveiled the world’s five “blue zones” — Okinawa, Japan; Sardinia, Italy; Ikaria, Greece; Nicoya, Costa Rica and Loma Linda, Calif. — areas with the highest rates of living centenarians.

Avocado toast at Spa Bistro.

Buettner dubbed the habits and characteristics these regions share as the “Power 9” — from natural movement to having a strong purpose to being part of the “right tribe” for you.

After bingeing the docuseries, I was determined to increase my practice of these habits. First, I scoured grocery stores looking for the “magic” purple Japanese yam featured in the series. And while I’m a bonafide gym rat, I push myself to walk in nature, including a weekly walk with a big, all-ages neighborhood group. We stop to point at flowers, coo over a gaggle of front-yard roosters, eat mulberries from Dan’s wild “sidewalk farm” in our dense urban neighborhood.

Still, I’m always on the hunt to find additional ways to effectively reduce my stress levels, and lying face-down for a treatment at Spa Desert Springs is an activity I would gladly do daily. Each experience blends local tradition, natural elements and longevity-focused practices inspired by the blue zones, Spa Director Dawn Ferraro told me during our tour.

Palm Desert’s largest spa, it spans 38,000 square feet and includes a shop and Spa Bistro, which serves light and refreshing meals representing the culinary culture of each blue zone.

 “Live to 100” highlighted how Okinawa has long been nicknamed “Land of the Immortals.” Feeling inspired, I signed up for the Okinawa treatment, a nourishing body wrap that blends hand-harvested rice, clay, seaweed and botanicals to hydrate, brighten and smooth skin while reducing dullness and signs of aging. 

My appointment was set for late afternoon. Early that morning, I ate a salad for breakfast on Rockwood Grill’s patio, watching the black swans glide across the lake. My son FaceTimed me, and I was not annoyed in the least to share my time with him. I pointed the phone toward the lake. “That’s beautiful, Mom,” he said. “I’m so happy for you.”

At lunchtime, I sauntered over to Spa Bistro, choosing the Okinawa Bowl (sweet potato glass noodles, shaved carrots, cilantro, miso-honey vinaigrette and chili crunch topped with a hot-smoked salmon fillet) and a blackberry cocktail, remembering not to overeat. My taste buds were tingly and satiated, a foreshadowing of my treatment.

In the candlelit, calm music-filled Couple’s Spa Suite featuring two plush massage tables and a massive tub, Miranda worked miracles on my sore body, gently wrapping it in the rice mixture that included uplifting scents of peppermint, lime and eucalyptus. “Any problem areas I should know about?” she asked, and I told her I’d recently been to the doctor for foot pain. My podiatrist, in fact, was suggesting the impossible: That I take at least a monthlong break from my beloved Zumba classes. 

As Miranda massaged away the hurt, the prospect of cutting back my seven-day-a-week workout schedule seemed a little less anxiety producing. Why have I so doggedly worked out past these chronic pains? I thought. And why don’t I reward my muscles, joints and bones more with recovery? 

The 90-minute treatment included a cooling rice bath and, to my delight, a rubber ducky! Who knew a childhood toy could be a meditative device? As I pushed the ducky towards my feet and watched it float back toward me, I was entranced. Deep in a zone that maybe, just maybe, was blue.

The spa also has gender-separate and co-ed relaxation lounges, a spa wardrobe, an aromatic hammam, Finnish sauna and a Turkish steam room. After my treatment, I had about an hour until closing time. I chose to spend it in the spa’s first interactive co-ed wellness lounge, which integrates wellness with technology and features 15 state-of-the-art lounge chairs designed for relaxation and rejuvenation. 

While I’ll never submit to a robot giving me a body treatment, I sank happily into the MindSync Chair, reclined and donned headphones. Ferraro chose the “emotional reset” option on the screen. The music, designed to synchronize brainwaves, made me feel as though I was simultaneously flying and grounded. After the first session stopped, I hit “soul soak” and had no idea I’d fallen asleep until an employee woke me. 

The spa was closing. It was time to go.

“Oh my goodness! So sorry,” I yelped.

 “Don’t be embarrassed,” Ferraro said. “It just means you needed the rest, and Miranda did a great job.” 

I asked her what I should check out in town, and she launched into how beautiful the Shops at El Paseo are at night. Mid-sentence, though, she changed her recommendation. “You know, the best thing might be for you to go to your room, order room service and rest for the rest of the night.”

She was right. I don’t even remember how I got into bed. 

Rising with the Desert Sun

The flamingos are a beautiful draw for all guests.

I rose just before dawn the next day and went to sit out on the balcony. It was only 83 degrees, and the breeze did not yet feel like invisible fire. I sat down on the chair, then gasped when I looked across the table to discover that I was not alone. 

A mourning dove was perched on the chair opposite me, her head bowed, her chest inflated like a balloon. She side-eyed me. I left her alone. We watched the sun begin to wake up the mountains.

As the light grew stronger, the dove began to move. Fluffing her feathers to wake them up, to get herself ready for the day. Your tai chi, I thought. 

When she finally flew away, I stood and did a few stretches of my own, then went down to visit the Chilean flamingos, a delightful draw for early risers like me and the families with children who would make their way down later, perhaps after a breakfast of pancakes and sausage.

While my purpose in the desert was to find respite through the resort’s innovative wellness offerings, I appreciated that the property also creates meaningful ways for people of all ages to connect.

The promise of blue zones, Buettner says in “Live to 100,” is “to get every good year we can get out of this body of ours.” And that includes purposeful time alone and with our right tribes.

 Family Fun on the Resort 

  • Families can enjoy 5 pools at JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa. 
  • Play golf on 2 Ted Robinson-designed championship golf courses.
  • The Desert Springs Tennis Club has 8 pickleball courts. 
  • Guests have complimentary access to the 18-hole mini championship putting course, with clubs available for all ages.
  • Take electric boat rides across the resort’s lakes and waterways. These set sail from the lobby. The resort’s lakes are home to swans, flamingos and other aquatic wildlife cared for by the on-site conservation team. 
  • The 12,000-square-foot JW Entertainment Zone is California’s largest resort arcade, featuring Pac-Man, Skee-Ball, duckpin bowling, simulators, racing games and more. 
  • The JW Family Passport program offers activities for all ages, including nature walks, family yoga, flamingo feedings, scavenger hunts, trivia nights and ice cream socials, with prizes for participation.
  • The resort’s Hot Shoppe serves nostalgic treats including root beer floats and ice cream.
  • The hotel’s “Paws & Pamper” program for VIPs (Very Important Pets) offers dog-friendly in-room amenities and pet spa items such as lavender blankets and CBD treats for four-legged guests.
  • Access to bike rentals, fish feeding and group fitness (18 and up).
  • To view and book resort activities, visit JW Marriott Desert Springs activities calendar.

Cassandra Lane is a mom, author and editor-in-chief of L.A. Parent. 

Free PBS SoCal Math App Helps Preschoolers Learn Through Play

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Families meet Clifford the Big Red Dog during PBS SoCal’s FAMILY MATH Play & Learn app launch event in Burbank on June 13. PHOTOS COURTESY PBS SOCAL

Families got a first look at a new free educational app designed to make early math learning fun during a special launch event hosted by PBS SoCal at its Burbank studio June 13. The FAMILY MATH Play & Learn app introduces children ages 3-5 to foundational math concepts through interactive games, music videos and hands-on activities that parents and caregivers can enjoy alongside them.

About 30 content creators and their families attended the event, which featured learning stations, a life-sized FAMILY MATH board game, a cozy reading corner and a meet-and-greet with Clifford the Big Red Dog. Now available nationwide on iOS, Android and web platforms, the ad-free app is designed to help families strengthen early math skills at home through play-based learning experiences focused on concepts such as number sense, patterns, shapes, measurement and spatial reasoning. You can access the app here.

 To learn more and access additional FAMILY MATH materials, visit pbssocal.org/familymath.

Children play the new FAMILY MATH Play & Learn app at one of the interactive stations available during the FAMILY MATH App Launch Event at PBS SoCal’s Burbank Studio.

Free Summer Programs for Kids at LA’s BEST

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PHOTO COURTESY LA’S BEST

LA’s BEST is now enrolling students for its free summer programs across Los Angeles. Since 1988, LA’s BEST has provided safe, joyful and high-quality expanded learning opportunities that support the academic, social and emotional growth of elementary school students.

Summer programming runs June 15–July 24 and includes arts, STEM, sports, recreation, academic enrichment and hands-on learning experiences. Students may attend any participating LA’s BEST summer site, regardless of summer school enrollment status.

Families can find a participating site and apply at lasbest.org/find-a-site or learn more at lasbest.org.

About LA’s BEST

LA’s BEST (Better Educated Students for Tomorrow) is a nonprofit afterschool and expanded learning program serving more than 23,000 students across 201 LAUSD elementary school sites. Through a unique public-private partnership with the City of Los Angeles and LAUSD, LA’s BEST helps children thrive by providing enriching learning experiences at no cost to families.

How to Set Boundaries With Difficult Parents

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By Stephanie Weaver, MPH

Parents work on setting boundaries for children, helping them understand why they shouldn’t grab another kid’s toy at daycare or hit their sister when they’re angry. But how do you respond as an adult child when your parent is the one who has poor boundaries, constantly interfering with your parenting or belittling you or your children? Some people are choosing estrangement to cope with unresolved issues like these. 

It’s hard enough to deal with difficult parents on your own. Add grandchildren to the mix, and it’s terribly painful. When should you consider partial or no contact? Is there anything you can do before taking this drastic step? 

Karl Pillemer, Ph.D., of Cornell University led the largest U.S. survey on estrangement to date. In his book “Fault Lines,” he details the six most common reasons for estrangement: 

  • abuse, neglect or favoritism in childhood
  • divorce
  • problematic in-laws
  • money and inheritance
  • unmet expectations in times of crisis or celebration
  • value and lifestyle differences. 

Pillemer’s study omits the cause I hear about the most: mental illness or addiction issues. If your parents aren’t safe for you or your children to be around, it’s your job to protect them. If they’re merely annoying or have a different take on parenting than you do, that’s a different situation. Here are some questions to help you weigh going partial or no contact:

  • Am I or my children in danger in their presence or their home environment?
  • Are they likely to say things that might cause harm to my children, us or our friends?
  • Are my parents people I would spend time with if we were not related?
  • Are my parents kind and a good influence for my children?

My book, “Bitter, Sweet: How to Heal Yourself When Your Family Is Broken,” takes a look inside the 16-year family estrangement caused by my childhood sexual abuse, how I was able to heal and what forgiveness and reconciliation looked like for me. Many estrangements are caused by what Pillemer names a “volcanic event” — that is, the last straw. It can be a seemingly innocuous moment, especially to the other person, but to you, it’s the one-millionth time your parent says or does the thing you have expressly told them you hated. For an example of what that might look like, here’s an excerpt from “Bitter, Sweet.”

Chapter 1:  A Western Omelet That Became the Last Straw

Colorado — 1990 — age 28

“Don’t tell your mother about this,” he said, winking at the waitress as he handed over the oversized laminated breakfast menu. He was on a strict egg-white-only diet, but I had no more control over what he ate than anything else my father did, as he’d never listened to a word I said.

I’d been visiting my parents in Colorado for a few days, re-adjusting to Mountain time after being in Southeast Asia for two months. I’d arrived with a backpack, spilling over with stories, feeling brand-new after my solo travels. My freshness began to slip as soon as I arrived, my family relationships frozen in time like a beetle in amber.

My family didn’t want to hear about my adventures, like how they’d served us roasted chickens in Hong Kong, cleavered crosswise into slices with a thwack. Or how, despite speaking no Cantonese, I’d figured out how to barter using only a calculator. Or that I’d ridden a rented bicycle alone from Chiang Mai out into the Thai countryside for the sole purpose of buying fabric.

My photos were wending their way home to my Chicago apartment in pre-paid international mailers, so I couldn’t show them the hotel where I’d swum in the Indian Ocean, the volcanic crater we’d climbed that emitted sulphureous fumes from deep inside the earth or the farm where I’d held a koala outside of Sydney. 

When he kissed me goodbye at the airport curb, I didn’t know it was the end, the last time things would be normal between us. I didn’t know it would be years before I hugged either of my parents, or that all future hugs would be stiff and unyielding.

At 28, I’d managed a two-month trip overseas on my own, yet in their house it was as if I’d never moved out and we all still lived in Connecticut.

All I wanted to do was get on the plane and go home. 

Instead, foggy from jetlag, I found myself alone with my father in a diner, facing off over speckled Formica, as the waitress clattered our plates onto the table: Western omelet vs. fruit salad.

“We need to have a talk.”

A mouth of disappointing cantaloupe covered my answer.

“How’s your job search going?”

“Dad, I’ve only been back in the States for a few days. No one would talk to me when they heard I’d be traveling for two months.”

“You should’ve let me redo your resume. I could have been working on this while you were away.”

I took another bite.

“I’m very concerned with your welfare.”

“Mmm hmm.”

“Very concerned.”

“I’ll sign up with my old temp agency. I’ll probably be working next week.”

“You have a master’s degree. You’re overqualified to be a secretary.”

I sighed. It was a waste of time to argue with him.

His voice shifted to the oddly formal tone he used when he was trying to get me to do something. Concern knitted his dark brows together. At 66, his long dark sideburns had just a touch of gray.

“I have a proposal for you.”

I did my best not to roll my eyes. He had “a proposal” for me every time we’d talked on the phone, ever since I’d left home for college 10 years prior. What now? Write a book together? Fly back again for Mom and Peter’s birthday in May? I grunted, trying not to encourage him.

“I know you’ve said you don’t want to move back here.”

I’d never lived in Colorado. “Moving back” was his fiction.

“But what do you think about this? We can build a wing on the house so you can have your own apartment. If you wanted to pay rent, we’d keep it low. Wouldn’t that be great?”

I sat quietly, screaming inside. What was his problem? I’d been living on my own in Chicago for a decade. I’d expressed zero interest in moving to Colorado, despite many chances to visit. My older brother Brian had lived there since the ‘70s. My older sister Jen was raising her young family nearby. When my parents had chosen to retire there a year ago, my younger brother Peter tagged along for the ride. Dad had become Colorado’s newest and most fervent ambassador, trading his polyester dress shirts for plaid flannel and a bolo tie. But I never saw him in jeans or cowboy boots, only the tan Sansabelt slacks and tennis shoes he’d worn forever. 

“Are you joking?”

“No, we have plenty of room on the property. The view would be so great. You could come and go as you wanted.” He looked at me, expectant, pleased with himself.

“No thank you.” I fought to keep my voice level.

“Will you please think about it?”

“The answer will still be no.”

“Just think about it.”

“We should be getting on the road.”

I stared out the window on the long drive to Stapleton International Airport, ignoring the stream of factoids rolling off his tongue. Colorado was superior to Chicago in every way. Low taxes. Economy improving. No crime. Wonderful people. Your sister and brothers live here. He always conveniently forgot that my oldest sister Cassie lived on the other side of the country, even farther away than me.

When he kissed me goodbye at the airport curb, I didn’t know it was the end, the last time things would be normal between us. I didn’t know it would be years before I hugged either of my parents, or that all future hugs would be stiff and unyielding.

I would be estranged from my parents for 16 years. During that time, I changed jobs, moved across the country and got married. I returned to Colorado for my older brother Brian’s mountain wedding, maneuvered by the photographer into posing stiffly across from my parents while never speaking to them. I was vague with friends and colleagues about my relatives, ashamed of what I saw as my failure to have a functional family. I didn’t know that family estrangement would become increasingly common — that by the 2020s, one in four Americans would be estranged from their families, and that it usually stemmed from the adult child breaking contact. I couldn’t know then the high psychological price estrangement would exact on all of us. Or that it was my only path toward healing.

I didn’t know these things because in the ‘80s and ‘90s, I didn’t hear anyone talking about childhood sexual abuse, gaslighting or generational trauma. I can only see it now with the gifts of time, therapy and interrogating my story. And I’ve written this book for you because —had I read a story like mine when I was 25 — I might have gotten to a place of healing decades sooner than I did. 

On the flight home, my thoughts whirled around the same question: Why didn’t Dad ever listen when I said no?

I felt something break open inside me. A dam. A wall. A bunker. Underneath was more anger than I knew what to do with. Underneath anger was rage. Underneath rage, something more. When I got home to Chicago, I called my therapist before checking in with the temp agency.

Buckle up. There will be turbulence ahead. But the plane will land safely.

Excerpt from “Bitter, Sweet: How to Heal Yourself When Your Family Is Broken” (Woodhall Press, 2026)

Stephanie Weaver, MPH, is a TEDx speaker coach and chronic illness advocate who distills complex human experiences into accessible, compelling narratives. Her fifth book, “Bitter, Sweet: How to Heal Yourself When Your Family Is Broken,” is a heartfelt exploration of healing from childhood sexual abuse.

Parental Burnout: Why Parents Feel Overwhelmed and What Helps

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By Rachael Jerahian

Parenting expert and birth worker Rachael Jerahian explains why today’s parents are drowning in advice, struggling with isolation and craving more support than information.

The other day, I sat with a new mom while she fed her baby and cried at the same time. She wasn’t crying because something terrible had happened — she was just exhausted. Overstimulated. Trying so hard to do everything “right.”

At one point she looked at me and said, “I don’t even know what I’m supposed to listen to anymore.”

And honestly, I understood exactly what she meant.

As a birth worker serving families throughout Los Angeles and Ventura counties, I see this all the time. Parents today have access to more information than ever before, but many feel more anxious, isolated and unsure of themselves than ever.

Everywhere you look, someone is offering advice. One video says your baby should be sleeping independently by a certain age. Another says the opposite. One expert says to follow a strict routine. Another says routines are stressful for children.

Even during pregnancy and postpartum, moms are constantly being told what they should be eating, buying, tracking or preparing for.

It’s a lot.

Too much information; not enough support

I think social media has created this feeling that there’s a “correct” way to parent and that if you just research enough, buy the right products or follow the right routines, you can somehow avoid mistakes.

But parenting doesn’t really work like that.

Babies are different. Families are different. Parents are different. And sometimes, all the information online just leaves people feeling more disconnected from themselves.

I’ve worked with mothers who spend hours reading parenting advice at 2 a.m. while questioning every decision they make. I’ve also seen parents feel guilty for not enjoying every second of early motherhood because online it can seem like everyone else is handling things perfectly.

Meanwhile, many new parents are deeply overwhelmed and barely getting enough sleep.


Rachael Jerahian is the founder of Nature & Nourish Birthing Co. PHOTO COURTESY NATURE & NOURISH BIRTHING CO.

Parenting was never meant to be this lonely

One thing I hear from families over and over again is how alone they feel.

A lot of parents are raising babies far away from family or without the kind of community support people used to have naturally. Many are trying to balance work, household responsibilities, recovery and childcare all at once. And even though we’re more digitally connected than ever, many parents still feel like they have nobody to really lean on.

Sometimes what helps most isn’t another parenting podcast or a new routine chart. Sometimes, it’s simply having someone sit with you and remind you that you’re doing OK.

That support matters more than people realize.

Learning to trust yourself again

One of the most important things I try to remind parents is that they do not need to perform parenthood perfectly. Children don’t need parents who have all the answers every moment of the day. They need parents who are present, loving and supported themselves.

Some of the moments children remember most are usually the simple ones anyway. Eating popsicles outside. Being rocked to sleep. Listening to stories before bed. Sitting together after a hard day. Those moments don’t usually make it onto social media, but they matter.

I think many parents are craving permission to slow down a little and stop feeling like every decision carries enormous weight. At the end of the day, parenting is not about perfection. It’s about connection.

And most parents are doing far better than they think.

Rachael Jerahian is the founder of Nature & Nourish Birthing Co., where she supports women through pregnancy, birth, postpartum and motherhood with holistic care from bump through baby. Find her on social media @natureandnourishbirthingco and at natureandnourishbirthingco.com.

Youth Soccer Event Supports Kids in South Los Angeles

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Herbalife Family Foundation awards organization a $45,000 grant to support youth nutrition and wellness programming.

PHOTOS COURTESY HERBALIFE FAMILY FOUNDATION

More than 80 young people took to the field recently  for “Goals for Good,” a community youth soccer event hosted by Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Los Angeles (BGCMLA) in partnership with Herbalife at the organization’s Challengers Club in South Los Angeles. 

The afternoon brought together local youth ages 7 to 14 for soccer drills, skill-building activities and mentorship, capping the club’s spring soccer programming as it heads into a new summer season. 

During the event, the Herbalife Family Foundation presented BGCMLA with a $45,000 grant to support youth nutrition and wellness programming and expand access to safe, structured summer activities for young people and families across the community. 

The grant reflects the broader mission of the Herbalife Family Foundation, which works to improve the lives of children and families through better nutrition and wellness. Each year, the Foundation reaches approximately 200,000 children across 62 countries. 

Participants ran drills and games led by USC student athletes and community volunteers. LA Galaxy midfielder Troy Elgersma made a special appearance alongside team mascot Cozmo and members of the LA Galaxy Star Squad, joining the youth for activities and photos. 

“At Herbalife and the Herbalife Family Foundation, we believe that helping young people build healthy habits today can create stronger communities tomorrow,” said Ibi Montesino, managing director of Herbalife’s North America region. “We’re proud to support the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Los Angeles and invest in programs that help young people thrive.”

The event was part of Herbalife’s Fuel Like Ronaldo campaign, which is rooted in the company’s longtime partnership with soccer icon Cristiano Ronaldo and encourages young people and families to build everyday habits around nutrition, hydration and movement, inspired by the routines of elite athletes. 

Best Summer Toys, Games and Gear for Kids

Published

By Elena Epstein

Summer is made for simple pleasures: running barefoot through the grass, family game nights on the patio, bike rides around the neighborhood and long days spent exploring. Whether you’re planning beach trips, backyard adventures or educational activities to prevent summer learning loss, our Summer Fun Guide is packed with products designed to help families make the most of the season.

Every item featured has been tested and evaluated by the NAPPA Awards team, giving parents trusted recommendations for fun, learning and adventure.

Savor the longer days, warm nights, friends, family, laughter, picnics and the beach. To add to the summer fun and make your backyard the place to be for all the kids, how about a Monster Jam truck with 360° donut water spraying power, candy-scented hoops and balls or a bow launcher?

Invite the neighbors for an outdoor art show with giant spirographs to turn your sidewalk into a dazzling spiral canvas. Or test your skills with a Giant Color Stack Challenge, Cone Toss or Tower Stack. Summer wouldn’t be the same without long bike rides and some gardening.  Check out all the fun here.

‘Our 3 Dads’ Stars Share Their Journey Through Fatherhood and Family

Published

By Michele Raphael

Mark “Moke” Coffey, Mark Ebinger, Tom Freeman and their twins, Beau and Coy, star in “Our 3 Dads.” PHOTOS COURTESY “OUR 3 DADS”

Mark Ebinger, Tom Freeman and Mark “Moke” Coffey are three gay fathers co-raising twins, a feat they document in “Our 3 Dads,” their viral YouTube reality series redefining modern American family life. After garnering nearly 1 billion views across platforms, the show is now in its third season, and the audience continues to grow along with the family.

Ebinger and Freeman are parents of 9-year-old twins Beau and Coy. Beau is Ebinger’s biological daughter and Coy is Freeman’s biological son. Though Ebinger and Freeman divorced in 2019, Freeman lives in the guest house of Ebinger’s West Hollywood home and co-parents the twins alongside Ebinger’s new husband, Moke Coffey. Together, they are a family built on shared responsibility, love and a big dose of humor.

In Season 3, the dads prepare to grow their family once again with their close friend and twins’ surrogate mother, Ashley, while the twins go into the studio to release their first original music project and the family partners with Tailwaggers to help surrendered pets find forever homes.

The three dads recently chatted with me about fatherhood, prioritizing their twins, excitement for the new baby and hopes to normalize LGBTQ+ families by sharing their own.

How has “Our 3 Dads” affected your role as a father?

Ebinger: The show’s made me more aware that the small moments — like school drop-offs and bedtime pandemonium — are actually the story, so I try not to miss them.

Coffey: It’s made me more intentional, whether it’s blending smoothies at 6 a.m. or juggling everything. I know the example we set matters beyond our house.

Freeman: I never imagined that at 72, I’d be packing lunches and doing school runs. I didn’t see that coming, but I love it. 

What does Father’s Day typically look like for you all? 

Ebinger: We usually start with breakfast at home because the kids like to “host,” which really means chaos in the kitchen and a lot of laughs.

Coffey: A pool day is always in the mix — L.A. makes that easy — and the best part is just being together without overplanning it.

Freeman: Last year, I fell asleep mid-Father’s Day and woke up with both kids on top of me watching a movie. That’s pretty much the dream. 

It can be challenging to balance onscreen and offscreen life for family vloggers and influencers. How do you make sure you’re prioritizing the kids — and family time offline?

Ebinger: The kids are our number-one priority and only participate if they want to — some days they’re all in; other days they’re not, and we let that be. 

Coffey: We keep the focus on the dads and the story, and if the twins choose to step in more as they grow, that’s their call. 

Freeman: Sometimes, the best moments happen when the cameras are off anyway, and we’re OK with that.

How excited are you and the twins about baby number 3?

Ebinger: The twins are fully invested. They’ve been helping pick out nursery furniture and debating what the baby should call them.

Coffey: We actually ran a diaper-changing competition with a baby doll to “train” and Tom won, which was not the outcome we expected.

Freeman: I’ve been underestimated. Turns out, I’m the fastest diaper guy in the house!

What has the response been like to the new season?

Coffey: The response has been incredible! People are really leaning into this next chapter with us.

Ebinger: Our followers tell us they appreciate how open we are about our family, and that we always put the kids first. We hear from so many people who grew up going from one home to another with parents who were constantly fighting — and that really resonates with them. For us, it’s always been about creating a home that feels stable, supportive and full of love, no matter what our situation looks like.

With a growing audience, what are your goals for the show?

The twins’ surrogate mother, Ashley, is part of the “Our 3 Dads” series and is expecting the family’s third child later this year.

Ebinger: It’s about visibility for gay and LGBTQ+ families and relatability — showing that our family may look different, but the love, chaos and milestones are universal. We have so many fans come up to us on the street, saying we’ve inspired them to be themselves and that it gives them hope for their own families. If we can continue to accomplish that, we’ll be thrilled. We always say it takes a village, and ours includes everyone who’s followed along with us.

Coffey: We want to keep telling honest stories, whether it’s preparing for baby number 3 or just navigating everyday life as a family. From our surrogate, Ashley, to our extended circle, our family has always been about showing up for each other.

Freeman: If people can watch us argue over something silly and then sit down together 5 minutes later, that feels pretty real to me. It’s not traditional, but it works — and that’s kind of the point.

What’s next for “Our 3 Dads” — and for your family?

Ebinger: We’re excited to keep building. This time next year, it will be “baby, baby, baby.” Before then, we’re going to get some traveling in. Canary Islands, here we come!

Coffey: We’ll be appearing on a new show, “Million Dollar Nannies” [which premieres June 17 on Hulu], and we’re continuing to explore opportunities across digital and TV.

Freeman: As long as I’m still part of the ride — and maybe not climbing as many stairs — I’m happy!

Watch “Our 3 Dads” on YouTube, with new episodes on Thursdays at 9 p.m. PST. Follow the show on Instagram.

Best Family-Friendly FIFA World Cup Fan Zones in Los Angeles

Published

By Cassandra Lane

Los Angeles Union Station will serve as an official Los Angeles World Cup 26 Fan Zone, offering free match viewing, entertainment, cultural programming and family activities June 25–28.
Los Angeles Union Station will serve as an official Los Angeles World Cup 26 Fan Zone. PHOTO COURTESY UNION STATION

This summer is transforming Los Angeles into something much grander than a host city for the FIFA World Cup 2026. That’s because the events aren’t just happening inside stadiums like SoFi — they’re spilling into parks, beaches, museums, shopping centers, transit hubs and waterfront destinations across the region.

What FIFA calls “The Beautiful Game” will host eight matches, including the U.S. Men’s National Team opening match. Global soccer fans will be able to enjoy 39 days of World Cup-related activities across Los Angeles when the tournament takes place June 11–July 19.

Many families (like mine) aren’t even big sports fans, but it is exciting to find ways to become a part of this global moment, where excellence and diversity are celebrated on the world stage. From giant watch parties and interactive soccer clinics for all ages to cultural festivals and international food experiences, this summer is chock full of free, family-friendly ways to enjoy the World Cup

Grab the whole family and bask in hearing different languages, trying new foods, watching multiple country flags flown and meeting soccer fans from around the world. 

Best win: You don’t need a soccer match ticket to be part of it.

Below is your guide to the most family-friendly ways to experience the World Cup this June and July.

Bronze Final and Final World Cup Watch Parties

Two free events at Chase Burton Park

Gather at Burton Chace Park for a full day of waterfront fun featuring live World Cup soccer broadcast, kids art activities, food trucks, beer garden (21+ only) and a live performance by the legendary Los Lobos —all with FREE admission.

BONUS: Tap Truck Beach Cities will serve craft beer and wine from a beautifully restored vintage tap truck throughout the day and evening (21+ with valid ID), making it the perfect place to relax and enjoy the festivities.

12 p.m.–6 p.m.: Kids Art Corner 

12 p.m.–8:30 p.m.: Gourmet Food Trucks 

12 p.m.–8:30 p.m.: Tap Truck Beach Cities | 21+ only (valid ID required)

2 p.m.–4 p.m.: World Cup Match: Bronze Final – Live!

Hammer Museum watches

July 18 – 7 p.m.–8:30 p.m.: Los Lobos Concert. Watch all of the remaining Men’s World Cup games at the Hammer—on big screens, with friends and fellow fanatics, in an indoor/outdoor setting where art and sport come together. All  games will be presented on a giant screen in our courtyard, the Billy Wilder Theater, as well as Bay-Nimoy Studio.

Doors will open one hour before the first match of the day.

Schedule: 

Saturday, July 18: Bronze Final
2 p.m. France vs. England

Sunday, July 19: Final
12 p.m. Spain vs. Argentina

L.A. World Cup Watch Parties: Expert Tips for Families

Age-appropriate events

The Diaper Bag Exception: Even venues with strict clear bag policies (like stadium lots and major fan festivals) almost always make exceptions for diaper bags and medical supplies.

Pack the “Freeze” Trick: Some official fan festivals prohibit outside food, but neighborhood park watch parties are completely BYO-friendly. For park events, freeze juice boxes and water bottles the night before. They act as ice packs in your bag, then melt into perfectly slushy drinks by halftime!

Stroller vs. Carrier: For massive outdoor turf events (like Hansen Dam or Venice Beach), push strollers can get tough to navigate through grass, sand and crowds. If you have a toddler or baby, a wearable baby carrier will give you much more freedom to move.

Locate the “Shade Anchor” First: The moment you walk into any outdoor watch party, locate the nearest permanent shade structure, cooling tent or large tree. Make this your designated family base camp to escape the midday heat.

Official Los Angeles World Cup 26 Fan Zones

Los Angeles World Cup 26 Fan Zone at Hansen Dam Lake

July 2–5 | San Fernando Valley

One of the largest and most family-focused fan destinations in the region, Hansen Dam Lake transforms into a four-day outdoor festival with massive screens, open-air viewing and interactive soccer programming.

Highlights include:

  • Round of 32 and quarter-final matches
  • Four large match screens
  • Kids’ soccer clinics, face painting, balloon artists, stilt walkers 
  • Freestyle soccer performances and clinics
  • DJs, giveaways, and live entertainment
  • Global food trucks and festival-style dining

Designed for all-day family visits, this San Fernando Valley destination is built for space, comfort, and community viewing. General admission is $25. Learn more at fanzonehdl.com/e/hansen-dam-lak-fan-zone.

Earvin “Magic” Johnson Park Fan Zone

July 4–5 | Willowbrook/South L.A.

A major Independence Day weekend destination, this South L.A. Fan Zone brings free World Cup programming into one of the city’s most important community parks: L.A. County’s Earvin “Magic” Johnson Park. 

Expect:

  • Round of 16 matches
  • Live match broadcasts
  • Cultural performances
  • Family activities and interactive zones
  • Food vendors and community programming

Visit discoverlosangeles.com for more. 

Venice Beach Fan Zone

July 10–11 | 1 Winward Ave., Venice

The World Cup comes to the Pacific Ocean for these activations on one of the most iconic beaches in the world. 

Highlights include:

  • Knockout stage matches
  • Free public block party
  • Family watch party
  • 18+ After party
  • Quarterfinal match screenings
  • International food vendors
  • Live DJs and performances
  • Family-friendly beach programming

Learn more at discoverlosangeles.com.

West Harbor Fan Zone (San Pedro Waterfront)

July 14–15 & July 18–19

This developing 42-acre destination along the waterfront is welcoming visitors for a first look into the evolving destination during the fan zone, featuring live match broadcasts on large screens, sponsor activations, entertainment, interactive fan experiences along the waterfront and food and beverage activations from forthcoming West Harbor tenants.

Other highlights:

  • Will feature semi-final and final matches
  • New vendors selling pizza, empanadas, ice cream and aguas frescas
  • Walkable open-air design

Learn more at tickets.westharborla.com.

Fairplex Fan Zone

July 14–15 & July 18–19 | Pomona

A standout destination for families and kids, Fairplex blends soccer with education and play.

Features include:

PHOTO COURTESY UNION STATION
  • Semi-finals, bronze and final matches
  • Soccer skill challenges and games
  • “Science of Soccer” exhibits
  • Mascots and family entertainment
  • Large-scale outdoor viewing areas

Learn more at discoverlosangeles.com.

Los Angeles Union Station Fan Zone

June 25–28 | Downtown L.A.

An historic and iconic Los Angeles landmark, Los Angeles Union Station will host a free fan experiences, and reservations are now open on eventbrite.com. 

Highlights:

  • Featuring the marquee international matchups, including USA vs. Turkey
  • Massive LED match viewing screens
  • DJ sets and live entertainment
  • Soccer skill challenges (“Train Like a Pro”)
  • Food vendors and cultural programming
  • Metro-themed art installations and transit experiences
  • Metro will activate with a 40-foot World Cup-wrapped bus, providing guests with a fun photo moment
  • The Metro TAP & Info Dome, located in the station’s waiting room, will offer transit guidance and commemorative TAP card sales, connecting fans to World Cup venues and cultural hubs across Los Angeles

Nearby El Pueblo de Los Angeles and LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes will add cultural programming and community events. Learn more at unionstationla.com.

Regional Watch Parties and Kid Activities

Kick It In the Park

June–July (Multiple Dates)

Kick It In the Park is making sure the World Cup reaches every corner of the city — from the San Fernando Valley to the Harbor, from Westside parks to East L.A. recreation centers.

These free, BYO-friendly events transform City of L.A. Parks sites into vibrant gathering spaces where you and the kids can watch the matches on large LED screens surrounded by youth soccer clinics, neighborhood programming and community resources. No ticket, no cost, no barriers.

Learn more at kickit.lacity.gov.

GAME ON! at California Science Center

Ongoing | Los Angeles

How cool would it be if your soccer-loving child could get kicking advice from Angel City FC’s sister duo Alyssa and Gisele Thompson? At GAME ON!, young athletes can learn the science behind all manner of sports — and play as well. The 17,000-square-feet exhibition is included with free admission to the California Science Center.

Learn more at californiasciencecenter.org.

Santa Monica World Cup Celebrations

June–July (Multiple Dates)

Santa Monica hosts a series of free public activations across the city, including Third Street Promenade and beach-adjacent programming. 

Includes:

  • USA vs. Paraguay match viewing
  • Golden Hour on June 12, a free World Cup event, on Third Street Promenade
  • Free, all-day USA Kickoff Celebration at Santa Monica Place on June 12
  • COAST open-streets festival featuring art installations, cultural programming and more  on July 19
  • Outdoor screenings, food vendors and family activities
  • Cultural programming across Downtown Santa Monica and beach areas

Learn more at santamonica.gov.

Ovation Hollywood Watch Parties

Beginning June 11 | Hollywood Boulevard

Hollywood becomes a fan hub with free outdoor screenings and interactive programming at Ovation Hollywood. 

Includes:

  • Big-screen match viewing
  • Soccer-themed activations
  • Food and beverage vendors
  • Family-friendly entertainment and giveaways

Learn more at ovationhollywood.com.

Shops at Montebello “Kick Into Summer” Watch Party

June 19 | Montebello

A community-centered watch party featuring:

  • Live USA vs. Australia match screening
  • DJ and entertainment
  • Face painting and foosball
  • Family-friendly fan activities

Learn more at shopsatmontebello.com. 

World Play Zone (Metro E Line Adjacent)

June 11–28 | Santa Monica

A ticketed family activation designed for kids and young fans. Located at the Downtown Santa Monica Metro Station (E Line) Kiss and Ride lot.

Includes:

  • Soccer skill stations
  • Interactive play zones
  • Sports challenges and activities

Learn more at santamonicacup.com..

LEGOLAND California FIFA World Cup Experience

LEGOLAND California Resort will include a LEGO version of SoFi Stadium. PHOTO COURTESY LEGOLAND CALIFORNIA RESORT

June 11–July 19 | Carlsbad

LEGOLAND California Resort is bringing the action to families with a limited-time, interactive LEGO World Cup experience, which will a LEGO version of SoFi Stadium, one of the official tournament venues, in MINILAND USA.

The experience is included with regular admission. Other highlights:

  • LEGO penalty shootouts
  • Build-your-own jersey stations
  • LEGO soccer legends (Messi, Mbappé, Ronaldo)
  • Trophy photo opportunities

July 11 | Venice

Lifeway Foods is hosting a World Cup watch party from 1 p.m.–4:30 p.m. at 1041 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice.

This family-friendly event is free and open to the public, packed with good vibes and gut-loving probiotics. Enjoy the World Cup quarterfinal match plus plenty of activities for all ages — soccer games for the kids, a prize wheel loaded with swag, Guess Who, cornhole, a photo booth, live music and sampling delicious smoothies and appetizers featuring Lifeway products! 

RSVP (required) here. The first 50 guests will also receive a VIP goody bag full of fun swag!

Food, Lifestyle & Brand Experiences

Beverly Hills World Cup Dining & Cultural Program

June 12–July 10

Across hotels and restaurants, Beverly Hills offers World Cup-inspired menus, cocktails and limited-time experiences.

Highlights include:

  • Global-inspired tasting menus
  • World Cup-themed cocktails
  • Luxury hotel dining activations
  • Limited-edition merchandise drops
Soccer field cake at Magnolia Bakery. PHOTO COURTESY MAGNOLIA BAKERY

Learn more at lovebeverlyhills.com.

Participating properties include Avalon Beverly Hills, The Beverly Hills Hotel, L’Ermitage, Marea, SIXTY Beverly Hills, and The Maybourne.

Magnolia Bakery World Cup Specials

May 12–July 19

A World Cup-themed dessert lineup includes:

  • Soccer cupcakes
  • DIY banana pudding kits
  • Soccer cakes and party assortments
  • Limited-time game-day treats

Learn more at magnoliabakery.com.

Prince St. Pizza “Slice to Win” Sweepstakes

May 4–June 8 | Downtown L.A.

Fans can enter to win World Cup tickets through loyalty purchases and participation. Learn more at princestreetpizza.com. 

Soccer Legends Suite at The Anthem Hotel

Available throughout the tournament | Inglewood

Want to make the World Cup part of your family getaway? The Anthem Hotel, Tapestry Collection by Hilton (located just steps from SoFi Stadium) has unveiled a new Soccer Legends Suite celebrating the legacy of the 2002 U.S. Men’s National Team. The immersive suite features memorabilia from former players including Tony Sanneh, Clint Mathis and Jeff Agoos, along with other iconic pieces of U.S. soccer history. The hotel is also offering World Cup-themed stay packages and special events throughout the tournament. A portion of proceeds from suite bookings will benefit The Sanneh Foundation, which supports youth through sports and education.

Soccer Story Time

PHOTO COURTESY SÍ SABO KIDS

If you’re looking to get the littles engaged in all the soccer excitement, check out “¡GOOOOL!: A Bilingual Book of Soccer,” a vibrant bilingual board book designed for kids ages 0 to 6 that introduces Spanish and English soccer vocabulary through the excitement of game day.

The author is Mike Alfaro, the viral creator behind the bestselling cultural phenomenon Millennial Lotería, which critics credit for reinventing the classic Mexican game Lotería into a modern, witty and wildly successful brand.

Told in side-by-side English and Spanish with easy pronunciation guides, Alfaro’s latest book follows a young player chasing the winning goal, weaving language learning ito the drama of a final match, from pre-game cheers to a tense penalty kick and the climactic goal.

The book is part of Alfaro’s Sí Sabo Kids, a bilingual children’s line created to support early language development while celebrating Latino culture through play.

BONUS: Why stop with the World Cup? To get your kids excited about more global sports, check out our article on “Backyard Olympics.”

Boba by the Sea: Family-Friendly Bubble Tea in Ventura Harbor Village

Published

By Cassandra Lane

A creamy boba drink at Boba by the Sea. PHOTOS BY BOBA BY THE SEA

Some cravings are tied to the seasons. The whir of the smoothie machine in my kitchen is always an indicator that summer is here. And when my family is out and about in the heat, drink spots catch our eyes before restaurants do — especially on those days of 80-plus degrees and climbing. It can be hard to feel hunger until you’ve satisfied your parched throat. 

If you’re hanging out in Ventura Harbor Village this summer, Boba by the Sea is a thirst-quenching respite.  For owner Quan Breault, the shop — which serves up handcrafted bubble teas, real fruit slushes and boba milk teas — represents something even sweeter: the realization of a dream he carried with him from Vietnam to California.

Breault shares his journey, the influence of Vietnamese tea culture and a simple strawberry-banana slushie recipe inspired by one of the shop’s family favorites.

Can you tell me a little about your background and what led you to open Boba by the Sea? 

Boba by the Sea owner Quan Breault stands outside his family-friendly bubble tea shop in Ventura Harbor Village.
Boba by the Sea owner Quan Breault stands outside Boba by the Sea.

I was born and raised in Vietnam. I came to America by myself when I was 20 years old. After doing nails for many years, I decided that I needed a new story, and having a boba shop was always one of my dreams. 

How does your Vietnamese heritage shape the drinks you serve?

We offer Vietnamese coffee, well-known for being one of the strongest coffees in the world. Drinking traditional French-pressed coffee is actually the culture of Vietnamese, so we also offer it in our shop. For milk tea, I discovered it more than two decades ago, when it became popular in my hometown. And since that one delicious first sip to now owning a boba milk tea shop, somehow, I’m still so hooked. I actually drink milk tea every day. 

The famous Labubu character is a drink topping at Boba by the Sea. 

Which is your favorite: coffee or tea?

Tea, especially jasmine green tea. I was all about coffee when I was in my 20s, but as I grow older, I find myself leaning towards tea. I love the floral smell of jasmine green tea. I feel like every time I drink it, my soul gets a cleanse. I feel more pure. 

Why do you think boba tea shops continue to obsess whole families? 

It fits multigenerational outings. Grandparents, parents, kids — all can enjoy it. It’s not loud like arcades or restrictive like fine dining. It sits right in the middle. There is something for everyone at a boba shop.

Why did you choose Ventura Harbor Village for your shop? 

For Boba by the Sea, I was walking around Ventura Harbor Village, and I really thought this place needed a shop for drinks where people can get cool tasty drinks while going on their walk at the beach. I just thought it was such a good location where we have a lot of tourists, locals who go on walks every day and, of course, the fresh sea breeze and the view of the Ventura Harbor.

Families can definitely use Ventura Harbor Village and my shop as a little getaway with ocean vibes, harbor views and cool drinks in hand where everyone can make more sweet memories together.

What is your favorite drink topping at Boba by the Sea?

The Labubu topping, of course! So cute, so trendy, so delicious. 

(Editor’s note: The Labubu topping is an adorable, edible jelly shaped like the viral Pop Mart character.)

Any tips for parents who want to recreate a boba or tea experience at home with their kids?

Most kids love slushy drinks, and I would recommend strawberry-banana slushy. It’s easy to make, and it provides a lot of [nutrients] for children.

Banana-Strawberry Slushie (Inspired by Boba by the Sea)

“This easy banana-strawberry slushie is a fun treat to make at home with the kids, inspired by a favorite flavor from Boba by the Sea at Ventura Harbor Village,” Breault says. “While the shop’s version includes secret ingredients and waterfront views that make it extra special, this recipe is a sweet way to hold you over until your next visit.” 

Ingredients

4 ripe bananas

4-5 strawberries, fresh or frozen

1/2 cup milk of choice

1/2 cup ice

1-2 tablespoons honey or sweetener of choice

1/3 cup cooked tapioca pearls, optional

Instructions

1. Blend banana, strawberries, milk, ice and sweetener until smooth and slushy.

2. Add boba pearls to the bottom of a clear cup.

3. Pour slushie over the top and serve with a wide straw.

Want some extra fun? Try these on for size:

*Line the inside of the cup with strawberry drizzle.

*Use coconut milk for a tropical twist.

*Top with whipped cream for a sweeter treat.

*Visit Boba by the Sea to try the original version with quality ingredients and a variety of toppings that take it to the next level.

Students Lead Wildfire Recovery Through Tree Planting in Los Angeles

Published

Students from across Los Angeles are growing native trees through the TREEAMS program, helping support long-term wildfire recovery in Pacific Palisades, Altadena and Malibu.

Students from across Los Angeles planted the region’s second TREEAMS (Trees + Dreams) nursery at Seven Arrows Elementary School’s Aldersgate Retreat Center in Pacific Palisades, expanding a student-led wildfire recovery effort inspired by Dr. Jane Goodall. The model lets students grow native trees on school campuses now, care for them for 1 to 2 years, and later plant them permanently when fire-impacted neighborhoods are ready.

PHOTOS COURTESY TREEAMS

TREEAMS is working to plant 5,000 trees across Altadena, Pacific Palisades, Malibu and surrounding areas following last year’s wildfires. Because many fire-impacted properties are not yet ready for replanting, EF Academy, one of the key TREEAMS school collaborators, developed a creative solution: Students grow young trees on school campuses and community sites now, care for them for 1 to 2 years and later donate and plant them permanently when neighborhoods are ready.

The first TREEAMS tree nursery was planted in April at EF Academy Pasadena, the temporary home of Altadena’s Saint Mark’s School. The second site brings the total to approximately 60 young trees growing across the two nurseries and showing how the model can scale across Los Angeles schools.

Students transplanted 30 young native trees from 5-gallon containers into 15-gallon containers, including 10 Toyons provided by Devil Mountain Nursery, 10 California Sycamores provided by Norman’s Nursery and 10 Western Redbuds donated by LA Conservation Corps. Community partners included Anawalt Lumber, a longtime Palisades institution that donated key materials.


The event also featured a completion of a bioremediation and planting project on the Pacific Palisades Woman’s Club slope, where TREEAMS is working with the Center for Applied Ecological Remediation and the Palisades Forestry Committee to address fire-related soil impacts and model how communities can safely and sustainably re-landscape after wildfire.


This fall, the nursery work will be complemented by a robust curriculum developed with UCLA School of Education and Information Studies, EcoRise and participating educators. The curriculum will help students connect hands-on planting and restoration projects with lessons in reforestation, soil health, ecosystem recovery and environmental leadership.

“Jane Goodall always taught us to listen to children and give them a way to act,” said Margarita Pagliai, co-founder of TREEAMS and founder and Head of School of Seven Arrows Elementary School and Little Dolphins Preschool. “After the fires, so many people were stuck in fear and waiting. TREEAMS gives students a way to move forward, to bring beauty back and to help their communities heal by doing something real with their own hands.”

Pagliai, a longtime Pacific Palisades educator and community leader, helped make TREEAMS possible by bringing students, schools and partners across Los Angeles together in the aftermath of the fires. Seven Arrows Elementary School, which has been part of the Palisades community for decades, has played a central role in shaping TREEAMS from an idea inspired by Goodall into a growing student-led campaign connecting Pacific Palisades, Altadena and Malibu through reforestation, restoration and hands-on learning.

Students from EF Academy, who helped launch the first TREEAMS nursery on EF’s Pasadena campus, traveled to Pacific Palisades to teach elementary students from Seven Arrows Elementary School how to establish the Aldersgate nursery. The student-to-student model is designed to help TREEAMS expand to more schools this fall.

The Pacific Palisades location is especially meaningful. Aldersgate Retreat Center, including the Buerge Chapel, is next to the Pacific Palisades Woman’s Club and across from Palisades Charter High School, in an area deeply impacted by the fires. The nursery and restoration work are intended to create a visible sign of progress, hope and renewal in a place community members pass every day.

The project also connects students from Altadena and Pacific Palisades/Malibu, two communities impacted by the 2025 fires, through a shared effort rooted in environmental restoration, hands-on learning and youth leadership.

Pasadena Student Wins Tomorrow Prize with AI and Grief Story

Published

By Cassandra Lane

Westridge School junior Abigail Lee earned first place in the Tomorrow Prize for her powerful science-fiction story exploring artificial intelligence, loss and what it means to be human.

Abigail Lee is the 2026 Tomorrow Prize winner. PHOTOS COURTESY OMEGA SCI-FI PROJECT

Science fiction has a way of helping young writers ask the biggest questions about technology, loss, power and what it means to be human. That spirit was on full display at this year’s Tomorrow Prize ceremony at Vroman’s Bookstore in Pasadena, where professional actors performed Los Angeles County high school students’ finalist stories and the teens were honored in front of family, mentors and supporters.

The Tomorrow Prize is presented through the Omega Sci-Fi Project, founded by Sci-Fest L.A and run by the LightBringer Project. L.A. Parent has co-sponsored the prize since 2019, proudly publishing the first-prize story in print and online. This year’s recipient is Abigail Lee, a junior at Westridge School for Girls in Pasadena. 

Omega Sci-Fi honored 21 students from across L.A. County for their sci-fi stories and teachers who invited the organization into their classrooms to lead writing workshops. There were 13 honorable mentions and six finalists. Theodore Kinsella, a junior at Venice High School, won third place; Jadyn Manguera Shin, a junior at Westridge School for Girls, was named second-place winner. Yedsen Troy Dela Cruz, a senior at Hollywood High School, and Hanaa Belkacemi, a senior at Port of Los Angeles High School, rounded out the finalists. 

Omega Sci-Fi group photo of L.A. County high school writers, teachers, actors and organization leaders at The Tomorrow Prize and Green Feather Awards culminating ceremony at Vroman’s Bookstore.

Lee volunteers at Shriners Children’s Hospital and plays soccer. At school, she studies psychology and serves as a student support leader. During a class, she read an article about the rise and harm in using AI chatbots as therapy.  After conducting more research, she discovered the concept of “AI grief bots,” artificial intelligence tools people use to simulate conversations with lost loved ones. 

Fascinated and unsettled by the ethical implications, Lee was inspired to write a story that explores the boundaries between memory, grief and technology. Below is the powerful result: “File: Anna Bishop.”

FILE: ANNA BISHOP

By Abigail Lee

The steak was cooked exactly how Willem liked it — perfectly seared crust around a warm, pink center. I sat stiffly in the dining room chair, my feet drawing circles in the fibers of the carpet, a smart-lens hugging my left eye’s retina. 

This was routine at 7 p.m.: The hum of the news coming from the television, accompanied by a home-cooked meal under the soft glow of the chandelier. It was almost perfect.

Across from me was Willem Doherty. He was smiling, looking right at me with his hands folded and elbows resting on the mahogany table. It was the same look he had given me on our first date. 

Suddenly, he began to flicker like a dying lightbulb, one eye blurring into his lips before resetting back to his former disposition. It almost felt real.

“You’re awfully quiet tonight, Anna,” he said, breaking the silence. The warmth and melody of his voice was exactly how I remembered it.

“Just thinking,” I whispered back.

***

Today is Aug. 21, 2083. Exactly one year since I lost Willem.

We had attended the same college in upstate New York. With his head of messy auburn hair and shoulders that seemed too broad for the narrow library aisles, he was impossible to miss back then. Shortly after we graduated, we moved into an apartment together. Everyone from college said we’d be the first to get married. I wish this were true. I wish I had known you were struggling. 

When the government first announced that AI would replace all therapists, Willem was skeptical. I still remember his face when he came home, his brows so deeply furrowed that they’d almost kissed. I remember looking into his wide, frantic eyes that carried his disbelief. 

He drove all the way to his therapist’s office in denial, only to be met with a dim building just bright enough to make out a sign on the window that read, “Lumi: the light at the end of the tunnel.” 

Willem had said that robots could never replace human interaction. That they would never truly understand. Nobody knows where they all went. The real therapists, I mean. They all vanished, as if they were deleted from the system.

Eventually, Willem fell into Lumi’s sticky embrace. He was always a little too trusting. He was a man who looked for the best in everything — until it finally consumed him. He entrusted Lumi with the raw, jagged pieces of himself he used to hide from the world. What started with a simple daily check-in soon became an hourly practice. I would find him sitting in front of the computer, his eyes glazed over, his hands in frenetic motion, eager to know what Lumi would say next. He swore the machine understood him better than any human ever could.

“You know, this Lumi thing is great! I feel like I can talk to her about anything,” he always said.

“Willem, you mean it? Lumi isn’t real.” I had to remind him every time. 

“You know what I mean, Anna. I don’t know. It’s just nice to hear the validation. Like, look at this: I told Lumi how I was scared of losing that job, and it said, ‘Right now, you don’t need to solve your whole life. You just need to get through this moment.’ Isn’t that great? She…I mean it told me it saw me for who I truly was.”

I think this is when I began to lose him. 

***

Swish-Thump.

The rain stomped heavily on my windshield, almost as if it were pointedly drowning out this painful memory. Wearing your smart-lens in the car is now forbidden, at least it is here in New York. Last week, there was a pileup on the Henry Hudson Bridge. A driver’s lens had glitched, projecting a pedestrian darting across the street, causing the driver to swerve into oncoming traffic. 

I had tucked mine into the glove compartment so I wouldn’t be tempted to wear it, but my eye felt so naked…so vulnerable. Without the lens, the world was drained of its color. My vision felt grainy. My eye ached. I missed the way the lens smoothed over the gray edges of reality. 

But I think I finally get it now, Willem. This whole Lumi thing, I mean. It’s like sitting at your desk with work scattered everywhere, telling yourself you’ll stop doomscrolling while your 10-minute break turns into hours. I can’t forget you, Willem. Not yet. I’m not ready to let you go. 

I’m driving to you right now. I think I finally got used to the route. Make a left onto Cliff Avenue, then a right on Sunset. 

I tried to mimic his voice in my head. I breathed in the car’s same scent of fresh red roses. Drip…drop. My shoulders tightened. You know how I always hated driving in the rain. 

I quickly pulled into the cemetery, the tires crunching over wet gravel. Eager, I ripped open the glove compartment and peeled back the lid of the shiny, black capsule in which the lens rested. I stretched my eyelid with my left thumb and pointer finger, guiding the lens home, blinking to reset my vision. With a cold and trembling finger, I tapped through the beads of sweat on my temple to reactivate the stream.

“I’m here, Anna. I’m here. Just take a deep breath,” Willem said from the passenger seat. I let out a sigh of relief. It was so good to hear that voice again — not just some voice I’d constructed in my head.

I opened the car door, bracing myself for the rain until I heard him again.

“Why are you leaving the shelter of your car? You hate the rain. Just stay here with me, Anna, and all your problems will be fixed,” he reassured.

But I needed out. “I have to go out there,” I choked out, reaching over the center console to grab the roses from the projection’s translucent lap.

I stepped out into the downpour, the cold water instantly soaking through my clothes. Through the lens, I watched him step out of the car, too. He walked beside me, though the puddles he walked through remained undisturbed. 

“The flowers are beautiful,” Willem said. “But you’re shivering. You’re going to get sick. You know I’m always here.” 

He looked at me with the same smile — except this time it felt different. The real Willem would’ve scolded me, told me I should’ve brought one of my dozens of umbrellas sitting at home. I missed his negativity keeping me in place. It was genuine. It was real.

When we reached the gravestone, I saw his name, Willem Doherty, carved in cold, immobile text. I looked at the stone, weathered and wet from the rain. Then I looked at the glowing, flickering man standing over it — not a single bead of rain on his skin. My vision became blurry. A pit dragged in my throat.

“You’re not wet. You’re not shivering,” I whispered to myself. 

“You’re not wet. You’re not shivering,” I repeated, my voice less audible with every word. I looked at the roses in my hand. They were wilting, their petals bruised by the rain. 

They were dying, just like Willem had. By keeping this lens on, I wasn’t honoring him; I was selfishly keeping him trapped in the very system he once feared. I was continuing to feed Lumi the pieces of Willem that I needed most. I hooked my cold and wet fingers under the edge of the lens. The software flashed in bright red: DISCONNECTION DETECTED. MAY CAUSE EMOTIONAL DISTRESS.

“Anna, if you disconnect, who will you have?” the bot warned, its formerly vibrant voice bent into an automated tone. “You will truly be alone…forev-”

I gently scraped the lens’s edges until it folded and jumped into the tall blades of dewy grass, the moisture from the rain seeping into the delicate device. The glowing, perfect version of Willem vanished instantly, swallowed by the downpour. The rain came crashing down harder, yet I wasn’t afraid. 

The silence was heavy and the cold was biting, sinking its teeth into my clothes until I felt it in my bones. For the first time, I didn’t have a voice telling me everything was OK. I didn’t have a face preserving the past. I just had the rain, the dirt and the jarring, beautiful truth that he was gone. 

“You’re gone,” I said finally, wiping the mixture of water and grass off his grave. 

The words tasted wrong. Like betrayal.

But they were true.

“You’re gone,” I repeated, louder this time, letting the rain swallow the sound.

I sat there for a while. Long enough for my hands to become numb. Long enough for the roses to sink further into themselves. Long enough for the rain to seep through all my clothes.

I looked back at the empty passenger seat in my car.

No Willem.

No soft voice.

No glowing silhouette.

Just me.

Nancy Silverton Celebrates Family History at L.A.’s Original Farmers Market

Published

By Cassandra Lane

Ancestry’s free Memorial Day weekend experience explores family stories, local businesses and culinary traditions at the Original Farmers Market.

As a Louisiana-raised girl who learned to cook from my grandmother and went on to write a book about my ancestors once I migrated to Los Angeles, I’m drawn to any event that blends flavor, family and memory. This Memorial Day weekend, Ancestry’s “The Stories of US: Generations at the Market” will do just that. The free, self-guided walking tour will take place May 23-25 at one of the most iconic and family history-steeped landmarks in L.A. — The Original Farmers Market at Third and Fairfax. 

Using Ancestry’s collection of historical records, the tour traces the origins of the market’s multigenerational merchants, uncovering where they came from, how they built their businesses and how their traditions have been passed down over time. What struck me most was how often those family lines included grocers, farmers and cooks.

Chef Nancy Silverton at The Original Farmers Market. PHOTOS COURTESY ANCESTRY

“A New York City naturalization record reveals my second great-grandfather, Samuel Taubin, was listed as a grocer after coming to the United States from Russia and settling in Brooklyn in the late 1800s,” said Nancy Silverton, a celebrated local chef, baker, restaurateur (she founded the famous La Brea Bakery) and cookbook author credited with popularizing the sourdough and artisan bread movement in the U.S. Ancestry has partnered with Silverton, this year’s recipient of the James Beard Lifetime Achievement Award, to helm the culinary part of the campaign. 

Nancy Silverton’s egg salad sandwich.

As part of a larger campaign celebrating the nation’s 250th anniversary, Ancestry officials say they chose The Original Farmers Market as a beacon of L.A.’s strong entrepreneurial spirit. Los Angeles is home to more small businesses than any other city in the U.S. And Silverton captures some of her favorite family-run small businesses in the “Shop Small Los Angeles Guide” she curated for Ancestry.

Three of the Farmers Market businesses are highlighted: Monsieur Marcel, Huntington Meats & Sausage and Bob’s Coffee & Donuts, which opened its stall in 1947.

Nancy Silverton’s grandmother Ada Barish with her brothers Eli and Harry.

“Bob’s Donuts is the nostalgic place to get a coffee and doughnut,” Silverton said. “That’s what the Farmers Market has always been. It feels like a small neighborhood where everyone has their favorite stops. Now, I take my grandkids there and they love it as much as I do.”

During a media preview, Silverton honored her mother’s culinary memory by making a version of her egg salad sandwich. “It was her favorite thing to eat and her favorite thing to make,” she said. “My sister and I would get kind of embarrassed taking the egg salad sandwiches to lunch. It kind of smelled, you know. Nobody wanted to trade lunches with us.”

Silverton said even simple food deserves care. For her sandwich, she uses fresh eggs cooked until the yolks are jammy, plus good mayonnaise, grated garlic, fresh lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, kosher salt and a thick bread such as milk bread or challah.

I bit into the creamy sandwich and was delighted by its both its simplicity and richness. “You don’t need all that fancy stuff for egg salad,” Silverton advised. 

Legacy businesses on “The Stories of Us” tour

Magee’s stall back in the day.

Other delectable tastings came courtesy the kitchens of the businesses that will be highlighted during this weekend’s walking tour. A brief look at their culinary and family histories:

Magee’s Kitchen: Opening in 1934, the 1950 census shows Blanche as the owner of a “retail food business,” making her one of the early female business owners in Los Angeles. The Magee family’s legacy continues today through her great-nephew, Dwayne Call.

Huntington Meats & Sausage: There’s a culinary tradition in owner Jim Cascone’s family history. A World War II draft registration card for his grandfather, Sam Gorgone, lists Sam’s place of employment as a local food market, underscoring the family’s love of the industry. 

Magee’s famous corned beef.

Charlie’s Coffee Shop: Food has always been a family business for owner Katie Gilbert, whose mother opened this beloved restaurant in1976. This 1950 census details Katie’s grandmother as a sales clerk for a retail food market.

Bennett’s Homemade Ice Cream: The Bennett family history of small-batch scoops dates back to1963. The 1891 Census of England lists owner Scott Bennett’s great-great grandfather as a grocer in Cornwall, revealing the family’s connection to food spans generations.

And a non-food business that is just as iconic is also part of the tour:

Sticker Planet: The Kraft family opened Sticker Planet in 1992. Selma Kraft, mother to current owners Hilary and Richard Kraft, traces her entrepreneurial roots to her own mother who is listed in the1950 census as a Brooklyn candy store owner. 

Tips to make the most of your walking tour

  • Pick up a tour map at the Ancestry booth to read background on the multigenerational vendor stories 
  • Explore historical records that bring those stories to life 
  • Reflect on your own family history and how it connects to a larger American story 
  • Check out the chance to participate in the Next Generation of LA’s Small Business Owners. In partnership with the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE), Ancestry is launching the “Ancestry Legacy Builders Scholarship” to support aspiring student entrepreneurs across Los Angeles with hands-on training and mentorship. For every family story shared and preserved through the walking tour, Ancestry will fund one full-year scholarship for a local student to participate in NFTE’s entrepreneurship program.

The scents, memories and possibilities that flow through The Original Farmers Market whenever my family and I visit have long been part of my Los Angeles story. As a Louisiana transplant, it’s one of the places that has helped me feel rooted.

Ancestry’s “The Stories of US” project reminds me of my own family’s lost recipes, including my great-grandmother Mary’s teacakes. I have long harbored such burning questions about those who came before me. In trying to write about them, navigating around erasure and silence, I became even more convinced of the importance of documenting our lives for ourselves and the generations yet to come.

Cassandra Lane is a mom, editor in chief of L.A. Parent and author of We Are Bridges, a family memoir.  

How Music and Arts Education Helps Kids Build Confidence

Published

By Elena Epstein

A P.S. ARTS teaching artist explains how music, creativity and self-expression help children develop confidence, identity and social-emotional skills.

P.S. ARTS was founded more than three decades ago with the mission to provide arts education in public schools in California. Today, it serves more than 30,000 students in 90 schools across Los Angeles County and California’s Central Valley. I recently chatted with one of their teaching artists, Jason Shepherd, about the importance of music and art in our kids’ daily lives. 

Tell us a little about yourself and how you became involved with P.S. ARTS.

I’m a professional songwriter, musician, producer and music educator with more than 20 years of experience. I was born and raised in Chicago, and my foundation in music started in the church.

Jason Shepherd works with students through P.S. ARTS, helping them explore identity and creativity through music. PHOTOS COURTESY P.S. ARTS

My mother was a choir director, and I grew up with gospel music as my foundational musical inspiration. That environment shaped everything for me.

Over time, that passion turned into both a career in music as a songwriter, recording artist and producer. Subsequently, this led to a deeper calling in education. In 2024, I joined P.S. ARTS as a teaching artist in the Lawndale School District. What drew me in was the mission. Giving students access to arts education is something I believe in deeply. Music has the power to shape identity, and I’ve seen what happens when kids are given that opportunity.

How have you personally seen art education touch children’s lives?

I’ve seen it unlock something in kids that nothing else could reach. There are students who don’t connect with traditional academics or sports, but when you introduce music, everything changes. You see confidence start to build. You see them become more engaged. You see them realize that they have something to offer.

There’s a moment when a child understands that they can create something from nothing. That moment matters. It shifts how they see themselves, and that confidence carries into other areas of their life.

What effect does art education have on our kids’ social and emotional skills, self-confidence and relationship with the world around them?

Arts education plays a major role in social and emotional development. It gives students a way to express themselves, especially when they don’t have the words for what they’re feeling. It also builds confidence because they begin to see that their ideas and creativity have value.

In the classroom, it builds community. Students learn how to listen to each other, collaborate and respect different perspectives. They start to understand that everyone has a voice.

With music, they also begin to see that it’s a universal language. It connects people across cultures and backgrounds. That awareness helps shape how they relate to others and the world around them.

As parents, how can we bring the arts into their daily lives?

As a father of two teenagers, I’ve always focused on what I call the three A’s: academics, athletics and the arts. All three matter, and the arts should be treated with the same level of importance. The goal isn’t for every child to become a professional artist. The goal is expression and discovery.

There are simple ways to bring the arts into daily life. Let your kids sing. Encourage them to try instruments like piano, guitar or percussion. Give them space to create, whether that’s writing songs, making beats or just exploring sound.

Tools like Suno have made it easier than ever for kids to create music. They can take an idea and turn it into a full song quickly, and that can spark a lot of excitement.

I believe everyone should create something at least once. Writing a song or making something original connects you to who you are.

What are some of your favorite art projects with the kids you work with?

One of my favorite things right now is songwriting with students using AI tools like Suno. It works on multiple levels. They are learning about new technology that is shaping the future of music. They have full ownership of their ideas and creativity and they get to hear results quickly, which keeps them engaged.

What stands out most is the moment when they hear their idea come to life as a real song. That moment builds confidence in a real way. It shows them that their voice matters and that they can create something meaningful.

Altadena Students Benefit from New Youth Soccer Program

Published

By Cassandra Lane

U.S. Soccer and Bank of America launched Soccer at Schools in Altadena, bringing soccer equipment, coaching and new opportunities to local students.

Students line up to receive soccer gear during the launch of Soccer at Schools at Odyssey Charter School in Altadena. PHOTO COURTESY BANK OF AMERICA

Altadena students recently got a hands-on introduction to soccer when U.S. Soccer (through the Soccer Forward Foundation) and Bank of America launched their new Soccer at Schools initiative with a kickoff at Odyssey Charter School in Altadena. The program is designed to expand access to the sport in schools across the country by 2030.

Students at Odyssey Charter got to participate in a soccer clinic with soccer superstar David Beckham and received soccer equipment and Angel City FC forward Sydney Leroux, placing a national youth-sports campaign in a community still rebuilding after last year’s wildfires.

“Soccer has been the foundation of my life, which started with incredible support at school and in my local community through well-trained coaches, volunteers and access to facilities and equipment,” said Beckham, Bank of America Global Sports Ambassador and Principal for a Day. “Soccer at Schools is built on that very same approach — that all children should have the support and access they need to succeed. I look forward to seeing the impact that will be made for young people in their communities with this long-term programming announced today.”

Bank of America said the initiative fits within its wider Sports with Us platform, which focuses on using sports to strengthen communities. And Soccer at Schools represents one of the most significant youth access investments connected to the FIFA World Cup 2026 and is a key pillar of U.S. Soccer’s efforts to make soccer the #1 sport played in every community, officials say. Through equipping and supporting people, places and programs across the country, Soccer Forward is increasing participation, enabling stronger community connections and improving youth health and expanded access to safe places to play.

The initiative will continue with additional events in other cities, including Atlanta, Charlotte and Chicago. A public platform for schools and community organizations to access support is expected to launch this summer.

How Dad’s Little Sidekick Is Building Community for Los Angeles Fathers

Published

By Jared Podos

This Los Angeles dad group helps fathers connect, build friendships and navigate parenthood with support from other dads raising young children.

A group of dads and their kids posing for a photo.
A group of dads and their kids during a Dad’s Little Sidekick meeting. PHOTOS BY JARED PODOS

Becoming a dad changes everything, especially your social life. As father of two sons, I absolutely love being a dad, yet having a kid or two flips your life upside down. Your friendships change, plans fall through, conversation topics shift and your community diminishes. But here’s the good news: It doesn’t have to.

When my older son was born in 2023, my wife joined a mommy-and-me group and loved the opportunity to chat with other moms going through the trenches just like she was. It made a huge difference for her. Naturally, I looked for something similar; however, there was nothing like it out there for dads.

This is crazy in a time where new dads are more involved than ever before. Something needed to be done, so I launched Dad’s Little Sidekick — a relaxed monthly hangout where dads and their kids under 4 can just show up, spend time together and meet other dads in the same stage of life. 

Two dads talking while sitting on a floor with child nearby.

There is no pressure and no over-planning. Kids run around and play, snacks are shared and dads get a chance to actually talk about parenting, life, music — or whatever comes up.

I originally modeled the program after weekly meetings with an agenda, but soon realized that while dads want to meet other dads, a little less structure is OK. Bonding for dads is showing up, being silly, playing around and just making sure that they get some quality time with their kid. This generation of men wants to partake in the day-to-day activity of our kids growing up and want to be present to build strong relationships with our mini-me’s. 

As a full-time working dad who wants to divide the housework and parental responsibilities, taking time to spend with friends can be difficult and produces a constant underlying dad guilt.  Dad life is constantly busy, but making friends shouldn’t be hard. That’s what makes having a built-in community so valuable. 

Dads connecting while their children play together.

When my friends had kids before me, they stopped reaching out and seemed too busy with their lives to maintain friendships. When it was my turn to have a little one, I made every effort to not let this happen. Kids come with different schedules and varied routines, but when you’re surrounded by dads with kids in similar stages, there’s an instant understanding. No need to explain why you’re late, distracted or tired — it’s just part of the deal. This group is priceless and offers the opportunity to make new friends feel possible!

Between work, naps, meals and potty training, hanging out shouldn’t feel like another chore.  We meet in a safe enclosed space, because when you get together in the park, kids are running around all over the place and connection never happens. What is better than having a fun, easy environment for the kids to play and a laid-back atmosphere for the guys to talk and swap stories?  

Dad’s Little Sidekick is something to look forward to, and while we meet monthly, the conversations continue in between. We are all willing to help each other, offer different services or just ask a quick question to the group. Real friendships are forming between the kids and the dads. 

A father and son take a selfie.
Jared Podos and his son.

This is also dedicated time for a dad to hang with their kid and for their spouse to have some self-care time. When dads have strong community support, everyone benefits. Your kids see you prioritizing relationships, your partner sees you as more fulfilled and less stressed and you become a better version of yourself in every role you play.

It is time for dads to also be taken care of. It takes a village to raise a kid and to raise a happy, competent dad. Being a dad is one of the best jobs in the world, and it can be even greater with Dad’s Little Sidekick. 

We’re all about feeling less isolated and more connected. Dads show up for their kids every day, and it’s time we show up for each other, too. Follow us @dadslittlesidekick for more info and to join our next hangout! 

Jared Podos is a father and founder of Dad’s Little Sidekick. 

Editor’s note: For great family-friendly events you can share with fellow dads, visit our events roundup. If your kids are a bit older, you’ll enjoy this father-daugther story on how they explore L.A. like tourists.

Former Lifeguard and New Mom Receives Fully Furnished Home for Mother’s Day

Published

A Venice mother celebrates a fresh start after receiving a fully furnished home and support through a local nonprofit.

Jessica Avalos and her daughter with Holliday’s Helping Hands founder and CEO Katina Holliday. PHOTO COURTESY HOLLIDAY’S HELPING HANDS

Just ahead of Mother’s Day, Jessica Avalos, a 36-year-old mother and former lifeguard, received a life-changing surprise: a fully furnished home for herself and her 10-month-old daughter, Pearl.

The emotional homecoming took place May 7 in Venice, where Holliday’s Helping Hands unveiled the newly decorated space, marking a major milestone in Avalos’ journey from homelessness and substance dependency to stability and sobriety.

Avalos credits the nonprofit not only with securing her housing, but with helping her rebuild her life from the ground up. Through the organization’s hands-on programming, she developed essential life skills, established career goals and committed to sobriety while preparing for independent living.

Holliday’s Helping Hands, founded by Katina Holliday in 2018, focuses on supporting people experiencing homelessness and young mothers transitioning from incarceration. The organization is known for its personalized “roadmaps” — comprehensive plans that guide clients through budgeting, job readiness, parenting skills and long-term stability.

For Avalos, the furnished home represents more than just shelter. It’s a fresh start — and a foundation for the future she’s building for herself and her daughter. She plans to return to lifeguarding, expand her expertise by training future lifeguards and eventually pursue a college degree in marine biology.

Disney Cruises from San Diego: Why Southern California Families Should Book Now

Published

By Esther Carlstone

With more sailings, family-friendly itineraries and no need to fly, Disney Cruise Line’s expanded San Diego departures make family vacations easier than ever.

If you’ve been thinking about taking a Disney cruise but have been dreading the time, exorbitant cost and general hassle of flying your family across the country, here is some genuinely exciting news: Disney Cruise Line just doubled down on San Diego as a home port.

And it fundamentally changes the cruise game for those of us living in Southern California.

Disney Cruise Line and the Port of San Diego recently announced a new partnership through at least 2031 that will approximately double the number of annual Disney sailings from San Diego. Translation: more ships, more departure dates and more opportunities for L.A. families to skip the airport hassle entirely and drive to the dock instead.

PHOTOS BY ESTHER CARLSTONE

For those of us watching airfare and hotel prices skyrocket and feeling the sting of travel delays, this is the kind of travel news that actually matters. No flights to catch. No scrambling to the airport hours early. Just load the car, drive a couple of hours and board a ship full of Disney magic.

Which Disney ships are sailing from San Diego

The reality is that a Disney cruise has become an increasingly appealing option for families — even those who aren’t die-hard Disney fans. But the logistics have always been part of the equation. Most Disney ships depart from ports such as Port Canaveral in Florida, which itself requires significant travel for many of us. Adding flights into the mix means higher costs, more stress and the very real possibility that someone in your party will be exhausted before you even set foot on the ship.

San Diego solves all of that. Starting this fall, the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder will both homeport there, offering three- to seven-night voyages with a range of destinations that appeal to different families.

The Disney Magic offers sailings through November before repositioning to Galveston, while the Disney Wonder will stay put from October 2026 through April 2027, sailing to Catalina Island, Cabo San Lucas, Ensenada and Puerto Vallarta.

That proximity matters more than you might think — especially when you consider the cost of flights for a family of four or five. Even a quick regional flight to another cruise port easily runs $800 to $1,500 per person when you factor in parking, fees and all the hidden expenses that come with flying. For many L.A. families, that’s the difference between taking a vacation and skipping it altogether.

What the itineraries look like

I was fortunate enough to take a four-night Disney cruise last week with my three kids — ages 14, 12 and 7 — to see what all the fuss was about, and I came back understanding why families keep coming back to Disney Cruise Line year after year, even with ships from other lines sailing the same waters.

The difference isn’t subtle, and it’s not just about character meet-and-greets (spoiler: Bluey and Bingo just may pop up). The differences are baked into everything, starting with cruise line’s rotational dining.

Disney’s rotational system means you visit different-themed restaurants throughout your cruise, which is common with other cruise lines, but this one came with dinner and a stellar show. From live jazz performances and an interactive dance element in Tiana’s Place to a surprise character visit at the visually arresting Animator’s Palate, my kids were entertained throughout the entire meal. 

The servers that stay with you night after night are also exceptional (shoutout to Miss Spicy and Kallis!) and truly get to know your family and their preferences. They even had my daughter’s favorite drink waiting for her before we sat down each night and crafted a Baby Yoda out of a napkin that she insisted on sleeping with and may have taken home. 

Movie screenings are all day long, both indoors in the massive theaters and out by the pool. We were lucky enough to catch a viewing of “Hoppers,” a film my kids had been bummed to miss in the theaters at home.

But the real magic happens during the nightly Broadway-style shows. We caught three shows, including a musical version of “Frozen,” and they were genuinely professional-caliber performances. Not the kind of cruise entertainment you endure; rather, the kind you look forward to and talk about afterward.  

Another highlight: Pirate night (costumes encouraged) and the epic fireworks at sea finale. Ultimately, every family member found something to love, which is harder to pull off than you’d think when you’re spanning ages 7 to 14.

The Oceaneer Club is a game changer

Here’s something I wasn’t prepared for: My 7-year-old didn’t want to leave the Oceaneer Club. Like, not at all, and often told me to only come get her for meals.

This is the kind of kids’ space that actually lets parents breathe for a few hours without guilt and maybe even enjoy the spa or the adults-only area of the ship for a few hours, because you know your children are genuinely engaged and having the time of their lives — not just being babysat.

The club itself is expertly designed for different age groups, with activities that range from creative and imaginative for younger kids to a variety of spaces for tweens and teens. 

Ports of call that work for everyone

Our four-night itinerary hit Catalina Island and Ensenada, which meant we had options for every energy level and interest. In Catalina, we embarked on an open-air bison expedition while other families snorkeled or zip lined.

The beauty of these shorter sailings is that you’re never far from home if you get homesick, but you’re also far enough away to feel like you’ve genuinely escaped.

Ensenada was our other port of call, and we chose to stay onboard to enjoy a quieter ship and had zero regrets. We heard other guests raving about their wine country excursion and saw happy kids wander around who got their faces painted at “A Mexican Family Celebration” outing, where they learned about the Day of the Dead and participated in various kid-friendly activities.

Longer cruises also stop in ports such as Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta.

A rare discount makes the cruise more accessible

Timing is everything, and Disney is making it easier to pull the trigger. Through June 14, Disney Cruise Line is offering “Together at Sea Savings,” which gives you up to 50% off the voyage fare for up to three kids (ages 17 and younger) on select sailings from October 2026 through March 2027.

For families new to cruising, this is rare. Disney doesn’t typically discount this heavily, and it’s a golden opportunity to try a cruise without the full financial commitment.

The math is straightforward. One adult flight to another port could cover a significant portion of a Disney cruise from San Diego. When you add in the time saved, the stress eliminated and the fact that you’re within driving distance, suddenly a Disney cruise becomes the kind of family vacation that makes sense for L.A. parents in 2026.

The bigger picture

San Diego’s expanded agreement with Disney means more than just additional sailings. The port is expecting to welcome more than 1 million Disney passengers through the course of the agreement — the first time in more than 20 years that a cruise line has offered a minimum annual guarantee at the Port of San Diego. That’s a vote of confidence in both the port and the cruise experience that families are craving.

For those of us living in Los Angeles and Orange County, this expansion means something simple but powerful: The Disney magic that families have traveled across the country to experience is now in our backyard.

And I have to be honest: One of the best parts of the trip for me was getting off the boat at 8 a.m. and being back in my own home before 11 a.m. If that isn’t magic, I don’t know what is. 

Quick Facts for Booking:

  • Ships sailing from San Diego: Disney Magic (October-November 2026) and Disney Wonder (October 2026-April 2027)
  • Itineraries: 3 to 7-night voyages to Catalina Island, Baja and the Mexican Riviera
  • Current Offer: Up to 50% off voyage fares for up to 3 kids (ages 17 and under) with purchase of two full-fare guests. Book by June 14 for sailings Oct. 1, 2026-March 27, 2027.
  • Distance from L.A.: Approximately 2.5-3 hours, depending on traffic

Esther Carlstone is a parenting and travel writer/editor who’s always looking for the best places to see, eat and stay with kids. 

Read her review of the Disney Destiny cruise here. And check out more of our travel stories here.

Downey Families Learn Digital Safety and Receive Free Laptops

Published

A PTA Connected event at Ed. C. Lewis Elementary helped families build healthy digital habits while providing online safety resources and refurbished laptops.

PHOTOS COURTESY AT&T

Downey families recently got hands-on support for navigating the digital world at Ed. C. Lewis Elementary, where a PTA Connected event offered them online safety guidance, screen-readiness resources and 200 refurbished laptops for preselected attendees.

According to Pew Research, 4 in 10 parents feel they could do better at managing their kids screen time.

“We believe in empowering parents and caregivers with the tools, knowledge and confidence to support healthy screen readiness and digital well-being at home,” said Yesica Vasquez, vice president of the Ed. C. Lewis Elementary PTA. “We are bringing families together to learn, grow and navigate technology safely so every child can thrive both online and offline.”

The event opened with a discussion for parents and caregivers exploring the question, “Is my family screen ready?” Families also participated in activities focused on online safety and building healthy digital habits, using resources from AT&T ScreenReady®. 

Children attending the event engaged in activities inside AT&T’s Mobile Connectivity Center, an 18-wheeler-based hub that provides internet access, devices and digital resources.

“Technology plays an important role in how families learn, connect and navigate daily life, and we know many parents and caregivers are looking for support as they make decisions about their children’s digital experiences,” said Mylayna Albright, vice president of Corporate Responsibility at AT&T. “Through our collaboration with National PTA and programs like Ready, Tech, Go!, AT&T is helping equip families with practical tools, trusted resources and meaningful conversations to build safe, healthy and confident digital habits at home.”

Said Gabe Middleton, CEO of Human-I-T: “Early access to technology isn’t about the technology. It’s about whether a kid grows up feeling like the world is built for them. At Lewis Elementary, AT&T is bringing the connectivity, National PTA is bringing the trust families have in their school and Human-I-T is bringing the devices and the support to keep them working. After 13 years of doing this work, I can tell you the kids who get there early carry that confidence the rest of their lives,”

Ed. C. Lewis Elementary PTA was selected by National PTA to receive $1,500 of support from AT&T to help conduct the program. The school’s PTA is one of 230 elementary school PTAs nationwide selected to receive a grant for the 2025-2026 school year.

“Ed. C. Lewis Elementary PTA and PTAs across the country at all levels work hard every day to make a difference for students, families and schools and make every child’s potential a reality,” said Yvonne Johnson, president of the National PTA.

“We are pleased to equip Ed. C. Lewis Elementary PTA with resources to engage families in a critical dialogue around screen readiness and digital safety and empower them with information and resources to make the best decisions for their families.” 

The program is part of a collaboration between National PTA and AT&T to help address the digital divide. Since 2021, AT&T has committed $5 billion to help 25 million people get and stay connected to high-speed internet by 2030. 

This includes distributing more than 31,000 computers to students and their families across California since 2021. Additionally, National PTA’s PTA Connected initiative seeks to improve digital access, equity and well-being for all children through tailored programs, resources and more. 

Learn more at  PTA.org/Connected and ATT.com. 

How to Build Motivation and Confidence in Kids Through Agency

Published

By Oren Boxer, Ph.D.

When children feel a sense of control over their choices and outcomes, they’re more likely to develop resilience, motivation and lasting confidence.

It usually starts subtly. A child who once moved easily through school begins to hesitate. Homework stretches longer than it should, and mornings feel heavier. Eventually, a simple assignment turns into a negotiation, then a standoff.

Teachers describe the child as “capable, but not meeting their potential.” Parents hear, “They just need to try harder.” 

Over time, the language shifts: “I can’t do this.” “It doesn’t matter.” “I don’t care.” At first, it sounds like frustration. Eventually, it starts to sound like something else entirely. For many families, this is the moment when they realize this isn’t just about school anymore.

What is agency?

In my work as a pediatric neuropsychologist, I spend a great deal of time with children who don’t fit the mold of a “typical learner.” Some have ADHD or autism, and some have learning disorders. Others have profiles that are simply uneven; they are exceptional in one area, unexpectedly challenged in another.

Many of these children have tremendous potential, are creative and perceptive. What they are often losing, quietly and over time, is something far more foundational: a sense of control over their own lives.

In psychology, this is described as locus of control. Children with an internal locus of control believe their actions influence outcomes, while those with an external locus of control experience life as something that happens to them.

In more practical, everyday terms, this is what I refer to as agency — the lived experience that effort matters, that choices have impact and that you are not just along for the ride.

When children have agency, they persist, tolerate frustration and stay engaged. When they lose it, even very capable children begin to withdraw. Research consistently shows that this sense of agency is deeply tied to motivation, resilience and mental health.

Oren Boxer, Ph.D. PHOTO COURTESY INSIGHT COLLECTIVE

The problem is that many children lose agency in environments that were never designed with their brains in mind.Modern classrooms place heavy demands on skills such as sustained attention, organization, impulse control and planning.

These skills rely on the brain’s prefrontal cortex, which develops gradually over time and often more slowly in children with neurodevelopmental differences. This often creates a significant disparity between a child’s ability toreason at a high level and their ability to work efficiently.

The tremendous difficulty it takes them to regulate their bodies and sustain their attention to inherently uninteresting information leads to inconsistency and careless mistakes. From the outside, these children can be seen as lazy or unmotivated. From the inside, it feels like trying hard and not getting the expected result. When that happens repeatedly,the brain adapts and begins to conserve energy.

It naturally avoids tasks that feel unpredictable. What adults often interpret as laziness is, more accurately, a learned response to a loss of agency — or learned helplessness.

Over time, this pattern not only undermines a child’s academic performance, but it also shapes their identity. Children begin to internalize a narrative about themselves that reflects their experience in an environment that is not designed forthe way they learn. They come to believe that they are incapable or behind or simply “not a good student.” 

If these experiences are chronic, they can feel more real and begin to generalize to other areas of a child’s life. When this happens, emotional consequences follow. Children with ADHD, for example, are significantly more likely to experience anxiety and depression than their peers. Many of these children are not anxious because of an inherent vulnerability, but because their daily experience feels unpredictable and outside their control.

Shift your perspective

A strength-based perspective reveals a different way to understand these learners. 

  • The child who appears distracted may actually have a broad, flexible attention system — one that notices everything, even if it struggles to filter. 
  • The child who seems impulsive may be fast thinking and willing to take risks. 
  • The child who struggles with organization may be approaching problems in a nonlinear, creative way.

These are not deficits in intelligence; they are differences in how the brain processes information. The issue is that most learning environments are optimized for a relatively narrow range of cognitive styles, and when a child falls outside that range, the expectation is often that the child should change rather than the environment.

Rebuilding a child’s sense of agency

This is where parents have enormous influence. The most effective thing a parent can do is not to push harder or demand more effort. These children are likely already trying their best or learned long ago that more effort does not equal more reward. 

Instead, parents can help their child rebuild agency through consistent experiences that teach them that their actions can produce meaningful outcomes. That often begins with small, practical shifts. Giving a child meaningful choices, such asdeciding what to start first (math or vocabulary), where to work on homework (desk, kitchen table, treehouse) or how to approach a task (use voice to text for a brain dump before starting an essay; starting from the middle of their math worksheet because they understand those problems best.) 

These seemingly inconsequential changes can move them from passive participant to active decision maker. Allowingthem to take ownership, even when the outcome is imperfect, reinforces the idea that their actions matter. Equally important is how effort is framed. If success is the only thing that is praised, many children will opt out of trying altogether. But when persistence, strategy and engagement are recognized, the focus shifts. 

In these situations, children begin to see effort as something worthwhile again. At home, this can be as simple as managing a responsibility, contributing to a household task or organizing part of their own routine. These moments are not really about the task.

They are about creating repeated experiences where effort leads to a visible outcome, especially when those outcomes are helpful for their family. Over time, those experiences accumulate into confidence.

How schools can help

Schools are also a critical part of this equation, and this is often where parents feel the most stuck. Conversations tend to focus on performance (grades) or missing assignments. However, those discussions are counterproductive and don’t address the underlying issues. A more productive question would be, “Under what conditions does this child succeed?”

When educators understand how a child learns, where they breakdown and what supports engagement, small adjustments can have an outsized impact. Extended time, movement breaks, flexibility in how a child demonstrates knowledge (e.g., oral presentation in lieu of a written paper) are not unfair advantages; they are ways of leveling the playing field.

When this happens, the shift can be immediate. A child will begin to understand that their effort produces results. When effort produces results, agency begins to return.

Small wins matter

I have sat in countless meetings with parents who are exhausted — and who have spent years trying to find the rightcombination of supports and interventions to help their child feel happy. In those moments, I try to reframe the goal.

The aim is not to manufacture happiness or protect a child from difficulty. It is to consistently place them in situations wheretheir effort produces a visible result, where failure is informative rather than final and where recovery is part of the process. 

When that happens often enough, something in a child shifts. A child who once experienced the world as something happening to them begins to experience

themselves as someone happening to the world. They make choices, take ownership and re-engage. More importantly,they begin to build a self-narrative that is accurate. It’s not that things come easily, but the child becomes more capable of figuring things out. 

That is agency. In my experience, it is the foundation on which everything else — motivation, resilience and genuine confidence — is built.

Oren Boxer, Ph.D., is a clinical neuropsychologist and director at Insight Collective.

Best Los Angeles Staycation Ideas for Families

Published

By Mike and Eka Sonksen

Explore Little Tokyo, Olvera Street, Leimert Park, Sawtelle and more with this guide to family-friendly adventures across Los Angeles.

Little Tokyo. PHOTOS BY FRANK ISHMAN

As travel costs and complications rise, the most rewarding summer adventure might be right here at home. And it’s easy to be a tourist in Los Angeles County, which comprises 88 cities and dozens of enchanting neighborhoods rich with unique foods, shopping, history and culture. 

I encourage you to explore some new-to-you parts of our region this season. Here are a few local ideas to help you introduce the kids to the deeply diverse range of cultures right here at home.

A Taste of Japan: Little Tokyo

Starting off with one of the more popular areas, Little Tokyo Japanese Village Plaza is an obvious choice. Most people hit J-Town (as longtime denizens call it) because it is one of L.A.’s most walkable districts.

Little Tokyo.

My daughter and I frequently make our way over to Little Tokyo, where we usually grab  a milk tea boba or matcha. If we’re hungry, we’ll order ramen, yakitori or sushi. There are dozens of tasty restaurants on First and Second streets, including Monzo Udon and Daikkokuya. To satisfy our sweet cravings, we order confections at Fugetsu-Do Bakery, a legacy business on First Street that’s been there since 1903.

For shopping, check out Japangeles, a clothing boutique in the village founded in 2010. It quickly became legendary for its sleekly designed shirts, hats, jackets and hoodies. For anime lovers, the village boasts several stores selling anime-themed merchandise. 

For anyone who loves to take photos of iconic Angeleno scenery, the 150-feet tall Shohei Ohtani mural painted by Robert Vargas on the eastern side of the Miyako Hotel towers high over First Street. Titled “LA Rising,” the two-year-old mural has become one of our city’s most photographed images. Though the Japanese American National Museum is currently being renovated, you can still embed a history lesson into your visit by stopping to read J. Matsukuma’s history mural at the entrance of the village plaza and the “Home is Little Tokyo” mural on the corner of 1st Street and Central Avenue. It depicts more than 130 years of Japanese American history. 

Where L.A. Began: Olvera Street & Union Station

Olvera Street.

Less than a mile north of Little Tokyo lies the birthplace of Los Angeles, El Pueblo de Los Angeles, where the city was established in 1781. Within three short blocks, experience some of the city’s oldest brick buildings in a bustling Mexican marketplace, a historic fire station, the Avila Adobe, (which is one of the oldest houses in the city), La Placita Church, a Catholic house of worship from 1814, and América Tropical, the mural painted by David Alfaro Siqueiros in 1931.

The Siqueiros mural was whitewashed shortly after it was painted in the early 1930s because of its political content, but it was restored by the Getty Conservation Institute and Los Angeles city officials and reopened to the public in 2012. Considered one of the most important murals ever painted, it is tucked above the marketplace upstairs but is easily accessible. There are also several museums nearby, including La Plaza de Cultura y Artes, the Italian American Museum of Los Angeles and the Chinese American Museum. 

Of course, there is no shortage of scrumptious Mexican food in the pueblo, including Cielito Lindo, which has been serving taquitos, tamales and burritos on Olvera Street since 1934. 

Leimert Park.

If all of this is not enough, Union Station stands nearby in all of its Spanish architectural glory. Inside, you can enjoy a nice variety of public art and take Metrolink or the Metro Rail to another corner of Southern California or hop on an Amtrak to explore another major city.

Arts & Rhythm: Leimert Park

Leimert Park is one of my family’s longtime favorite neighborhoods, and now with a Metro stop in the village along the Crenshaw Line, it’s more accessible than ever.

Dating back to 1990, The World Stage is Leimert’s longest lasting space and is renowned for its jazz and poetry events. Round out a visit with a stop inside Ora Cafe, where you can grab coffee, smoothies and vegan food, Harun Coffee, a coffeehouse and hangout by day and a speakeasy at night, and a bookstore called Lore Leimert Park. 

Throughout the year, Leimert Park is home to a variety of street festivals, including the annual Juneteenth festival. Many people flock here for the Sunday drum circles. As the new massive public art project, Destination Crenshaw, prepares to open, there are several murals and sculptures along the Crenshaw Line, just a few blocks south of the village. 

A World Away: Little India & Cerritos

Located about a mile apart, Little India in Artesia and the Cerritos Millennium Library are two underrated places in southeast L.A. County. Artesia’s Pioneer Boulevard is the heart of Little India and boasts the highest concentration of Indian restaurants and businesses in California. Aside from being a foodie’s dream with eateries such as Ashoka the Great Cuisine of India and the vegetarian favorite Jay Bharat, there are many shops selling Indian fashions, jewelry, spices and sweets. Whether you come ready to eat or shop, you will find spots you won’t see anywhere else.

Eka and Mike Sonksen. PHOTO BY EKA SONKSEN

The three-story, state-of-the-art Cerritos Millennium Library is one of the most monumental libraries anywhere. In addition to being the first building in America to have a titanium-clad exterior (six months before the Disney Concert Hall), the architectural gem holds a 15,000-gallon saltwater aquarium and a 40-foot replica of a T-Rex fossil near a space shuttle model, a quaint kids’ theater, an art studio and a lighthouse. Called the world’s first “experience library,” it contains more than 300,000 books and museum-quality displays of local maps, abstract paintings, sculptures, an art deco multimedia room and a skyline room on the third floor, where the library hosts readings, workshops and receptions. 

Little Osaka Vibes: Sawtelle

Sawtelle in West L.A. is sometimes called “Little Osaka” because of the many Japanese restaurants, boutiques, nurseries, art galleries and small Japanese markets dotted along Sawtelle Boulevard, but the area is also home to the Nuart Theatre, one of America’s best independent movie houses for foreign film, avant-garde cinema and a weekly screening of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.”

On the northern end of the district, you’ll find several eateries and shops on Santa Monica Boulevard, including a delicious Peruvian restaurant, Qusqo Bistro and Gallery. Sawtelle is also home to my daughter’s favorite ice cream spot, Somi Somi.

To plan the perfect summer staycation, dive deep into these neighborhoods and many more — and consider weaving in some dynamic day trips to places like Solvang, Ojai and even Riverside. You can hop in the car or ride the rails for an incredible destination only an hour or two away. There’s no shortage of magic sites to play tourist in and around home.

Mike Sonksen is an educator, father, author of “Letters to My City” and is a native Angeleno. He and his daughter, Eka Sonksen, love exploring the city together and sharing their stories. 

Best Cultural Summer Camps in Los Angeles for Kids

Published

By Jalpa Vaidya Patel

From language immersion and global cooking classes to cultural arts, music and heritage programs, these Los Angeles summer camps help kids explore the world close to home.

Crown Me Camps. PHOTO COURTESY CROWN ME

Before becoming a parent, I loved exploring everything L.A. has to offer. I gladly drove across town for delicious food, vibrant festivals and music that transported me somewhere new. But after having two kids, our world — and our driving radius — seemed to shrink. Between school schedules, extracurricular activities and the everyday logistics of family life, it became easier to stay closer to home. That’s why I’ve come to see summer, and especially summer camps, as an opportunity to bring that sense of discovery back.

In Los Angeles, cultural exploration is always within reach. It can be as simple as spending an afternoon at a neighborhood festival, having an authentic meal or signing up for a class that introduces our kids to culture — whether it reflects our own heritage or someone else’s.

Research consistently shows that children exposed to diverse cultural experiences develop higher levels of empathy and perspective building than their less-exposed peers. Developmental psychologists point to the power of “discovery moments.” When children encounter something genuinely new and different, their curiosity and openness grow. 

Summer, with its more flexible schedule, is one of the best times to cultivate a spirit of discovery — and act on it. In Los Angeles, those opportunities are everywhere. 

Cultural camps for curious kids

Summer camps have become wonderful spaces of cultural discovery. Beyond the traditional staples of swimming and crafts, many now offer experiences that connect children to global traditions, languages and creative expressions, sparking curiosity and a deeper appreciation for the world around them.

Los Angeles Cooking School camp. PHOTO COURTESY LOS ANGELES COOKING SCHOOL

The following camps are just a glimpse of the many cultural summer experiences tucked throughout Los Angeles. Visit their websites and Instagram profiles to ask questions before enrolling.

  • Cooking camps – Children learn to prepare foods from around the world, discovering new ingredients and traditions along the way. Check out the Los Angeles Cooking School (losangelescookingschool.com) for its international cooking camp and the YAK Academy (@rbyakacademy on Instagram) for an immersion into Central American and Latin American cuisine. Other local favorites: The Gourmandise School (thegourmandiseschool.com) in Santa Monica and Little Kitchen Academy (littlekitchenacademy.com) in Century City.
  • Language camps – Language immersion camps introduce children to new ways of communicating. Check out My Escuelita (@myescuelita on Instagram), which incorporates ancestral traditions of gardening with Spanish immersion, and Los Angeles French Academy for French preschool immersion camps (@ninou.preschool on Instagram).
  • Music and arts camps – Through dance, instruments and visual arts, kids experience cultural traditions that have been passed down through generations. Check out BollyPop LA (@bollypop_la on Instagram) for South Asian Bollywood dancing and RAZ Land Art (@razlandart on Instagram) for art infused with cultural storytelling. Each week, kids get to explore a new continent.
  • Activity camps – Games and physical traditions from around the world make for surprisingly powerful cultural bridges. Consider world cup soccer with Culture Bytes (@ iculturalbytes on Instagram) and kung fu with Enter Martial Arts (@enter_martial_arts on Instagram).
  • Educational camps – Opportunities for enrichment can also be a lens for cultural exploration. Consider Long Beach State University’s Sankofa Summer Academy, which is run by the College of Health & Human Services (@csulbchhs on Instagram) and merges culture and career exploration. To learn about Japanese and Japanese American arts and culture, check out summer camp options at Kizuna (@gokizuna on Instagram).
  • Affinity camps – Some camps are built specifically around a shared identity, culture or background, offering a space to celebrate heritage. Check out Crown Me Camps (crown-me.com), which offers nature camps, immersive lessons on Black innovators, journeys into Afrofuturism and more. Visit JCamp Los Angeles (@jla_jcamp on Instagram) for camps exploring Jewish identity and community.
  • International camps – For those who are able go abroad, an international camp can be a transformative experience. Check out Boundless Life (@boundlesslife on Instagram) for global family programs and Surf Club Keros (@surfclubkerosofficial on Instagram) for summer under the Greek sun.

Discovering the world in your own backyard

Kizuna summer camp. PHOTO COURTESY KIZUNA

These days, when I catch myself dreaming about traveling far away, I find the world is right here around me. Los Angeles is a vast, vibrant mosaic of cultures, traditions and stories. Curiosity and wonder can happen anywhere. Sometimes, all it takes is noticing.

I was recently reminded of this while having dinner on Abbott Kinney Boulevard in Venice. I found myself surrounded by lively international music, conversations in half a dozen languages and families from around the globe, all during one meal. It felt like another world without ever leaving the city.

When our children explore cultures through food, art, language and community, they begin to see the world with wider eyes. They awaken to cultural curiosity and discover that everyone has a story — and everyone belongs. What starts as a fun summer camp experience can quietly grow into something much bigger: empathy, openness and a deeper appreciation for people whose lives look different from their own.

That may be the most meaningful gift this season can offer.

Start with one camp, one festival or one new neighborhood restaurant. In Los Angeles, the world is closer than you think.

Jalpa Vaidya Patel, LCSW, PPSC, is a mother, school social worker, adjunct professor and author of the forthcoming children’s picture book, “Wizzy the Worldly Tree.” Follow her work on Instagram @wizzysways.

Carlsbad Family Getaway: The Perfect 48-Hour Escape from Los Angeles

Published

By Nina Harada

From resort pools and Legoland to Carlsbad Village and family-friendly dining, discover how to spend a memorable weekend in Carlsbad.

Take a break in Carlsbad. PHOTO COURTESY VISIT CARLSBAD

“No, we don’t have time!” is a refrain that echoes through my family’s days more than I’d like to admit — when the girls want one more outfit change before we’re out the door, when they beg for one more book at bedtime or when the idea for a vacation pops up.

What parent of young children enrolled in karate, piano lessons and theater — and a house overrun by dishes and laundry — has time to take off for 48 hours, no matter how badly their kids want to just jump into a pool and eat French fries? This would be, of course, a perfectly reasonable request from a child — or an adult, for that matter.

When my family of four got an opportunity to escape to the Omni La Costa Resort & Spa during a rare open weekend between my youngest daughter’s third birthday and my dad’s 80th, I worked hard to quiet the refrain — “No, we don’t have time!” — and found a way to say, “Yes.” 

My husband and daughters, however, required very little convincing. They were right, of course: We all needed the reset. 

Settling in at the resort

“This place is amaaazing,” exclaimed Naomi, our 7-year-old, as ran excitedly from room to room within our suite, opening every closet and curtain. “I wish we lived here!” 

This is the view that tortured my golfer husband. PHOTO COURTESY OMNI LA COSTA RESORT & SPA

The resort has 600 rooms and suites across its 400-acre property, plus two pools, seven onsite restaurants and cafes, a 24-hour fitness center, luxury spa and gift shops. Our bedroom balcony overlooked the resort’s new North Course, a links-style golf course that tempted my golf enthusiast husband. (“Just a reason to return,” he says).

Hungry and stir-crazy from the 95-mile drive south from L.A., everyone was ready for dinner. I was a little apprehensive walking through the grand lobby to Bar Traza, the hotel’s Spanish-inspired eatery. But when we were seated with kids’ menus and crayons (universal code for “Your kids are welcome here”), I knew I’d be relaxed enough to order from the Olympics-themed cocktail menu. Our server, Ramiro, took our order and picked up the dropped crayons without missing a beat. 

Bellies full, we retreated to our room where, unsurprisingly, our girls passed out in record time. Unfortunately, my husband and I did, too, despite my ambitious plans for a round of cribbage and wine on the balcony.

Flexibility is your friend on vacay 

A rare full night’s rest did mean plenty of energy to tackle the next day. After breakfast at Omni La Costa’s marketplace, my husband took Naomi to the pool and I took Juna, our 3-year-old, to The Lullabar, a nail salon with a café and onsite child care. How genius is that?

Lullabar. PHOTO BY NINA HARADA

Ting, a newlywed from Oceanside, did my manicure while Jill, a recent empty nester, took care of my pedicure. All three of us are in various stages of life: Ting is contemplating starting a family but wisely wants to enjoy child-free time with her husband; Jill is adjusting to life without seeing her daughter daily and I am in the thick of it all with young children. Right on cue, one of the caregivers entered the salon, holding my little tear-stained, barefoot girl.

“I’m so sorry. We tried everything,” she began. I immediately felt embarrassed, like I had failed because my kid is too attached. Well, it was worth a shot, I thought. I guess my appointment is over.

“Is that OK if she joins you?” the caregiver asked.

Juna gets up close and personal with marine life at Sea Life Carlsbad Aquarium. PHOTO BY NINA HARADA

 I felt so relieved! “Of course!” I said as Juna ran over to snuggle next to me in the big salon chair. No one batted an eye. It was as if a child joining her mother during a pampering session was the most ordinary thing in the world. 

I settled back into my chair and breathed a sigh of relief.  

Exploring Carlsbad Village 

For lunch, we headed to Carlsbad Village, the town’s walkable downtown area of shops, bars and restaurants so family-friendly it made my husband seriously consider moving here. 

We sat down at Sushi Taisho, a husband-and-wife-owned Japanese fusion restaurant with vibrant green booths, a patio and neon sign above the sushi bar: “Seas the Day.” I seized my day and enjoyed fresh sushi and tempura while Juna napped on my lap. She woke up just in time for dessert from GelatoLove and gymnastics in the fountain courtyard at the Village Faire Shopping Center.

Although our girls could play forever, we adults needed a pick-me-up, so we headed to Kids & Coffee, a beautiful indoor playground and café with quality coffee and my husband’s favorite: matcha. Local husband-and-wife duo and parents Vivian and Ken first got the idea for their hybrid play space café during the pandemic. Like so many of us, they felt trapped in a small condo with young kids, desperate for a safe place to relax and roam free.

“This is my third baby,” Vivian said. From the extra toddler clothes and diapers in the bathrooms to the sensory-friendly “comfort room” to the Montessori-inspired classrooms, you can see how much love and care was put into creating a space that feels good for both parents and kids. As I sat there sipping my honey-lavender latte and chatting with Vivian while our girls played, I asked that question a lot of moms get: “How do you do it all?” But I really wanted to know! 

“I think being optimistic is key to being a mom — and an entrepreneur,” she answered. “If you can’t change your reality, you can change your perspective.”

Final adventures  

We started our final day in Carlsbad with our own mini reset: My husband and I got two glorious hours to ourselves while Naomi and Juna made butterfly crafts and plant seeds at Hazel’s Gardening Club, part of Omni La Costa’s onsite family activities.

A rare family photo. PHOTO COURTESY NINA HARADA

Once we reunited, we said farewell to the resort and headed to Legoland, about seven miles away. 

Our girls haven’t discovered the joys of Lego builds yet, but they are ocean obsessed. We ran straight to Sea Life Carlsbad Aquarium inside the park. The aquarium features more than 350 different species, interactive exhibits and knowledgeable aquarists ready to tell you about their favorite marine creatures. My girls were all about the jellyfish. 

We had one final stop before making our way home: Carlsbad Strawberry Company. These delicious berries made for the perfect car snack. I knew we were driving back to the same dish-piled sink, laundry and overpacked schedules, but with a renewed perspective: Time together is always time well spent.

Nina Harada is an artist, writer, mom and Digital Editor of L.A. Parent. 

Mother Daughter Trip to Italy: Faith, Culture and Family Travel

Published

By Melissa M. Monroe

A Los Angeles mom shares how a journey through Rome, Matera and Puglia deepened her daughter’s understanding of faith, history and cultural connection.

In third grade at my Protestant elementary school, my teacher said that unbaptized people would be damned to hell. 

“Even babies?” a student asked. 

“Yes,” the teacher answered.

But we had also been taught that God was a loving god, so this did not make sense to me. How could a loving god condemn innocent babies? 

Madonna de Idris in Matera. PHOTOS BY MELISSA M. MONROE

“What about people in [other places] who have never heard about God?” another student asked. 

“That’s why we have to support missionaries,” the teacher responded. 

I raised my hand and said, “But we believe what we believe because this is what we are being taught, and they believe what they believe because that is what they’re taught. How do we know we are right?”

This did not go over well. She said something about God being omniscient and omnipotent, and if not for Satan, there would be no evil in the world, and everyone would know God. 

“But if God made everything and knows everything in advance, didn’t he know Satan would be evil when he made him?” I blurted out. 

However badly my first question bombed, this one landed far worse. I was sent to the Sardine Can, the inside of a refrigerator box covered in blue butcher paper. I trembled. I’d never been in trouble in school before; I had zero interest in being in trouble. I wondered if God was going to strike me dead or if my parents would do it for him. 

After that day of punishment, I learned to keep my questions to myself. Instead, I spent many afternoons in the public library, secretly researching other religions, their beliefs and customs. Thus began a lifelong fascination with comparative religion.

And so, I did. And I have used everything at my disposal — including travel — to help make that journey rich, open and expansive. 

At the tender age of 9, I vowed to raise my future children to feel free to ask questions about anything, answer them to the best of my ability, find others to answer the questions I could not, have respectful discussions about unanswerable questions and let them decide the path of their religious discovery. 

Why cultural travel matters to kids

The Temple of Vesta at the Roman Forum.

“Children often learn best when they can respond creatively,” says Robin L. Owens, Ph.D., professor of religious studies at Mount Saint Mary’s University in L.A. “Art, storytelling and age-appropriate technology can help them process what they are learning about different religions in a way that feels natural, engaging and accessible. 

“When children are exposed early to different religions, they are more likely to see diversity as something to appreciate rather than simply tolerate,” he explains. “That can help shape them into more thoughtful, compassionate and culturally aware people.” 

Rome as a living classroom

My teen daughter began displaying a deeper interest in Christianity around the same time my dear friends Paul and Dani retired to the lovely town of Giovinazzo on the Adriatic Sea in the Puglia region of Italy. In 2025, they invited us to spend a couple of days in Rome with them and then stay in their new home in Giovinazzo, a renovated monastery built in 1395 A.D. 

My daughter’s spring break happened to coincide with Holy Week, and 2025 was a jubilee year in the Roman Catholic Church. Where better to experience Christianity than to immerse ourselves in the Eternal City, the home of the Catholic Church? I thought. 

We jumped at our friends’ generous offer and booked our spring break adventure, eager to creatively respond to the stories of the people of Italy. 

I’ve always felt that travel benefits kids and adults alike, but I figured I’d ask an expert for some deeper insights. Eric Tierk, a licensed marriage and family therapist, started travelling with his kids when they were infants, eventually visiting 71 countries with them. “Kids who travel — particularly to foreign countries — become more flexible and emotionally tough because you have to learn to go with the flow when plans eventually change in a culture that’s different than ours,” Tierk says. 

 “Travel helps kids see that one person’s idea of God may be different than theirs,” he says. “Learning, ‘Oh! My belief system is just one of many,’ challenges our belief systems in a healthy way. It’s difficult to harbor prejudice when you’ve interacted with people and truly experienced their culture.”

Experiencing Holy Week in Italy

Olive branches for Palm Sunday at Basilica Sant’Eustacio.

On Venerdi Santo (Good Friday) in Giovinazzo, we witnessed the procession of the statues of the Passion — crosses and sacred relics often draped in black — carried by friars, priests and nuns dressed in ancient robes. It seemed the entire town of 20,000 people gathered around the port to witness the many churches walk their statues and relics to the piazza before the procession. 

Some people prayed on the sidewalks. Many sat inside gelaterias, bars and ristorantes, enjoying Aperol spritzes, panzerotti and other local treats. The procession lasted hours and culminated with the relics being returned to their respective churches, most of which were open to the public late into the evening.

We entered San Giovanni Battista close to midnight, paid our respects at the altar and lit a candle for my youngest daughter, who died in 2013. Our Italian friend Dani pointed out significant art and relics while discussing the fascinating history of the nearly 1,000-year-old church. Upon hearing Dani describe the history to us, one of the men working there invited us to climb down the ladder to see the nun’s crypt, a rare opportunity. 

My daughter and I had never experienced anything like this in America. We’d read about these customs, but nothing could have prepared us for the real-life experience. “There’s no way to unknow things, and knowing things experientially is the best way to know things,” Tierk says. “Despite intense research before each trip, I’ve never once found a place to be as I expected.”

Discovering Matera’s ancient roots 

During our time in Italy, we also learned to sail on the Adriatic Sea, attended Giovedì Santo (Holy Thursday) services at the Cathedral Basilica of Maria Santissima della Madia in Monopoli, took in the wonders of the Sistine Chapel, Colosseum and Forum and lit candles in countless Roman churches where workers were stacking olive branches in preparation for Palm Sunday.

Venerdì Santo Procession in Giovinazzo.

We were awestruck by the Rupestrian churches of Matera — continuously inhabited since the Paleolithic period — and the 9th to 12th century frescos still visible on the walls of these churches built into the natural caves, clearly demonstrating the evolution of religion in that region over millennia. 

We saw the story of Christian history unfolding before our eyes through the art and design of these churches, and how much Christianity itself changed in response to culture through the years, even within the same city. “Facts matter, but stories are often what stay with children,” Owens says. “Storytelling helps them see themselves in other people’s experiences, which can open the door to a deeper understanding of both other religions and their own beliefs.”

What travel teaches families

During our daily grind, parents and teens don’t always get the best of each other, so to witness the reverence my daughter displayed in these churches, temples and archeological sites was life-altering for me. Seeing my child’s eyes filled with true wonder, awe and respect is something I will never forget.

“Mom, I think my friends would love this architecture, these churches and pace of life,” she told me. “Can we bring them when we come back?”

You know it’s a good trip when you’re already planning a return with your girl gang even before you even leave.

As Tierk says: “The best way to avoid living in an echo chamber is to get out in the world and interact with people from other cultures. It also helps us appreciate home.”

Melissa M. Monroe, Ph.D., garnered honorable mention in Writer’s Digest 2023 Self-Published Book Awards for her book, “Mom’s Search for Meaning: Grief and Growth After Child Loss.” She is a mom, writer and licensed acupuncturist in L.A. Her recent work has appeared in L.A. Review of Books, New York Times, Slate, Well+Good, Backpacker and Insider.

Editor’s note: Looking for ways to help your kids explore culture right here in L.A.? Check out Mike Sonksen’s “How to Be a Tourist at Home” and Jalpa Vaidya Patel’s “Cultural Summer Camps.”

Central Oregon Family Road Trip Guide: Things to Do, Eat and Explore

Published

By Esther Carlstone

From whitewater rafting and scenic drives to charming towns and family-friendly hotels, discover why Central Oregon is a perfect family road trip destination.

Because flying is beyond gnarly these days — long lines, delays, exorbitant costs — road trips have become the go-to for L.A. families. And for a getaway that delivers incredible nature, delicious food and endless kid-friendly outdoor adventures, Central Oregon is hard to beat, especially during the summer and fall months when the weather is idyllic, offering a welcome respite from L.A. heat waves.

My family of five made the 13-hour drive from L.A. to Central Oregon last summer, and we’re in the middle of planning our next trip. You can make the drive a straight shot or break it up with stops in Sacramento or Mount Shasta like we did — or go even slower and head up the Pacific Coast Highway. Either way, once you hit the high desert, Bend is the perfect base for exploring.

Outdoor adventures: From river rapids to lava tubes 

Whitewater rafting down the Deschutes River.  PHOTOS BY ESTHER CARLSTONE

Bend is often referred to as the outdoor recreation capital of Oregon for good reason. In warmer months, you’ll see locals and visitors tubing or kayaking down the Deschutes River. For those seeking bigger thrills, whitewater rafting is also huge here. We went with a local outfitter, Sun Country Tours, and everyone from our 6-year-old to 13-year-old had a blast. 

We also explored the famous lava tubes with another local tour guide, Wanderlust Tours, which (fair warning ahead) isn’t for little ones who don’t like the dark or crawling around in small spaces. It’s a fascinating experience if everyone is on board.

Check out the Gorge White House for cider tasting, lunch and lavender ice cream.

Hiking trails abound. From the flat Canyon Trail at Smith Rock State Park to Pilot Butte, where the summit delivers amazing panoramic views, to the dozens of trails you can find in nearby Hood River, the possibilities are endless. 

Another can’t-miss with kids: the High Desert Museum. Mostly set outdoors, there are animal presentations, interactive exhibits and the most adorable otters you’ll likely ever see. 

Scenic drives 

When in Central Oregon, driving the scenic Hood River Fruit Loop is a must. The 35-mile journey takes you through the heart of Hood River Valley and is filled with lavender farms, wine and cider-tasting rooms and farm markets along the way. It’s easy to make a whole day of this with the kids, stopping for snacks and meals. 

Some of our favorite stops included Draper Farms for seasonal fruit, The Gorge White House for cider tasting, lunch and lavender ice cream and the Apple Valley Country Store for its famous huckleberry milkshakes.  

For a longer driving option, the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway is a 66-mile drive through the Cascade Mountains that takes you past Mount Bachelor, a dozen picturesque alpine lakes and endless spots to hike, fish or just soak in the views. It’s the kind of drive where you’ll want to build in extra time to stop and explore — three to five hours minimum if you’re actually getting out of the car.

Local food stops

Bend Brewing Company: Super kid-friendly with a wide grassy lawn to run around in while you eat at picnic tables overlooking the Deschutes. There is also indoor dining.

Pastini: At this Italian restaurant located in the Old Mill District in Bend, opt to eat outdoors on the patio for gorgeous river views (and wiggly toddlers). The menu features pizza, pastas and cocktails to delight all. 

Food carts: Bend is known for its cluster of food carts found all around town, an especially convenient discovery for families so that everyone can get something they want and scarf it all down outdoors where no one cares if kids are loud and having fun. Large food cart “pods” include On Tap and Podski.

A walk through the lavender fields in the Hood River Fruit Loop is pure magic. 

Mike’s Ice Cream: A local favorite in Hood River, this charming ice cream shop has been scooping happiness since the 1970s, and the long lines out the door back this up.

Charming towns 

Beyond the outdoor adventures and scenic drives, Central Oregon’s small towns are worth exploring. Each one has its own vibe, and they’re perfect for breaking up the day, whether you need a lunch stop, some indoor time when the desert heat does get intense or just a chance to wander and browse.

Downtown Bend is where you’ll find the energy. Independent boutiques line the streets, and Roundabout Books is the kind of place where you can easily lose an hour. Grab lunch at one of the restaurants overlooking the river or pick up snacks for a picnic by the river.

The Old Mill District in Bend offers a nice change of pace — a mix of history and modern shopping that keeps tweens and teens engaged between outdoor activities. We found ourselves popping in and out of shops, grabbing coffee and just enjoying the riverside setting.

Hood River has a distinctive charm. It boasts a small-town-meets-hipster feel with an outdoor adventure culture woven throughout. The compact downtown is easy to navigate with kids, and there’s no shortage of water sports to partake in on the Columbia River, even if it’s just splashing around.

Sisters, Ore., is a quick 30-minute drive and worth the detour. This 1880s-themed Western town is perfect for a low-key afternoon of window shopping and picking up handmade candy. 

Where to stay 

It’s often tricky to find places to stay as a family of five, but there was a wide range of options in Central Oregon.

Sunriver Resort (Bend) $$$: Designed for families, this sprawling resort is about a 20- to 30-minute drive from Downtown Bend, but many families find it hard to even want to leave. With cabin-type accommodations that easily fit larger families, an indoor and outdoor water slide, miles of biking trails, horseback riding, a golf course and more all set in the heart of nature, it’s hard to beat. 

Campfire Hotel (Bend) $$: With a central location within walking distance of Downtown Bend and the Deschutes River, the rooms here are spacious, have bunk beds, a pool and fire pits.

Hood River Hotel (Hood River) $$$: This historic hotel has various room types, including a pretty epic bunkhouse if you’re traveling with more than one family. It features five bunkbeds and your own sauna. The brunch downstairs at Broder Øst is not to be missed (and worth coming for even if you’re not staying there).

Esther Carlstone is a parenting and travel writer/editor who’s always looking for the best places to see, eat and stay with kids. 

Screen-Free Travel Activities for Kids on Road Trips and Flights

Published

By Lauren Dennis-Perelmuter

Keep kids entertained without devices using creative drawing kits, travel games and easy screen-free activities for family vacations.

When my two boys were between the ages of 3 and 10, I had some great success along with some not-so-great success providing creative activities when traveling that did not include screen time. Whether a road trip or flight, I came to realize the more prepared I was with “insta-activities,” the better the trip was from beginning to end.

After years of trying different things, the one activity that really became a favorite was what we called “The Awesome Drawing Kit.”

Here are a few quick ideas to create your own Awesome Drawing Kit that will make your trip not only more enjoyable, but also cost-effective, easy and fun!

Pencil boxes or pouches

Lauren Dennis-Perelmuter is founder and CEO of The Art Box Academy. PHOTOS COURTESY LAUREN DENNIS-PERELMUTER

Kids love to open things, zip things, unzip things and close things. Bringing or purchasing a small pencil pouch or box before your trip is close to guaranteeing many smiles. If you have drawing supplies at home, have them choose their favorite markers, pencils, erasers and crayons. If you need to run to a store to purchase a new set of markers, the investment is truly worth 1,000 pictures. 

Diversify your papers

Grabbing a large Ziploc bag and filling it with drawing paper has saved me a million times. In addition to white paper, add bright-colored and different-sized paper. Pre-cut a few sheets in half, quarters and even mini size … those little mini sheets are great for little hands and somehow spark new ideas!

Tracing paper and magazines

Tracing paper has been an A+ activity with my boys. Tracing their favorite characters in books or magazines is an activity that really keeps them engaged. Tip: Include a small roll of tape in the Ziploc bag just in case you need to tape down the sides of the tracing paper to keep it more secure.

Clipboard

Including a clipboard adds a great dimension to the drawing kit, allowing your child to move around a bit and tilt it so they’re comfortable.

Bonus tips

Placing everything in the large Ziploc bag — papers, the pouch or box and the clipboard — is the surest way to be ready in a minute for instant creative activities. 

Every child is so different in how they approach creative activities. Occasionally, after spending time free drawing, I saw that my boys needed a small prompt or theme to keep the drawing activity fresh and new. Doing this provided a very different experience than open-ended drawing. Within minutes, they were focused again — laughing, talking and creating amazing things.

A few drawing themes can include:

  • Creating a Dream Amusement Park
  • Magic Under the Sea
  • My Comic Book Design 
  • Make up your own themes. The sky’s the limit, so have a ton of fun with your Awesome Drawing Kit and happy travels!

For more family travel packing essentials, check out advice from a local pediatrician.

Lauren Dennis-Perelmuter is founder and CEO of a Los Angeles-based art education company, The Art Box Academy. Find her on social media @theartboxacademy.

Family Travel Tips: What to Pack for Kids and Stress-Free Trips

Published

By Elena Epstein

A Los Angeles pediatrician shares family travel essentials, packing tips and health advice for road trips, flights and international vacations with kids.

Family travel goes a lot smoother when you plan with purpose. I spoke with a Los Angeles-based pediatrician about the essentials that can help parents stay prepared, whether they’re flying, driving or heading abroad with kids.

Pack like a pro

To increase your chances for a family trip filled with happy memories, Leian Chen, M.D., a pediatrician with UCLA Health in Marina del Rey and a mom of two (ages 12 and 9), urges us to plan well, yet always expect the unexpected. 

“On my family’s trips, we’ve gotten stranded in sand dunes and snowstorms, used the first-aid kit more times than I can count and often relied on the kindness of friends and strangers,” says Chen. “While it would have been easy to let these things derail our vacations, we had to learn to be flexible and to make the best of the unexpected situations, which ultimately led to some great stories and memories.”\

During a family trip to Grand Turk, Leian Chen, M.D., and her family posed with a stingray. PHOTO COURTESY LEIAN CHEN 

Road trips vs. flying 

“Road trips are sometimes easier, as you’ll have access to all of your things, but you may need to include some medication like dimenhydrinate (Dramamine) for carsickness along with some barf bags if your child is prone,” Chen says. “Of course, some kids experience motion sickness with air travel, too, so this may be an essential either way.

“For flights, some airlines will require proof of age (like a birth certificate or vaccine record) for lap infants or a notarized consent form if traveling with only one parent,” she says. “If your child will need a car seat or booster seat at your destination, that would also be important to gate-check or bring on board so that it doesn’t get lost in transit.”

International travel tips

“Keep passports on your person or locked somewhere safe once you arrive at your destination, with a copy readily available on you,” Chen says. 

“Consider bringing some commonly used medications or baby formula with you in case access is difficult at your destination or there is a language barrier. Other items to consider:

  • Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and/or ibuprofen (Motrin/Advil, for infants/children 6 months and up) for fevers or pain
  • Cetirizine (commonly known as Zyrtec) for allergies
  • First-aid items
  • Contact your pediatrician well ahead of time for refills on prescription medications

Pack for your destination

“If you’ll be outside at all, I would have sunscreen and a hat in your bag,” Chen advises. “If you’re going to an area with mosquitoes, I would recommend carrying repellent spray or wipes and, perhaps, some hydrocortisone cream for itchy bites.

“For travel in cold weather, extra layers of clothing and hats/gloves would be helpful to have on hand. I’ve also thrown hand warmers (rechargeable or single use) in there on ski trips.”

Essentials for every trip

  • Mini first-aid kit
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Wipes and tissues
  • Snacks and drinks
  • Necessary medications 

For babies and toddlers

  • Diapers (extra, in case of flight delays or getting stranded somewhere)
  • Diaper cream
  • Wipes
  • Changing pad
  • Bottles/formula (bring extra)
  • Burp cloths
  • Comfort items such as pacifiers and lovies 
  • Blankets 
  • Toys
  • Disposable bags for soiled diapers or clothing
  • A few extra outfits for you and your child (in case you get spit-up or other bodily fluids on you and you’d rather not sit for hours on a flight that way!)
  • Portable white noise machine for napping on the go 

For school-age kids

  • Books
  • Games or a tablet with some pre-downloaded shows or games (in case you don’t have internet access)
  • Headphones.
  • Chargers

To keep the kids busy without relying on electronic devices during travel, check out our article on screen-free travel fun.

Elena Epstein is editorial director of L.A. Parent.

Flying While Pregnant: Travel Tips and Carry-On Essentials

Published

By Lola Méndez 

From compression socks and healthy snacks to managing nausea and fatigue, here’s what to pack for a more comfortable flight during pregnancy.

Flying while pregnant is considered safe (unless there are pregnancy complications), yet it can be uncomfortable, especially in the first trimester, which is when many people experience morning sickness. Increasing your comfort during the flight starts long before you board the plane, but what you pack in your carry-on bag can make your time in the air much more bearable.

As a journalist who takes more than 100 flights a year, I continued flying frequently during my pregnancy. With the right prep, you, too, can jet set around the world … within reason. After 28 weeks of gestation, airlines may require a doctor’s note to confirm a pregnant person has been cleared to fly, and after 36 weeks (or 32 for pregnancies with multiples), it is not advised to fly. 

Increasing physical comfort 

​The one thing my doctor told me was non-negotiable was to wear compression socks while flying to avoid blood clots, improve circulation and reduce leg swelling. Doctors also recommend frequent movement during the flight: ankle rotations, standing every hour and walking the aisles. Choosing the aisle seat is ideal. 

In addition, I swear by a foot swing to reduce swelling. If you don’t already own one, a sturdy scarf works just fine. Open the tray table, tie the scarf into a tight loop, lock the tray table in place, and — voilà! — you’ve made a DIY foot swing.

If you get chilly easily on flights, make sure you bring a backup scarf to wrap around your shoulders. Or if you overheat, a small, portable electric fan will be your new best friend.

Navigating fatigue

If the thought of even going to the airport makes you feel exhausted, you are not alone. Exhaustion can hit hard, especially during the first trimester, so to help you navigate a large airport, consider requesting wheelchair assistance, which you can reserve through the airline.

To ensure you can fall asleep more easily once you’re on board, pack your favorite neck support travel pillow. I also wore noise-canceling headphones to block out the plane’s white noise and the chatter of fellow passengers.

Managing nausea

My sense of smell was extremely high while pregnant, so I stashed an herbal inhaler in my fanny pack for easy access to sniff during any unpleasant, stinky moments. Alternatively, you can also bring your favorite essential oils.​

Morning sickness can also make flying challenging. Packing anti-nausea and heartburn medication can help, and some travelers find relief by smelling a cotton ball lightly dipped in alcohol and stored in a small zip-top bag. Frequent snacking may also help keep nausea at bay.

 In addition, some pregnant people find that frequently snacking can help curb morning sickness. I’m gluten-free and vegan due to allergies, so I can’t rely on airline snacks; I bring my own, including rice crackers, fruits and nuts. I also suggest bringing plenty of ginger chews to help fight nausea and electrolyte packets to add to your water to keep you satiated and hydrated.

Since the immune system can be weaker during pregnancy, I wore an N95 mask to do my best to keep myself healthy while flying. I brought cleaning wipes with alcohol to clean my space and hand sanitizer that I used as needed.  

Keeping these essentials in my carry-on gave me peace of mind and made flying during pregnancy far more manageable.

Pregnancy Carry-On Essentials

  • Compression socks
  • Neck pillow
  • Electrolyte packets
  • Ginger chews
  • Anti-nausea medication
  • Healthy snacks
  • Hand sanitizer + wipes
  • Essential oil or inhaler
  • N95 masks
  • Portable fan
  • Foot sling or scarf
  • Warm throw

​ Lola Méndez is a Uruguayan-American journalist with more than a decade of experience in print and digital media, covering travel, sustainability, culture and wellness for major publications, including the L.A. Times, CNN and National Geographic.

​

Best Family Products and Gift Ideas for Kids and Parents

Published

By Elena Epstein

Discover fun finds for families, from toys and games to parenting essentials, keepsakes and creative gifts for kids of all ages.

Lady of the Rings Jeweled Hair Ties 
A dazzling fusion of jewelry and functionality. Featuring cubic zirconia-encrusted rings and plated with 18K gold, this versatile accessory holds your ponytail with a polished touch. Perfect for busy moms, it effortlessly transitions from ponytail or bun to your wrist as a bracelet. $85, jealoushelen.com

Mom and Me Long-Sleeve Distressed Denim Jackets
Crafted from breathable, allergy-safe fabric, these jackets are comfortable, durable and fade-resistant — ideal for those photo-ready moments. $29.99-$39.99, kids up to age 9, patpat.com

Greatfull Mail 
A digital platform that turns appreciation into a lasting keepsake. Friends, families, classmates and communities create heartfelt collections of messages celebrating someone’s impact. Free to use and easy to organize. greatfullmail.com

Candy-Scented Swirl Hoop
Each hoop is scented with bubblegum and cotton candy, adding a delicious twist to classic hoop play. $5, ages 3+, kess.com

Ice Cream Truck with Surf Shop 
Kids can serve ice cream, then switch gears and rent surfboards or snorkels for seaside play with a retro flare. $59.99, ages 4+, playmobil.com

Ravensburger Play+ Stacking Cups: Bird’s Nest 
A versatile, textured stacking cup set made from soft, 100% food-grade silicone. Includes a charming fabric playmat and a storage bag, perfect for on the go. $29.99, ages 6 months+, ravensburger.us

Qubitunes
A screen-free audio gaming that turns play into music, sounds and stories.  Mix thousands of combinations across six categories. $129.99, ages 3+, qub.toys

Long Beach Startup Airhart Aeronautics Is Transforming Personal Aviation

Published

By Lucy Rodriguez-Hanley

Founded by a former SpaceX engineer, Airhart Aeronautics is developing advanced cockpit technology designed to make flying safer and more accessible.

Linda Sollars, ASTM F37 lead, speaks at Airhart’s Hangar Day. 
PHOTO COURTESY AIRHART

Long Beach continues to be a hub for bold innovation, and Airhart Aeronautics is one of the city’s emerging companies. Known for its growing aerospace ecosystem and entrepreneurial energy, Long Beach provides a fitting backdrop for Airhart’s ambitious vision.

The company is developing next‑generation avionics and laying the groundwork for what it envisions as the safest, most accessible airplanes ever engineered. Founded by former SpaceX engineer Nikita Ermoshkin, the company is pioneering an avionics‑first approach to modernizing personal aviation.

Airhart’s newest innovation, Airhart Avionics, is a modular, touch‑driven cockpit system designed to make flying safer and more intuitive for Light Sport and upcoming MOSAIC aircraft. With advanced pilot‑assist features, real‑time aircraft awareness and upgradable architecture, the system behaves more like an intelligent copilot than a traditional instrument panel.

By modernizing the cockpit first, Airhart officials say the company is laying the groundwork for a new era of personal aviation — one that’s simpler, smarter and built for the next generation of pilots. For more information, visit airhartaero.com.

How Los Courage Camps Helps Kids Build Confidence Through Surfing

Published

By Lucy Rodriguez-Hanley

This Southern California nonprofit introduces children to surfing while teaching leadership, resilience and self-confidence through ocean-based experiences.

A Los Courage Camps staff member teaches a camper how to surf. PHOTOS BY LOS COURAGE CAMPS/EMMA SHARON

Giselle Carrillo and her nonprofit Los Courage Camps have been transforming the summer experience of children from underrepresented communities in Los Angeles and Orange counties since 2017. Los Courage Camps’ mission is to teach the diverse children of Los Angeles who have not experienced the ocean how to surf and, consequently, connect them to their courage, potential, inner strength and leadership.

With grant funding from Go Campaign, the camp is expanding access to include surfing opportunities throughout the year.

Carrillo blends her background in education with a passion for community by using the ocean as a classroom where kids build confidence, resilience and real-world skills. Designed for children of all ages, the camps encourage young participants to step outside their comfort zones, try new activities and develop confidence in a supportive environment.

Carrillo is a first-generation East L.A. native who learned to surf at 25 when she embarked on a quest to conquer her fears. In the process, she found her courage.

 For more information, visit loscouragecamps.org.

How Angelinos of Hope Is Empowering Student Volunteers in Los Angeles

Published

By Lucy Rodriguez-Hanley

This student-led nonprofit is helping young people give back through community service, donation drives and support for families in need.

During Thanksgiving, Angelinos of Hope brought hope to the homeless one meal at a time. PHOTO BY ANGELINOS OF HOPE/SANDRA FLORES

In a time when families are looking for meaningful ways to give back, Angelinos of Hope teaches that empathy and leadership start at an early age. This student-led nonprofit is dedicated to supporting local communities in need by organizing donation drives and assembling care kits for individuals and families facing hardship.

The organization started as a grassroots effort to help victims of the Altadena and Palisades fires and quickly expanded beyond disaster relief to provide ongoing support to families in need in the San Fernando Valley. Student volunteers plan and organize community events to distribute groceries and essential supplies to neighbors in need, making a direct impact while building leadership skills and fostering a sense of civic responsibility.

Angelinos of Hope offers a powerful opportunity for young people to be of service, teaching empathy, leadership and community responsibility. Whether volunteering, donating items or spreading awareness, families can play a role in uplifting neighbors across Los Angeles. To get involved, follow the organization on Instagram & TikTok @angelinosofhope.

Learn more at angelinosofhope.square.site.

Family Getaway Guide: Why Ojai Is the Perfect Southern California Escape

Published

By Cassandra Lane

From charming bookstores and local olive oil tastings to relaxing spas and scenic strolls, Ojai makes an easy family road trip from Los Angeles.

PHOTOS BY SOLOMON RICH

My son was two days into spring break before I was able to hit pause on work deadlines and figure out a quick getaway. As a college student, Sol was content to lounge around at home, but I knew he — all of us — needed a change of scenery. 

Mini road trip to the rescue!

By the time we prepared for bed that Tuesday night, my husband and I had narrowed our choices: Drive south to stay on a friend’s ranch in Jamul or north to relax in Ojai.

  “Did you text your friend to ask about us coming?” Marcus asked.

 “No,” I answered, a tad testy. “Haven’t had time.”

  “I guess it’s off to Ojai, then,” he said. 

The next morning turned into a flurry of open phone and laptop tabs for hotels, Airstreams and Airbnbs. “Hey, look at this,” Marcus yelled from another room. “It’s a furnished wagon for rent!” 

I took one glance at the rustic contraption and felt not one iota of romanticism. “Nope. Not for three of us.” 

 By some miracle, we secured a two-bedroom cottage located just minutes from downtown Ojai, finished packing and headed out the door for our 80-mile trip. We rolled into town by late afternoon, took a stroll through shade-dappled Libbey Park, tasted fruit-flavored vinaigrettes at Ojai Olive Press, then headed for the “world’s greatest outdoor bookstore,” Bart’s Books. 

On the way, I saw a sign for Bamboo Creek Spa. I turned to Sol. “This is a sign,” I told him, my eyes dancing.

He’s been dealing with some first-year college stress, and I had told him that I wanted to treat him to his first professional massage and a meditation session. I pushed him gently toward the door. “Come on, we’re on vacation. You have to just seize the moment.”

We were inside and a staff member was directing us to sign in before Sol could open his mouth in protest, but as we waited for his massage therapist, he let me know he was not pleased. “Why are you forcing me to do this?” he hissed through clenched teeth.  

As his therapist whisked him away, I resumed my trek to the bookstore, feeling a sense of accomplishment. But with each step, doubts began to gather in me like knots. Oh my God, what if this isn’t a carpe diem moment? What if it scars him for life, makes him hate massage (and me) forever?

Blessedly, when I rejoined him later, he was pleasant and — dare I say — more deeply embodied. “It was actually really great, Mom,” he said. “Thank you.”

The knots in my own body began to dissolve. Mini vacay disaster averted. Parenting risk worth it. 

I hope your family getaways (whether across the globe or up the coast) are a little less harried than ours. This family travel issue is filled with ideas to help you explore near and far — from Little Tokyo to Italy and back again.

Enjoy — and carpe diem.

Cassandra Lane is editor-in-chief of L.A. Parent.

A Taste of Little Tokyo: A Family Recipe and Japanese American Traditions

Published

By Alyson Iwamoto

Discover the history of Little Tokyo, a beloved family salmon recipe and the food traditions that connect generations in Los Angeles.

Alyson Iwamoto is an arts educator and ceramicist. PHOTO BY NICOLE HANSON 

I’m a third-generation Japanese American, or sansei, born and raised in Los Angeles. I don’t speak Japanese, but through art and cooking, I stay connected to my culture and my ancestors. Whenever we cook at home, my 9-year-old daughter Aiko always reminds us that the special ingredient in every meal is love.

Beyond our individual homes, food is also vital for community building. This was the idea at the heart of a community cookbook I helped create, “Belly Like Drum,” with Nikkei Progressives, a grassroots intergenerational activism organization. “Belly Like Drum” was a labor of love, filled with recipes, interviews, poetry, illustrations and even food-related jokes written by my daughter. Many of us in the Japanese American community grew up with community cookbooks, and this one — with contributors ranging in age from 7 to 97 — is our way of paying homage to our families while acting as a bridge to future generations.

Little Tokyo is central to that story. One of the last remaining Japantowns in the country, it recently celebrated 140 years. Little Tokyo is dear to my heart, as five generations of my family have walked its streets. It’s where my great-grandfather owned a barbershop, where my grandparents met, where my parents were married, where I played basketball as a child and now where my daughter participates in Kizuna Summer Camp.

My husband Sheheryar and I took our daughter to Japan in 2024, and when we returned, she kept asking to go to Little Tokyo because that is the closest we can get to Japan in the U.S.  From its specialty markets and restaurants to the Little Tokyo Public Library, this neighborhood provides us with a tangible connection to Japanese and Japanese American life right here in L.A.

“Belly Like Drum” is sold at the Japanese American National Museum’s online store and at Nellita’s Craft. COVER AND ART BY ROB SATO 

Every year, we take my daughter to the Oshogatsu (New Year’s) celebration at the Japanese American National Museum, Nisei Week and Delicious Little Tokyo, hosted by the Little Tokyo Community Council. There is also a weekly farmers market in Noguchi Plaza at the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center on Saturdays.

We love supporting legacy businesses that hold traditions from past generations and have sustained Little Tokyo all these years. My go-to place is Azay, a family-run intergenerational Japanese-French restaurant. My favorite dishes: the Japanese breakfast, barbecue eel bowl and matcha crème brûlée … I have never seen my daughter eat anything faster!

I used to go to the Far East Cafe as a kid after every wedding and funeral, and I love to see the community continue to frequent the space now as Far Bar. Rafu Bussan for cookware and Anzen for knives from Japan are also a must.

Speaking of cooking, the recipe I’m sharing here is from “Belly Like Drum.” My dear cousin (she prefers we call her “Aunt Grace”) prepared “Mama Izuhara’s Salmon Steaks” at every family gathering, and we never tire of it.

Illustration of Mama Izuhara’s salmon steaks. ILLUSTRATED BY KATE WONG 

She inherited the recipe from her mother-in-law, who lived to be 100. For me, this dish (which is quick and easy to make) is comfort food, familial warmth and a hug all rolled into one.

Mama Izuhara’s Salmon Steaks

Salmon steaks or filets

Mayonnaise

Dried chopped parsley (or furikake)

Shoyu (soy sauce) 

Place salmon steaks skin-down on a baking pan. Spread generously with mayonnaise and sprinkle with parsley.

Drizzle shoyu generously over salmon.

Bake for 25-30 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Once the fish flakes and can separate easily, it is cooked through.  

Alyson Iwamoto is an arts educator, ceramicist, mother and member of Nikkei Progressives, with whom she created a community cookbook titled “Belly Like Drum.” She has taught ceramics to children for more than a decade and currently teaches at Sooki Studio, a community studio in Frogtown. Learn more at alysoniwamoto.com and on Instagram @alysoniwamoto.

Watch Elephants Live: San Diego Zoo Safari Park’s New Elephant Cam

Published

Families and classrooms can now watch African elephants in real time through a new live cam at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park’s Elephant Valley.

A new window into the lives of elephants is now just a click away. The San Diego Zoo Safari Park has launched a live elephant cam inside its newly opened Denny Sanford Elephant Valley, giving families and classrooms across the country a front-row seat to watch a thriving herd and learn how these animals shape entire ecosystems.

The new elephant cam offers a live look at the herd inside Elephant Valley. PHOTO COURTESY SAN DIEGO ZOO SAFARI PARK

Park officials hope the project inspires a deep appreciation for elephants and ignites in students and adults a desire to protect elephants and their native habitats. Viewers can enter the world of Elephant Valley to meet the 8 elephants in the herd.  

Schools across the U.S. get the first look at the elephant cams, giving classrooms in more than 30 states and every time zone the chance to learn about the crucial role elephants serve as ecosystem engineers and better understand the dynamics of the herd’s social structure.  

Opened on March 5, Elephant Valley is the largest and most transformative project in San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance’s 109-year history. It serves as a bridge between the vital science happening in San Diego and the collaborative elephant conservation initiatives supported by San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance across the African savanna. 

Viewers can head to sdzsafaripark.org/cams/elephant-cam to access the elephant cam and watch the herd consisting of eight individuals: martriach Swazi, Ndlulamitsi (Ndlula), Umngani, Qinisa (Nisa), Phakamile (Kami), Khosi, Mkhaya and Umzula-Zuli (Zuli). Guests planning to visit in person to walk amongst the elephants at Elephant Valley can find more information at sdzsafaripark.org/elephant-valley.

San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, a nonprofit conservation leader, inspires passion for nature and collaboration for a healthier world. The alliance supports innovative conservation science through global partnerships and groundbreaking efforts at the world-famous San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park, both leading zoological institutions and accredited botanical gardens. Through wildlife care expertise, cutting-edge science and continued collaboration, more than 44 endangered species have been reintroduced to native habitats. The alliance reaches more than 1 billion people annually through its two conservation parks and media channels in 150 countries, including San Diego Zoo Wildlife Explorers television, available in children’s hospitals across 14 countries. Wildlife Allies — members, donors and guests — make success possible. 

High School Entrepreneurs Pitch Startups at L.A.’s Next Big Thing Competition

Published

By L.A. Parent Staff

Students across Los Angeles pitched real business ideas, from tech to fashion, competing for funding and recognition at this high school entrepreneurship event.

PHOTOS COURTESY THE NEXT BIG THING

Most high school competitions end with a trophy and a handshake. This one came with investor-style questions, real money on the line and the kind of pressure you don’t usually feel until much later in life. At The Next Big Thing entrepreneurship competition held in Santa Monica earlier this month, students didn’t just present ideas — they pitched actual startups, defending everything from satellite technology to sustainable fashion in front of judges who took them seriously. 

High school junior Jonah Meyuhas founded The Next Big Thing (TNBT) to encourage more teens to embrace innovative entrepreneurship. This year’s competition was held at and sponsored by TRC Companies, and the event comprised more than 30 initial applicants from a variety of high schools across L.A. County. After a competitive selection process, eight finalists advanced to the final round. The total prize pool reached $6,500 and was awarded to the top-performing teams.

Final results:

  • 1st Place ($2,500): Aphelion Aeronautics – Tobin Palmer, Landon Kummer and Brandon Kirbyson (Santa Monica High School)
  • 2nd Place ($1,750): CocoLoco – Arlo Lamb, Ethan Edwards, Thatcher Kretchman and Charlie Cohen (Santa Monica High School)
  • 3rd Place ($1,250): Chaia Clothing – Chaya Mobasser (Beverly Hills High School)
  • Honorable Mentions ($500 each): Liquid IQ – Sabrina Rifkin (Archer School For Girls), Athlete Impact – Jonah Dworkin (Santa Monica High School) 

Aphelion Aeronautics stood out as the most technically advanced and compelling venture. These students’ innovation focuses on redesigning satellite steering systems — one of the heaviest and most resource-intensive components in spacecraft — through a novel integrated actuator. Their prototype demonstrated approximately 30% weight reduction, 16% volume reduction and 71% power savings compared to conventional systems, with potential cost savings of up to $150,000 per satellite. In addition to the strength of their concept, they backed their pitch with experimental validation, a provisional patent and a clearly defined path to market, setting them apart at a level rarely seen in high school competitions.

Across the board, the event showcased an impressive level of innovation and professionalism. Finalists presented well-developed ideas, handled investor-style questioning and demonstrated that they had real potential to continue building beyond the competition. 

From my perspective, the most impactful part of the day was seeing students not only take their ideas seriously, but be taken seriously by others. Everyone in the room was extremely impressed. Students had to respond to questions and receive feedback at a level that felt much closer to an actual investor setting than a high school event, showing that with the correct platform, high schoolers are not only capable — they are excelling at building the businesses of our future. The event reinforced TNBT’s mission to make entrepreneurship more accessible and actionable for the next generation.

“Looking ahead, the goal is to scale TNBT into a broader platform for student entrepreneurship,” says high school junior and TNBT founder Jonah Meyuhas. This includes expanding outreach to more schools across Los Angeles, increasing the applicant pool and growing the prize pool to five figures through additional sponsors and partners.

“We’re also looking to build more support around the competition itself by offering mentorship, workshops and ongoing guidance for finalists so their ideas don’t stop after the competition,” he says.

One of the biggest takeaways from this year was that students need both funding and continued structure and resources to actually build. Longer term, the vision is to expand TNBT into other regions and potentially create a network of competitions, giving more students access to the same opportunity.

Jonah Meyuhas is a high school junior and founder of The Next Big Thing (TNBT).

Meet Charlotte Jackson: Redefining Plus-Size Luxury Fashion for Women

Published

By Elena Epstein

The L.A. mom and founder of The Curve Authority is changing how women experience fashion, confidence and inclusive luxury style.

Charlotte Jackson is founder of The Curve Authority. Styling by The Curve Authority; hair by Mimi Green; makeup by Sanai Terri. PHOTO BY JONNY MARLOW

Former actress and singer Charlotte Jackson is on a mission to redefine plus-size couture. The L.A. mom and founder of The Curve Authority, is a firm believer in inclusive luxury. I recently chatted with her about fashion, motherhood and showing up with intention. 

As a mom and entrepreneur, what do your days look like?

My days are full and require me to be present in multiple roles. I am a wife, a mother and an entrepreneur, and each of those responsibilities matters deeply to me.

My day often starts with making sure my family is set, especially with my youngest daughter’s full school schedule. From there, I move into my business, meetings, creative work and everything that comes with building The Curve Authority. And in between it all, I am still very hands-on at home, whether that is preparing meals or making sure my household runs with care and intention.

It is a balance, but not in a perfect sense. It is about knowing what needs me in the moment and being fully present there.

I have learned that I do not have to lose myself to show up for everything else. I can nurture my family, build my work and still honor who I am as a woman. And that is what my days reflect: intention, responsibility and presence.

What is your mission in focusing on plus-size couture?

I focus on plus-size couture because access to true luxury should never be limited by size. Every woman deserves to experience fashion at its highest level — and with the same intention, detail and care.

For too long, curvy women have been offered options that feel like an afterthought, lacking the same level of design and consideration seen in traditional sizing. That gap is not just about clothing; it speaks to visibility and how a woman is valued in these spaces.

My work is rooted in changing that perspective. It is about making sure curvy women, and the mature woman, are fully considered in how luxury is designed, presented and experienced.

This is not about asking for inclusion. Women should not have to adjust themselves to fit fashion. Fashion should rise to meet the woman.

Women, especially moms, struggle with finding beautiful clothes that come in all sizes. The challenge is real. How are you working to change this reality?

I’m working to change it by shifting the conversation from accommodation to expectation.

Women should not have to search endlessly or settle. Through The Curve Authority, I highlight brands, create conversations and build relationships that push the industry to think differently about size and design.

I also help women understand how to show up now, not wait until something changes. You deserve to be seen, styled and celebrated exactly as you are today.

That is the foundation of The Curve Authority, and it’s the reason our mantra is so clear and intentional: We See You. We Style You. We Crown You.

 How is our wardrobe tied to how we feel about ourselves?

Our wardrobe is often the first expression of how we see ourselves, whether we realize it or not.

When a woman feels overlooked, unsupported or unsure, it can show up in what she chooses to wear, or what she avoids wearing altogether. Clothing is not just about getting dressed; it is about identity. It is about ownership. It is about making a decision that you are worthy of being seen exactly as you are.

When a woman steps into pieces that truly honor her body, everything about her evolves. Her posture, her confidence, her voice. And that is the moment where style becomes more than fashion — it becomes a reflection of who she knows she is.

What is “closet detoxing?”

Closet detoxing is more than clearing out clothes — it is a decision to release anything that no longer reflects who you are becoming.

For many women, particularly curvy women and mature women, our closets can quietly hold onto outdated narratives. Pieces that no longer fit, styles that were never designed with us in mind or clothing tied to versions of ourselves we have outgrown or thought we would become

As women, we carry presence. We carry experience. We carry a level of status that deserves to be reflected in how we show up. And when our wardrobe does not reflect that, it creates a disconnect.

At The Curve Authority, we define this as “closet elevation.” It is not just about removing — it is about refining. It is about curating a wardrobe that reflects who you are today and supports an elevation of your mind, your body and your spirit.

When you approach your closet this way, you create space not just physically, but mentally and emotionally. You begin to see yourself differently. You begin to choose with intention.

And from that place, getting dressed is no longer routine, it becomes a reflection of your presence, your clarity and your authority.

Charlotte Jackson (center with hat) enjoys a day outdoors with her husband, Daren Gaynair, and their children and grandchildren. PHOTO BY @RENEEPHOTOGRAPHYINK 

As moms, we are always doing for others. Please give us some simple tools to take better care of ourselves.

As women, and especially as mothers, we give a lot. We show up, we hold things together and we carry more than people often realize. But somewhere in that, we can begin to disappear in our own lives.

The first thing is recognizing that you are still a priority. Not after everything is done, not when there is time, but now.

Taking care of yourself does not have to be complicated. It can start with small, intentional choices:

  • Getting dressed in a way that makes you feel like yourself. 
  • Taking a few moments to pause and reset. 
  • Allowing yourself space to breathe without guilt.
  • Finding skincare products you enjoy.
  • Picking up a few favorites from Trader Joe’s.
  • Cooking a meal you love.
  • Taking a weekend or a short trip just to reset and reconnect with yourself.

And I always encourage women to stay connected to things that pour back into them. Whether it is inspiration, simple routines or new ideas, those small touchpoints can make a real difference in how you feel day to day.

You are not just what you do for everyone else. You are still a woman with value and identity. And when you begin to honor that, you start showing up from a place of fullness, clarity and strength.

What are some minor adjustments that we can make in our fashion choices that will have a big impact?

The most powerful changes are often the simplest, when they are done with intention.

  • The first is fit. Wearing clothing that truly fits your body as it is today immediately elevates you. Not covering, not compromising, but honoring your shape. That alone can transform how you look and how you carry yourself.
  • The second is structure. Pieces with clean lines and thoughtful construction, like a tailored blazer or a defined waist, bring a level of polish that reads as confident and put together without effort.
  • The third is refinement in detail. Accessories, color and finishing touches should feel intentional, not random. A strong accessory, a well-chosen shoe or a clean, cohesive look can elevate even the simplest outfit.
  • And finally, consistency. When you begin to show up for yourself in small, intentional ways every day, it builds a standard. 

It is not about doing more; it is about being more intentional with what you already have. That is where the real impact lives.

To stay connected with Charlotte Jackson and The Curve Authority, follow along for style inspiration, elevated everyday looks and simple lifestyle moments designed to help women show up with confidence, ease and intention. Follow @thecurveauthority or visit TheCurveAuthority.

Rejected from UCLA or USC? What to Do Next and How to Move Forward

Published

By Cindy Chanin

Didn’t get into UCLA or USC? Learn smart next steps, from waitlist strategies to transfer pathways and finding the right-fit college.

The college admissions letters — or, these days, the online portals — have opened. And if your family is reading words you hoped not to see from UCLA or USC, start here: You are in extraordinarily good company.

The acceptance rates at both schools have reached historic lows. Each year, far more deeply qualified students apply than either institution can admit. UCLA now admits fewer than 9% of applicants. USC hovers around 11%. More than nine out of 10 students who apply will not get in. Not because they aren’t talented or don’t have much to offer, but because the mathematics of selectivity make this outcome the statistical norm, not the exception. 

Here is what matters most to hold onto, especially in these early days after the news: The world did not say no to your child. It said: Not this door, not right now. But there are other doors, and one of them is yours. 

That reframe isn’t just a way of making this feel better. After nearly two decades of walking alongside students through every elation and heartbreak this season can deliver, I’ve watched it prove true, again and again. A door closes. A student lands somewhere they hadn’t fully considered, and 18 months later, they are thriving in ways that simply wouldn’t have been possible at the school they were certain was the only one. I’ve seen it often enough that it’s hard to call it coincidence. 

Rejection, in my experience, is very often redirection. 

What the college admissions decision reflects 

One of the most important realities a family can understand right now is that a university’s admissions decisions are shaped by forces that have almost nothing to do with a student’s ability, character or future potential. 

Universities are building communities, not ranking lists. Institutional priorities shift year to year. Yield management, geographic and demographic balance, the specific composition of a given cycle’s applicant pool … these are real and significant factors in every decision, and none of them are visible to the student on the other side of the portal.

A student who would absolutely thrive at UCLA might not receive an offer because dozens of students with nearly identical profiles applied in the same cycle, or because a particular program hit its enrollment ceiling or because of variables no counselor could have anticipated or controlled.

What I want every family to hear is this: It is not a verdict on who your student is. It is one data point, in a complex and often opaque process. And it does not predict their success. 

Some of the most extraordinary people I know graduated from schools you’d never find on a prestige shortlist. And they went on to build careers, communities and lives that took everyone’s breath away. What got them there was not the name on the diploma. It was what they did with the four years they were given and, more than anything, who they became in the process. 

If you’re on the waitlist 

A waitlist is not a rejection. It’s a genuine “not yet”— and it deserves a thoughtful, active response. 

If UCLA or USC remains a true priority for your student, the most meaningful next step they can take is to submit a letter of continued interest, often called a LOCI. This letter should be warm, specific and relatively brief. 

Provide an expression of genuine enthusiasm for the school, any meaningful updates since submitting the application (a new honor, a completed project, a leadership role that has deepened) and a clear, heartfelt articulation of why this particular school still feels like the right place. Specificity is everything here. A letter that could have been written about any school will not move the needle the way a specific, personal one can. 

What does move the needle is demonstrated alignment. A student who references a specific professor’s research, a program or initiative that genuinely excites them, a community they’ve felt drawn to … that level of specificity signals something real. Admissions readers can feel the difference between a student who wants this school and a student who simply wants an answer. Aim to be the former. 

For families who feel unsure how to approach this step, working with an experienced advisor can help ensure that a student’s voice and fit come through clearly and authentically. 

At the same time (and this matters just as much), commit somewhere else — and with full enthusiasm. Waitlists are uncertain by design, and a student who holds their breath waiting for an answer they can’t control loses months of momentum (and excitement) that belong somewhere else entirely. 

A student can remain genuinely hopeful about a waitlist and simultaneously invest their whole heart in the place where they’ve already been welcomed. In fact, that’s exactly what I’d encourage. 

The transfer pathway is a legitimate option 

Cindy Chanin is founder and CEO of Rainbow EDU Consulting & Tutoring.

For students who feel strongly that UCLA or USC is their long-term destination, the transfer pathway is a very real — and often highly effective — option. It’s important to approach this path with full commitment, not as a fallback. 

Those who navigate it successfully tend to do so with the same level of intention they would bring to day one anywhere else — by building a strong academic record and showing, through their coursework and application, a clear sense of where they’re headed and why.

The pathways look a little different depending on which school you’re aiming for. Both universities admit transfer students, and California’s community college system has some of the strongest articulation agreements in the country, which means this path, when pursued thoughtfully, can be a remarkably clear and direct one. 

For the UC system, transfer admission is designed for students entering with junior standing — typically around 60 transferable units. In practice, this means most students transfer after two full years of coursework, applying for admission the following fall. Students with significant AP or dual enrollment credit may reach that point sooner, but the expectation remains that you are entering as a junior. 

UCLA’s Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG) program can offer eligible California community college students guaranteed admission in select majors, but it requires careful planning from the very first semester. Tools such as the ASSIST database (assist.org) can help ensure that each course choice aligns with long-term goals. 

USC’s transfer process works differently and offers a meaningful advantage in terms of timing. Through USC’s Trojan Transfer Plan (TTP), students can apply as early as February of their freshman year of college, meaning a student who begins elsewhere in the fall may have the opportunity to transfer the following year, entering USC as a first-semester sophomore. For students who know early on that USC is where they hope to land, this creates a clear way to begin building toward that goal from the outset. 

The transfer pathway is structured but nuanced. The students who navigate it most successfully tend to do so with a high degree of intentionality: mapping coursework carefully, ensuring alignment with their intended major and shaping how their experiences build over time. 

For many families, having experienced, specialized guidance during this process can make a meaningful difference — not just in meeting requirements, but in helping a student present a clear, cohesive story of growth, direction and fit when the time comes to apply. 

Other college options are not consolation prizes 

It’s worth pausing here, because this matters: California is home to some of the most remarkable universities in the country, and the assumption that UCLA and USC occupy a category entirely their own is worth gently questioning. 

What I often come back to with families is this: The right school is one where your student can fully be themselves, where the academic culture challenges them in ways that feel alive rather than just demanding and where the resources genuinely match their ambitions. 

When a student steps into a school knowing exactly why it’s right for them, that clarity is palpable. It shapes how they show up from day one, how they build relationships with professors and how they pursue opportunities. The mindset and momentum a student carries matters infinitely more than the name on the building. 

How to handle college rejections

Disappointment is real and it deserves space. I’d gently encourage every parent not to rush past it — not to pivot too quickly to problem-solving before your student has had a chance to simply feel what they feel. Being truly heard is often the prerequisite to being ready to move forward.

Then, when the time is right, help them see this as the beginning of a story, not the end of a better one. Ask questions that open rather than close: What are you most curious about? What would make this next chapter feel like yours? 

Resist the pull toward comparison, because comparison is the fastest way to turn a moment of becoming into a moment of diminishment. Your student’s path is their own, and it doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s to be a good one. 

The resilience a young person builds navigating real disappointment isn’t incidental to their development; it’s central to it. How they respond when something doesn’t go as planned — the grace they find, the agency they reclaim, the next step they choose to take — tells you far more about their future than any admissions letter ever could. 

When one door closes, another opens

Where a student begins their college journey is one chapter. It is not the whole story. And when they step onto a path knowing why they chose it — really knowing, with curiosity and confidence and a whole self intact — the journey forward tends to unfold with a momentum that no ranking could have predicted. 

The world is not saying no. It is saying: Not this door, because yours is still opening. And in my experience, the door that opens next often has a way of being more aligned with who a student is becoming than it first appears. 

Cindy Chanin is the founder & CEO of Rainbow EDU Consulting & Tutoring, a bicoastal practice built on the belief that the right guidance at the right moment can change a student’s entire trajectory. With nearly two decades of experience advising students and families on college admissions and academic planning from Los Angeles to New York, and across the globe, she has guided hundreds of students through college admissions, transfer pathways and academic positioning — toward colleges where they don’t just arrive; they thrive. Learn more at rainboweduconsulting.com.

Why Pollinators Matter: A Family Guide to Protecting Bees, Butterflies and More

Published

Living Desert and Zoo Gardens staff

Learn why pollinators are essential to your family’s food and environment and how kids can help protect them at home.

Mission: Pollination! PHOTOS COURTESY LIVING DESERT AND ZOO GARDENS

Some of these superheroes fly, some are incredibly strong and some can see ultraviolet light … but they’re not cape-wearing characters from the Marvel or DC universe. They’re pollinators — tiny creatures doing some of the biggest jobs on Earth.

These tiny mini heroes are hard at work all around you. They help grow many of the foods we eat, support healthy ecosystems and keep flowers blooming in neighborhoods everywhere. You can find them in your backyard, at the park and in nearly every garden you see.

Let’s meet some of the super pollinators you might see here in Southern California.

Monarch Butterfly

Monarch at Living Gardens and Zoo in Palm Springs.

Strengths: Wings of steel! Monarchs have strong, fortified wings that allow them to migrate thousands of miles across continents.
Challenges: Habitat loss and climate change threaten their migration and breeding grounds.

Leafhopper

Strengths: Super-skilled jumper! These tiny insects can leap up to 100 times their body length to escape predators, making them surprisingly agile pollinators.
Challenges: Changing climates and reduced plant diversity limit their food sources.

Giant Hairy Scorpion

Strengths: Ultraviolet veil! Under ultraviolet light, these desert scorpions glow, a mysterious trait that continues to puzzle researchers.
Challenges: Over-collection for the pet trade and habitat loss.

Violet Carpenter Bee

Strengths: Nectar boost! These bees feed on wildflowers to restore energy while transferring pollen from bloom to bloom.
Challenges: Pesticides threaten their survival.

These are just a few members of a much larger pollinator superhero team. Others include bees, birds, bats, butterflies, moths, flies, wasps and beetles. Here in California, we are home to more than 1,600 native bee species alone.

How pollinators save the day

Hummingbird rests on a cactus at Living Zoo and Gardens.

Pollinators are vital for plant reproduction. When they visit a flower in search of food, pollen sticks to their bodies and is carried to the next bloom. This transfer allows plants to produce fruits, seeds and more flowers.

This process is essential to agriculture and growing food. In fact, roughly a third of the food we eat is thanks to pollinators. But their impact goes far beyond our plates. All kinds of animals rely on pollinators to sustain the plants they eat and use for shelter. These plants are also important to help clean the air, stabilize soil and give us natural resources like oils, fibers and seeds. Without these tiny superheroes, the environment, the plants, animals and even the everyday resources we rely on would all be at risk.

Unfortunately, unsustainable development, climate change and pesticide use pose serious threats to pollinators worldwide. Scientists estimate that up to 40% of pollinator species could face extinction if these threats continue.

How you and your family can help

The good news is that you can make a real difference for pollinators, right in your own backyard! Try these simple ways to help your local pollinator heroes thrive this spring and summer:

1. Add native, pollinator-friendly plants to your garden.
Native plants are a super powerful resource for local pollinators, providing nectar, pollen and places for larvae to grow. While non-native plants can still be visited by pollinators, native plants are perfectly adaptable to local conditions and provide the best support for local species. In some cases, a pollinator and a plant depend entirely on each other; without one, the other could not survive.

A healthy native pollinator garden includes:

  • Nectar plants for energy.
  • Shelter plants for resting and nesting.
  • Host plants that flower and have leaves at appropriate times of the year for caterpillars and larvae.

Even small patches of native plants make a difference, giving pollinators safe homes and food in urban and suburban areas.

2. Use pollinator-friendly pest control.
Many common pesticides can harm pollinators and persist in soil and plants for months or even years. Instead, try:

  • Hand-removing pests.
  • Using insecticidal soap on aphids.
  • Encouraging beneficial insects like ladybugs or lacewings as natural pest control.
  • Checking the labels. Avoid neonicotinoids as they are highly toxic to pollinators, even in small amounts. Common types include imidacloprid, acetamiprid, thiamethoxam, clothianidin and dinotefuran. Look for these under “active ingredients” on store-bought pesticides. In the state of California, look for seeds and plants labeled “neonic free.”
Propagation greenhouse at The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens.

3. Reduce lawn areas.
Replace high-maintenance turf grass with native perennials, which provide food and shelter for pollinators while conserving water and reducing chemical use.

4. Join the western Monarch Milkweed Mapper Project.
Become a community scientist and help track monarchs and milkweed! By recording your sightings, you can help scientists develop a more accurate count of monarch butterfly populations and contribute to the research of their migratory patterns. Click here to learn more.

Want more pollinator fun?

Families can dive into the world of pollinators like never before at Mission: Pollination! at The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens. This interactive, family-friendly adventure runs in Palm Desert through April 30. Guests of all ages can explore colorful gardens buzzing with bees, fluttering butterflies and vibrant blooms.

Along the way, discover dozens of supersized pollinators and learn about their amazing superpowers. Junior explorers can also enjoy an interactive maze and a park-wide game to collect special pollinator trading cards.

The Living Desert and Zoo Gardens is located in Palm Desert. Learn more at LivingDesert.org/Pollinators.

A Walkable Weekend Guide to Inglewood’s Los Angeles Stadium District

Published

By Cassandra Lane

Explore where to stay, eat and play in Inglewood’s growing stadium district, from SoFi Stadium to Hollywood Park and beyond.

The Anthem offers boutique accommodations in Inglewood steps from Intuit Dome, SoFi Stadium and Hollywood Park. PHOTO COURTESY THE ANTHEM

In L.A., I sometimes pine for a more walkable city, but that’s when I’m being unimaginative. Even in a county ruled by cars, there are pockets where you can ditch your car keys and immerse yourself in our region’s culture, food and entertainment on foot. The stadium district in Inglewood is a prime example. 

This newly branded “Los Angeles Stadium District” is bounded roughly by Century and Manchester boulevards between Prairie and LaBrea avenues. While the Kia Forum and Hollywood Park Casino are legacy venues, the corner of Prairie and Century has become exponentially more bustling in recent years with the opening of SoFi Stadium (home of the Los Angeles Chargers and Rams), YouTube Theater and Intuit Dome (the Clippers’ arena), Cinépolis (a luxury movie theater), CineVita (a live cinema venue), COSM (an immersive shared reality experience) and Iconix (an elevated gym).

What looks like a cluster of venues is actually one thing: Hollywood Park, a nearly 300-acre reimagining of the old racetrack that now wraps SoFi Stadium, a lakeside park, shops, apartments and more into a walkable district. 

Cassandra and Sol at SoFi Stadium. PHOTO COURTESY CASSANDRA LANE

During the early years of the pandemic, fitness instructor Claudine Cooper moved her free outdoor community workout from Inglewood’s Darby Park to Hollywood Park, drawing dozens of us from nearby neighborhoods and beyond. Back then, when we were the only ones milling around — taking pictures with the whopping SoFi Stadium sign and the new lake — it was hard to imagine thousands of people traversing the yet-unstained concrete. 

But as they say: Build it and they will come. 

My family and I aren’t big sports folks, but we do love moving our own bodies. On a recent Saturday, I took my usual athletic training class at Iconix, stopped by the Hollywood Park farmers market, drove less than 15 minutes to get home, then circled back to the stadium district with my college freshman, Sol, a few hours later to kick off our mother-son weekend.  

Pool at The Anthem. PHOTO COURTESY THE ANTHEM

Sol offered to drive and got his first experience valet parking. Our nearby home-away-from-home was The Anthem, a lovely boutique hotel appropriately named for a sports-rich district. It is flanked by the Intuit Dome and situated right across the street from the Hollywood Park sign on Century. Sol handed the valet our keys and we didn’t see our car again until checkout time late Sunday morning. Getting through a weekend without tons of driving for errands and entertainment is unheard of for our family. 

The hotel’s stylish lobby and pool area were buzzing with excitement. Locals and out-of-towners were gathering for a weekend of fun that included Monster Jam at SoFi (which we were attending) and a sold-out Mike Epps’ comedy show at Intuit Dome. Adults and kids splashed in the pool, but we only had time to lounge a bit before getting ready for our walk to SoFi.

When I return for a solo stay or with my husband, I’ll enjoy a cocktail or two from Soundwaves, the pool bar, but with my teen, it was water and a quick coffee to rev up our systems for what I knew was going to be a long and loud evening with monster trucks and some 60,000 screaming fans. 

Zombie monster truck in action at Monster Jam at SoFi Stadium. PHOTO BY CASSANDRA LANE

We had an Uber voucher, but chose to stick to our get-more-steps plan and walked 20 minutes to SoFi, falling in line with dozens of families doing the same. As we stood in line, we could hear a singer launch into the national anthem. The crowd’s cheers were quickly drowned out by the absolute roar of the first monster trucks. Sol and I looked at each other in hilarious panic. In all his years growing up, we had not attended a Monster Jam, but it’s never too late to make up for missed childhood experiences. 

A self-proclaimed foodie, he was eager to test the stadium’s food most of all, and used the time we stood in line to scan best-of lists online. We split up to pursue our different cravings, then reunited to find our field seats and enjoy the show. 

“Grave Digger is popular; I saw lots of people buying his merch upstairs,” Sol said as the black-and-green flame-painted truck roared onto the dirt-covered field. I was rooting for the Zombie truck simply because I thought the protruding zombie arms were innovative. As Zombie prepared to enter the field, I joined in with the rest of the attendees in the “zombie dance,” and my teen rolled his eyes. It was too loud to hear his snide remarks, though, so I laughed and danced anyway. And yelled like a true fan when Zombie mastered the backflip ramp.

In the end, Grave Digger won the overall championship, delighting thousands of fans, including little ones who were giddy to be out and about past bedtime. On our walk back to our hotel, the scent of churros and Sonoran and Tijuana-style hot dogs filled the air as vendors hawked their goods. I glanced at the lines of cars trying to get into the rideshare area and was thankful our hotel was so close. 

In the room, we took to our comfortable beds — him planning to study a bit, me planning to read. “Oh look,” I said, “there’s a white noise machine. What do you want to hear — ocean, a brook, forest…”

“Forest sounds,” he said, his eyes already closing.

And into the night we both went, with the soft sound of rustling leaves and the crystal call of crickets settling our nervous systems and our eardrums — a most welcome anthem after a long, loud and memorable day in Inglewood.

Cassandra Lane is editor-in-chief of L.A. Parent. 

Is Your Child Ready for an E-Bike? Safety Tips for Parents

Published

By Elena Epstein

Before your tween or teen hops on an e-bike, here’s what parents need to know about safety, age guidelines and injury risks.

They’re fast, fun and everywhere. E-bikes have become the must-have ride for many tweens and teens, but before parents commit to buying, they should understand the real safety risks of these vehicles that have speeds much faster than traditional bikes. We spoke with a Cedars-Sinai trauma surgeon about what families need to know before that first ride.

Galinos Barmparas, M.D., FACS, is a father of two boys and the medical director of trauma in the Jim and Eleanor Randall Department of Surgery at Cedars-Sinai. 

Sneak peek: What age is safe for an e-bike? Barmparas recommends waiting until the later teen years, depending on maturity, judgment and road awareness.

Have you noticed a growth in the popularity of e-bikes among tweens and young teens?

Galinos Barmparas, M.D., with his sons. PHOTO COURTESY GALINOS BARMPARAS

Yes, absolutely. A few years ago, these were still relatively niche products — expensive, somewhat limited and not nearly as common among kids and teenagers. Now, they are more affordable, the battery life is better, and they have become part of everyday life for many middle and high school students. Kids use them to get to school, sports and social activities. And frankly, it is not hard to understand the appeal. At that age, kids want independence, freedom and mobility, and e-bikes offer all of that in a very immediate way. If I were that age, I would probably want one, too. 

Have you noticed a surge in e-bike-related accidents? 

We are undoubtedly seeing this trend both nationally and here locally, in both adults and children. Several Southern California centers have reported a sharp rise over a very short period. These numbers, which are probably underreported, reflect the growing popularity of these vehicles, but they also highlight the very real safety concerns that come with them. These are not simple bicycle falls. E-bikes can reach speeds of almost 30 mph, and many young riders are not prepared for how quickly they accelerate or how differently they handle at those speeds, especially when braking or turning.

What are you seeing as a trauma surgeon?

What we are seeing as trauma surgeons is often much more serious than what parents picture when they think of a typical bicycle fall. The injury patterns are often closer to what we see in higher-energy crashes: significant road rash, fractures of the wrist, forearm and clavicle and, most concerning, brain and facial injuries. A child who goes over the handlebars at 20 to 25 mph without a properly fitted helmet can be in a genuinely dangerous situation. We are also seeing crashes involving cars, pedestrians and fixed objects. And this is because the speed of these bikes can outpace a young rider’s judgment, reaction time and ability to control the bike, especially when braking or turning.

We have heard from parents who feel that they can’t say “no” to an e-bike because all of their child’s friends have one. How can parents better navigate this difficult situation?

As a parent, I understand how difficult this can be. Many families feel torn between legitimate safety concerns and the worry that their child will feel left out socially. But this is exactly when parents need to shift the conversation away from popularity and toward safety. An e-bike is not a toy; it is a motorized vehicle that can travel fast enough to cause a serious, even life-changing injury. Parents should feel comfortable saying no if they are not confident their child is ready. It is also worth talking with other parents in the friend group, because many may share the same concerns, and a shared approach is often much easier and more effective than one parent trying to hold the line alone. For some families, a reasonable middle ground may be a lower-speed model under close supervision, with clear rules and formal safety training.

What age do you think is safe for an e-bike?

Practically speaking, I would not recommend e-bikes for most tweens. A more reasonable threshold is for older teens, and even then, only if the rider is mature, follows rules consistently and is using an age-appropriate bike. In California, riders must be at least 16 to operate a Class 3 e-bike, which is the faster category that can reach speeds of up to 28 mph, and Class 3 riders are required to wear a helmet. More important than age alone, though, is readiness. Parents should ask whether their child can reliably handle speed, traffic, distraction and split-second decision-making. If the child is impulsive, easily distracted, ignores rules or has limited road awareness, then the answer should be no — or at least, not yet.

Safety rules for every rider

Several are non-negotiable in my view:

  • Helmet for every single ride, no exceptions. And it needs to be the right helmet. A standard bicycle helmet is not designed for the speeds an e-bike can reach. A multisport or motorcycle-certified helmet appropriate for the speed class of the bike is recommended.
  • Wrist guards and knee/elbow pads, particularly for younger or less experienced riders. The natural instinct when falling is to put your hands out, so protecting those structures matters.
  • Bright, visible clothing and lights, day and night. E-bikes are faster than cars expect cyclists to be, and visibility is a true safety issue.Absolutely no earbuds or phone use while riding.A conversation about traffic law. Many kids don’t know that e-bikes are subject to the same rules of the road as bicycles. In California, there are specific regulations about which class of e-bike a minor can operate without a license.
  • Also: Establish a defined, agreed-upon riding area and routes that are reviewed by the parents first.

Practice e-bike riding first

Beyond the safety equipment, I would emphasize two things:

  • First, the child should practice in a safe, controlled environment, such as an empty parking lot or other quiet area, before ever riding on a public road. They need to learn how the bike accelerates, how long it takes to stop and how it handles when turning. 
  • Second, if a formal riding lesson or safety course is available, I think that is a very good idea. The League of American Bicyclists and some local organizations offer these.

Any other thoughts you would like to share?

It is very important to understand that the injury severity we see with e-bikes isn’t primarily about recklessness, but rather about speed and physics. A well-meaning, careful kid who misjudges a curb or gets surprised by a car door can sustain a very serious injury at e-bike speeds that they would have walked away from on a conventional bike. The margin for error is smaller, and that is worth taking seriously — regardless of how responsible your child generally is. 

E-bikes are here to stay. Trying to ban them makes no sense and, frankly, isn’t the point. The goal is not to eliminate them, but to make sure we are raising kids who are prepared to ride them safely. That means the right age, the right training, the right equipment and parents who are paying attention.

408 California Schools Named Distinguished Schools for 2026

Published

More than 400 California middle and high schools have been recently recognized for academic excellence, with standout campuses across the state earning top honors through the California Distinguished Schools Program. Announced by State Superintendent Tony Thurmond, the annual awards highlight schools that are raising student achievement, closing equity gaps and creating new opportunities for success.

Since its inception in 1985, the California Distinguished Schools Award remains one of the state’s most important ways to celebrate exceptional schools, districts, teachers, and classified employees for their innovation, talent, and success in supporting students. The 2026 California Distinguished Schools, along with 2025 California Blue Ribbon Schools, 2026 Green Achievers, 2026 Exemplary Dual Enrollment Award Schools, and 2025 Civic Learning Awards of Excellence will be recognized at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim on April 24, 2026.

“It is my pleasure to honor and recognize these 408 schools for their efforts to move the needle for student achievement, no matter what,” Thurmond said. “An excellent public education has the power to transform lives, and I commend the educators and schoolcommunities who have dedicated themselves to producing exemplary results. This year’s California Distinguished Schools represent the hard work of our middle and high schooleducators and school staff, who provide our secondary students with life-changing educational opportunities.”

The California Distinguished Schools aims to recognize exemplary instructional programs throughout state public schools, the largest public school system in the U.S.

How schools are recognized

This year’s award categories build on long-standing recognition of the following two categories:

1) Exemplary high achievers: Schools that are among the highest in the state in academic achievement for all students, which have also ensured that historically underserved student groups are maintaining or increasing academic progress.

2) Achievement gap closers: Schools that are accelerating academic progress for two or more groups that have been historically underserved, while also demonstrating achievement for all students that is above the state median and maintaining or increasing academic performance for all students. 

This year, California Distinguished Schools added a third category of recognition:

3) Beacons of opportunity: Schools serving rural and Title 1 school communities that distinguish themselves through multiple student outcomes at very high performance levels.

For years in which middle schools and high schools are eligible, the outcomes considered include graduation rates as well as rates of college and career readiness.

Eligibility for all categories is determined by metrics generated through the California statewide accountability system for public schools, the California School Dashboard. The 2026 California Distinguished Schools were determined using data from the 2025 California School Dashboard. 

In keeping with statewide standards for accountability, schools must have at least 95 percent participation in statewide assessments to qualify for Distinguished School recognition. Schools may not earn recognition as a California Distinguished School if they have concerning schoolclimate indicators, such as very high suspension or chronic absenteeism. 

Schools need not apply for California Distinguished Schools, as every school’s data is automatically considered in alternating years. To further clarify, elementary schools and kindergarten through eighth-grade schools were considered in 2025 and will next be considered in 2027. Middle schools and high schools are being considered in 2026 and will next be considered in 2028. Schools motivated to achieve this statewide distinction are encouraged to set annual schoolwide goals aligned to their progress and areas of growth on the Dashboard.

The list of schools in L.A. County is below. For more information, please visit the CDE California Distinguished Schools Program web page.

2026 California Distinguished Schools in L.A. County

ABC Unified – Cerritos High School

ABC Unified – Whitney (Gretchen) High School

Antelope Valley Union High – SOAR High School(Students On Academic Rise) 

Arcadia Unified – Foothills Middle School

Beverly Hills Unified – Beverly Vista Middle School

Bonita Unified – Lone Hill Middle School

Bonita Unified – Ramona Middle School

Burbank Unified – John Muir Middle School

Castaic Union – Castaic Middle School

Claremont Unified – El Roble Intermediate School

Compton Unified – Compton Early College High School

Compton Unified – Compton High School

Compton Unified – Davis Middle School

Compton Unified – Manuel Dominguez High School

Compton Unified – Whaley Middle School

Covina-Valley Unified – South Hills High School

Downey Unified – Doty (Wendy Lopour) Middle School

Downey Unified – Griffiths (Gordon) Middle School

Downey Unified – Sussman (Edward A.) Middle School

Duarte Unified – California School of the Arts – San Gabriel Valley 

El Monte Union High – El Monte High School

El Segundo Unified – El Segundo High School

El Segundo Unified – El Segundo Middle School

Garvey Elementary – Temple (Roger W.) Intermediate School

Glendale Unified – Anderson W. Clark Magnet High School

Glendale Unified – Eleanor J. Toll Middle School

Glendale Unified – Woodrow Wilson Middle School

Glendora Unified – Glendora High School

Glendora Unified – Goddard Middle School

Glendora Unified – Sandburg Middle School

Hawthorne – Hawthorne Math and Science Academy 

Inglewood Unified – City Honors International Preparatory High School

Lawndale Elementary – Environmental Charter High School – Lawndale 

Lawndale Elementary – Jane Addams Middle School

Lawndale Elementary – Will Rogers Middle School

Lennox – Lennox Mathematics, Science and Technology Academy 

Long Beach Unified – California Academy of Mathematics and Science 

Long Beach Unified – Ernest S. McBride, Sr. High School

Long Beach Unified – Eunice Sato Academy of Math & Science 

Long Beach Unified – Helen Keller Middle School

Long Beach Unified – Millikan High School

Long Beach Unified – Stanford Middle School

Los Angeles County Office of Education – International Polytechnic High School

Los Angeles County Office of Education – Magnolia Science Academy 5 

Los Angeles Unified – Academy of Medical Arts at Carson High 

Los Angeles Unified – Alexander Fleming Middle School

Los Angeles Unified – Alliance Dr. Olga Mohan High School

Los Angeles Unified – Alliance Judy Ivie Burton Technology Academy High School

Los Angeles Unified – Alliance Leichtman-Levine Family Foundation Environmental Science High School

Los Angeles Unified – Alliance Marc & Eva Stern Math and Science 

Los Angeles Unified – Alliance Margaret M. Bloomfield Technology Academy High School

Los Angeles Unified – Alliance Patti And Peter Neuwirth Leadership Academy 

Los Angeles Unified – Alliance Susan and Eric Smidt Technology High School

Los Angeles Unified – Alliance Ted K. Tajima High School

Los Angeles Unified – Animo Ellen Ochoa Charter Middle School

Los Angeles Unified – Animo Jackie Robinson High School

Los Angeles Unified – Animo Pat Brown 

Los Angeles Unified – Animo South Los Angeles Charter School

Los Angeles Unified – Animo Venice Charter High School

Los Angeles Unified – Animo Watts College Preparatory Academy 

Los Angeles Unified – Bell Senior High School

Los Angeles Unified – Carson Senior High School

Los Angeles Unified – CATCH Prep Charter High School, Inc. 

Los Angeles Unified – Central City Value 

Los Angeles Unified – Cesar E. Chavez Learning Academies-Social Justice Humanitas Academy 

Los Angeles Unified – Downtown Business High School

Los Angeles Unified – Dr. Richard A. Vladovic Harbor Teacher Preparation Academy 

Los Angeles Unified – Eagle Rock High School

Los Angeles Unified – Early College Academy-LA Trade Tech College 

Los Angeles Unified – Ednovate – Esperanza College Prep 

Los Angeles Unified – Ednovate – USC Hybrid High School College Prep 

Los Angeles Unified – Francisco Bravo Medical Magnet High School

Los Angeles Unified – Gaspar De Portola Charter Middle School

Los Angeles Unified – George Ellery Hale Charter Academy 

Los Angeles Unified – George K. Porter Middle School

Los Angeles Unified – Girls Academic Leadership Academy, Dr. Michelle King School for Sci, Tech, Eng and Math 

Los Angeles Unified – Hollywood Senior High School

Los Angeles Unified – Humanities and Arts (HARTS) Academy of Los Angeles 

Los Angeles Unified – ICEF View Park Preparatory High School

Los Angeles Unified – ICEF Vista Middle Academy School

Los Angeles Unified – International Studies Learning Center at Legacy High School Complex 

Los Angeles Unified – John Burroughs Middle School

Los Angeles Unified – John F. Kennedy High School

Los Angeles Unified – John Marshall Senior High School

Los Angeles Unified – King/Drew Medical Magnet High School

Los Angeles Unified – Linda Esperanza Marquez High School A Huntington Park Institute of Applied Medicine 

Los Angeles Unified – Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies 

Los Angeles Unified – Luther Burbank Middle School Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math Magnet 

Los Angeles Unified – Magnolia Science Academy 4 

Los Angeles Unified – Magnolia Science Academy 6 

Los Angeles Unified – Mark Twain Middle School

Los Angeles Unified – Math, Science, & Technology Magnet Academy at Roosevelt High School

Los Angeles Unified – Maywood Center for Enriched Studies 

Los Angeles Unified – Middle College High School

Los Angeles Unified – Oliver Wendell Holmes Middle School

Los Angeles Unified – Orthopaedic Hospital School

Los Angeles Unified – Patrick Henry Middle School

Los Angeles Unified – Port of Los Angeles High School

Los Angeles Unified – PUC Community Charter Middle and PUC Community Charter Early College High School

Los Angeles Unified – PUC Lakeview Charter High School

Los Angeles Unified – PUC Triumph Charter Academy and PUC Triumph Charter High School

Los Angeles Unified – Robert Frost Middle School

Los Angeles Unified – San Pedro Senior High School

Los Angeles Unified – Science Academy STEM Magnet 

Los Angeles Unified – Sotomayor Arts and Sciences Magnet 

Los Angeles Unified – South East High School

Los Angeles Unified – STEM Academy at Bernstein High School

Los Angeles Unified – Sylmar Biotech Health and Engineering Magnet 

Los Angeles Unified – Synergy Kinetic Academy 

Los Angeles Unified – Taft Charter High School

Los Angeles Unified – Ulysses S. Grant Senior High School

Los Angeles Unified – University Pathways Public Service Academy 

Los Angeles Unified – Valley Academy of Arts and Sciences 

Los Angeles Unified – Valor Academy High School

Los Angeles Unified – Venice Senior High School

Los Angeles Unified – Washington Irving Middle School Math, Music and Engineering Magnet 

Los Angeles Unified – WISH Academy High School

Los Nietos – Los Nietos Middle School

Norwalk-La Mirada Unified – Arlie F. Hutchinson Middle School

Norwalk-La Mirada Unified – Norwalk High School

Norwalk-La Mirada Unified – Reginald M. Benton Middle School

Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified – Palos Verdes Intermediate School

Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified – Ridgecrest Intermediate School

Redondo Beach Unified – Adams Middle School

San Gabriel Unified – Gabrielino High School

San Marino Unified – Huntington Middle School

San Marino Unified – San Marino High School

Santa Monica-Malibu Unified – John Adams Middle School

South Pasadena Unified – South Pasadena Middle School

Temple City Unified – Oak Avenue Intermediate School

Torrance Unified – Calle Mayor Middle School

Torrance Unified – Casimir Middle School

Torrance Unified – Edward J. Richardson Middle School

Torrance Unified – Jefferson Middle School

Torrance Unified – Philip Magruder Middle School

Torrance Unified – Torrance High School

Torrance Unified – West High School

Walnut Valley Unified – Chaparral Middle School

Walnut Valley Unified – Diamond Bar High School

Walnut Valley Unified – South Pointe Middle School

Walnut Valley Unified – Suzanne Middle School

Walnut Valley Unified – Walnut High School

West Covina Unified – Edgewood High School

West Covina Unified – Hollencrest Middle School

West Covina Unified – Mt. SAC Early College Academy at West Covina 

William S. Hart Union High – Academy of the Canyons 

William S. Hart Union High – Canyon High School

William S. Hart Union High – Castaic High School

William S. Hart Union High – La Mesa Junior High School

William S. Hart Union High – Saugus High School

William S. Hart Union High – West Ranch High School

Wiseburn Unified – Da Vinci Science

Mobile Farmers Market Launches in Los Angeles with Fresh Local Food

Published

Families enjoying Prosperity Market in Los Angeles. PHOTOS BY ASHA MONE

Los Angeles families can soon shop fresh, local and Black-owned — right from a farmer’s market on wheels. Prosperity Market is launching its new fleet of solar-powered mobile trailers on April 4, bringing farm-fresh produce, pantry staples and chef-driven meals directly to neighborhoods across the city. Part food truck, part farmers market, these 48-foot trailers spotlight Black farmers, food producers and chefs while expanding access to healthy food in communities that need it most.

Black-owned businesses include Ghost Town Oats, The Farmer Ken and Gloria’s Shito, plus a rotating roster of L.A.’s best chefs taking over the trailers’ kitchens. Co-founders Kara Still and Carmen Dianne envisioned the trailers as farmer’s-markets-on-wheels, and unveiled their design of the first solar-powered and electric trailer at the 2023 LA Auto Show. Since then, Prosperity Market has popped up at iconic L.A. venues such as The Original Farmers Market and the Melrose Trading Post. Prosperity Market will announce the trailer’s upcoming schedule following the launch event, which will include weekly stops across Los Angeles. Follow @prosperity.market on social media for the most updated information.

Inside Prosperity Market during a stop at The Original Farmer’s Market in L.A.

On Saturday, April 4 (11 a.m.-3 p.m.), Prosperity Market will celebrate the official kickoff of the regular trailer schedule with a pop-up market at Earle’s on Crenshaw (3864 Crenshaw Blvd. in Los Angeles). The trailer will be stocked with products and produce from Prosperity Market’s vendors and farmers, and the kitchen will feature Chef John Cleveland of Post & Beam, bringing back the beloved restaurant’s menu for a limited time. Hosted by Tammi Mac of KJLH, the event will also feature a wine bar by 1010 Wine & Events, coffee by Ora Cafe, a STEAM kids area by Teach to Reach, games by Love, Peace, Spades, music by DJ Myah Moves and cooking demos by Chef Sharon Graves of BLVD Kitchen. 

The first trailer was made possible in 2022 by a  $100k+ crowdfund (with additional support from Jrue and Lauren Holiday’s JLH Social Impact Fund), with two additional trailers funded by a generous contribution from music industry legend Dr. Dre. Through Dr. Dre’s donation, Prosperity Market’s fiscal sponsor SIMA is also able to provide nearly 6,000 young African women with professional training in health, education and entrepreneurship across 48 countries in Africa, through a collaboration with Nigeria-based leadership institute, LEAP Africa.  

Best Easter Gifts for Kids 2026: Toys Crafts and Basket Ideas

Published

By Elena Epstein

Easter in L.A. is more than baskets and bunny ears — it’s a full-on celebration of spring. Think sun-dappled egg hunts, blooming gardens, hands-on crafts and playful surprises tucked into every corner of the season. Whether you’re mapping out your weekend adventures or filling baskets with fresh finds, our guide brings together the best of SoCal’s Easter magic — from festive outings to creative gifts that keep the fun going long after the last egg is found.

Read the Easter guide here.

The Power of Slowing Down: Why Simple Family Moments Matter

Published

By Shara Watkins

Shara Watkins’ daughters love creating at home. PHOTO COURTESY SHARA WATKINS

On the evening of Feb.11, we stood at the kitchen counter reviewing a recipe for homemade playdough. Flour. Salt. Cream of tartar. Two eager girls. And one very tired mom.


I was, let’s just say … less eager. Both girls had been home sick for multiple days, which meant I had a hundred things on my work to-do list. Lingering colds and asthma exacerbations meant I was basically a walking zombie. What I really wanted to do was to lie on the couch — or bang out a series of work emails. 


Dressed in cozy jammies for one of the cooler L.A. “winter” nights and listening to the Gracie Abrams essentials playlist in the background, my girls and I started measuring and pouring. Bedtime was creeping up, but I had promised Kennedy that we’d make playdough for her school friends. So, I took a few deep breaths and grounded myself. 


We started with the dry ingredients, wondering how we should adjust the recipe to ensure there was enough playdough for everyone. The girls embraced cooking together, sharing scoops, floury messes and giggles. We welcomed the goopy mess we created once we added all the wet ingredients and plopped the pan on the stove. 


For a second, I worried this whole thing was going to be a bust. I felt a wave of panic when I checked the recipe, which said it would be two to three minutes for the playdough to clump together — but five minutes had already passed. I didn’t have a Plan B, and we’d already poured every last ounce of energy (and ingredient) into this pot of dough. 


But we stirred slowly. We paused. We added food coloring, one single drop at a time. And, eventually, it was glorious. We settled into the rhythm of stirring, passing the spoon and watching the playdough clump together and turn pink. 


Together, we crafted small balls of homemade playdough for each friend. Kennedy meticulously wrote her name on a nametag. I wrapped each ball of dough in parchment paper. Kaiya tied it all together, bracelets they made earlier in the week included. I caught myself staring at their teeny fingers. Most days, the girls seem so big. They have opinions, independence, sass. But in this moment, time stopped. They were simply my two little babies, and their little fingers were making magic. 


Bedtime was later than I wanted, but also simpler. There was something about the routine that night that felt steadier. Both girls melted into bed for a story and a meditation. They were snoozing only a few minutes later. There was a peacefulness that filled our home. 


The playdough wasn’t the point. The point was choosing the slow moment — even when everything in me wanted to rush past it. We find love in the staying. That night reminded me this isn’t the only place we try to choose the slow.

Choosing the slow moment

  • We often slow down to make something imperfect. We sit at the table. We spill glitter on the floor. We make cards from our hearts in moments when love feels big. 
  • I try to make a habit of putting my phone in another room and playing one more round of a game with the girls even when I’m exhausted. We might bend the rules. I might let them win. Sometimes, love means not rushing bedtime. 
  • At other times, we spend five extra minutes in bed on a school day snuggling. We hold hands during our bedtime story, even though they are big. 
  • We gift with love and intention. Kennedy thinks about a special Valentine’s Day treat for Birdie, her best dog bud at school. Kaiya writes a special note for her fourth-grade buddy. 


My daughters are learning to notice others, to love big and to gift meaningfully. We are all learning that slow is where the magic hides. 

Shara Watkins is a Los Angeles mom of two and the founder of Rose + Jade, a curated gifting company focused on thoughtful, sustainable gifts for families. Learn more at roseandjade.shop.

Why Routines Matter for Kids: How Structure Helps Children Thrive

Published

By Troi Jefferson

Troi Jefferson is a therapist for Diversified Therapy LA. PHOTO COURTESY DIVERSIFIED THERAPY LA

Structure is a key component of healthy child development. Through consistent routines and clear expectations, structure creates a sense of stability that helps children feel secure and confident. When children understand what to expect and what is expected of them, they are better able to manage challenges and focus on growth. 

Below are a few key benefits of incorporating structure into your child’s life: 

● Provides a sense of safety: When kids know what’s coming next, they feel more comfortable and relaxed. Simple routines and clear expectations take away a lot of the guesswork, making routines like bedtime, meals and homework feel easier and helping kids get through their day with confidence. 

● Builds emotional regulation: Structure helps kids understand what behaviors are acceptable and which are not. When limits are consistent, children learn how to pause, calm themselves and handle big feelings in healthier ways. 

● Boosts confidence: When kids know what’s expected and see themselves succeed, it gives them a real sense of confidence. Structure shows them they can handle responsibilities and trust themselves to get things done. 

● Enhances academic growth: Regular study times and structured routines teach children discipline, concentration and lifelong learning skills. 

● Encourages creativity: A stable framework gives children the freedom to explore and experiment. When they feel safe and grounded, they are more willing to be curious, imaginative and creative. 

● Strengthens relationships: Consistency from caregivers builds trust. When adults follow through with routines and expectations, children feel supported, understood and valued. 

Structure is a lasting gift for children. By providing consistency, clear boundaries and dependable support, adults help them develop resilience, self-discipline and independence, preparing them to make thoughtful choices and handle responsibility with confidence.

Far from limiting them, structure empowers children to grow into capable, secure adults. It gives them a sense of stability in a changing world, encouraging curiosity and the courage to explore new ideas and challenges. Over time, these habits lay the foundation for lifelong learning, personal growth and lasting success. 

Troi Jefferson, MA, is a registered associate marriage and family therapist and registered associate clinical counselor with Diversified Therapy LA.

Kids and Eye Allergies in Los Angeles: What Parents Need to Know

Published

By Dr. Danielle Richardson

If you’re a parent in Los Angeles, you’ve likely seen it: Your child comes in from playing outside with red, watery eyes, rubbing them nonstop. Or maybe mornings start with puffiness, sneezing and complaints of “itchy eyes” before school.

Seasonal allergies are incredibly common in Southern California, and they don’t just affect noses and sinuses. They have a significant impact on eye health, especially for children.

As an optometrist practicing in L.A., I see firsthand how allergy season can interfere with kids’ comfort, focus and overall quality of life. The good news? With the right knowledge and simple strategies, parents can make a big difference.

Optometrist Dr. Danielle Richardson with her family in L.A. PHOTO COURTESY DR. DANIELLE RICHARDSON

Allergy or infection? Understanding the difference.

One of the most common questions I get from parents is: How do I know if it’s allergies or something else?

The key difference lies in what’s causing the symptoms. Allergies are your child’s immune system reacting to an allergen such as pollen, grass, pet dander, dust or even fragrances. When exposed, the body releases histamines. These histamines trigger classic allergy symptoms: itching, redness, watering and swelling.

An infection, on the other hand, is caused by bacteria or a virus. While both allergies and infections can cause red eyes, there’s one hallmark symptom that strongly points to allergies: itching.

Allergic eyes itch. Infections typically do not.

With eye allergies, symptoms usually affect both eyes, include itching, watery discharge, redness or light sensitivity, and may come with puffy eyelids. They also often occur alongside sneezing or a runny nose.

If only one eye is affected, or if there’s thick discharge, that may signal something other than allergies, such as conjunctivitis or “pink eye.”

Why kids are especially affected

About 1 in 5 children experience seasonal allergies. And because kids often spend more time outdoors, they’re exposed to more environmental triggers.

The challenge is that younger children don’t always articulate what they’re feeling. They may not say, “My eyes are itchy.” Instead, you’ll see constant rubbing.

That rubbing is more than a harmless habit. Over time, frequent eye rubbing can physically alter the shape of the cornea, the clear front surface of the eye. This can increase astigmatism and affect vision. It’s one of the reasons managing allergies early matters.

As parents, you become detectives. Pay attention to patterns. Do symptoms flare up:

  • After outdoor play?
  • After visiting a home with pets?
  • On windy days?
  • During weather shifts?

Observing these connections can help you identify likely triggers even if your child hasn’t had formal allergy testing.

Unique allergy triggers for L.A. residents

Southern California presents its own set of challenges.

Our region experiences variable air quality, Santa Ana winds, wildfire smoke, rapid weather changes and extended growing seasons. Many people assume rain eliminates allergies. Sometimes that’s true. Rain can temporarily reduce airborne pollen. But it depends on what your child is allergic to.

If the trigger is pollen, rainfall may help. But if the trigger is grass, mold or blooming plants stimulated by moisture, symptoms can worsen. Frequent weather shifts, like we often see in L.A., can stir up allergens and create fluctuating symptoms.

Checking the air quality index (AQI) on high-wind or smoky days can help parents anticipate flare-ups and plan accordingly.

What I look for during an eye exam

When I examine a child with suspected allergies, I’m not just listening to symptoms; I’m looking for physical signs of inflammation.

Allergic reactions create visible changes in the eye’s surface tissues. The body’s inflammatory response is something we can actually see under magnification. That’s why regular eye exams are valuable, especially if your child experiences ongoing irritation.

Sometimes what parents assume is “just allergies” may need targeted treatment or monitoring.

Simple, effective relief at home

The good news is that many allergy-related eye symptoms can be managed. Here are my go-to recommendations for parents:

1. Cool compresses (not warm). For allergies, always use cool compresses. Cool temperatures help reduce inflammation and soothe itching. Warm compresses are helpful for other eye conditions, but not for allergic irritation.

2. Rinse the eyes. Preservative-free artificial tears can be used to gently flush allergens off the surface of the eye, especially after outdoor sports or playground time. Think of it as washing pollen away.

3. Hypochlorous acid sprays. There are child-friendly hypochlorous acid sprays available. While these aren’t antihistamines, they can help reduce irritation and support eyelid hygiene, particularly important when kids have been rubbing their eyes and introducing bacteria to the area. This topical solution is for the skin around the eyes, the lids and lashes. Be sure to spray gently while the eyes are closed.  

4. Monitor systemic symptoms. If eye symptoms are accompanied by significant sneezing or a runny nose, pediatric antihistamines may be appropriate. Always consult your child’s pediatrician before starting medication.

When to seek professional care

If symptoms persist year-round, interfere with school, activities or sleep, cause significant redness or swelling and don’t improve with basic measures, it’s time for an eye exam. Your eye doctor can help confirm the cause and recommend treatment options.  

The bigger picture: Quality of life

Allergies may seem minor, but for kids, constant itching and watering can be exhausting. I often remind parents that treating eye allergies isn’t just about appearance, it’s about comfort and focus.

In L.A., where kids are active outdoors year-round, being proactive matters. Watch for patterns. Notice behaviors. Trust your instincts. You know your child best.

With simple interventions and attentive care, most allergy symptoms can be managed effectively, helping your child get back to what matters most: learning, playing and seeing clearly.

Dr. Danielle Richardson, a VSP network optometrist and founder of CLARITY in Los Angeles, is dedicated to helping families protect their eye health at every stage of life.

How Nature Helps Kids Build Confidence, Independence and Lifelong Skills

Published

By Margot Black

“Last Child in the Woods” by Richard Louv.

As a new mom, everything is fresh and wonderful (and terrifying!) and you’re looking to do your best in every situation, yet, at the same time, everything about the experience is overwhelming. 

To help combat my new mom anxiety, I read everything I could, and while most parenting books were kind of vanilla, every so often one would truly resonate.

A standout was “Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature Deficit Disorder,” by Richard Louv. Looking back, I can honestly say that the lessons it taught me worked. I know this because a few weeks ago, I stood outside our home watching my 18-year-old son, Jett, load up the car for a two-week camping trip to three states and six national parks – Yosemite, Sequoia National Park and Crater Lake among them. 

He’d planned everything himself: the campsite bookings, the gear, the food, the itinerary. I watched him pack his tent, hiking boots, machete (I tried not to think too hard about that one) and his hammer. He looked at me, grinning, and in that moment, I thought to myself, “Huh, that book worked.”

Back to the beginning

My son riding a broomstick while hiking in Japan. PHOTOS COURTESY MARGOT BLACK

When Jett was just eight weeks old, my stepmom suggested I read Louv’s New York Times bestselling book. “I think this is up your alley and your love of nature,” she said. One thing about me: When people I love suggest I read a book, I tend to read it. 

At the time, I had just lost my business partner in the entertainment industry and was pivoting into travel and lifestyle writing and public relations. I was craving a sense of purpose and calm, and Louv’s book hit me like a lightning bolt. It was about the growing disconnect between kids and nature — and how much children need to climb, explore and get dirty to develop into balanced, creative humans. This is especially necessary for boys, who simply do not get enough of this sort of adventure and exploration in our uber-connected gaming world. 

I told my husband, Rob, “Let’s raise an outdoor kid; let’s embrace nature,” and so we decided that, as a family, we’d spend our money on experiences rather than things. Fewer handbags, more hikes. Fewer gadgets, more adventures. We declared ourselves an “outdoor family.” 

Our family’s outdoor philosophy

My son’s first trip with us.

From then on, nature became our family’s classroom, playground and therapy. We explored mountains, oceans and forests. We camped in El Capitan, kayaked in Catalina and snorkeled in Maui. Every trip was an opportunity for our son to get his hands dirty, his heart full and his perspective widened. I even have photos of us with Jett wrapped in a Baby Björn on a boating daytrip, my first commitment to taking our kid along in outdoor travel. The captain who snapped our first outdoor family photo cheered us on: “Good for you for getting out!” 

When life got chaotic — and it often did, with the career uncertainties and a few eccentric in-laws thrown into the mix — nature steadied us. 

My stopping for a dip in a river while hiking with friends. PHOTO COURTESY JETT BLACK

During the pandemic, when travel and school came to a screeching halt, I enrolled us in sailing lessons. Nature would once again be our teacher. Jett learned to surf and snowboard. We discovered hidden hiking trails near our home and spent weekends under the California sky, watching the stars. Nature was always the solution to stress, boredom, disconnection and, later, teenage angst.

Full circle: The solo trip

Fast forward to today. Watching Jett plan and execute his own camping trip was a full-circle moment. He handled it all, booking sites, navigating apps, budgeting, packing and creating backup plans when his first campsite sold out.

We gave him only one rule for safety, and that was not to drive for longer than four hours in one stretch. I helped organize two laundry stops. The rest was up to him. I was both proud and terrified as he drove away. 

When he came home energized a couple of weeks later, he said, “Mom, it was the best trip of my life. It changed me.” 

He edited a video for his YouTube channel, which showed clips of him and his friend driving through winding mountain roads, cooking dinner over a camp stove, waking at 4 a.m. to hike to a sunrise lookout and canoeing down a misty river. 

He laughed about packing too much, getting chased by an angry swarm of bees — and about how he finally understood why I always insisted on driving breaks. More than that, I saw that he’d become capable, confident and comfortable in his own skin. 

The lessons from years of family travel and outdoor adventures had stuck.

The Books (and People) That Helped Along the Way

“Last Child in the Woods” was my parenting compass, but it wasn’t the only one. Over the years, a few other wise voices stood out:

  • “The Ten Basic Principles of Good Parenting”  by Laurence Steinberg reminded me to always know where my child is, what he’s doing, and who he’s with. This simple, grounding advice built trust and safety.
  • “He’s Not Lazy” by Adam Price helped me ask Jett what he wanted to explore instead of telling him what he should do. That question led him to snowboarding, and me, somewhat reluctantly, to learn how to ski at an age in which I’m receiving prepaid funeral plot discounts.
  • Jenny Hwang (@projectparentcoach) on Instagram taught me to let Jett make mistakes and learn from them. Provide boundaries and then get out of the way so they can experience life and natural consequences. I learned you can’t bubble wrap resilience or growth. 

These voices reminded me that raising an independent child means slowly working yourself out of a job so they can function and learn without you. And nature is a spectacular classroom to learn how to stretch oneself while remaining in awe and respect of all the beauty around you. 

Posing for a family photo after hiking up to Machu Picchu. PHOTO COURTESY MARGOT BLACK

The book that will never leave my shelf

Watching Jett in nature, whether it was catching his first wave, climbing ancient paths to explore Machu Picchu, walking along coastal paths in Japan or sailing around the Mediterranean, I saw him connect to something far bigger than himself.

When I first read Louv’s book, I first simply focused on the importance of playtime outdoors (for everyone — not just kids).  And later, I realized that it was about building independence, resilience and awe.

If you give your child a love of nature, you’ve given them something that will sustain them for life. In a world where screens dominate attention, nature offers real connection to self, to others and to the planet.

If we expect the next generation to save the Earth, we must first teach them to cherish it.

Lessons for Fellow Parents

And so after 18 years of muddy boots, mosquito nets and sunrises, here’s what I’ve learned:

Nature is the best classroom. Our son learned more about problem-solving, planning and perseverance from camping on his own than any textbook could teach. Every hike, sail and surf session was a lesson in patience, adaptability and self-reliance. 

Experiences beat things every time. Our family vacations weren’t luxury affairs. We weren’t collecting passport stamps; we were collecting memories. Those shared adventures built our bond and gave our son a priceless sense of wonder. 

Let them lead. Ask your kids what they want to explore. Our son’s love of snowboarding, hiking, and even his current obsession with filming nature content, came from simply asking, “What are you curious about?”

Know where they are, but let them go. Trust doesn’t happen overnight. It’s built through consistent communication and small freedoms. The reward is watching them soar (sometimes literally off a mountain trail).

The book worked because we worked at it. It wasn’t magic. It was effort. Every hike, every outing, every decision to choose an adventure over another online purchase. 

Bees, blisters and booking sites. Parenting, like travel and nature, is messy, beautiful and often unpredictable. There were bee stings, blistered heels, wrong turns and more than a few tearful moments along the way. But there was also laughter, wonder and joy. The kind that sticks.

When Jett drove off on his own trip, I saw a young man shaped by all those moments. As parents, we hope our children will one day be confident, kind and curious about the world. For me, that journey started with embracing a single book and a single idea: That nature heals, teaches and connects.

And now, as my son ventures into the world with a backpack and a head full of dreams, I can say with certainty, the book worked. Nature delivers challenges, awe, adventure, excitement and connection for a family — and generations to come. 

Margot Black is a Los Angeles-based travel writer, mom and founder of Black Ink PR.

Where to Stay in Kauai: Best Areas for Families and First-Time Visitors

Published

By Elena Epstein

The Sheraton Kauai Coconut Beach Resort
The Sheraton Kauai Coconut Beach Resort offers beach, pool, views and central location. PHOTO COURTESY SHERATON KAUAI COCONUT BEACH RESORT

My husband and I had a singular mission as soon as we arrived on Kauai: check in, grab shaved ice and find two Adirondack chairs perched above the ocean. We were dreaming of the sound of waves crashing on the shore and the taste of lilikoi, guava and mango. Then we heard another sound — roosters crowing right next to us.

We quickly realized we had found somewhere unique. Free-roaming chickens and roosters — descendants of the colorful red junglefowl — are simply part of Kauai’s landscape and soundscape. We saw them everywhere: on the beach, on hiking trails, in parking lots and once even strolling through the open sliding door of a beachfront living room. Kauai’s rugged ocean beauty mixed with the charm of these island friends roaming about will always be an indelible memory of our adventure here.

Roosters roam freely on the island. PHOTO BY ELENA EPSTEIN

This was our first time visiting Kauai. Nicknamed the “Garden Isle,” it is the oldest and northernmost of the Hawaiian Islands. There is a moodiness here — in the weather, the misty clouds hovering the peaks of emerald mountains, the lush taro fields, secluded beaches, dramatic cliffs and cascading waterfalls. 

The landscape provides the ideal spot to reconnect with nature and yourself. The slower, quieter island pace is the perfect respite from deadlines, meetings, meal prep and endless to-do lists. You can still do a lot here (outrigger canoe paddling, surfing, snorkeling, hiking) or, if you prefer, do nothing at all except savor rainbows, juicy papayas and a great cup of coffee as you watch the sun rise from the ocean. 

How you want to spend your time will determine which part of the island is the best place to stay. To get a good feel for Kauai, we divided our week into three parts of the island, each with its own unique vibe.  

East Shore

Spectacular views from Waimea Canyon State Park
Elena and her husband Ron enjoying the spectacular views from Waimea Canyon State Park. PHOTOS COURTESY ELENA EPSTEIN

This is the middle of the island, offering the most central location. Referred to as Coconut Coast because of the groves of coconut palms that grow along the shore, this is the most populated and busiest area. There are plenty of shops and restaurants nearby, plus easy access to both North and South shores of the island. 

We stayed at the Sheraton Kauai Coconut Beach Resort. The oceanfront resort is just 15 minutes from the airport and close to markets, restaurants and beaches. One of the main advantages of staying here is that one day you can turn right on the main road and explore that side of the island, and the next day you can turn left and explore the other side of the island, which is exactly what we did. 

After each day of exploring, we returned to the resort to relax by the infinity pool. The poolside Crooked Surf offers a wide selection of appetizers, salads, sandwiches, fish tacos, poke bowl and Ahi plate, plus drinks. We loved the scenic oceanfront walking path, which we strolled each morning and evening. The beach right by the hotel can be rocky and not ideal for swimming, but it’s perfect for walking, biking and enjoying spectacular views. 

Sunrise at the Sheraton Kauai Coconut Beach Resort.

Another advantage of staying eastside is the mornings. Coming from L.A., and with the two-hour time difference, we were up before dawn without alarm clocks. Each day, we walked down to the beach to watch nature’s most magnificent morning show. The first day, thanks to ideal weather conditions, we got a showstopper. I had never seen the sun, in all its majestic glory, rise from the depths of the sea. I remember thinking, “This experience made the trip.” And it was only day one. 

After watching the sunrise, we took a walk along the beach and then headed to the breakfast buffet at Daybreak Restaurant, where I kept going back for my favorite taste of Hawaii — papayas. The resort also offers an upscale Pacific Island restaurant, Moamoa Hawaiian Fish House, featuring a wonderful seafood menu. There is also First Light Coffee and Juice Bar, where you can pick up pastries and sandwiches in addition to smoothies and custom coffees to take with you on your island adventures.

The resort’s oceanfront Luau Ka Hikina is a wonderful and educational way to spend a night. Under the direction of kumu hula (hula master) Leilani Rivera Low, the evening is all about celebrating the Hawaiian and Polynesian cultures with locally sourced, traditional food. The focus on storytelling and celebrating the uniqueness of different cultures through dance is beautiful.

In addition to their own luau, the 314-room resort offers poolside shaved ice, sunrise yoga, lei making, complimentary bike rentals, ukulele lessons and evening s’mores. The game room overlooking the pool features two pool tables, tabletop arcade machines with old-school favorites, a foosball table and a dartboard. It’s a great spot to unwind and for families to hang out. My husband and I enjoyed our poolside ukulele lesson, which is a lot harder than we imagined. 

The late afternoons were the perfect time to grab a drink and some fries, sit by one of the firepits and play a little pool. We were so relaxed and in vacation mode, that we found ourselves dancing poolside to the live music playing one night. No one else was dancing, but our motto coming here was “Why not?” 

South Shore

This is often called the “sunny side” of the island and it’s a popular, warm and typically drier part of Kauai. Poipu is the main tourist area with lots of beach resorts and condos.

The Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa offers a luxurious stay in sunny Poipu. PHOTO COURTESY THE GRAND HYATT KAUAI RESORT & SPA

We spent one night in Poipu at the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa. This luxury oceanfront resort is gorgeous with lush landscaping and panoramic views of the ocean. Kids of all ages will love the multi-level pool area with a water slide, a lazy river and saltwater lagoons. For those seeking a quieter experience, there is also an adult-only pool. The Poipu Bay Golf course is next to the resort for championship golf with an ocean view, and Shipwreck Beach is right in front of the hotel. You can grab beach chairs and towels from the hotel and enjoy the day on the sand. 

There are several restaurants on the property, including Tidepools, an upscale Hawaiian restaurant inside thatched-roof bungalows floating above a koi-filled lagoon. And don’t miss the resort’s giant shaved ice served poolside. 

Beach walk views in Coconut Beach. PHOTO BY ELENA EPSTEIN

There is a terrific walking trail, Maha’ulepu Heritage Trail, that starts at Shipwreck Beach (in front of the resort) with beautiful ocean views. The path is easy to navigate for both adults and kids but do wear sturdy walking shoes. 

The resort also offers a variety of daily activities including outdoor Pilates Yoga Fusion, Orchid Flower Jewelry making, Hawaiian Palm Basket making, ukulele lessons, aqua aerobics, Pickleball, Hawaiian bath salt blending bar and much more. We did the Rise & Shine Scenic Walk with Alex, who was funny and knowledgeable. A great way to start the day. 

Poipu Beach Park is close by. It’s a popular family-friendly beach and a great place to spot sea turtles and monk seals. If you come around sunset, you could see 20 to 50 sea turtles on the sand resting for the evening. If you go just a little west, you’ll find Spouting Horn Park, where you can watch the lava tube blowhole shoot ocean water high up into the air. In addition to great views, the park also has lots of picnic tables and parking. 

The Shops at Kukui’ula is an upscale outdoor shopping center just a 10-minute drive from the resort. There are cute boutiques, art galleries and several great restaurants. We had a lovely lunch at Living Foods grocery store/café and restaurant with a focus on local ingredients sourced directly from area farmers, ranchers and artisans.

One of my favorite spots here is the Tree Tunnel, an enchanting canopy of 500 Eucalyptus trees that line Maliuhi Road as you enter the towns of Koloa and Poipu. The first time we drove through it felt like we had been transported into a magical painting where the sunlight softly beams through the foliage. 

North Shore

Hanalei Bay Beach. PHOTO BY ELENA EPSTEIN

This part of the island is lush with emerald mountains and taro fields. This area gets more rain than the east and the south side. Here we met the nēne (Hawaiian goose), the endangered state bird of Hawaii. We had a whole family of Nene set up camp in front of our patio sliding door. We loved watching them come and go and interact with the chickens and the roosters roaming the grassy area. 

The North Shore is quieter and has an “old Hawaii” laid-back charm. Hanalei Bay is a gorgeous two-mile stretch with calm waters, soft sand and a historic pier. This is a great beach for all ages. We saw lots of kids, teenagers and couples. You can surf, paddle board, swim and walk along the scenic coast.

We stayed at the Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas (part of the Marriott portfolio). The condo-style villas have fully equipped kitchens and washers and dryers. There are four pools on the property, including a children’s pool and lots of wide-open grassy areas overlooking the ocean. Since the resort is on a cliff, there is no direct beach access, but you’re only a 10-minute drive to Hanalei Bay. 

On your way to the bay, definitely stop in the charming town of Hanalei. You know you’ve stepped back in time as you cross the historic, one-lane steel bridge over the Hanalei River. This is old-school Hawaii. No chains or name brands. Little shops, local restaurants, shaved ice, coffee and lots of benches to sit and relax. We picked up dinner one night and set up a picnic on the sand by the pier in Hanalei Bay and watched the sky turn pink and orange as the sun set.  

Waimea Canyon

Definitely spend a day at Waimea Canyon and Koke’e State Park, which is just north of the canyon. Waimea is often referred to as the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific” and is a must-see. This canyon of many colors is a jaw-dropping state park. It takes about an hour from the East Shore to get to the entry point of the park. As you drive the road into the park, at first, you don’t see any dramatic views and the signage into the park is not great. Just keep going and you’ll get to the first parking lot. This is where you’ll pay the one-time $10 per car and $5 per person entry fee that’s good for all the lookout areas in both Waimea Canyon and Koke’e State Park. 

First lookout at Waimea Canyon State Park. PHOTO BY RON EPSTEIN

Waimea Canyon Lookout is the main lookout and it’s directly off Waimea Canyon Drive. We realized just how high we were standing when we saw the helicopter tours below us. This lookout has a large parking lot, bathroom and multiple viewing decks. You might think that these wide, panoramic views can’t get any better. But they will. From here, keep driving up for even more dramatic vistas. On our way to the final two lookouts, we stopped at Koke’e Lodge to grab a snack and a souvenir. Kalalau Lookout, which is technically in Koke’e State Park, is located two miles above the lodge. We got lucky with the weather and had a clear day here. From this lookout, you’re not just looking into the vast canyon. Here you have an incredible vista of the 4,000-foot-deep Kalalau Valley and the Napali Coast. Off in the distance, we could see the waves rolling in. Just incredible. 

At the very end of the road is Puu O Kila Lookout, with the highest vistas at 4,000 feet. This is also the starting point for the Pihea Trail, which goes along the valley rim.

Kauai Coffee Company

If you love a good cup of coffee as much as I do, this is a great spot to explore. Kauai Coffee Company is the largest coffee grower in the U.S. with more than 4 million coffee trees. The visitor center offers free coffee tastings of their 100% Hawaiian, estate-grown coffees every day. Each one has its own unique flavor, from fruity to chocolaty. On our rainy, misty morning visit, we loved being cozy here, sampling a variety of aromas and tastes. We learned that the volcanic earth mixed with lots of rain creates the ideal condition for a smooth cup of coffee. 

Visitor center at Kauai Coffee Company. PHOTO BY ELENA EPSTEIN

Once the rain slowed, we took the free self-guided walking tour through the coffee orchard, where signs explain the coffee process from blossom to harvest to roasting. You can also pick up a variety of estate reserve coffees at the gift shop to take home. 

Good to Know: 

  • Kauai does not observe daylight savings time. The time difference from L.A. is only two hours. 
  • For Waimea Canyon, give yourself most of the day to explore. Go on a clear day and start in the morning to get the most out of the views. Wear sturdy walking shoes. Bring water and snacks. 
  • If you want to experience the island and its different regions, you’ll need a car. There is basically one main highway and getting from one side of the island to the other is easy. 
  • Pack layers and a raincoat. Kauai is lush and beautiful because of the abundance of rain, and in the mornings and evenings, it does get chilly enough for a sweatshirt. 
  • Not all beaches have lifeguards. You can find lifeguard beaches here.

Elena Epstein is Editorial Director of L.A. Parent.

How Gardening Helps Kids Build Confidence, Reduce Stress and Grow

Published

By Emily Ip

In addition to her storefront oasis, Lawson brings her experiences to events, organizations, workplaces and schools. PHOTO COURTESY BARBARA LAWSON

During a recent self-care retreat in a West Athens garden in Los Angeles, the evening sun slipped through an umbrella of trees, lighting up a corner of the garden where guests had been instructed to choose plants that spoke to them.

Once the women returned to their tables, Barbara Lawson, owner of Redondo Beach-based Meet Me in the Dirt, guided them through a plant meditation that included ripping their beautiful plants from their pots and using their fingers to rake away clinging dirt. “Hold your plant up high and examine the roots,” Lawson told them. After gazing at the vulnerable roots, they sunk their hands into mounds of loose, loamy black soil, using it to replant their greenery into brand-new pots.

 Throughout the meditation, Lawson encouraged the women to reflect on what in their lives they were ready to release and where they were willing to start anew. This intentional approach of engaging with plants, nature and gardening to promote stress relief and encourage healing falls under the realm of horticultural therapy. As spring approaches, rediscovering the healing power of tending to plants feels especially resonant. 

This year’s spring equinox falls on March 20, and if the new year didn’t provide the fresh start you’d hoped for, do not fret. Some cultures celebrate spring as the beginning of the year (Nowruz is the Persian New Year, for example) — and many uphold it as a symbol of rebirth and triumph over struggle, a fitting metaphor for plant life and what we learn from it.

The mental health benefits of nature

In his book “With People in Mind: Design and Management for Everyday Nature,” psychology professor Stephen Kaplan discusses how nature can counteract prolonged directed attention fatigue, a temporary mental exhaustion from overusing your brain’s ability to focus and filter distractions, which leads to increased irritability, impulsivity, difficulty concentrating and poor decision-making. 

There are inherent healing properties in the soil beneath our feet, research shows. Mycobacterium vaccae is a soil-borne microorganism that, when inhaled or in contact with our skin, stimulates serotonin production in the brain, contributing to mood and cognitive regulation. 

Sometimes, we don’t even need to touch nature to benefit from it.

Roger S. Ulrich studied the impact on patients whose hospital room windows overlooked the outdoors. Ulrich discovered that patients who were able to view nature from their hospital rooms experienced fewer post-surgery complications and required less pain medication than those with no nature exposure. 

How horticultural therapy works

Barbara Lawson mobilizes the power of horticultural therapy through her plant bus. PHOTO COURTESY BARBARA LAWSON

For Lawson, the practice of blending gardening with stress relief and emotional processing began in her home garden. She was overcome with grief after the loss of her mother. She turned to therapy, and then nature, for help. One seed at a time, her garden became a place of healing. And it is a symbiotic relationship: As she excavates old weeds and hydrates new roots with a sprinkling of water, she soaks in the vitamin D and begins to shift her emotional state.

Feeling compelled to share the power of her healing practice with others, Lawson created Meet Me in the Dirt, a dedicated green space in Redondo Beach. 

As she did that evening in the West Athens garden, Lawson guides her guests through their vulnerabilities and hardships through plant care. When supporting children through their experiences with change, uncertainty or a blend of different emotions, Lawson encourages parents to have open conversations. It’s understandably difficult to see those we love in pain, but it is far more painful to bury it beneath the surface. Encouraging families to meet each other, and themselves, in the dirt, Lawson says, “You don’t need a yard. You need a pot, and you need a seed. You need what the plant needs, too.” 

From the backyard to the schoolyard

While Lawson’s work reflects the deeply personal side of horticultural therapy, across Los Angeles, similar principles are being woven into schoolyards, where gardening programs are nurturing both learning and emotional well-being.

In an effort to challenge negative perceptions of public middle schools, Tomas O’Grady, a dad of four, pitched an idea to his eldest child’s middle school principal: A community garden connected to an environmental-science curriculum. With the collaboration of his wife Justine and a determined team, EnrichLA was born — and more than 200 school gardens have taken root. 

Through its Garden Ranger Program, children craft and taste organically grown vegetables from the solar-powered kitchens and learn about ecosystem interactions. Beyond academic enrichment, the program supports the emotional well-being of students through mental health awareness training and by providing a safe space for students to retreat to in the middle of busy, stimulating school days. Fueled by EnrichLA’s mission to make growth in harmony with nature a possibility for every student in L.A., O’Grady never turns down a new opportunity to create the next school garden. If you are interested in bringing an organic, regenerative garden to a school, visit enrichla.org/contact.  

Students enrich the soil and their plants. PHOTO COURTESY ENRICHLA

Serving K-5th grade students at Title 1 schools across L.A., the Garden School Foundation connects its curriculum to Next Generation Science Standards. Through its Seed to Table program, students create culturally inspired dishes with fresh ingredients in accordance with the seasonal patterns of Southern California. Teachers and parents rejoice in witnessing their students’ heightened interest in trying unique herbs and vegetables says Ann Dang, the community partnerships manager and master gardener.

Students also experience the power of tending to the soil through the Cafeteria to Compost program, which has redistributed more than 23,000 pounds of lunchtime food waste from the landfills. 

Whether it’s a school program, backyard garden, windowsill herb or even an idea, take some time this spring to plant something new with your children, reminding them that it takes time for the seeds we plant — in the soil and in our lives — to blossom. Consider keeping a plant journal to capture the unexpected lessons you and your family discover as your seeds grow.

A ranger serves a student-grown-and-harvested salad to the students.  PHOTO COURTESY ENRICHLA

From Their Gardens to Yours

If you are inspired by the therapeutic benefits and mission behind Meet Me in the Dirt, EnrichLA, and the Garden School Foundation, here are a few simple ways you can incorporate horticultural therapy into your family’s daily lives. Each of these ideas is adaptable for varying ranges of accessibility, from your own home and garden to public parks and outdoor spaces.

  1. Start an herb garden. This can be as simple as purchasing a few pots of herbs you enjoy cooking with, placing them on your windowsill and showering them with care and a little water each evening.
  2. Go for an outdoor scavenger hunt. Forage and run around while embracing your child’s curiosity for the little things we often overlook, such as ladybugs and flower buds.
  3. Practice composting. Encourage the habit of sorting food scraps and compostable materials into the green bin to enrich the soil that surrounds us.
  4. Embrace your child’s natural interests. If they don’t enjoy digging their hands into dirt, try some nature-based art activities, or change up your scenery and pack a picnic.

Emily Ip, a former editorial intern for L.A. Parent, is now a third-year student at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. 

Sea Turtle Rescue in Southern California Gives Injured Turtles a Second Chance

Published

By Melissa M. Monroe

Each year, endangered sea turtles, often tangled in fishing line or debris left behind by people, are pulled from Southern California waters. Thanks to a new sea turtle rehabilitation area at Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, more of those turtles now have a second chance at recovery and release.

Rescued green sea turtle at Aquarium of the Pacific’s Molina Animal Care Center. PHOTO COURTESY AQUARIUM OF THE PACIFIC

The new 4,000-gallon facility doubles the nonprofit’s capacity to treat sick, injured and stranded turtles found in Los Angeles County — and beyond — before returning them to the wild. Although the aquarium has been rescuing and caring for sea turtles for more than 25 years, this marks its first dedicated rehabilitation space. 

“We are looking forward to utilizing this new area to expand our care of rescued sea turtles, while encouraging the public to learn more about them and their conservation,” says Lance Adams, DVM, the veterinarian at the aquarium.

How Aquarium of the Pacific rescues sea turtles

The first resident of the new sea turtle rehabilitation pool was a green sea turtle found last March. Fishing line was wrapped tightly around the sea turtle’s front right flipper, cutting off its blood supply and resulting in a severely infected wound. The aquarium’s veterinary staff performed surgery to remove the flipper, saving the turtle’s life. 

An X-ray of a fishhook caught in a sea turtle. PHOTO BY CHRIS TRIBBEY 

Staff also discovered a fishing hook embedded in the turtle’s neck, near the esophagus, and performed a second surgery to remove it. Eleven months of rehabilitation later, the turtle has recovered from its life-threatening injuries and is thriving and swimming confidently with its three flippers. At the time of this writing, staff was planning to release the turtle back to the wild in a few short weeks.  

Your children might be eager to know this turtle’s name and gender, so I asked Nate Jaros, vice president of animal care. “We are reasonably certain that this turtle is a female, based on the relatively short tail,” he said. “We believe this turtle is still young, so it is possible the tail will grow, but as of now, we do think it’s a female. As for the name, we don’t publicly name the turtles. These are wild animals who will return to the wild, so we don’t want them to be seen as pets.”

Adams estimates the sea turtle is 15 to 20 years old and is considered sub-adult. Green sea turtles are considered adults in the 20- to 25-year-old range. “We could do an ultrasound to accurately determine gender, but that was not a priority. The priority was survival.”

On Jan. 14, sea turtle volunteer monitors, who document the activities of endangered green sea turtles residing in the San Gabriel Watershed, located a second sea turtle that was also entangled in fishing line and rope in the San Gabriel River. They contacted aquarium staff, who rescued the turtle and hope to be able to preserve its wounded flipper. 

In addition to providing care for the sea turtles, Aquarium of the Pacific volunteers track local sea turtle activity through the Southern California Sea Turtle Monitoring Project. Photo identification and recorded data from the aquarium’s community scientist volunteers contribute to the understanding of sea turtles in our local waters and how we can help them and other species along our coastline. 

Once volunteer monitors locate a sea turtle in distress, Aquarium of the Pacific staff first evaluate the turtle in the field before bringing it to the aquarium for a physical exam — including checking for trackers or tags — and to receive medical care. All rescued turtles are allowed to recover in a safe environment appropriate for the level of care they need at the time. Once the sea turtle passes its final physical exam, it is released back into the wild. 

Visitors to the new rehabilitation pool and/or Shark Lagoon will see the Molina Animal Care Center, an 1,800-square-foot hospital and examination area. Visitors can watch through the windows as staff work with resident marine life. There are also interactive kiosks and live feeds of veterinary staff working. 

How families can help

Aquarium of the Pacific would like to invite the public to help. If you see a sick or injured sea turtle, call West Coast Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Stranding Network’s 24/7 hotline at 562-506-4315.

We can also do our part by picking up trash — such as plastic bags that look like food to sea turtles — following local fishing regulations and not discarding fishing lines or hooks in the water. We can also participate in the aquarium’s beach clean-up days and wetlands restoration efforts. The next events are March 7, April 4 and May 2, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. See the website for additional information and to register.

PHOTO BY CHRIS TRIBBEY

The aquarium offers educational programs for people of all ages, including First Wednesdays featuring a variety of guest speakers. And for kiddos passionate and curious about marine life, there are many other ways to volunteer at the aquarium, including family volunteers. Education Family Volunteers are needed in areas where guests can interact with marine science, including through animal touch pools and educational carts. Family volunteers consist of at least one adult volunteer (parent or authorized adult over 18) with one or two child volunteers (ages 9 and up). Adults and kids volunteer side-by-side to engage guests in ocean science education.

Learn more about supporting sea turtle rehabilitation efforts through the aquarium’s Rescue to Release campaign.

Melissa M. Monroe, Ph.D., garnered honorable mention in Writer’s Digest 2023 Self-Published Book Awards for her book, “Mom’s Search for Meaning: Grief and Growth After Child Loss.”She is a mom, writer and licensed acupuncturist in L.A. Her recent work has appeared in L.A. Review of Books, New York Times, Slate, Well+Good, Backpacker and Insider.

Why Old School Play Is Essential for Kids Development

Published

By Kim Van Dusen, Psy.D.

Play is children’s universal language. And since we were all once children, we can tap into that childlike way of interacting with others — especially our children — at any time. 

In this current climate, many parents are determined to “get back to the basics.” Instead of reaching for the latest smartphone, they’re choosing landline phones. Instead of allowing their children to spend hours in front of the TV, they’re participating in what they’ve coined ‘90s play. 

These parents are onto something. Playing with a child builds trust, and it’s one of the most effective ways to create significant attachment and emotional safety between parent and child. A parent’s attitude, interest, encouragement and response towards play make a difference in how children play. If a parent doesn’t value play, there will be a disconnect between the parent and child. Reciprocal play between a parent and a child is ultimately the most fundamental aspect to a child’s healthy development, emotional well-being and mental health.  

“Parenting Through Play” publishes in May. PHOTO COURTESY COUNTRYMAN PRESS 

Why play is essential for child development

And play is so powerful! Through play, children develop, learn and practice communication, language and social skills, as well as strengthen critical thinking and problem-solving skills. They are also able to freely use creativity, imagination, express emotions and build resilience, confidence and competence. In addition, play allows children to practice sharing and strategies to resolve conflict. 

I have found that when parents have inhibitions or anxiety around play, it’s often because society tells us we are silly or immature if we play. We become self-conscious and embarrassed — even with our own children.

And even when parents are willing, another obstacle often gets in the way: exhaustion. What if, after working and taking care of the family, you are simply too tired to play? But our children only have one shot at childhood. And it is our responsibility to grant ourselves permission to fully engage in play with our children. 

Psychologist and author Kim Van Dusen, Psy.D., LMFT, RPT. PHOTO BY CHRISSY WALTHER PHOTOGRAPHY

Play doesn’t have to be complicated

But what if, after working and taking care of the family, you are too exhausted to play? Here’s the good news: Play doesn’t have to be complicated. It doesn’t have to take a lot of time, effort or energy. Play is a lot like self-care in this way. There is a common belief that self-care is made up of grand gestures — a day at the spa, a long, candlelit bubble bath or a luxurious getaway. Rather, micro self-care can be done intermittently throughout the day. Play, too, can be sprinkled in small doses. 

Being present for your child doesn’t always mean stopping what you’re doing to sit down on the floor with them and actively engage in a game. Sometimes being playful while your child plays is all they need. It’s not about the toy or the game; it’s about your child having the exclusive opportunity and elevated emotional experience of playfully engaging with you.

Using play to improve behavior

Want to know the biggest benefit that playing and connection lends a parent? Play can be used to modify a child’s behavior. In my book, “Parenting Through Play: Creative Strategies for Building Better Behavior, Deeper Connection, and Positive Communication,” I use evidence-based models including play therapy, solution-focused therapy and positive behavior intervention supports as a framework on how to minimize power struggles, defiance and tantrums and, instead, foster a more peaceful home.

When you create a play-based connection with your child by positively communicating with them, it will also help cultivate cooperation. The more you positively communicate, the more securely you connect — and the more compliant your child becomes. 

A child’s development is strongly influenced by loving relationships and how their parents effectively and consistently relate to them through play. If our goal as parents is to set children up for success — especially in their mental and emotional well-being — then play should be part of our daily habits.

Quick Ways to Play

These play-based activities are simple, inexpensive and have connected families for generations — proof that meaningful play doesn’t require a schedule, a screen or a big plan.

Quiet + Creative

  • Color an empty box together
  • Build a fort with blankets and pillows
  • Make music using household items as instruments

High-Energy Fun

  • Musical chairs
  • Charades
  • Simon Says
  • Jump rope, hopscotch or an impromptu dance party

Sensory Play

  • Run through the sprinklers
  • Play in the dirt or sand
  • Walk barefoot on the grass

Music + Movement (Sing and do the movements)

  • “If You’re Happy and You Know It”
  • “Hokey Pokey”
  • “Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes”

Low-Energy (Couch-Friendly) Play

  • Telephone
  • Would You Rather
  • Card games or board games

When You Want to Rest (But Still Connect)

  • Let your child role-play being the doctor while you’re the patient
  • Sit back while your child puts on a dress-up fashion show or performance

 Dr. Kim Van Dusen, Psy.D., LMFT, RPT, is a mom of two and the author of “Parenting Through Play: Creative Strategies for Building Better Behavior, Deeper Connection, and Positive Communication,” which publishes in May. Van Dusen, who runs a private practice that specializes in working with children and families, is also the CEO, owner and founder of The Parentologist, a family and lifestyle brand about parenting with a therapeutic twist. She is host of The Parentologist Podcast. Find her on social media @theparentologist and theparentologist.com.

Best Family Friendly Gardens in Los Angeles to Visit This Spring

Published

By Nina Harada

As spring blooms burst into color and outdoor spaces come alive with family-friendly events, now is the perfect time to explore Los Angeles’ many gardens. From bountiful farms to plant festivals and art-filled landscapes, here are six lush spots where families can wander, learn and celebrate the season.

Apricot Lane Farms

10700 Broadway Road, Moorpark

What’s better than a Saturday morning on the farm with stories, animals and a fruit-filled orchard? Join the regenerative farm March 14 or April 11 for an hourlong Family Farm Tour or Books & Bagels: Storytime on the Farm, a free Saturday morning series for kids in the garden. It features local authors, book signings, bagels and treats, including Apricot Lane Farms’ honey lemonade. 

Apricot Lane Farms in Moorpark is home to sheep, pigs, chickens, cows and more animals, in addition to more than 200 varieties of fruits and vegetables. PHOTO COURTESY APRICOT LANE FARMS

California Botanic Garden

1500 N. College Ave., Claremont

Meet one of Thomas Dambo’s famous trolls at South Coast Botanic Garden. PHOTO AND ARTWORK BY THOMAS DAMBO

On March 28, visit California Botanic Garden’s Native Plant Festival. The free, family-friendly annual fest celebrates the Golden State’s biodiversity through crafts, music, story time, food and community resources such as local landscapers and information on wildlands conservation and restoration.

The Huntington

1151 Oxford Road, San Marino

Head over to The Huntington to enjoy stunning plants and family-friendly workshops. On March 21, bring your kids ages 8 and up to Family Workshop: Cactus Books and create one-of-a-kind artist’s books inspired by cacti in the Desert Garden, one of the world’s largest outdoor displays of cacti and other succulents, many of which bloom in spring. Other highlights include the Rose Garden and the Chinese Garden, where the purple canopy of wisteria is always a delight.

South Coast Botanic Garden

26300 Crenshaw Blvd., Palos Verdes Estates

Beginning March 1, a Danish art activist transforms South Coast Botanic Garden into a storybook landscape in TROLLS: A Field Study. Guests can wander through the garden’s 87 acres to meet 12 of Dambo’s giant, charismatic trolls made entirely of reclaimed wood. These quirky creatures inspire us to follow our curiosity and embrace our uniqueness, too. 

Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden

270 Arlington Drive, Pasadena

Visit Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden’s teahouse on April 12 for the 7th annual Pasadena Festival of Tea. PHOTO BY NORAH FLYNN

First built and designed in the 1930s by Kinzuchi Fujii for a local aristocratic couple, Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden earned a designation as a California Historical Landmark on the California Register of Historic Places in 2005. A great excuse to visit is the 7th Annual Pasadena Festival of Tea on April 12, when guests can enjoy a traditional Japanese tea ceremony in the garden’s formal teahouse. If you can’t make it to the tea festival, visit the garden Friday or Saturday evenings from 4-8 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to enjoy the camellias, azaleas and more seasonal flowers. The garden is always free for children ages 12 and under.

You can add to your garden fix by walking across the street to visit Arlington Garden, an admissions-free, mediterranean-style garden on the same road. Check the calendar for more events.

UCLA Mathias Botanical Garden

707 Tiverton Drive, Los Angeles

Free and open seven days a week, there’s never a bad time to visit UCLA Mathias Botanical Garden, but we recommend taking advantage of its monthly drop-in tours on the first and third Saturdays of the month (open to all ages) and family-specific programming such as Nature Play Day on April 4. From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., families are invited to join garden educators for a nature walk, scavenger hunts and workshops on pollinators at work and a carnivorous plant encounter.

Nina Harada is Digital Editor of L.A. Parent.

7 Must Have Kids Products Parents Are Loving Right Now

Published

By Elena Epstein

Wonderfold W4 Luxe Pro Quad stroller wagon carrying multiple children on a family outing

Looking for playful finds that spark creativity, make family outings easier and keep little ones engaged? From a roomy stroller wagon built for group adventures to magnetic building sets, cuddly companions and a thoughtful picture book, these standout products combine fun, function and imagination for kids of many ages.

Wonderfold W4 Luxe Pro Quad Stroller Wagon 

Perfect for family adventures, this stroller wagon seats up to four children comfortably. Features reclining, raised seats, 5-point harnesses and extra legroom, zippered entrances, ample storage and a built-in cooler in the removable rear basket. $899, ages 6 months+, wonderfold.com

Evrloop 3-in-1 High Chair 

Made from 100% recycled plastic and FSC-certified wood, this high chair features a supportive, wipe-clean infant insert and converts to a booster seat with no tools required. When families are done, Evrloop offers a buy-back program of up to 20% cash back, then responsibly recycles every component. $199.99, ages 6 month-3 years, evrloop.com

Evrloop 3-in-1 high chair made from recycled plastic and FSC-certified wood

CONNETIX Limited Edition 20-Piece Pink Charity Pack

Unleash creativity with these limited-edition all-pink magnetic tiles. Open-ended STEAM play for all ages and 20% of proceeds benefits breast cancer research. $45, ages 3+, connetixtiles.com

GUND Toothpick Near or Far Bears

A soft, huggable set in full-size and mini keychain forms — one for your child and one for a caregiver to take anywhere. Inside the body, there is a small recorder that can contain up to three 20-second voice messages. With your child’s hug, it delivers your message. $44, ages 1+, gund.com

Rubik’s Tetris Cube

Instead of solving solid colors, players twist, turn and realign the cube until all six classic Tetrimino patterns are aligned. $14.99, ages 8+, rubiks.com

Rubik’s Tetris Cube puzzle with colorful Tetrimino patterns

Mag Rush Neo City Knockdown

Launch, crash and chain-react your way through a magnetic build. With floating targets, wild collisions and stunts. Features 45 pieces to mix and match. $69.99, ages 7+, mag-rush.com

“Annabelle Bee and Now There Are Three”

A sweet story about the power of sharing, kindness and friendship. With a little patience, Annabelle learns that sharing a friend can make their bond even stronger. $16.99, ages 4+, debrarasooconnor.com

Editor’s Note: Parenting Through Hard Times and Finding Strength

Published

Dear Moms, 

Parenting in these times reminds me of how it feels when the whole house is sick with the flu. Coughing, sneezing, burning with fever and body aches. I know you can relate.

The kids are crying for you. Your partner — buried under the blankets, ears plugged with his own misery — can’t seem to hear them. Inside the fog that is your brain, you’re in two places simultaneously. There you are in the kids’ room, wiping their foreheads with cool cloths and hugging them for reassurance. And there you are in the kitchen, holding onto the counter for dear life as you concoct some herbal tea blend your grandmother (or a TikTok influencer) once made. 

You open the cupboard and pull down old cans of chicken soup, chiding yourself for not being up to making a pot of fragrant, nourishing soup from scratch. You’re all out of chicken, carrots, celery and pasta because you haven’t been to the store in a week.

Mothers may not get gold stars, but they do win gold awards. Digital Editor Nina Harada (left) and Editor-in-Chief Cassandra Lane hold up two of L.A. Parent’s 10 Parenting Media Association Awards from 2025. PHOTO BY ELENA EPSTEIN 

And you’re too sick to drag yourself there. Too sick to stand over anybody’s stove. And yet mothering never — ever — gets a sick day. Somehow, you must get everyone (yourself included) through to the other side. To noses that can smell again. Tongues that can taste again. And lips that widen in smiles again. 

No wonder we call the force that governs our planet’s seasonal shifts Mother Nature. Only a “mother” can coax life forward out of bleakness and pain, whether winter or the flu, whispering messages of hope while tending to still-tender shoots. 

Certainly, this kind of nurturing is not exclusive to women who have given birth. Anyone who has carried others through illness, uncertainty and fear is a nurturer. For every piece of devastating news I read, I turn around to stories where people of all genders and ages are acting as nurturers, neighbors and protectors working to get to the other side of at least some of what ails us. 

In this issue, and in celebration of spring as a time of taking an honest look at what’s broken and working to make repairs, we include stories that help you understand immigration rights, rediscover the power of old-school play (hopscotch on the sidewalk, anyone?), seek healing in gardens and soil, encourage the kids to make a mess in camp this summer and look for the beauty growing all around us.

Beauty that is as determined as an immune system renewing itself.   

Cassandra Lane is Editor-in-Chief of L.A. Parent.

GLP-1 Weight Loss Trend: What LA Moms Should Know About Body Image

Published

By Elena Epstein

As GLP-1 medications dominate headlines and social media feeds, many L.A. moms are wondering what this new era of “microdosing for thinness” means for their own health and for the messages their kids are absorbing. Is “skinny” really back — and at what cost to body image and well-being? 

We asked Amanda Velazquez, M.D., director of Obesity Medicine in the Department of Surgery at Cedars-Sinai, to weigh in on the rise of diabetes drugs for weight loss and how parents can counter harmful body narratives at home.

We are hearing a lot about L.A. moms microdosing diabetes drugs for weight loss. Have you been seeing this trend? 

No, not in our clinical program.

What are your thoughts about using these drugs to lose 10–20 pounds without being diagnosed with diabetes or prediabetes?

These are FDA-approved medications for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. They are also used off-label for the treatment of obesity and overweight with weight-related medical conditions. If individuals are taking these medications purely for aesthetics, that is not their purpose. The purpose of these medications is to improve a patient’s health.

For several years, we were seeing more body-positive messages in social media and advertising campaigns, but it seems that “skinny is back” due to the common use of these types of drugs. Are you seeing this trend?

For some patients, body image strongly shapes how they see themselves, and social media messages that link thinness to GLP-1 use can reinforce a harmful focus on body size rather than overall health and well-being.

How do we as parents promote a positive body image for our kids, especially young girls?

Parents can support positive body image by normalizing body diversity and focusing praise of our children for who they are and not for how they look. This helps kids learn that their worth is not tied to how their bodies look.

Amanda Velazquez, M.D., is director of Obesity Medicine in the Department of Surgery at Cedars-Sinai. PHOTO COURTESY CEDARS-SINAI

What advice do you have for moms who are struggling with their own body image?

For moms struggling with body image, it is important to recognize that persistent distress or body dysmorphia is real and treatable and support is available. Talking openly with a healthcare clinician can help identify helpful resources and approaches rooted in compassion rather than self-criticism.

How does a mom’s body image shape her children’s view of themselves?

A mother’s body image strongly shapes how her children see themselves because children absorb what parents say and do about bodies. When parents model positive self-talk and separate worth from appearance, children learn to do the same.

How do you talk about the messages that social media is sending about body image?

It is important to educate children on the fact that social media promotes unrealistic standards and edits reality. I encourage parents to teach their children media literacy instead of internalizing harmful messages that have health consequences for our youth.

How do we talk about eating healthy without sounding like all we want to do is limit calories?

Healthy eating can be framed around nourishment, energy and satisfaction vs. calorie counting or restriction. I encourage patients to avoid food moralization, which means not labeling foods as “good” or “bad.” This helps children build a healthier, less shame-based relationship with eating.

How do we encourage movement without sounding like all we want is to be thin?

Movement is important for one’s mental, emotional and physical health. Focusing on the health benefits of movement and why your child genuinely enjoys movement can help support their physical activity. 

How do we respond when our 7-year-old says, “I shouldn’t eat that cookie. I’ll get fat?”

I recommend having a nonjudgmental, compassionate conversation with your child by asking what they think about cookies and what they believe about people in larger bodies. This helps you understand where their ideas are coming from and gently guide the conversation toward body respect, food neutrality and self-worth that is not based on size.

Let’s Change the Narrative

All body shapes and sizes are acceptable. Body size is not an indicator of health, nor does it hold any moral value. Here are some ways to reframe common body-critical comments in more body-positive ways:

I shouldn’t eat these fries — I’m getting so fat. → I’m allowed to enjoy these fries, and eating them doesn’t define my health or my body.

I’d better go to the gym after eating that piece of cake. → I move my body because it supports my health, not to compensate for eating.

She lost so much weight — she looks amazing. → People lose weight for many reasons, including illness or stress, and we often don’t know the full story. I choose not to comment on others’ bodies.

I look so fat in this dress. → I don’t want to spend my time criticizing my body, so I’m going to change into something more comfortable.

I hate bathing suit shopping. I’m so fat. → I’m excited for warm weather. I’m going to find a bathing suit that helps me enjoy it.(Shift focus onto the positive aspect of why you need a bathing suit).

Amanda Velazquez, M.D., DABOM, FTOS, is director of Obesity Medicine in the Department of Surgery at Cedars-Sinai.

How to Help Kids With School Refusal Caused by Anxiety

Published

By Kristen McNeely

Parent preparing a school bag while anxious child sits at table avoiding breakfast

The first time a child refuses to go to school, it can feel confusing — maybe even a little annoying. But when this pattern goes on for days, weeks or months, it can disrupt entire family systems and impact the mental health of the whole family unit. Advice such as “just be firmer,” or “maybe they just need more time,” is often well-intentioned, but it rarely addresses the heart of the issue.

Anxiety-based school refusal is one of the fastest-growing attendance challenges schools are facing today. And despite a strong research base for effective treatment, it remains widely misunderstood.

What school refusal really is

School refusal is more than a child not wanting to go to school. Rather, it is part of a predictable anxiety cycle. A child experiences significant emotional distress related to school — social fears, worries about academic demands or separation anxiety. To escape distress, they begin to avoid school. Staying home or leaving early provides immediate relief, and that relief reinforces their avoidance. Over time, anxiety and avoidance grow, and returning to school feels increasingly impossible.

This pattern doesn’t just affect the school day; it spills into family life, too, impacting work schedules, sibling routines and parents’ emotional well-being. Many parents describe feeling hopeless, isolated and as though they are walking on eggshells around their child.

Why understanding the “why” matters

Effective support begins with understanding why a child is avoiding school. Research by psychologist Christopher Kearney, director of the UNLV Child School Refusal and Anxiety Disorders Clinic, has identified common reasons children refuse school. They may be trying to:

  • Escape general distress at school.
  • Avoid social or performance situations, such as social conflict or stressful tests.
  • Maintain close contact with a parent or caregiver — particularly common with separation anxiety.
  • Access preferred activities outside of school, such as video games or social media.
  • Or some combination of these.

Without clarity about the underlying function, well-intentioned efforts can, at best, be ineffective, and, at worst, accidentally reinforce the anxiety cycle that needs to be disrupted.

The importance of parental support

When a child is distressed, parents naturally want to help and often engage in family accommodation — well-intentioned behaviors that relieve a child’s anxiety in the short term, but reinforce it over time.  Some examples include: 

  • Allowing late arrivals.
  • Offering repeated reassurance.
  • Picking up early.
  • Letting them stay home “just for today.”

Schools may also provide well-intentioned accommodations, such as extended time out of class, excusing anxiety-provoking assignments or allowing frequent phone contact with parents.

While these responses reduce anxiety in the moment, they can strengthen avoidance over time if they are not paired with opportunities for skill-building. The short-term relief teaches the brain “Avoidance works,” and reinforces the message “I can’t handle it.”

Why alignment matters

School refusal is not just a home issue or a school issue. It is a pattern maintained across both environments.

Parent-training models such as Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE), developed at the Yale Child Study Center, emphasize reducing accommodations while increasing emotional support. Parents learn to communicate confidence in their child’s ability to cope, rather than trying to eliminate anxiety.

When schools and families align around the same approach, children experience consistent expectations and greater success with returning to school.

The power of gradual return

One of the most important pieces of treatment for students who have been out of school, or who have variable attendance, is a structured, gradual return to school.

A sudden full-day expectation often overwhelms a child struggling to manage their anxiety. Instead, research supports using exposure — the systematic introduction of feared situations — a little at a time.

Exposure works because it breaks the avoidance-relief cycle. When a child stays in an anxiety-provoking situation long enough for anxiety to rise and fall on its own, while using taught coping strategies, confidence grows. Over time, the child learns that the situation is manageable; it may have been nerve-wracking, but it wasn’t dangerous.

Gradual return plans may include:

  • Predictable morning routines.
  • Shortened days that increase over time.
  • Temporary reduction in workload.
  • Regularly scheduled communication between home and school to assess progress.

What parents can do now

If your child is struggling with school refusal: 

  1. Build a collaborative relationship with your child’s school. Early intervention is key, and intervention starts with everyone being on the same page. 
  2. Seek evidence-based support that emphasizes supporting the parent, not just the child.
  3. Remember that while school refusal is often a complex problem, it is treatable. There is hope!

Most importantly, shift the goal from eliminating anxiety to building your child’s capacity to tolerate it. Resilience isn’t the absence of distress — it’s the ability to move forward despite it. With early, coordinated and evidence-based support, children can rebuild confidence, re-engage with school and strengthen lifelong coping skills.

Kristen McNeely is a licensed marriage and family therapist and board-certified behavior analyst in Southern California. She is owner of Kristen McNeely Consulting and Family Counseling, a virtual private therapy practice where she specializes in parent support for ADHD, anxiety and school refusal, as well as provides training to both private schools and public school districts. For more, visit kristenmcneely.com. 

Kids and Puppies With Heart Conditions Share Inspiring LA Playdate

Published

A tail-wagging celebration of heart health unfolded in Westchester on Feb. 27, when toddlers and a tiny poodle mix shared more than toys and treats — they shared a life-saving bond.

PHOTOS COURTESY ABBOTT

Hosted during Heart Health Month by Abbott, a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life through its portfolio of life-changing medical devices and healthcare solutions, the special playdate brought together Los Angeles-area families and one very spirited 5-year-old miniature poodle mix named Oscar. Each guest of honor was born with a condition called patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) — a hole in the heart that failed to close after birth — and each had been treated with one of Abbott’s minimally invasive heart devices.

A 23-week preemie’s journey to the playground

Among the youngest attendees was 2-year-old Leila, who entered the world at just 23 weeks. Within her first month of life, she received Abbott’s Piccolo device, a tiny implant designed to close the opening in fragile, premature infants without the need for open-heart surgery.

Today, she toddles and plays like any other curious 2-year-old — a joyful milestone her family once could only hope for.

A tiny poodle’s unexpected diagnosis

Oscar’s diagnosis came unexpectedly. Before being neutered, a veterinarian detected a heart murmur. Further testing revealed PDA, a condition that is also among the most common congenital heart defects in dogs. Without treatment, three out of five dogs born with PDA won’t survive past their first year. Oscar received Abbott’s ACDO through a minimally invasive procedure and has since returned to his favorite activities, bounding across the yard and greeting new friends with enthusiastic tail wags.

Patent ductus arteriosus occurs when a temporary blood vessel that helps circulate blood in the womb fails to close after birth. The condition can cause too much blood to flow to the lungs, making it difficult for babies to breathe and, if left untreated, leading to serious complications. A PDA requiring treatment is present in approximately 20% of premature infants.

Before catheter-based devices were available, repairing the defect required open-heart surgery for both children and canines. Advances in minimally invasive technology have dramatically shortened recovery times and reduced risk, allowing patients — whether on two legs or four — to thrive.

Inside the Westchester event space, the medical milestones faded into the background as children and pups played freely, a reminder that innovation in heart care doesn’t just save lives — it restores the simple, beautiful rhythms of childhood.

For families like Leila’s — and for Oscar’s — that rhythm now includes playdates.

Brent Tippen, an Abbott spokesperson and director of Public Affairs shared, “Seeing children laugh and play alongside pups — all of whom are thriving thanks to Abbott devices — underscores a powerful message of hope and why we come to work every day. For families facing a congenital heart disease diagnosis, these moments reflect what is possible when innovation meets compassionate care.” 

A Catalina Island Family Getaway and the Love Story That Started It All

Published

Story and photos by Natashia Deon

Natashia Déon and her husband Lee on Catalina Island.

I met the man who would become my husband in a London airport. I was at a stage in my life where I had worn off dating entirely — a season I had christened Me Time.

So he was just another man — my age, 25 — dispatched by mutual friends to collect me from Heathrow because, as they explained, “Lee is the only one flexible enough to leave work in the afternoon.”

I had purchased one of those suspiciously generous travel deals: Three days in London from San Francisco, where I was a newly minted corporate lawyer already plotting my escape to nonprofit work. Before surrendering the salary, I decided I would see the world. Do it properly, actually.

First stop: Hong Kong to ring in Lunar New Year with red envelopes, parades and fireworks on the mainland. Next stop: London. I had 72 hours to see every castle, locate a proper seaside, eat fish and chips and glimpse one of those red-coated soldiers with the tall black hat guarding a Very Important Door. Then I’d be off to Nairobi for wildebeests.

My plane was scheduled to arrive on a Tuesday at 2 p.m. I would leave Friday morning. That felt like plenty of time.

The flight delay that changed everything

Natashia’s daughter Ava gave her mother a yellow flower during a family trip to Catalina Island.

“There’s no wrong way to travel,” a friend once told me. “Anything that gets you out of your apartment and into the world is good and worthwhile.” I liked the sound of that.

My flight arrived nearly two hours late, which meant I was certain I would emerge into Arrivals to find no one. I wouldn’t have blamed Lee. He didn’t know me, and I didn’t know him. I had already decided I’d use the money I’d saved on the travel deal to take a black cab and call it an adventure tax.

With my purse on my shoulder and an All About London pamphlet in my hand, I rolled my tiny suitcase through the arrivals hall, weaving around columns and signs pointing toward baggage claim and transport and reminding visitors to mind the gap. It occurred to me that I didn’t even know what this Lee looked like. And in the era before social media, there was no particular reason he would recognize me either. I’m a Black American girl, I’d told him by email. I’m sure I’ll stick out. But by the time I arrived late, I had no real expectation that anyone would be waiting at all.

Catalina Express ferry.

Then a flicker of movement to my left caught my eye. A blond man, about 25, leaned from behind a pillar, looked at my travel-worn self, then retreated — or perhaps the crowd simply swallowed him. I walked toward him anyway.

“Hey! Are you Lee?”

He nodded. “You’re Natasha?” 

Our eyes caught and I remember thinking — with a certainty I can still feel — This is someone who could care for me deeply, and I for him.

I threw my arms around him. “You’re here! You didn’t have to wait. But thank you!”

I felt his shoulders tense and I pulled away. He wasn’t hugging me back.

“Oh, I’m so sorry,” I said. “You’re English. English people don’t hug. They’re reserved. I read that in my trusty London pamphlet.” I held it up as proof, dog-eared pages marking everything I planned to conquer.

He smiled. “Do it again.”

“Do what again?”

“A hug. I can hug you.”

“No, no thank you. I’m already embarrassed.”

“No,” he said. “Try again.”

I laughed and, in my poshest accent, declared, “I no longer wish to hug you.”

He grabbed my arms and threw them around his neck. We laughed together, hugging like fools — or like old friends — in Heathrow.

We grabbed a bite to eat on the way to the car park and joked about everything, including my seat in the last row of the plane with no recline for a full flight that took a half-day. “They didn’t care about passenger comfort,” I said. By the time we reached the elevator, we bumped the backs of our hands together and, without ceremony, were suddenly holding hands. Neither of us pulled away.

As the elevator doors slid closed, something overtook me — adventure, jet lag, joy. I looked at him slyly and said, “I’m going to marry you one day.”

Carting around Catalina Island — no doors needed!

He didn’t run. He laughed. Then, seeing I might not be entirely joking, smiled and said, “We’ll see.”

Three months later, we were engaged. Three months after that, married. That was 24 years, and we’ve had two children along the way.

When love stories echo across time

Our daughter Ava, now 20, has a boyfriend. She lights up when she talks about him. “He thinks about me when we’re not together,” she says. “He takes care of me. He opens my car door, Mom. All of my doors.”

My husband laughed and said to me, “She’ll get over the car-door thing like you did.” We were sitting on the front porch under the California sun when he said it.

Ava watches fish through the glass-bottom boat on Catalina.

We were waving to neighbors, grateful for the life we’d built. I thought about the car moments that had defined us — my shouting that his reckless driving almost gets me killed, being stuck in freeway traffic extremely pregnant and in labor, twice, or racing to weddings and concerts we were too old to attend. And then I thought of Heathrow.

That first day after he loaded my suitcase into the boot of his car, we walked toward what we assumed were our respective doors, bumping into each other as we crossed behind the car. I headed toward the right side — the passenger side in America.

“You driving?” he laughed.

“Ah,” I said smiling and holding up my trusty pamphlet again, “You guys drive on the wrong side of the road.” I moved to the left side of the car and waited outside the passenger door.

He climbed into the driver’s seat, leaned across and said through the window, “It’s open.”

I said nothing.

“It’s open!” he repeated, gesturing toward the handle.

I waited. Then I thought: He’s waited two extra hours for you. Get over yourself, woman! He doesn’t need to open your door.

Lee and his son Ash play putt-putt golf on Catalina Island.

I opened it, slid in and said lightly, “I have a checklist for my future husband, and he opens car doors.”

We both laughed. I assumed he was relieved to have dodged the bullet of a wild American woman wanting his hand in marriage.

I loved our love story — the surprise of it, the speed, the absurdity, the way it felt like someone else’s story I’d been dropped into — a story of learning what “care” even means. How to express it, how to receive it. Not just a list of To Do items to check off because, weighted wrongly (or ignored), even completed actions tell lies. 

That day on our porch, I said to my husband, “I never stopped wanting it, you know. To have my car door opened.”

I could feel him smiling before he spoke, probably preparing to say something cheeky to keep things light. So I said it plainly:

“I never stopped wanting to feel like somebody’s precious cargo.”

A family trip to Catalina Island

Care has expanded over all these years. Sometimes, it’s a door held open. Sometimes it’s planning a ferry across the water.

The family enjoys a meal at Jack’s Country Kitchen on Catalina Island.

Since then, we’ve traveled the world many times together. Our most recent winter jaunt was an hour across Los Angeles County, to Catalina Island, our first visit, filled with great food from Maggie’s Blue Rose, and then a submarine ride through schools of tropical fish, mini golf and a day of golf carting around the island, including a climb to a lookout where cactus, wild buffalo, the ocean and distant snow-capped mountains shared the same horizon in 68-degree air.

From the balcony of our Bellanca Hotel room, the view stretched from sunrise to sunset. Church bells rang not quite on the hour — rather, 33 minutes after, 45 after—and every time I’d say, “Almost perfect.”

And almost, I’ve learned, is 100 percent.

Nearly a quarter century after Heathrow, Lee opens my car doors now. And when we recently stepped onto the Catalina Express ferry in San Pedro with our family, greeted by cheerful staff and open seats facing the sea, I nudged him and said, “See? We’re precious today.”

Natashia Deón is a two-time NAACP Image Award nominee for Outstanding Literature for her novels “Grace” and “The Perishing.” Her new WWII novel, “Birds of War,” will be published February 2027.

Santa Monica Pastry Chef Shares Lemon Scones Recipe and Debut Novel

Published

By Chelsee Lowe

If you want to run into veteran pastry chef (and longtime Santa Monica resident) Michelle Christensen, your chances are sky-high at any of the city’s four weekly farmers’ markets.

On a recent stroll through the Sunday market on Main Street, Christensen and her daughter delighted in a pistachio donut and snacked on rustic bread spiced with za’atar. Any pastry stand gets her attention. She makes pies and tarts and scones all the time at home, but she adores tasting what other chefs are cooking up, too.

“I’ve always loved cooking,” she says. “My great-grandmother really inspired me. She was always cooking cinnamon rolls and pies and all sorts of things.”

Veteran pastry chef and new novelist Michelle Christensen. Below left: her book, “La Paté a Bombé.” PHOTOS COURTESY MICHELLE CHRISTENSEN

Christensen has called Los Angeles home since 1993; like so many before (and after) her, she was initially drawn here by the entertainment industry. But after a decade in that field, and a stint as a stay-at-home mom, her love for baking called loudly. She pivoted away from entertainment and “followed her dream,” enrolling in Le Cordon Bleu in Pasadena, where she earned a degree in baking and pastry. 

Hands-on experience had her working for some of the city’s finest bakers, including Zoe Nathan and Suzanne Goin. She recalls 3 a.m. baking sessions — filled with croissants, tea cakes, pies — with fondness, though raising three kids at the same time put her in a particular type of fog. Nevertheless, she was grateful. 

When the pandemic hit, Christensen was forced to sit still, and a period of reflection came with that stillness. She devised a new goal: to write a novel. Not just any novel, though. She dreamed up a work of fiction that would draw from her extensive time in the demanding environment of a restaurant kitchen. 

“That’s how ‘La Pâte à Bombé’ came to be,” she says. “It is my love letter to pastry.”

Published last June, “La Pâte à Bombé” follows up-and-coming chef Fiona McConnell, who has to prove her worth while working like mad in a Michelin-starred L.A. restaurant. Of course, romance comes into the equation — specifically, with a vintner named Rory — and Fiona has to keep herself afloat as the pressure builds all around her. 

“Along the way, there’s a lot of pastry, and there’s a lot of love for her craft,” Christensen said. 

Christensen’s dedication to baking lives on in both her writing — she’s currently working on a second book, which centers on another fictional L.A. pastry chef — and in her home cooking. She has three grown children at home (the trio makes up the band Speed of Light), and she’s regularly baking with them and for them. Her latest project is a bread starter she’s feeding daily and has named after the singer Daryl Hall. She says her daughter, Riley, is still keen to join her in the kitchen.

“Kids love to cook, and it’s such a great family experience,” Christensen says. “I think sometimes people underestimate small children and what they can do. Even a 3-year-old can get in there and help out with simple tasks, like grating carrots or peeling apples. In the recipe we’re sharing here, they can grate the butter and zest the lemon.”

To inspire bakers of all ages, Christensen pulled a treat recipe from her time at the Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows in Santa Monica. For the hotel’s Sunday high tea, she baked everything from madeleines and miniature tarts to scones.

“These are proper English scones, and they’re so easy to make,” she says. “Pair them with clotted cream, lemon curd or just butter and jam.” 

Tea Time Lemon Scones

Writer Chelsee Lowe’s batch of the lemon scones. PHOTO BY CHELSEE LOWE

(Makes 10-12 scones)

4 cups flour

2 tablespoons baking powder

½ cup sugar

½ cup butter

3 eggs

1 cup cream

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

½ teaspoon salt

Zest of one lemon

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prep a baking pan (or two) with parchment paper.
  2. Grate cold butter with a cheese grater and place shavings in the freezer.
  3. Zest lemon; set zest aside.
  4. Whisk eggs, then whisk in vanilla extract and cream; set aside.
  5. Mix flour, sugar, baking powder, lemon zest, salt and cold butter in a mixer on low

speed for about 1 ½ to 2 minutes, or by hand. (If doing the latter, use bare hands to fold in the butter.)

  1. Add in the egg, vanilla and cream mixture. Mix until combined into a smooth dough (but don’t overmix).
  2. On a floured surface, roll the dough out with a rolling pin until dough is ½-inch thick.
  3. Cut dough with a 1½-inch pastry ring to make your 10-12 scones.
  4. Egg wash the scones, then bake for 20-25 minutes, until golden brown.
  5. Serve with clotted cream, lemon curd or butter and jam.

Patrick Warburton Named King Bacchus for Mardi Gras

Published

Los Angeles favorite Patrick Warburton — known to many as “Puddy” on “Seinfeld” and the voice of Joe Swanson on “Family Guy” — has been crowned King Bacchus LVII for the 2026 Mardi Gras celebration in New Orleans.

A float in the Krewe of Bacchus parade during a past Mardi Gras in New Orleans. PHOTO BY SKIP BOLEN/WIREIMAGE

This Sunday, Feb. 15, Warburton will lead the legendary Krewe of Bacchus Parade, presiding over a 32-float procession before hundreds of thousands of spectators along the Uptown route. This year’s theme, “Bacchus Celebrates America 250,” ties the celebration to the nation’s 250th anniversary—making Warburton’s reign part of a milestone year in U.S. history.

The Bacchus Parade, one of Mardi Gras’ most celebrated traditions, features 1,700 riders and past celebrity kings including Shaquille O’Neal, Will Ferrell and Nicolas Cage. Warburton joins that roster as the face of one of America’s largest cultural parades.

Outside of Hollywood, Warburton and his wife, Cathy Jennings, have raised more than $40 million for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital through their annual celebrity golf event, The Warburton, held in Palm Desert each March. Now entering its 16th year (March 12–15), the tournament continues to grow, with last year’s total topping $6.4 million in donations.

Patrick Warburton — known to many as “Puddy” on “Seinfeld” and the voice of Joe Swanson on “Family Guy.”

Lately, Warburton has also taken the stage in a new way — as a stand-up comedian. His unmistakable baritone and dry wit have found a second life in front of live audiences, where he’s been quietly selling out shows across the country.

For Angelenos who love a good parade, Warburton’s new royal title might inspire a little hometown pride — and maybe even a Mardi Gras moment of our own. (If you missed it, revisit our previous guide to celebrating Mardi Gras in L.A. and our events page for local ideas.)

From parade floats to punchlines, it’s a fun reminder that there’s always a little bit of Louisiana spirit shining through in L.A., including when Warburton’s leading the way.

Explore more local finds in our Things To Do section.

Santa Monica Pier Month of Love Invites Valentine Story Sharing

Published

Sarah Lichtenwalter submitted her Month of Love Story last year. PHOTO COURTESY SARAH LICHTENWALTER/SANTA MONICA PIER CORPORATION

From first dates and lifelong friendships to family traditions and once-in-a-lifetime proposals, the Santa Monica Pier has been the backdrop for millions of meaningful moments. This February, the Pier invites the community and visitors from around the world to be part of its annual “Month of Love” by sharing the stories that give the Pier its unmistakable sense of magic.

Now open through February, the Month of Love 2026 Story Submission Campaign encourages guests to reflect on the memories they’ve made along the historic Pier deck—whether it was holding hands at sunset, sharing an ice cream cone, braving a roller coaster ride with a best friend, celebrating with family, or saying “I do” beneath the Ferris wheel lights at Pacific Park.

Submitted stories will be featured throughout February on the Santa Monica Pier’s website and social media channels, creating a collective love letter that honors every form of connection. All stories will be shared anonymously, and all types of love are welcome.

“The Pier has always been a place where people come together — across generations, cultures and life moments,” says Jim Harris, executive director of the Santa Monica Pier Corporation. “Month of Love is our way of celebrating those connections and inviting people everywhere to be part of the story.”

Past submissions have ranged from cross-country proposals at the end of Route 66 to family New Year’s celebrations, first dates that turned into lifelong partnerships, honeymoons from around the world, and quiet personal moments of reflection by the sea. Together, these stories capture the Pier not just as an iconic destination, but also as a place where memories are made and shared.

2025 Pier Love Stories Submission – Sarah & Husband

“My husband (boyfriend at the time) and I are from the Midwest and his job brought us to Los Angeles for the first time in 2015. Someone recommended the Santa Monica Pier so it was one of our first stops. We fell in love with it that day and ever since then we come back all the time to watch a sunset on our favorite west end step after some Pier Burger. In 2019, he proposed to me on the compass rose! We got married on the California coast a couple years later and took our photos on the Santa Monica Pier that afternoon. My bouquet was designed to match the colors in Pacific Park and of course we had to get a photo on our favorite step. Our parents, his sister, and a few friends traveled with us for the wedding so we finally got to share our special place with them. The pier has been a part of the biggest days of our lives and we look forward to making many more memories!”

How to Participate

To submit a story, participants must be signed into a Gmail account. Month of Love 2026 submissions are now open to everyone, and participants are encouraged to share the call with friends and family. For more information and to submit a story, visit santamonicapier.org/month-of-love  

While many enjoy the magic of free programming at the Pier, it’s made possible through the efforts of the Santa Monica Pier Corporation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that relies on the support of donors, partners, and the community to help keep the Pier fun, free, and accessible to all. The Santa Monica Pier Corporation is a nonprofit that isn’t fully funded by the City of Santa Monica.

Arrive by rideshare, Metro, bus or bike. The Santa Monica Pier is located at 200 Santa Monica Pier, Suite A, Santa Monica.

Check out L.A. Parent’s roundup of family-friendly Valentine’s Day ideas. And some of our staff members’ favorite date night spots!

Know Your Rights During Immigration Enforcement in California

Published

By Isaac Cox and Winston Leiva

Editor’s note: This guest column was written in collaboration with independent contributors and reflects guidance from community-based legal education experts.

As families across Los Angeles navigate daily life, shifting immigration policies and uneven enforcement practices continue to raise questions and concerns. Many parents still wonder what rights they have, what to expect during an encounter with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and how best to prepare their loved ones for unexpected situations.

Understanding the basics can help families feel more prepared and less fearful.

Myth: Some people are safe from ICE enforcement

One of the most persistent misconceptions is the belief that immigration enforcement only affects undocumented individuals. According to the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA), the situation is more complex. In recent years (and days), people who are citizens, permanent residents or long-term community members have reported being questioned or stopped because of racial profiling. 

“If you happen to be brown or darker and you fit a distorted description, you are not automatically safe,” Leiva explains. “Even those who are United States born or naturalized have been stopped. Unfortunately, racial profiling is occurring even though it is illegal.”

Because of this reality, CHIRLA encourages all families to understand their basic rights and to stay informed about how enforcement actions may unfold.

Understanding your rights: What to say and what not to say

For individuals who do not have immigration protections, Leiva highlights two long-standing constitutional rights that CHIRLA teaches in its community workshops.

First is the right to remain silent. You can say clearly and calmly, “I am using my right to remain silent. I will not answer questions without my attorney present.” Speaking voluntarily or answering follow-up questions can unintentionally incriminate you.

Second is the right to refuse a search. You can state, “I do not consent to a search.” This must be said clearly and repeatedly when needed.

These steps do not control how an officer will behave, but CHIRLA teaches them as part of a broader effort to help community members understand their legal rights and to document if those rights are ignored.

What happens if ICE approaches you in a vehicle?

Vehicle encounters can be confusing. In California, many undocumented residents have a legal driver’s license through AB 60, which allows them to drive safely and register their vehicles. However, because the AB 60 license is marked, CHIRLA explains that individuals should pay attention to who is stopping them.

If the stop involves local police, sheriff deputies or the California Highway Patrol, CHIRLA notes that people may show their license. State and local law enforcement in California are prohibited by SB 54 from asking about immigration status.

When the stop involves federal officers, including ICE, Leiva explains that individuals may choose not to provide any document connected to immigration status and may again use their right to remain silent and to decline a search. Even though federal officers do not always follow established procedures, CHIRLA teaches that these rights remain important for later legal review.

Why documentation and recording matter

Leiva shared that CHIRLA encourages community members to understand the value of documentation. Recordings can help clarify what took place and can support legal assistance if a person’s rights were violated.

California residents have the right to record law enforcement in public spaces as long as they do not interfere with the officers’ work. CHIRLA recommends recording from a reasonable distance and using the zoom feature on a phone when needed. If a person must leave a vehicle, placing the phone on the ground with audio recording active may capture important information.

CHIRLA also advises families to keep copies of key documents. For permanent residents, this may include a green card or secure photos of the card’s front and back. Having a trusted family member store a copy can be helpful in emergencies.

Preparedness is essential for every household

CHIRLA encourages families, regardless of immigration status, to discuss and maintain a basic preparedness plan. This may include:

• Updated identity documents

• Emergency contacts and attorney numbers

• Childcare arrangements

• A shared plan that every family member understands

While no plan can predict every situation, having shared information helps reduce uncertainty if someone is unexpectedly detained.

Five rapid reminders for every parent

Leiva offers five broad reminders that CHIRLA often shares with families. These suggestions are relevant for all households, regardless of ethnicity or immigration status.

  1. Stay informed. Follow trusted organizations and participate in workshops.
  2. Keep your personal documents current and accessible.
  3. Maintain a clear family preparedness plan. Review it often.
  4. Save contact information for trusted immigration attorneys or community organizations.
  5. Protect your mental health. Avoid unreliable social media content and seek support when needed.

Moving forward with knowledge and community support

As Los Angeles prepares for political and policy shifts in the coming years, CHIRLA aims to ensure that families have access to clear, reliable information. CHIRLA’s guidance remains grounded in community education, legal awareness and the belief that informed families are better positioned to protect themselves.

“No one should face these situations alone,” Leiva says. “When we are informed and organized, we protect each other.”

Families seeking trusted legal information, immigrant rights resources and community support can learn more through the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA) at chirla.org.

Isaac Cox is a freelance writer based in Los Angeles and Winston Leiva is the Community Education Programs Manager for Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA).

Best Things to Do in Hudson NY for a Cozy Getaway

Published

By Elena Epstein

Warren Street is full of quaint shops. PHOTOS COURTESY ELENA EPSTEIN

Love brought my husband and me to Hudson, N.Y., where my cousin was getting married — but it didn’t take long for us to fall for this town itself. With its 18th century architecture, farm-to-table meals and sweeping views of the Catskill Mountains, this charming river town is an easy, cozy getaway from New York City.

Hudson is only a two-hour train or car ride from Manhattan, but it feels worlds away from skyscrapers and cab drivers zigzagging through streets. There is only one main street in Hudson — a seven-block stretch of antique shops, boutiques, restaurants, quaint gift shops and a bookstore-pub.

Walk through History

Warren Street is the gathering spot, and it’s designed for walking. Give yourself ample time to wander into these unique, local shops and restaurants and savor each treasure. Grab a coffee or a craft brew at The Spotty Dog Taps & Tea, a bookstore and pub. Discover just the right journal from The Social Type, an adorable stationery and gift shop. Create a personalized scent at  Poured Candle Bar. You can catch a show at Hudson Hall, New York’s oldest surviving theater. The historic opera house still hosts performances and art events. 

Olana State Historic Site in the fall.

My husband and I arrived a couple days before the wedding to explore a few towns nestled in the Catskill Mountains region of upstate New York. We flew into Albany, rented a car and headed first to Cooperstown, home to the National Baseball Hall of Fame, and the place that my husband had been dreaming about visiting since he was a 9-year-old playing little league at Van Nuys Sherman Oaks Recreation Center. 

The drive to Hudson, whether coming from Manhattan or Albany, is spectacular with views of the river, mountains, Hudson Valley and its quaint towns. We were there in mid-November and experienced a dusting of snow, which added an extra touch of magic to the fall foliage that was still visible on some trees. 

A patent for soaps and candles at the Wick.

History breathes from every corner. Take the Thomas Cole National Historic Site, where you can visit the home and studio of the “Father of American Landscape Painting.” And the Saugerties Lighthouse has been continuously operating since it was built in 1869. 

The Candlestick Maker

While planning our trip, we wanted to get a true vibe of Hudson, which was a whaling port in the 1800s. We divided our stay between The Wick hotel, located near the Hudson River waterfront and walking distance to everything, and a restored farmhouse that is a 10-minute drive from the downtown area. 

As soon as you walk into The Wick, with its industrial-chic design, you know that this place has a story to tell. Originally constructed in the 1860s as the South Bay Mill, a soap and candle factory, it was later used as a warehouse for wool and tobacco, a pants manufacturing site and a bedspring factory. A boutique hotel since 2018 (now part of Marriott), the walls showcase the original patents of the soaps and candles, and the rooms feature Hudson Valley handcrafted soaps. 

The Farmhouse

We had a press invite from Whimstay, a vacation rental booking company launched in 2020, and we decided to try them out for our Hudson trip. Whimstay’s focus is finding last-minute rentals nationwide. It offers both condos and houses. Enjoy a nice discount when you book within 30 days of your trip. 

Our Whimstay farmhouse.

We wanted something unique, and Whimstay found a restored farmhouse surrounded by gorgeous trees. The four-bedroom, two-story house gave us all the cozy vibes of Hudson — hardwood floors, a fire pit, a warm yellow exterior and pitched roof. 

Woven into the charm were modern touches — a remodeled kitchen with stainless steel appliances, big windows to bring in the sun, a TV, WiFi, a comfy couch and lots of space to work and relax. I loved seeing the weathered old barn out of the living room window, a remnant of a time gone by.

The Baker

This town is for savoring: fresh bread and pastries, farmstead cheeses, local and seasonal ingredients. What I loved the most is how restaurants, coffee shops and breweries are housed in 100-year-old buildings, mixing old charm with modern design. Here are a few of our favorite spots.

Elena Epstein at a shop on Warren Street.

Olde Hudson Market & Cafe (449 Warren St): A café and food market located in a beautiful brick-faced building. You can find farmstead cheeses, local produce and in-house sandwiches and salads.

The Maker (302 Warren St.). A jewel of a café, restaurant, lounge and an 11-room hotel inside a historic Georgian Mansion building designed with unique vintage pieces and artwork from the owner’s private collection. The old carriage house has been converted into a cozy cocktail lounge. 

Le Perche (230 Warren St.): A French bakery/bistro located in a former bank building. Known for its wood-burning bakery, breads and pastries. 

Return Brewing (725 State St.) A spacious and friendly craft taproom inside a converted warehouse just a short walk from Warren Street. You can bring your own food, dog and kids. 

feast & floret (13 South 3rd St.) A lovely restaurant in a beautiful 19th century brick building that was once home to a blacksmith shop and a carriage house. The owners here not only source their menu ingredients locally, they also sell fresh flowers from their own farm. 

Savona’s Trattoria & Bar (136 Warren St.) In its second generation of family ownership, brothers Stephen and Daniel are continuing their parents’ commitment to serving an authentic Italian meal and a warm welcome. 

Banque (544 Warren St.): A sophisticated café and chocolatier housed in a restored 1927 bank building designed by the architects of the Empire State Building. 

Kitty’s Market (60 South Front St.) This cute café/market sits right by the Wick Hotel. Enjoy comfort food, wine and beer and grab-and-go items. 

More to Explore

Elena and Ron Epstein at Olana.

You can easily spend a couple of days eating, walking and exploring the shops along Warren Street. But there is more to see. 

Just a 10-minute drive from downtown Hudson, you’ll find Olana State Historic Site, where landscape artist Frederic Church built his 250-acre Persian-inspired estate. The park and parking are free, and the sweeping 360-degree views of the Hudson River, the mountains and the valleys are spectacular. There are lots of walking trails to explore. The park is open daily from 8 a.m. to sunset. Tours of the estate are available Friday-Sunday and require tickets, which you can purchase here. 

Culinary Institute of America in New York is an hourlong drive from downtown Hudson in Hyde Park. We found more spectacular views of the Hudson Valley, plus delicious food created by students. These future chefs focus on using local ingredients to create something fabulous. The main restaurants do require advance reservation. We had a lovely lunch and pastries at Apple Pie Bakery Café, known for its freshly baked bread and classic sandwiches all made by students. 

Also in Hyde Park are the Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site and the Franklin D. Roosevelt Library and Museum. We did make the beautiful drive to see these two sites, but we visited during the government shutdowns and both locations were closed at the time. Next time we’re here, we will definitely take the tours. 

Elena Epstein is Editorial Director of L.A. Parent.

Calling L.A. County Teen Writers: Enter Free Sci-fi Writing Contest by Feb. 13

Published

By Ciena Valenzuela-Peterson

Do you have a high schooler who loves to write? We want to read their short stories! Encourage them to enter Omega Sci-Fi Project’s science-fiction writing contests by Feb.13 for a chance to win!

We’re seeking sci-fi short stories for our two writing contests: The Tomorrow Prize (for general science fiction) and The Green Feather Award (for eco-themed sci-fi that imagines positive solutions to environmental challenges). 

The 2025 finalists from Omega Sci-Fi Awards pose with their awards at Vroman’s Bookstore in Pasadena. PHOTO COURTESY OMEGA SCI-FI PROJECT

From the rise of artificial intelligence to the threat of a dystopian society, life these days can feel more like science fiction than reality. The science-fiction genre empowers us to express our unique perspectives and imagine solutions to humanity’s greatest social and environmental challenges. That’s why Omega Sci-Fi Project encourages teen writers to ask: “What if?”

What if… high school was replaced by a virtual-reality simulation?

What if… the melting ice caps revealed an ancient alien artifact frozen in time?

What if… humans evolved to live underwater and built a society in the middle of the ocean?

What if…your prom date was determined by a biased algorithm? 

Students should allow their imaginations to run wild! Science fiction expands upon current scientific achievements of all kinds, inventing new worlds to explore. Whether they’re interested in technology, space exploration, environmental science, biology, human psychology, sociology or the quantum physics of time travel, any type of science can be inspiration for a sci-fi short story.

Every year, we recognize our contest winners with cash prizes up to $250, publication in L.A. Parent magazine and a dramatic reading by celebrity guests at our culminating event, where students get to see their stories come to life on stage! 

From a past honoree:

Our contests are 100% free to enter! Eligible stories should follow these guidelines:

  • Science fiction (Not fantasy! Not sure what the difference is? Reach out!)
  • Between 500 and 1,500 words in length
  • Fully original work (No AI or fanfiction)
  • Engage with social and scientific issues
  • Provide a hopeful perspective on environmental issues (Green Feather Award only)

The deadline to submit is 11:59 p.m. on Feb.13.

To submit your sci-fi short story, or for more information, including submission guidelines and terms and conditions, visit our website at lightbringer.org/science-fiction-competitions.

Ciena Valenzuela-Peterson is Literary Arts Coordinator of the Light Bringer Project.

Legoland California Unveils $90M Lego Galaxy This March

Published

By Chris Tribbey

Families visiting Legoland California Resort this spring will have a brand-new universe to explore. Opening March 6, Lego Galaxy is a $90 million, space-themed land designed to spark curiosity, creativity and plenty of “wow” moments for kids and grown-ups alike.

Rosie Brailsford, Merlin Magic Making’s creative director for Legoland Parks, shows off sections of Lego Galaxy.

Building an entirely new galaxy, however, took years of imagination and meticulous planning. Flora Liu, senior project manager with theme park attraction creator Merlin Magic Making, oversaw the design, Lego integrations and additions of a few Easter eggs to the park’s newest land, which will features Legoland’s first new roller coaster in 20 years.

And after more than three years of design, development and construction, Liu could use a vacation herself, once Lego Galaxy is open to the public. “In case you couldn’t tell, I’m exhausted,” she said during a recent media preview of Lego Galaxy. “It’s exciting. This is the largest investment we’ve [made] in 20 years.”

At the heart of Lego Galaxy — which features themed rides including G-Force Test Facility and Duplo Launch and Land, a Junior Astronaut Training Zone, exclusive shops and multiple space-themed food options — is the Galacticoaster, Legoland’s first indoor rollercoaster. Housed in a 30,000-square-foot building, the coaster, which reaches speeds of 40 miles per hour, integrates decades of Lego space-themed toys, dating back to 1978.

Galacticoaster is Legoland California Resort’s first indoor rollercoaster, and the centerpiece of Lego Galaxy. PHOTOS COURTESY LEGOLAND CALIFORNIA RESORT

Riders team up to digitally create their own customizable spacecraft (with 625 possible combinations), and once on the ride itself, see themselves flying in their creation through augmented reality technology.

“It’s inspired by the very first Lego space sets from the 1970s and celebrates the imagination that has captivated generations,” said Kurt Stocks, president of Legoland California Resort. “We can’t wait for March, when new and longtime fans get to experience the nostalgia of the past, the creativity of today and the adventures yet to come.”

Rosie Brailsford, Merlin Magic Making’s creative director for Legoland Parks, said the entire Lego Galaxy area is intended to immerse visitors in a different universe, compared to the rest of the park, with lots of inside nods that only the most dedicated of LEGO fans will understand.

“We want this all to be a passion point for space,” she said.

Valentine’s Day Gifts Kids Will Actually Love

Published

By Elena Epstein

This Valentine’s Day, let’s show our appreciation for our kids and make it a day of kindness and connection. These awesome NAPPA Award-winning gifts for kids are all about fun, creativity and meaningful time together. 

CONNETIX Limited Edition 20 Piece Pink Charity Pack
Unleash creativity and inspire bold, empowered designs with this limited edition, all-pink magnetic tiles. Features unique shapes and offers hope, support and awareness for the global fight against breast cancer. Twenty percent of proceeds will go to breast cancer research. $45, ages 3+, connetixtiles.com

UpResty Kids’ Clogs
Give growing feet the ultimate comfort with these clogs. Crafted from 100% genuine suede, these clogs are soft and breathable. A special water-repellent finish handles splashes, making them perfect for playgrounds and daily adventures. $39.99, ages 2-18, amazon.com 

Care Bears Super Fuzzies Blind Bag Plush
These besties are back with a super-soft twist. Featuring extra high-pile fur, these friends are the fuzziest yet. Discover the five-piece collection, including Bashful Heart Bear, Cheer Bear and the elusive Ultra-Rare friend. $14.99, ages 4+, walmart.com

Who What Why?
Have a fun family date with these conversation cards. Each card presents a real-life scenario with friendly animal characters to keep things engaging and stress-free, plus guiding questions that spark meaningful talk. $16.99, ages 4+, amazon.com

Duck Shower Timer
Make daily routines more whimsical with this cute visual timer. Features a 99-minute countdown, a green-yellow-red color progress bar and an adjustable “quack” sound reminder to help children understand time easily. $21.98, ages 3+, amazon.com

“Annabelle Bee and Now There Are Three”
A sweet story about the power of sharing, kindness and friendship. With a little patience, Annabelle learns that sharing a friend can make their bond even stronger. $16.99, ages 4+, debrarasooconnor.com

Neo City Knockdown
Launch, crash and chain-react your way through a magnetic build. Fire up your car, trigger spinning obstacles and set off launchers. With floating targets, wild collisions and stunts, every run is a new way to push the limits. Features 45 pieces to mix and match. $69.99, ages 7+, mag-rush.com

For more gift ideas and award-winning toys and games, visit nappaawards.com.

Everyone Has a Story: Raising Culturally Curious Kids

Published

By Jalpa Vaidya Patel

When I was growing up, I felt a deep sense of belonging whenever I was surrounded by diversity — diverse people, food and stories. My love of learning about other cultures led me to study abroad in college, where I minored in Native American studies. It also drove me to center cultural curiosity in my work as a school social worker and professor.

Over time, I realized something important: Cultural curiosity and belonging are deeply connected.

When I became a mom, I knew I wanted to pass this way of seeing the world to my daughters. I wanted them to grow up understanding that everyone belongs — and that everyone has a story.

How to talk to kids about culture and belonging

From the moment they were born, I openly talked with my daughters about the cultures of our friends and family. Diversity education often begins by teaching children that everyone is different and that these differences should be celebrated. We embraced that fully by reading diverse books, watching shows with broad representation and celebrating as many cultural holidays as we could.

Like most curious kids, my daughters naturally began asking questions about their friends: “Where are my friends from? They look different, eat different snacks and like different things.”  

Many parents pause when these questions arise. No one teaches us how to answer them, and it’s not always easy to know what to say. How do we respond honestly, thoughtfully and in a way to nurture respect?

Connecting land, history, identity

To answer, I put on my cultural curiosity hat and grounded our conversation in the land itself. I explained that Indigenous peoples are the first caretakers of this land and continue to care for it today. And I stressed that, over time, families have come from many places, each bringing their own heritage and stories. 

The more I repeated this idea, the more it took root in my children’s hearts: Everyone belongs — and everyone has a story.

I didn’t fully realize the impact of these gentle maternal teachings until my eldest was 5. We ran into one of my coworkers, a fellow school social worker and therapist. My daughter casually asked her, “Where are you from?” 

My coworker smiled and replied, “From here!” 

Without missing a beat, my 5-year-old effortlessly responded, “Oh cool! You’re Native American?” 

What followed was a beautiful moment. My coworker then gave her family story: German roots,  moving from the East Coast to the West Coast. It made perfect sense to my daughter, who then went on with her playing as if nothing extraordinary had happened.  

Later that day, my coworker said to me, “Jalpa, what a beautiful way to view our world: We all have a story.” 

In real time, everything came into focus: I had been building for my children the foundation of meaningful diversity education. As parents, we are our children’s first teachers. With each new conversation and shared story, we have the opportunity to nurture empathy, curiosity and a sense of collective belonging as global citizens.

When children understand that people and land are deeply connected through history, they effortlessly discover that everyone has a story. And everyone belongs. 

Simple ways to practice cultural curiosity at home

Try this with confidence the next time your child asks, “Where are they from?” Know that in doing so, you are opening a new way for them to see their world. 

Say to your children: “You know, this land has always been home to Indigenous peoples. They cared for it first and continue to care for it today. Over time, families from many places brought their own roots and stories. That’s why everyone has a story.”

You can also foster cultural curiosity by:

  • Sharing your own family story at bedtime or over dinner.
  • Talking openly and joyfully about friends’ cultures and traditions
  • Reading books and watching shows that show everyday life in different communities
  • Visiting cultural restaurants, festivals and museums together
  • Modeling curiosity by saying, “I don’t think I know. Let’s learn together!”

Start by exploring your own family history. Where did your ancestors come from? What brought your family to live here today? These conversations invite children to see diversity not as something distant, but as something we all have.

And when you don’t know the answer, simply say so. We don’t always have the answers, but we can always be curious.  

A powerful pathway to belonging 

Helping children understand that everyone has a story is a powerful pathway to belonging. It shapes the way they travel through the world — with respect, empathy and openness to the experiences of others.  

When we give children the language to shift from asking, “Where are they from?” to “What’s their family story?,” we open the doorway to deeper connection and collective belonging.  

This, parenting friends, is the bright and joyful way for children to see the world. We all have a family story of heritage and meaning. As author Arundhati Roy reminds us: “Another world is not only possible, she is on her way. On a quiet day, I can hear her breathing.”

Jalpa Vaidya Patel, LCSW, PPSC, is a school social worker, adjunct professor and mother who is passionate about cultural curiosity and belonging. She is the author of the forthcoming children’s picture book, “Wizzy the Worldly Tree.” Follow her work on Instagram @wizzysways.

FAME Church Christmas Giveaway Supports Thousands of South L.A. Families

Published

L.A. Parent Staff

On a cool December morning in South Los Angeles, families lined Harvard Boulevard as holiday music played, volunteers bustled about and Santa and Mrs. Claus rode in a Los Angeles Fire Department fire truck. For thousands of local residents, it marked a moment of joy and relief at First African Methodist Episcopal (FAME) Church of Los Angeles’ annual Christmas giveaway.

PHOTOS BY CLAYTON EVERETT

Now in its 13th year, the event served more than 5,000 Angelenos, offering free toys, coats, clothing, shoes, socks and bags of fresh groceries, along with something less tangible but just as meaningful: a sense of connection and care during a challenging year for many families.

Community leaders including Los Angeles City Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson, First Lady Dr. Dwinita Tyler and FAME Senior Pastor Rev. Dr. Timothy Tyler opened the morning with remarks centered on unity and service.

“This season reminds us that God’s love shows up through people,” Tyler said. “Every coat, every toy, every bag of groceries represents dignity, compassion and the promise that no one in our community walks alone.”

Harris-Dawson thanked the church for its long-standing commitment to South Los Angeles families, noting the impact of meeting real, everyday needs. “The food and toys are everything that the community needs,” he said.

As children posed for photos with Santa and volunteers handed out gifts, a DJ kept spirits high with festive music. For parents and caregivers, the event offered both practical support and a reminder that help is available close to home.

“Times are tough,” said Jason Lee, a longtime Los Angeles resident. “As a community, we’re grateful to have a church that shows up and gives from the heart. [They] don’t turn anybody away.”

The giveaway was led by FAME’s Commission on Missions and Welfare and the Sarah Allen Women’s Missionary Society, part of the church’s broader effort to address food insecurity and support vulnerable families year-round. In addition to its holiday outreach, FAME hosts a monthly food giveaway on the fourth Saturday of every month.

A South L.A. Dad on Fitness Access, Family and Staying Active

Published

By Marcus Rich

Before the start of 2026, I was already working on improving my fitness after joining a gym that recently opened just five minutes from my home in South Los Angeles. This jumpstart helped me enter the new year feeling proud and determined to stick to my wellness goals. 

What I like about the new Planet Fitness on the corner of Crenshaw Boulevard and Slauson Avenue goes beyond just its brand-new equipment and spacious layout; I appreciate how seamlessly it fits into my already-full life. As a working dad, time is always the biggest barrier. When something is close, welcoming and easy to fold into a routine, consistency stops feeling like a struggle and starts feeling possible.

As an (ahem!) older dad, staying active isn’t about pushing limits; it’s about maintaining mobility, managing my many aches and pains and feeling good enough to show up fully for my family and community. And in a neighborhood where residents and local activists have long pushed for better access to healthy food, safe spaces and wellness resources, having the new Planet Fitness more than convenient — it’s critical.

A well-maintained, modern space dedicated to wellness feels like an investment in the neighborhood. Clean and safe places that support healthy routines aren’t always a given, and when they exist, they make a huge difference. At my new gym, I see parents, older adults and neighbors of all ages taking time for themselves, and that was before the new year and its resolutions hit the stage!

For parents, staying active often means having the energy to keep up with daily life and modeling healthy habits for their kids. Seeing that happen in a shared community space, right in the neighborhood, feels powerful. It reinforces the idea that taking care of yourself is part of taking care of your family.

During my son’s recent winter break from college, we even worked out together, something I found great joy in but didn’t take for granted. Finding time to connect with an 18-year-old isn’t always easy, and sharing our workouts side by side, moving and talking, felt like its own kind of win.

This gym isn’t about trends or transformation photos for the gram. It’s about access, routine and feeling comfortable enough to show up as you are. For me, it’s become part of a healthier routine.

For all of us in the South L.A. community, it’s a reminder that we deserve easy and convenient access to wellness. When clean, safe spaces exist close to home, they change how people see themselves and what feels possible for their families. 

Marcus Rich is a real estate agent, luxury transportation company owner and dad to three sons.  

Expressing Motherhood Brings Powerful Parenting Stories to Glendale

Published

L.A. Parent Staff

Expressing Motherhood, the nationally recognized storytelling stage show celebrating the real, raw, and resonant experiences of motherhood, comes to Glendale for two evenings — 5 p.m. on Jan. 31 and Feb. 1 — at the Sparr Heights Community Center.

Writers and artists perform stories about motherhood in Expressing Motherhood shows.
PHOTOS COURTESY EXPRESSING MOTHERHOOD

Now in its 18th year, Expressing Motherhood has become a beloved platform for sharing personal stories through monologues, music and poetry. Each piece drawn from real life and performed live. Every show is different, shaped by the voices of the performers and the community in which it’s staged.

“Our shows this winter include moms at all stages of parenting — and one son,” says creator and director Lindsay Kavet. “It was important that this show felt uplifting as times are deeply challenging. Coming together to listen to one another deepens our sense of community.”

Rooted in community — and close to home for L.A. Parent

This Glendale production holds special meaning for L.A. Parent. Our digital editor, Nina Harada, is among the performers taking the stage, sharing her own story as part of the cast. In addition, Editor-in-Chief Cassandra Lane performed in Expressing Motherhood in 2018, an experience she describes as life-changing, particularly in helping her uncover a deeper confidence and clarity in public speaking and storytelling.

L.A. Parent’s digital editor, Nina Harada, will perform in Expressing Motherhood.

That personal connection underscores what makes Expressing Motherhood impactful: its ability to create brave space for honesty, vulnerability and connection — onstage and off.

Stories that reflect the realities of parenthood

Created by Kavet, Expressing Motherhood explores the many dimensions of modern parenting, including fertility journeys, identity shifts, partnership and marriage, loss, joy, resilience and love. The show has toured nationally and was adapted into a “Parenting in the Pandemic” series during COVID, reaching families during an especially isolating time.

Each production blends local voices with national performers. “We’ve had people fly in to be part of our shows before,” Kavet says. “But highlighting voices from the surrounding community makes each evening especially meaningful.”

The impact has been widely recognized. Journalist and advocate Maria Shriver has called the show “the modern village for moms.”

Giving back while coming together

More than an evening of theater, the Glendale performances will also support local families in need. Attendees are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items, which will be donated to the local nonprofit Hang Out Do Good.

Whether you’re a parent, caregiver or simply someone who appreciates authentic storytelling, Expressing Motherhood offers an evening that reminds us we’re never alone.

Tickets are available online.

WHAT: Expressing Motherhood SHOW

WHERE: Sparr Heights Community Center, Glendale

WHEN: 5 p.m., Jan. 31 & Feb. 1

Culver City Food Drive at The Shay Supports Westside Families

Published

L.A. Parent Staff

While the holidays may be over, food insecurity remains a year-round issue for many Los Angeles families. Through Jan. 16, residents looking for an easy way to help can donate non-perishable food items to the Westside Food Bank at a collection site in Culver City.

Donation bins are available in the lobby of The Shay, located at Ivy Station near the Metro E Line, making it a convenient stop for commuters, families and locals already spending time in the area. Items such as canned goods, rice, pasta and other shelf-stable foods will go directly toward supporting Westside Food Bank’s ongoing efforts to serve communities across L.A.’s Westside.

The Shay in Culver City. PHOTO COURTESY THE SHAY.

Post-holiday months are often among the most challenging for food banks, as donations typically drop just as demand remains high. Community drop-off sites like this one help bridge that gap by giving families simple, accessible ways to contribute—without needing to commit to a formal volunteer shift.

The donation drive runs through Jan. 16. Learn more about the Westside Food Bank here.

Valencia Town Center Coat Drive Supports Santa Clarita Families in Need

Published

Valencia Town Center recently wrapped up a successful seasonal coat drive, collecting 125 new and gently used coats to help keep Los Angeles-area families warm this winter.

PHOTOS COURTESY ONE WARM COAT

From Oct. 13 through Dec. 31, the popular Santa Clarita shopping destination participated in the nationwide One Warm Coat “Share the Warmth” drive, an annual initiative that provides free coats to people in need while reducing textile waste. All locally donated coats benefited Bridge to Home, a Santa Clarita–based nonprofit that provides shelter and supportive services to individuals and families experiencing homelessness.

The drive was sponsored locally by Centennial, the firm that owns Valencia Town Center, and reflects the center’s ongoing commitment to giving back to the community it serves.

A nationwide effort with local impact

One Warm Coat is a national nonprofit dedicated to ensuring that no one goes without a coat during cold weather. During the 2024–2025 coat drive season, the organization helped distribute nearly 500,000 coats nationwide, while keeping more than 1 million pounds of textiles out of landfills.

By partnering with Bridge to Home, Valencia Town Center ensured that donated coats stayed in the Santa Clarita Valley, directly supporting neighbors in need —including children, adults and families facing housing insecurity.

Supporting families beyond shopping

Located just north of Los Angeles in the Santa Clarita Valley, Valencia Town Center is a two-level regional retail destination featuring more than 140 retailers and restaurants, along with a stylish outdoor district known as The Patios, complete with lush landscaping and interactive water features.

Community-focused initiatives like the One Warm Coat drive are part of Valencia Town Center’s broader effort to support local nonprofits and create meaningful connections beyond retail.

How you can help now

There are hundreds of local California drop-off sites and coat drives happening right now, making it easy for individuals and families to help:

Host a drive: One Warm Coat offers free resources to help communities organize.

Donate a coat: Find a local drop-off at onewarmcoat.org/donatecoats.

Donate funds: $1 helps provide warmth to one person in need.

A Smooth Return: How to Use Winter Break to Help Kids Reset for School

Published

By Iliana Gallego

When the long winter break comes to an end, easing back into school routines can be a challenging transition for both students and parents. The shift from relaxed days to structured schedules often brings stress, hesitation and even a bit of anxiety. 

Predictable routines, paired with intentional social-emotional learning (SEL) practices, offer the structure students need to return to school with confidence. When students feel grounded and supported, they’re better able to reengage with classroom expectations. 

By thoughtfully weaving SEL practices at home, parents can help students reset their routines, reduce anxiety and build readiness for learning.

Below are activities that integrate SEL into daily habits, family moments and fun back-to-school traditions. I’ve divided them by school level, since children in elementary school have different needs than those in middle or high school. 

Elementary school

Elementary-aged children depend on predictability and structure to feel safe and confident. Consistent routines act like anchors, giving them a clear sense of what to expect each day. During back-to-school season, this stability becomes even more important, as familiar routines at home help ease the stress of new teachers, classmates and environments.  

Create a back-to-school countdown 

A paper chain can make the countdown to the first day of school feel concrete and predictable, helping reduce anxiety and giving children a sense of control. Create one link for each day leading up to school, then cut the final link on the morning school begins. You can color-code the links — blue for fun activities, pink for conversations, yellow for school-readiness tasks — and add simple daily activities, such as reading together, visiting a playground, preparing a first-day outfit or sharing a worry. These small rituals make the countdown more engaging, reassuring and supportive. 

Get back to routines 

A visual routine chart is a simple, kid-friendly way to help little ones get back into the rhythm of school. With pictures or fun icons showing tasks such as brushing teeth, packing a backpack or getting into pajamas, children feel more confident and in control because they know exactly what comes next. This predictability reduces stress and power struggles, making the day run more smoothly. Creating the chart together boosts ownership and pride as kids check off each step. 

Bring learning to life 

Simple outings, such as visiting a library or local museum, help children reconnect with the joy of learning as they head back to school. These small adventures spark curiosity, show that learning happens everywhere and create meaningful family moments that build excitement for the year ahead. 

Talk about it 

A simple conversation can help children feel more comfortable and excited about returning to school. Ask what they’re looking forward to and give them space to share any mixed feelings. Listening with curiosity and warmth shows their emotions matter and reassures them they’re not facing the transition alone. These little talks build confidence and help children go back to school feeling supported and understood. 

Middle schoolers

Middle schoolers need time to gradually transition into their sleep habits, rebuild academic focus and manage the emotional ups and downs that can come with returning to friends, activities and responsibilities.  

Journaling or reflection prompts 

Returning to school is a great opportunity for middle schoolers to pause and set intentions for the new semester. Journaling or discussion prompts can help them explore what they’re looking forward to, any worries about getting back into routines and how they feel about reconnecting with friends. Reflecting on what went well before the break, what was challenging and what they want to improve can ease anxiety and build motivation for the months ahead. 

Get organized  

Starting the new semester is a great opportunity for middle schoolers to get organized and excited about school. Using a planner — digital or paper — helps them track assignments, deadlines and activities. You can also take your kids shopping for school supplies, giving them a chance to pick out tools they’ll enjoy using in the classroom.  

Reset screen time 

Middle schoolers often fall into late nights and heavy screen use during breaks. Gradually reducing recreational screen time, especially in the evenings, helps reset their sleep and focus. Encouraging offline activities such as reading and physical play also eases the transition. Framing these changes as self-care, not restrictions, helps students feel in control. 

Social outings 

Encouraging middle schoolers to reconnect with friends before school starts can make the transition smoother and more enjoyable. Plan small meetups during the break, especially in the days leading up to the first day, so they can catch up, have fun and rebuild social connections. These outings help students feel more comfortable and excited about returning to school. 

High schoolers

For high schoolers, the start of a new semester is more than a return to routines — it’s an opportunity to pause, reflect and approach school with intention. This is a time to consider priorities, set goals and connect daily habits to bigger-picture aspirations. 

Encourage reflection and goal setting 
Winter break is a perfect chance for students to reflect on priorities and reset goals across academics, extracurriculars, sports and personal interests.

Short-term goals, such as improving in a class, completing a project or preparing for a performance, can be tied to long-term aspirations: college readiness, career plans or skill development. Linking daily tasks to these larger goals helps students stay motivated and build a sense of purpose. 

Visit a local college 

Visiting a local college can inspire high school students. Touring classrooms, dorms and common areas — and meeting students or staff — sparks curiosity and demystifies college life. These visits encourage reflection on the skills and habits needed now, helping students connect daily schoolwork to future aspirations without focusing on immediate applications. 

Family vision boards 

Creating vision boards as a family is a fun way to reflect on goals and priorities for the year ahead. Gathering images or words that represent academic, personal or family aspirations encourages conversation, motivation and accountability. Displaying the boards in a shared space fosters support, strengthens communication and makes for a creative, inspiring family tradition. 

Normalize critical thinking 

Encouraging high schoolers to think critically can start with everyday activities, including discussing movies or shows together. Ask questions such as: How did this make you feel? What messages or assumptions are presented? What should we question or challenge? These conversations help students practice analyzing, reflecting and articulating their thoughts.  

Iliana Gallego is a communication specialist at the Parent Institute for Quality Education (PIQE), where she supports efforts to engage, empower and transform families through family engagement workshops and family-centered resources. Learn more at piqe.org. 

How Los Angeles Families Can Find Trustworthy Breastfeeding and Lactation Support

Published

By Mina Ognjanovic-Jasovic

Los Angeles has world-class hospitals and pediatric care, yet many new parents leave the hospital struggling to feed their babies. Cracked nipples, poor latch guidance, and confusing pump instructions aren’t rare — they’re signs of a deeper breakdown in how lactation care is delivered.

Why breastfeeding guidance matters

Parents once affectionately described International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs) as “magical fairies.” They were trusted guides who brought calm and expertise when baby feeding challenges felt overwhelming. But in recent years, their role has been misunderstood, minimized or overshadowed by social media trends and underprepared providers.

Here’s what I see across Los Angeles:

  • Some hospitals have shifted their lactation staffing models, at times relying on IBCLCs with varying levels of hospital-based experience.
  • Overdiagnosis is growing. Many newly certified IBCLCs, lacking strong clinical backgrounds, tend to overdiagnose tongue-ties, “body tension” and other issues. Families are referred to multiple specialists unnecessarily. Pediatricians are increasingly frustrated with this wave of referrals, and as a profession, we risk losing their trust.
  • Families are often left navigating inconsistent guidance. By the time some parents reach me, often after seeing two or more consultants, they are exhausted, discouraged and have received conflicting or even harmful advice.

The insurance gap

Insurance coverage has become another barrier for families seeking help. Several major insurers have stopped covering home visits, citing business concerns after some providers over-billed or abused the system. Unfortunately, it’s families who now pay the price.

The inequities are striking:

  • WIC (Women, Infants, and Children Program) participants and some PPO (Preferred Provider Organization) policyholders can access 100% covered lactation support during the postpartum period.
  • HMO (Health Maintenance Organization) members and some other PPO families are often left paying out of pocket, sometimes more than $200 per visit.

For many families, the type of insurance card they hold determines whether they receive timely lactation support or go without. At a time when breastfeeding is promoted as one of the healthiest choices for babies, this gap makes no sense.

Mentorship — the missing foundation

When I became a lactation consultant, mentorship was at the heart of the profession. Every new IBCLC trained side-by-side with seasoned experts who shared their clinical wisdom and modeled compassionate care.

These changes reflect broader pressures on health care systems — including staffing shortages, insurance constraints, and increased demand for postpartum support — rather than the commitment of individual clinicians.

Here in California, pioneers such as Binky Petok, Christy Whitesides, Sherry Mendelson, Ellen Steinberg,  Kittie Frantz, Linda Hanna and Corky Harve built baby-friendly hospital programs, NICU feeding models and university curricula that set the gold standard for how families should be supported.

Over time, this mentorship culture has faded. Many new consultants enter practice without years of guided bedside experience. For parents, this matters. Without mentorship, essential clinical judgment and confidence are lost — and the quality of care families receive becomes inconsistent.

When titles don’t tell the whole story

Another concern is that some people are becoming IBCLCs without ever receiving extensive, hands-on clinical training. Traditionally, consultants honed their skills in hospitals, NICUs and outpatient clinics under supervision. That’s how they learned to recognize subtle but serious issues such as poor milk transfer, oral restrictions or delayed weight gain in babies. 

Today, however, some complete coursework and exams without this real-world foundation and then begin offering house calls. While well-intentioned, these consultants may miss important red flags or provide advice that creates new problems. Simply being a nurse or having personal breastfeeding experience does not automatically make someone a qualified lactation consultant.

Respected IBCLC Christine Staricka, host of The Evolve Lactation podcast, recently discussed how families can spot “fake lactation support.” Her message mirrors what I see every day: Parents need clear, accessible ways to identify safe, skilled and evidence-based care.

A growing business-first mentality

Entrepreneurship has become a visible part of lactation consulting. Unfortunately, this has sometimes overshadowed clinical rigor. Too many new entrants in the field establish brands before completing mentorship, market courses without sufficient hands-on experience or promote products without clinical context.

This business-first model, amplified by platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and YouTube, prioritizes monetization over the IBCLC’s public health mission: ensuring safe, evidence-based human milk feeding. Over the past two years, I have personally seen and corrected harm caused by misinformation, over-intervention and inconsistent care stemming from this trend.

As I often remind my mentees: “IBCLCs were never meant to be brands; they were meant to be clinical guides.”

What families can do

Parents should confidently ask a few clear questions before booking a home visit or making out-of-pocket payments to ensure they are working with a truly qualified lactation consultant. Questions such as:

  • Are you an IBCLC? (Look for the letters “IBCLC” after the person’s name.)
  • How many families have you successfully supported in reaching their breastfeeding goals in the last month?
  • How long have you been working specifically in the field of lactation? (Not as a nurse, doula or other specialty, but as an IBCLC.)
  • Do you have hospital or NICU experience?
  • Have you been re-certified? (IBCLC has to recertify every five years.)
  • How do you stay up to date with current practices? 

These questions help families separate genuine clinical expertise from limited or misleading experience. The answers can reveal whether a consultant is prepared to handle both routine and complex breastfeeding situations and whether your family will receive the safe, consistent care you deserve.

Every family deserves safe, compassionate and evidence-based lactation support. Los Angeles has a rich history of leaders and mentors who built the foundation of this profession, and we owe it to families to uphold those standards.

By asking the right questions, sharing their experiences and expecting high-quality care, parents can play a powerful role in protecting the integrity of lactation support in our community.

Mina Ognjanovic-Jasovic, MHA, IBCLC, PMH-C, CST, has supported Los Angeles families with breastfeeding for more than 20 years. She provides lactation care in two major hospitals and one of the busiest private pediatric offices in the region. She has mentored future IBCLCs for nearly two decades and leads community breastfeeding support groups that help families thrive long after leaving the hospital. Her mission is to deliver safe, compassionate and evidence-based care while protecting the integrity of the lactation profession.

A Winter Wellness Getaway in Dana Point: Rest, Spa, and Coastal Calm

Published

By Cassandra Lane

As much as I love our sunny SoCal skies, every now and then I need to slip inside a cocoon where nothing is demanded of me except stillness.

That’s what a recent jaunt to Dana Point became for me: a necessary hideaway in the middle of magazine production deadlines, my son’s first college finals and the mad holiday rush.

I stayed at Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort & Spa, perched above the Pacific Ocean near Doheny State Beach and Dana Point Harbor. The resort itself feels suspended between land and sea, with red-clay–topped roofs and winding paths that open onto panoramic ocean views. During my stay, it was fully dressed for the holidays: twinkling lights, carolers in the lobby, gingerbread-making workshops and Santa appearances.

Inside the “Cozy Igloo Experience” at Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort & Spa. PHOTOS COURTESY CASSANDRA LANE

The presidential suite I stayed in was spacious but intimate, styled like a private Dana Point beach house with soft neutrals and soothing textures. Four different access points opened onto balconies, but during my three-day stay, each offered the same view: fog. 

While I was initially disappointed in the absence of a glorious sunset, I realized the fog, not gray, but white, was just what my mind needed. The white haze was a blank slate, a clean page. The way it covered everything was also a cocoon. Instead of rushing outside to snap Instagram-worthy photos, I kept the heat on, wrapped myself in a thick robe and sunk down into the oversized curved sofa that felt like a hug. I read, wrote a little, got lost in my thoughts.

Even the bathroom joined the metaphor. The deep soaking tub became its own cocoon, one you sink into and don’t rush out of. The walk-in shower, with its remote-controlled temperature, felt quietly indulgent, another small way the space took care of me without asking anything in return.

On my first night, I dined alone inside the resort’s aqua-colored igloo, a lovely igloo-shaped tent on the patio of its Aprés Sea experience. My waitress handed me a thick blanket, and I draped it over my lap while leaning back onto the pillow-thick couch and slowly savoring each bite of my charcuterie board (bacon-wrapped dates!) and a hot-chocolate-inspired cocktail called “Baby It’s Cold Outside.” Old-school R&B wafted from the stereo, and I rocked and sang along to my heart’s content. 

The next morning, I invited my son to join me. A freshman in a college about 30 miles away, he was deep in finals, living in a small, dimly lit dorm room he shares with two other young men. While my trip was supposed to be a solo retreat, I ended up pulling on my mama hat anyway because I knew he was stressing about one of his finals and believed the fresh air in a new space would do him some good.

He arrived by Uber about an hour before my scheduled spa treatments. We had breakfast together in the room — lemon ricotta pancakes, eggs, coffee — at the full dining table that seats six. I could feel his nervous system settle. “I’m starving!” he said as he pulled up to the table. “This looks way better than dining hall food.” 

Pets are welcome here. PHOTO COURTESY LAGUNA CLIFFS MARRIOTT RESORT & SPA

During my spa treatments, he took a solo walk and then settled into his suite to study. As I rushed to get to my appointment, I reflected on how parenting never ends — not the emotional labor nor the joys of connecting with your child, no matter how many years have passed since you held them within the cocoon of your womb and arms.

The Spa at Laguna Cliffs’ Healing Touch massage was a classic Swedish-style treatment. My therapist eased the tension in my back with mild but exacting pressure. The hydrafacial that followed helped me unwind even more. Using a wand and targeted serums, the treatment combined exfoliation, extraction and oxygen infusion, leaving my skin visibly brighter and reminding me to pause and tend to myself more often.

Nena, my esthetician, was a delight. We squealed when we learned that we both grew up in Louisiana. She was 6 when her family immigrated from Vietnam to a rural area just outside Lafayette. “I call myself a ‘Cajun Asian,’” she said. We talked about gumbo, boudin, beignets and French-Vietnamese culinary fusions, regional idioms, parenting. She also gave me some skincare tips I can try at home. My favorite: massaging my face with a refrigerated piece of rose quartz to reduce inflammation and feel instantly refreshed.

After my treatments, I lounged in front of the spa’s fireplace, alternately sipping champagne and hot peppermint-chocolate tea while nibbling truffles and wasabi-covered peanuts. 

The fitness center, pool, jacuzzi and cabana all offered their own versions of enclosure — spaces to move or float without urgency. And that evening, my son and I at dinner at the resort’s Lantern’s Edge, where I ordered branzino and my son chose a squid ink seafood pasta dish. Everything felt unhurried, padded, held.

We knew our ravenous deadlines were waiting for us. But Dana Point gave us a moment to pause, imagine, breathe more deeply and reflect. Before finals. Before deadlines. Before Christmas lists and logistics.

Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort & Spa is located at 25135 Park Lantern, Dana Point. 

Disney Destiny Cruise Review: Why It’s the Best Ship for Families With Mixed Ages

Published

By Esther Carlstone

If you’re a family with kids (young or old), a Disney cruise is pretty hard to beat — even if you’re not a huge Disney fan. Knowing each ship is thoughtfully designed with families in mind, crafted with the brand’s signature storytelling meant to appeal to young and old alike, you end up with a vacation that somehow delights little kids, tweens and adults in equal measure.

The Destiny’s Grand Hall is a Heroes and Villains sight to behold. PHOTO COURTESY DISNEY 

I was fortunate enough to sail on the new Disney Destiny, cruise, and I think it’s Disney’s best ship yet. Some of this may be due to the wide age range of my three kids, spanning ages 7 to 14. I find we’re at a stage where it’s tricky to find things that appeal to both my youngest and my teen (not to mention the tween in between), and this ship succeeded in delighting every member of the family. 

So what made the Destiny such a hit for all of us? A lot — and these highlights say it best:

Heroes, villains and Marvel moments onboard

The Heroes and Villains theme of the ship was a huge hit, particularly for my older kids who could geek out over details around their favorite Marvel characters and Disney villains. Loki, Cruella de Vil and Black Panther are just a few of the memorable characters they’re able to meet aboard the ship. One-of-a-kind spaces like the Doctor Strange-inspired Sanctum lounge was filled with tons of little details from the corresponding universe that they loved pointing out. 

The slide down to the Oceaneer’s Club is just a preview of the fun inside. PHOTO COURTESY DISNEY

The storytelling was top-notch. The entire sailing was “hosted” by two storytellers, Zayah and Gamble, who were woven into many of the live performances throughout the cruise. They were hilarious, talented, and really helped pull the theme together. 

The themed bars were not just Insta-worthy, they were super fun for kids and adults. My personal favorite, The Haunted Mansion Parlor (which can also be found on the Disney Treasure), felt like you were inside the popular ride with illusions and spooks galore, with correspondingly ghoulish cocktails crafted just for the Destiny. And even non-Cruella fans will swoon over De Vil’s Piano Lounge, painted in her signature red, white and black with a matching piano and signature show to boot. Cask & Cannon is a rousing pirate-themed bar with a delicious-looking fish and chips plate that I’m still regretting not trying.

Standout entertainment for adults

Kids will love the interactive dining at Worlds of Marvel onboard the Destiny. PHOTO COURTESY DISNEY

This may be the most adult-friendly Disney ship yet. An adults-only Marvel-themed comedy show at the two-story Saga Lounge kept everyone in stitches and ended with a surprise experience from everyone’s favorite wisecracking superhero, Deadpool. There were also several adult-exclusive entertainment experiences all throughout the day. And I’d be remiss not to mention an intimate experience with Dr. Facilier from “The Princess and the Frog” that I won’t spoil here for older kids and adults. 

The new, Destiny-exclusive show is awesome. “Hercules” is a spectacular musical theater experience that all five of us couldn’t stop talking about afterwards. The sets, animatronics and songs were stellar.

Kids clubs and Oceaneer Club highlights

DeVil’s Piano Lounge will delight adults and kids alike. PHOTO ESTHER CARLSTONE

The Oceaneer Club was kid heaven, complete with an enormous Star Wars area where they can interact with interstellar creatures and a Marvel room where my 7-year-old was thrilled to create her own superhero suit. However, her favorite activity may have been designing her own roller coaster by combining tracks from the park’s most popular rides and then riding it.

Like all Disney cruises, the infant and toddler rooms are just as magical. While on previous cruises, my older two shied away from the tween/teen clubs, they loved the ones on the Destiny and spent a good bit of time in each one playing video games, board games and “just chilling.”

AquaMouse is a the cruise line’s signature water attraction where guests sit in a tube and are treated to a new Mickey and Minnie show, along with some fun turns and drops, is not to be missed. 

If you’re wondering which Disney Cruise ship is best for your family and you have kids with a large age gap like mine, I highly recommend Destiny. The interiors were stunning, the rooms comfortable, and the entertainment top-notch. Having something to please everyone means parents get a true vacation, and that’s priceless in my book.

Loki is just one of the Marvel favorites guests can spy aboard the Destiny. PHOTO COURTESY ESTHER CARLSTONE

Is Your Family Ready for a Pet? How to Know Before Adopting a Dog or Cat

Published

By Ezra Ameis, D.V.M.

Bringing a new pet into the home is one of the most meaningful decisions a family can make. As a veterinarian who has spent more than a decade in urgent care and emergency medicine, I can tell you that the joy a pet brings is unforgettable. What surprises families most is not the love that comes with a new pet, but the lifestyle shift that follows.

If you are trying to figure out whether your family is ready, here are the conversations, expectations and preparation steps I walk families through every single day.

Start with honest family conversations

Before you fall in love with a specific animal, sit down together as a family and talk through what daily life will look like once the pet arrives.

Who is actually going to handle feeding, walking, litter box duty and training? Kids are often enthusiastic in the beginning, but the long-term routine usually falls on the adults.

How much time does your family realistically have? Puppies and kittens need near-constant supervision, structured training and frequent vet visits. Adult rescues may need patience and stability as they transition to a new environment.

Are any family members easily overwhelmed, noise-sensitive or nervous around animals? Understanding everyone’s comfort level helps prevent stress for both the family and the pet.

A new dog or cat thrives when roles and expectations are clear before they ever walk through the door.

Consider lifestyle before breed

Families often choose a breed based on appearance, but what matters most is how the pet fits into your life. Energy level, temperament, grooming needs and daily activity requirements should guide your decision much more than looks.

Active, high-drive breeds can struggle in low-activity homes. Families who work long hours may find that a young puppy’s schedule is simply not compatible with their routine. Apartment living may be easier with a smaller or lower-energy companion, while some pets truly need space to run and explore.

Choosing the right match is about compatibility, not aesthetics.

Meet and greet with purpose

For adoptive families, the meet-and-greet moment is your chance to get a realistic sense of who the pet is. Notice how they approach new people, how they respond to gentle handling and how they behave in a new environment. Ask the rescue or shelter team about their history, any medical needs and notes on behavior.

For families with young children, look for animals who are naturally social, adaptable and not easily startled. A gentle, resilient temperament often matters more than age.

Prepare your home before your pet arrives

Before your new dog or cat comes home, take time to set up a safe, calm, predictable environment.

Put away medications, cleaning products and toxic plants. Hide electrical cords and secure trash bins. Close off balconies, garages or storage areas that may not be safe. Set up a designated rest area such as a crate, cozy bed or quiet room where the new pet can decompress. Pick up essentials such as food, bowls, a litter box, toys, a leash and an I.D. tag.

Just as important as the physical setup is planning the household routine. Decide where the pet will sleep, when meals will happen and what boundaries everyone will follow.

Can you afford it?

This is the question families often avoid, but it is just as important as choosing the right breed.

Vet care is expensive, and even the most responsible owners will face surprises. Puppies in particular tend to find trouble. In my ER days, some of the most common emergencies involved eaten socks, swallowed toys, dietary indiscretion and injuries from curiosity outpacing coordination. These cases can lead to X-rays, bloodwork, medications and sometimes surgery.

Even routine care has real costs. Puppies and kittens need a series of vaccines, spay or neuter surgery, parasite testing, microchipping and regular checkups. Adult pets need annual exams, dental cleanings and preventive care. If you choose a breed prone to allergies, orthopedic issues or airway problems, long-term expenses can be significantly higher.

Before committing, make sure the family is ready not only emotionally — but financially. A pet should never be the reason a family experiences hardship. Planning ahead protects everyone, including the animal.

Understand the difference between babies and adults

Young animals bring curiosity, energy and developmental needs. Expect house training or litter training, chewing and scratching, socialization work and frequent vet visits. Puppies and kittens are wonderful, but they require time, structure and patience.

Adult pets often come with steadier temperaments and some basic training already in place. They may need reassurance and stability if they’ve had a rough past, but many settle beautifully with predictable routines and gentle guidance. For busy families or homes with very young children, adult dogs and cats are often the easier, more rewarding fit.

The first weeks set the tone

No matter the age, the early transition period is critical. Keep noise low and introductions slow. Give the pet a safe retreat space they can rely on. Stick to consistent feeding times and gentle structure. Use positive reinforcement to build trust and confidence. Avoid overwhelming them with attention, especially in the first few days.

A smooth, predictable start helps them feel safe, which shapes their behavior for months to come.

Know your why

Finally, take a moment to reflect on why you want a pet right now. The strongest families are the ones bringing home an animal because they truly want a lifelong family member, not a holiday surprise or an impulse adoption.

When your “why” is solid, the rest becomes much easier.

The takeaway

Becoming pet parents is a beautiful step, but it should be an intentional one. When families prepare honestly, understand the commitment and create a home built on routine and love, the transition is not only smoother, but deeply rewarding.

Dogs and cats give us their whole hearts. Before you bring one home, make sure your family is ready to give them the same in return.

Dr. Ezra Ameis, founder of Paw Priority, is a veterinarian who helps new pet owners navigate all the ups and downs of a puppy’s first year. From teething tantrums to socialization challenges, he knows how to make puppy parenting fun, manageable and full of adorable moments.

Where to Eat or Order Thanksgiving Dinner in Los Angeles 2025

Published

A curated guide to restaurants open for Thanksgiving in L.A., the best takeout holiday meals, and farmers markets for last-minute ingredients — from Hollywood to Santa Monica and beyond.

Editor’s Note: This roundup was originally published for the 2023 holiday season. Many of the featured restaurants and markets remain excellent options, though menus and hours may vary this year. We’re updating our list for 2025 and will add new dining spots soon—check back for the latest recommendations to make your holiday feasting stress-free and delicious!

To cook or dine out? During the holidays, that question is far more pressing than Hamlet’s more celebrated, existential query.

If you dine in, you have the intimacy of a meal cooked with love, the privacy of a place where family members can be themselves and the post-holiday joy of delicious leftovers. But to get to that place, you first must confront the long lines at the supermarket, 12 hours or more of meal prep, the mountain of dirty after-dinner dishes and the headache of trying to appeal to the varied tastes of unappeasable relatives.

On the other hand, if you dine out, you’re limited to a menu of some chef’s choosing, you eat among strangers and you miss whatever time-honored traditions have sustained your family through the generations.

Good thing there’s also a middle ground. You can order takeout food cooked by someone else but consumed at your own table and on your own dishes.

I have exercised all three options. I have learned well the exhaustion of preparing the holiday meal as my aging mother has relinquished the primary holiday cooking responsibilities to me. I once had a mediocre Thanksgiving dinner at a large, impersonal hotel buffet where it seemed that quantity, not quality, was of paramount importance. I vowed never to repeat that experience.

Two years ago, I found a sweet compromise. I replaced the traditional American turkey and trimmings with the delicious smoked duck, Chinese American Thanksgiving dinner from Ms. Chi Cafe in Culver City. It was a brilliant decision. In addition to a tea-smoked duck or Beijing-style roasted turkey, this year’s offerings include duck-fat rice stuffing, roasted Brussel’s sprouts, a Chinese chicken salad and dumplings.

Even if you are doing most of the cooking yourself, buying a fancy dessert or artisan bread might lift just enough of the load from your shoulders to make holiday cooking a little less onerous.

On Thanksgiving and Christmas, when almost everything is closed and almost everyone is off work, many restaurant workers are busy behind the stove or serving front of the house, making sure the rest of us can get a good meal away from home.

“I never celebrated Thanksgiving prior to coming to America,” says Curtis Stone, chef and co-owner of Gwen Butcher Shop & Restaurant in Hollywood. Stone and his brother, Luke Stone, named the restaurant in honor of their grandmother, who lived on a farm in Melbourne, Australia. “It quickly became my favorite holiday because it’s all about the food,” Stone says. “No presents, no tree trimming, no stockings. Don’t get me wrong, I love Christmas, but at Thanksgiving I get to spend time in my favorite place, the kitchen.” On this year’s Thanksgiving menu: slow-cooked turkey and honey-glazed ham accompanied by braised collard greens, a root vegetable medley, beef tallow parker rolls, assorted pies and more.

In addition to Gwen, the culinary options in Los Angeles are seemingly endless — even on holidays. Starving for steak? Eager for Ethiopian? Craving Cantonese? Voracious for Vietnamese?

The choice, my friends, is yours. But to help you choose among those “I’m not cooking” options, we put together a working list of restaurants open for Thanksgiving, Christmas or both, with options for dining in or ordering takeout. We’ve done our best to be accurate here, but you should consult restaurant websites in case their schedules or offerings change.

This year (2025), The Maybourne Beverly Hills Executive Chef Damon Gordon has curated two ways to enjoy a sumptuous Thanksgiving feast, while fully embracing the holiday spirit of spending time connecting with friends and family. Meticulously sourced from the finest purveyors and farmers throughout California, both celebratory menus are bursting with the utmost freshness, top quality ingredients, and incredible flavor.

  • Thanksgiving at The Terrace – Friends and family can gather at The Terrace for an elegant pre-fixe dining experience. Reservations can be made here.
  • Turkey To-Go – A completely stress-free option is available for groups ranging from 4-8 people, and can be enjoyed in the comfort of home. The takeout meal comes complete with all the traditional trimmings. Order here.
  • “Smashing Pumpkins” Dessert To-Go – For the ultimate showstopper, “Smashing Pumpkins” are available for takeout, adding a sweet conclusion to any Thanksgiving celebration. Lovingly handcrafted from the finest chocolate by Executive Pastry Chef Brooke Martin, this interactive dessert includes a small wooden mallet for cracking open the delicate shell, revealing a hidden treasure of luscious pecan pie praline inside.

Firstborn in Chinatown is offering Thanksgiving dinners to go/pickup, and the meals can be ordered via their OpenTable, and can be picked up between 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Nov. 25-26. Guests can book their desired time as long as there is availability and pick up at the restaurant.

Additionally, our many local farmers markets not only sell fresh produce, but also an impressive array of cooked items. So, this roundup also compiles a list of markets regularly scheduled to be open the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, and Sunday, the day on which Christmas Eve falls this year. Merry dining and happy desserts — whatever your choice may be!

On the Thanksgiving menu at Gwen this year: slow-cooked turkey and honey-glazed ham accompanied by braised collard greens, a root vegetable medley and more. PHOTO COURTESY GWEN

Lolis Eric Elie is a journalist, television writer and author of several cookbooks, including “Treme: Stories and Recipes from the Heart of New Orleans.” He lives with his wife and two young sons in Los Angeles.

Restaurants to the Rescue

Open for dining on Thanksgiving

1Kitchen at 1 Hotel, California cuisine (West Hollywood)

Bistro de la Gare, French/Italian (South Pasadena)

Boathouse on the Bay, seafood (Long Beach)

Caldo Verde, Mediterranean options (DTLA)

Corteza at Sendero, Thanksgiving menu (DTLA)

Gwen, Thanksgiving menu (Hollywood)

La Bruschetta, Italian cuisine (Westwood)

Lalibela, Ethiopian cuisine (Fairfax)

Leña at Sendero, Latin American fare, (DTLA)

Lunetta, traditional Thanksgiving menu (Santa Monica)

The Little Door, Thanksgiving menu (West Hollywood)

Playa Provisions, seafood (West Los Angeles)

Open for dining on Christmas

Pez Cantina, Mexican food (DTLA)

Ruen Par, Thai fare (East Hollywood)

Taste of Tehran, Persian cuisine (Westwood)

Little Sister, Southeast Asian fusion (DTLA)

Open for dining throughout the holidays

Fogo de Chao, Brazilian steakhouse, (multiple locations)

Formosa Cafe, Chinese food (West Hollywood)

Geoffrey’s Malibu, seafood (Malibu)

Henry’s Cuisine, Cantonese menu (Alhambra)

The Front Yard, modern California cuisine (North Hollywood)

Open for takeout

Ms. Chi Cafe, Chinese fare (Culver City)

Angelini Osteria Alimentari, Italian food (Beverly Boulevard)

Bludso’s BBQ, barbecue (Santa Monica, LaBrea Avenue)

Merry at the Market

Wednesday Farmers Markets

Downtown Santa Monica Farmers Market (8 a.m. – 1 p.m.)

Huntington Park Farmers Market (8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.)

Larchmont Village Farmers Market (1 p.m. – 5 p.m.)

Adams Vermont Farmers Market (2 p.m. – 6 p.m.)

Lincoln Heights Certified Farmers Market (3 p.m. – 7 p.m.)

Duarte Farmers Market (4 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.)

Altadena Farmers Market (3 p.m. – 7 p.m.)

Long Beach Marine Stadium (3 p.m. – 7 p.m.)

Miracle Mile Farmers Market (11 a.m. – 3 p.m.)

Sunday Farmers Markets

Temple City Farmers Market (7:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.)

Santa Clarita Farmers Market (8 a.m. – noon)

Hollywood Farmers Market (8 a.m. – 1 p.m.)

Pacific Palisades Farmers Market (8 a.m. – 1 p.m.)

Studio City Farmers Market (8 a.m. – 2 p.m.)

Palos Verdes Farmers Market (8 a.m. – 1 p.m.)

Montrose Farmers Market (8 a.m. – 1 p.m.)

Beverly Hills Certified Farmers Market (8 a.m. – 1 p.m.)

Santa Monica Farmers Market (8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.)

Alhambra Certified Farmers Market (8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.)

Wellington Square Farmers Market (9 a.m. – 1 p.m.)

Westchester Farmers Market (9 a.m. – 1 p.m.)

Motor Avenue Farmers Market (9 a.m. – 2 p.m.)

Mar Vista Certified Farmers Market (9 a.m. – 2 p.m.)

Long Beach Southeast Farmers Market (9 a.m. – 2 p.m.)

Atwater Village Farmers Market (9 a.m. – 2 p.m.)

West L.A. Certified Farmers Market (9 a.m. – 2 p.m.)

Brentwood Farmers Market (9 a.m. – 2 p.m.)

Malibu Farmers Market (9 a.m. – 2 p.m.)

Playa Vista Farmers Market (9 a.m. – 2 p.m.)

Glendale Artsakh Farmers Market (9 a.m. – 2 p.m.)

Historic Downtown L.A. Farmers Market (9 a.m. – 3 p.m.)

Toluca Lake Farmers Market (9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.)

Melrose Place Farmers Market (10 a.m. – 2 p.m.)

Larchmont Village Farmers Market (10 a.m. – 2 p.m.)

Westlake Village Farmers Market (10 a.m. – 2 p.m.)

Experiencing Día de los Muertos at Sandos Caracol: A Cultural Journey in Mexico

Published

By Mimi Tempestt

Sandos Caracol Nature Resort & Water Park in Cancun offers a deeply immersive Día de los Muertos celebration filled with tradition, storytelling, ancestral remembrance, nature and community — a powerful travel experience rooted in culture.

I come from a lineage of hard workers. My great-grandfather, Jesse Seja, was a Korean War veteran who, in the late 1930s, hauled produce off trucks and trains in L.A.’s meat-packing district. My great-grandmother, Jenny Seja, spent hours in her kitchen feeding her eight children and everyone else’s children in the Chavez Ravine neighborhood until the day she died. 

As Los Angeles Chicanos, my family proudly embodies the “working” in working class. And my ancestors, who often send me messages or premonitions in my dreams, instilled in me a fierce work ethic that I’ve carried with me as a Black and Brown person, writer, scholar and professor.

But because of my always-busy load — work, dissertation writing, application deadlines, yoga and pilates teacher trainings — I was recently reluctant to take an all-inclusive trip to Cancun, Mexico to engage in Día de los Muertos festivities at one of Sandos’ three resorts (Caracol Nature Resort & Water Park, Playacar and Cancun). My sister reminded me that work-life balance is the key to healthy living. And as someone who grew up honoring Día de los Muertos in L.A., I was intrigued by the opportunity to celebrate the practice in the country where it is rooted. 

Poet Mimi Tempestt captured Día de los Muertos festivities during her recent travel to Cancun, Mexico. PHOTO BY MIMI TEMPESTT

Traditionally, my family celebrates both Halloween and Día de los Muertos. Ofrendas, candle lightings, communication and veneration with our dead are not foreign at all. For decades, my Auntie Lorena — who was a professional face painter at kids’ parties as a side hustle for years — was the only person I would let paint my face for the holiday. From childhood to adulthood, I could show her any design, and she executed it perfectly. As I boarded the plane for Cancun, I wondered if that tradition would be available to me during the festivities at Sandos — and if the person who painted my face would be as talented as my aunt. 

Sandos Caracol Nature Resort & Water Park

On the drive from the airport to Sandos Caracol Nature Resort & Water Park, our lovely host, Chloe, discussed the intentional ethical practices the hotel owners use to preserve the location’s natural wildlife. She also explained how Caracol is an animal sanctuary for abandoned wildlife. 

Día de los Muertos celebration. PHOTOS COURTESY SANDOS CARACOL NATURE RESORT & WATER PARK

Typically skeptical of these kinds of sentiments, my skepticism was reduced as the jungle bloomed around us the moment we arrived. A symphony of birdsong and buzzing bugs enveloped me. As a kind gentleman named Jorge helped us with our luggage, I wandered toward the open-air entryway and gasped. In the middle of the open-air space was a huge sacred cenote, Cenote Sagrado — the heart of the resort. Its water was a beautiful shade of emerald-green, surrounded by luscious trees and a small dock that allowed you to get closer. 

Within 10 minutes, I was casually strolling among other resort guests and coatimundis — native mammals that look like a cross between raccoons, anteaters and monkeys. The beauty of the resort’s entrance, its immediate access to a bar, the celebratory decorations and all the staff busily preparing for the artisans’ night market built anticipation for the Día de los Muertos festivities. 

While transporting us to our room, Jorge rattled off a list of all the animals that surrounded us: spider monkeys, turtles, fish, birds (peacocks, woodpeckers and more), iguanas, feral cats, agouti, racoons…the list felt endless. I knew that I was exactly where I was supposed to be.

Stylish and spacious room options abound at Sandos Caracol Nature Resort & Water Park in Cancun, Mexico.

Over dinner at La Riviera, the resort’s new beachfront Mediterranean-inspired restaurant, I got to know two other travel writers: Josy, a wife and mother of three from New Jersey, and Genny, a well-seasoned travel writer who is astute, kind and knows the ins and outs of the travel-writing world. 

After dinner, I wandered into a sports bar to watch the beloved Dodgers win the World Series against the Toronto Blue Jays. What made the victory even sweeter? I was surrounded by a room of resort guests from Toronto. A man named Terry and I were the only people from Los Angeles, and our shared cheers tied us back to our homeland, where I knew fellow Angelenos were lighting the sky up with fireworks. 

Overview of Sandos Caracol Nature Resort & Water Park.

The next morning after breakfast at Los Lirios, an international breakfast restaurant on the resort, we ventured through Xcalacoco or “Twin Coconuts,” an ancient archaeological Mayan ruin, formally a historical merchant trading port, located on the resort. 

Katherine, our guide, immersed us in the history of the land. The path, recently renamed Camino de la Felicidad or “Happiness Road,” extends for miles throughout the resort. At its entrance were small ribbons for guests to place their written wishes of happiness, well-being, wealth, prosperity and gratitude on small white or orange ribbons. The road was paved with limestones, tall mangroves, ceiba trees, the famous “Chechén Tree” named after the legend of the Mayan brothers Tizic and Kinich, giant sculptures of the ruler K’inich Janaab Pakal (Pacal the Great) and small pyramids built to collect offerings for the Aluxes (the mischievous guardians of the forest). 

Mimi Tempestt. PHOTOS COURTESY MIMI TEMPESTT

The path was teeming with wildlife and smaller sacred cenotes that Katherine explained are a part of an intricate ecosystem that connects all of the cenotes across the peninsula. The Mayans believed cenotes were portals to the underworld — a place where human and animal sacrifices were made to the Mayan gods. The most striking part of the walk was encountering two ancient ruins in the middle of the jungle terrain, which served as a kind of courthouse and church for ancient locals.

After the small hike, we walked to the large cenote that I’d admired the day before for a swim. The 65-feet-deep cenote was full of aquatic creatures and the joyful chaos as teens splashed and raced each other in the water. At one point, I looked up at the clear blue sky and then looked down to the greenish-blue of the water and felt oneness. It was one of those tiny traveling moments that remind you that your world isn’t so small and that the universe desires for you to see all the elements of its wonders. 

Día de Los Muertos Festivities

If the day was good, that night was even better. All of us ventured towards different activities for the festival. There was so much to do: face painting, food (tacos, caramel and chocolate-covered churros, tamales, pan dulce, chicharrónes and drinks), an interactive cemetery decorated with lights and candles, carnival games on the tennis courts for the children, the Catrina makeup and dance performed by the spa staff, the night market selling jewelry, paintings, antiques, clothes and all the ofrendas made by the various teams and associates who work at Caracol. 

My favorite ofrenda was made by the “Seek & Go” transportation team. Theirs was colorful and succinct. There was a large performance area that held a Sinaloa band, and into the night everyone buzzed with excitement. A woman named Amayrina painted my face, leaving the right side untouched while she adorned the left side with purple and pink colors infused with clear jewels. 

And, yes, she painted my face just as well as my aunt. 

My favorite activity of the evening was the lighting of tea candles for our ancestors. After the lighting, we placed our candles onto the sacred cenote’s waters to float. As I prayed over my candle, I thanked all my ancestors for the opportunity of travel and the experience of Día de los Muertos in Mexico. I asked for protection and blessings over my future endeavors — and I asked them to show me a sign of what I was to discover next. 

The writer Mimi Tempestt.

Walking back toward the night market, I believe I saw my sign. It was all the workers, staff, helping hands and resort support cheering themselves on as they prepared for the parade. From the lobby, I got a preview of everyone’s costumes, the elaborate floats, marigolds and traditional imagery they used to give the resort guests a colorful show. 

During the parade’s peak, I saw Jorge prepare to take a couple’s bags and luggage to their room. As they walked to enjoy the parade and the rest of their evening, I could tell Jorge had worked hard that day. Our eyes briefly met, and we smiled at each other in an understanding of the nature of labor. I walked to my room late that evening, full and content. 

But the image of Jorge’s tired smile and the pride of everyone who facilitated the parade lingered with me. 

The Maintenance of Magic

At 8 the next morning, it was Jorge who helped with my luggage and a drive back to the front lobby before checkout. “Jorge,” I asked in my broken Spanish, “a que hora te acostaste a noche?”

“Oh, very good! You sound good,” he said. “I worked from 6 a.m. to 10:30 last night. I was back here again by 7.”

I asked him about his origins. He is from Veracruz and he has worked for Caracol for 17 years, but has been in the resort business for nearly 20 years. I thanked him for everything. 

Traditionally, Día de Los Muertos is a joyous celebration of the dead. As the living, we honor our deceased and give thanks for their presence and guidance. Still, I was most grateful for the lessons of my ancestors through Jorge, Katherine, Amayrina and all the wonderful people at Caracol who made the experience what it was. Would I return to Sandos Caracol for the festivities? 

Yes, but more than the celebration, I would return for the pride and devotion to the maintenance of its magic. A pride of labor that mirrors my great-grandparents, Jesse and Jenny. The intention, work and care were a reminder of those who put in the work to fulfill the truth behind veneration, celebrations, legacies and traditions. Through the maintenance of magic, there is effort, knowledge, muscle and devotion.

Without it, nothing blooms with life.

Mimi Tempestt is a poet and doctoral candidate in literature at the University of California, Santa Cruz. 

‘Hopepunk: How We Rise’ Brings Community Together to Support L.A. County Student Writers

Published

By Cassandra Lane

The upcoming benefit event at the South Pasadena Library unites authors, actors, educators and families to support the Omega Sci-Fi Project, empowering teens through creative writing rooted in hope, activism and imagination.

As a long-time supporter — and now proud new board member — of the Omega Sci-Fi Project — a program that gives L.A. County high school students a platform to imagine a better world through science fiction writing, I’m thrilled to share an inspiring upcoming event that perfectly embodies the kind of storytelling and community uplift L.A. Parent stands for.

“Hopepunk: How We Rise” will light up the South Pasadena Library Community Room on Sunday, Nov. 16, bringing together celebrity readers, authors, educators and dreamers to raise funds for the program.

Hosted by the  Light Bringer Project, this uplifting benefit supports free creative writing workshops in local classrooms and libraries, reaching thousands of teens each year. Through these workshops, students tackle big ideas — from social and environmental justice to technology and the future — by writing stories that are equal parts imagination and activism.

A Movement Rooted in Hope

The term “hopepunk” celebrates storytelling that believes in the power of optimism and resilience. “Hopepunk: How We Rise” will feature celebrity guests reading selections by iconic sci-fi authors such as Octavia E. Butler, Becky Chambers and Sherri L. Smith. Among the performers are Stephanie Czajkowski (“Star Trek: Picard”), Peter James Smith (“The West Wing”) and Monnae Michaell (“Law & Order,” “The Vince Staples Show”).

The event will also include a festive pop-up by The Undead Bookshop, donating 20% of proceeds to the Omega Sci-Fi Project. Expect an evening of books, community, and creativity — all for a cause that keeps the next generation of writers imagining better futures.

Empowering the Next Generation of Sci-Fi Voices

Each year, the Omega Sci-Fi Project culminates in The Tomorrow Prize, honoring standout student stories. L.A. Parent is proud to co-sponsor this award and publish the first-place teen’s winning story both in print and online.

This year’s winner, Eddy Ju, moved readers with his story “Verdant” — a tale that intertwines environmental awareness and human empathy in a futuristic setting.

As a storytelling hub for Los Angeles families, we’re honored to share platforms like these that empower young voices to explore creativity, courage, and compassion.

Event Details

Hopepunk: How We Rise
Date: Sunday, Nov. 16
Time: 5 p.m–7:30 p.m.
Location: South Pasadena Library Community Room, 1115 El Centro Street, South Pasadena
Tickets: Available via Eventbrite – General admission (no $20; Sponsorships/donations start at $50.

Why It Matters

“The Omega Sci-Fi Project transforms the way students see themselves and their potential,” says program founder Patricia Hurley, managing director of Light Bringer Project. “Through storytelling, they learn to dream boldly — and to imagine themselves as changemakers.”

Former student honoree Diana Rudenky echoed that impact:

“Participating in Omega Sci-Fi was a highlight of my time in high school. It gave me a platform for creative expression while encouraging me to think critically about the issues that pose serious threats to our future. I was inspired to begin creative writing in my free time — and I’m now working on my first novel.”


L.A. Parent Wins 10 National Awards at 2025 PMA Design & Editorial Competition

Published

By L.A. Parent Staff

Creative Director Elena Epstein, Editor in Chief Cassandra Lane and Publisher Ron Epstein show off their 2025 PMA Awards. PHOTO BY NICOLE IRVING

We’re thrilled to share that L.A. Parent earned six Gold and four Silver honors at the 2025 Parenting Media Association (PMA) Design and Editorial Awards, which recognize excellence among parenting publications across the country.

The PMA conference and awards ceremony were held in Chicago, Nov. 6–7, bringing together editors, publishers and writers from around the U.S. to exchange ideas and celebrate excellence in parenting and family media. Conference sessions covered everything from mentoring freelancers and interns to creative ways to engage families and the responsible use of AI in media.

Entries were judged by faculty of the prestigious Missouri School of Journalism, one of the oldest and top journalism schools in the world. Judges praised L.A. Parent for its warm, inclusive voice, engaging storytelling and service to the Southern California parenting community. Below are the awards, followed by the judges’ comments.

Gold Awards

Overall Writing

“Spirited, engaging writing is paired with inspired ideas here to tell wonderful stories (‘Our Firefighters, Our Neighbors’ by Michele Raphael, ‘Balancing Motherhood and the WNBA,’ by Editor in Chief Cassandra Lane), as well as make thoughtful statements (‘Grappling With Parental Guilt’ by Melissa M. Monroe, ‘The Benefits of Selfish Parenting’ by Columbus Batiste, M.D.). Story beginnings are direct, dynamic language drives the pace and carefully selected details advance the narrative. Altogether, the masterful writing style succeeds in helping readers find effective ways to elevate their family relationships.”

General Excellence

“Reading this publication feels like having a conversation with a loved one. Nearly every aspect of the parenting journey is represented on the pages with honesty and insights, including Raphael’s dating as a parent [check out dating apps for parents as well] and Emily Ip’s repurposing leftovers for the lunchbox. Those universally recognized topics are paired with expert-driven, locally rooted insights (‘Dreaming of a White (SoCal) Christmas’ by Teena Apeles) and voices (‘A Grandmother’s Love Song’ by Shonda Buchanan).”

Family Matters Article – “The Great Chores Divide”

“This was a great idea for a story that was well-written and reported. The story addresses the tensions that come within families dealing with household chores and provides useful suggestions on a topic many families likely struggle with and rarely discuss outside the home.”

Travel Feature – “Discovering the Quiet Charms of Rhode Island”

Story by Digital Editor Nina Harada. “Taking a California family on a holiday trip to New England is a study in contrasts, and the writer takes full advantage of that. She returns to a beloved place from childhood and becomes an expert guide to her favorite places in Rhode Island. For the reader, it serves as a wonderful collection of the best choices to consider when planning a trip to an unfamiliar but worthwhile destination.”

News Feature – “Our Firefighters, Our Neighbors”

Story by Michele Raphael. “A terrific tale of several firefighters who lost their homes, personal belongings and, in one case, a collection of uninsured antique cars during the Palisades fire. Each tale is presented as a vignette, with terrific interviews with the firefighters and their families, as well as family snapshots and photos of their homes before and after the disaster. Many of the quotes are gems, including one from a firefighter who described the scene this way: ‘Ash was going sideways like the devil was spitting fire.’”

Online Directory – Summer Camp Directory

“Simplicity shines for this camp directory, making it an easy and intuitive resource for parents looking for how to keep their families engaged during a break from school. The ability to filter a search by category and location is valuable for users who want to fine-tune their efforts based on their kids’ interests and abilities, as well as the family’s own schedule and resources.”

SILVER AWARDS

Special Section – Inclusive L.A.

“Outstanding reporting about issues that affect a significant population in the community successfully clarify and amplify the needs and challenges many families are facing. The section on specialized schools and programs for diverse learning needs appears to be an excellent resource, one that families are likely to keep on hand.”

Calendar of Events – Editorial

Curated by Digital Editor Nina Harada. “These events pages put an emphasis on the writing, with items broken into themed sections and written like mini stories. It was easy to find events by type — like Mother’s Day, festivals, or spooky season. The separate ‘tweens and teens’ category is a wonderful addition.”

General Feature Writing – “Grappling with Parental Guilt”

Story by Melissa M. Monroe. “An emotionally intelligent exploration of a universal parental experience, skillfully shaped into an essay. This piece leans into internal dialogue and reflection, which allows it to emotionally connect with readers navigating similar terrain. It blends personal narrative and expert voice without being too clinical while delivering comfort and useful insight.”

Calendar of Events – Design

Design by Art Director Edwin Alpanian. “The consistent attention to photo and art selection, its generous display and quality color elevate these calendars. Text and type selection is easy to read, and line leading and white space aid readability. Use of color is subdued and effective, and boldface pops key information.”

Continuing a Tradition of Excellence

L.A. Parent is honored to be recognized alongside other outstanding publications across the country. These awards reaffirm our commitment to providing inspiring, inclusive and trustworthy journalism for families in Los Angeles and beyond.

A heartfelt thank-you to our talented editors, writers, designers, photographers and readers — the families whose stories continue to inspire everything we do.

DIY Leaf Wreath Craft for Kids: Fun Fall and Thanksgiving Activity

Published

By Kimberly McLeod

Looking for an easy fall or Thanksgiving craft for kids? Using simple supplies like paper plates, crayons and glue, you can turn a pile of colorful fallen leaves into a festive decoration that brightens any room.

Not only is this project a great way to celebrate the season, it’s also a screen-free activity that encourages creativity and fine-motor skills. Kids can experiment with colors, textures and patterns while learning about leaves and nature. Once completed, your wreath can be hung on a door, wall or used as a centerpiece for Thanksgiving, making it a craft that’s as practical as it is beautiful.

This activity is perfect for kids of all ages — and even adults can try their hand at making one, too. So grab your clan and head outside to find some fallen leaves. We used maple leaves, but you can do this activity with any kind of leaf. 

Supplies  Needed

  • Leaves
  • Crayons
  • Paper
  • Paper plate
  • Glue stick
  • Scissors
  • Twine 

How to Make a Leaf Wreath 

  1. Start by heading outside and collecting leaves. Look for leaves with a lot of veins, as this is what you’ll be rubbing the crayon on. We used maple leaves, but any leaf will work.
  2. Cut out the center of a paper plate and set it aside. 
  3. Remove any wrappers from your crayons, if needed. To save time, you can place the crayons in a bowl of warm water, and the wrappers will slip off. 
  4. Flip the leaf so it’s vein-side up. Add a piece of paper on top and rub the crayon so that you are rubbing it on the side. This allows the color from the crayon to mostly hit the veins, making the impression clearer. 
  5. Once you have enough crayon-rubbed leaves, cut them out. We did leaves in red, orange and yellow. 
  6. Glue the leaves to the paper plate. 
  7. Glue or tape twine to the back of the paper plate for hanging. 

This leaf wreath would add a fall look to any room and would even make a beautiful centerpiece for Thanksgiving. 

TRY THIS! If you’d like to use the real leaves you collected instead, place the leaves between some paper towel inside some heavy books and let them press for two weeks. Once they are pressed, they’ll be fragile, so gently use some glue to glue them to the paper plate. 

With a community of more than 5 million followers across social media, author and mother Kimberly McLeod created The Best Ideas for Kids for busy parents, teachers and childcare providers. The Best Ideas for Kids is a popular platform with DIY craft ideas, screen-free activities, recipes and printable worksheets that keep kids entertained for hours!

Why Middle Children Deserve the Spotlight: Finding the Magic in the Middle

Published

By Lori Orlinsky

Ellie, Avery and Hayley Orlinsky. PHOTOS COURTESY LORI ORLINSKY

When my middle daughter, Ellie, came to me with tears in her eyes and told me she felt left out, my heart sank. As parents, we hope to anticipate our children’s needs, but sometimes it takes a moment of honesty from them to see what we’ve missed. For Ellie, being the middle child often meant feeling invisible — overshadowed by her older sister’s “firsts” and her younger sister’s constant needs.

That moment was a turning point for me. Instead of brushing off her feelings, I sat with her and listened. I reassured her that her voice mattered, her presence was valued and that she wasn’t “stuck in the middle” — she was at the very heart of our family. To help her see it, I started pointing out that some of the best, most wonderful things in life are found in the middle.

Think about it: the creamy filling in an Oreo, the gooey peanut butter and jelly sandwiched between slices of bread, the bridge that connects one place to another or the warm sunshine that fills the center of the day. Without the middle, these things wouldn’t be nearly as special. Ellie began to smile when I made these comparisons. Slowly, she started to understand that being “in the middle” could be a gift, not a burden.

Why Middle Children Struggle
Birth order doesn’t define everything, but it does play a role in shaping a child’s experience. The oldest often sets the pace, celebrated for milestones like first steps, first report cards and first graduations. The youngest draws attention as the “baby” of the family, often doted on for longer. The middle child, squeezed between the two, may feel overlooked.

“Being Middle,” written by Lori Orlinsky, was published by Yorkshire Publishing.

Experts have long studied what’s called “middle-child syndrome.” While the term can be oversimplified, many middle children do report feelings of being less seen, less heard or less celebrated than their siblings. Stephanie Marcy, Ph.D., A.B.P.P., a clinical psychologist at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, notes that while it isn’t a diagnosis, the concept can feel very real for kids.

“It’s often a self-fulfilling prophecy,” she explains. “A child might hear, ‘Oh, this is your middle child,’ or stumble upon something on social media that resonates with them. Then the seed is planted, and they may become hypervigilant in looking for signs of being treated differently.” 

Marcy adds that middle children may also feel overlooked because their birth order isn’t as clearly defined.

“They aren’t the ‘first born’ and they aren’t the ‘baby,’” she says. “So, they may internalize the feeling that they aren’t ‘special.’” 

How Parents Can Help Middles Shine
If you’re raising a middle child, you don’t need to wait for them to tell you they feel left out. With small, intentional steps, you can help them feel cherished every day.

Watch for signs.
Marcy suggests that parents stay alert to changes in behavior. “Look for jealousy, negative attention-seeking, competitiveness with siblings, frequent tattling or even physical complaints like stomachaches or headaches,” she says. “Sometimes kids use these to get attention, whether or not the symptoms are real.” 

Encourage their strengths.
Research shows that middle children often grow into empathetic, adaptable, and independent adults—precisely because of the challenges they navigate. 

“Middle children may work harder to distinguish themselves in sports, academics or creative pursuits,” Marcy says. “They may become more independent, better problem-solvers and sometimes more social because they look outside the family for reinforcement.”  

Practical tips. Here are strategies that worked for our family:

  • Listen with focus. Pause and really hear them when they share their feelings.
  • Create one-on-one time. Even a short walk, an errand or grabbing a snack together shows they’re a priority.
  • Give them leadership roles. Let them choose the movie or plan a family dinner for a confidence boost.
  • Celebrate uniqueness. Encourage passions that are theirs alone, not comparisons to siblings.
  • Mark their milestones. Snap photos, display their work and cheer for their wins.
  • Highlight the “middle magic.” Remind them that the middle isn’t second best — it’s often the best part.
Ellie and Lori Orlinsky.

A New Perspective
Since that day Ellie told me she felt left out, I’ve worked harder to make sure she feels celebrated for who she is. The change hasn’t been about grand gestures but about shifting the lens through which we see her place in the family.

Middle children are not destined to be overlooked. They can be leaders, connectors and the heart of a family. And when we, as parents, acknowledge their unique place and lift them up, they thrive.

The truth is, being in the middle is pretty special. It’s the sweet spot in a cookie, the warmth in a hug, the bridge that keeps us connected. Ellie has taught me that when we stop to see the beauty in the middle, we discover it’s not about being lost in between — it’s about being right where the magic happens.

Lori Orlinsky is an award-winning, best-selling children’s author and mother of three girls, including a middle child who inspired her latest nationally recognized book, “Being Middle.” Drawing on both her personal experiences and professional expertise as a writer, Orlinsky offers a unique perspective on the joys and challenges of life in the middle.

Playland Arcade Celebrates 71 Years of Family Fun on the Santa Monica Pier

Published

The iconic women-owned arcade celebrates its history with giveaways, special events, and a nostalgic look back at its legacy.

Playland Arcade, the longest-running family-owned business on the Santa Monica Pier, is celebrating its 71st anniversary this October. Known as one of Southern California’s last true boardwalk arcades, Playland Arcade has been a hub of family fun and seaside nostalgia since 1954.

The entrance to Playland Arcade on Santa Monica Pier. PHOTOS COURTESY PLAYLAND ARCADE

This beloved, women-owned Santa Monica attraction continues to welcome generations of visitors with classic and modern games, giveaways and a celebration of its rich history.

As part of the celebration, guests can enjoy a variety of giveaways throughout October. Playland Arcade will also unveil a nostalgic display of vintage tokens, memorabilia and family photographs to help visitors relive its storied history. Additionally, the arcade will take part in Santa Monica Pier’s Locals’ Night on Oct. 16, offering a special experience for the community. For daily updates, visit the arcade in person or online at playlandarcade.com.

Family Legacy: Four Generations of the Gordon Family

Inside Playland Arcade.

To honor the milestone, a private anniversary event will take place on Saturday, Oct. 18, bringing together invited guests, city officials, Santa Monica Pier partners, longtime tenants and family friends to commemorate the arcade’s legacy and its recent renovation. The evening will include games, music, refreshments and a look back at more than seven decades of Playland Arcade memories.

Founded in 1954 by brothers George and Eugene Gordon, along with their father Morris “Pops” Gordon, Playland Arcade began as a dream to bring joy, lights and laughter to the beachfront. Today, that dream lives on — now in its fourth generation of family ownership — with Marlene and Joanie Gordon, daughters of George and June Gordon, and the legacy of their late sister Barbara, whose daughters Dana Picore and Monique Giroux continue the family tradition.

Now proudly led by a family of women, Playland Arcade is certified as a women-owned business by the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), honoring its historic roots while embracing the future of inclusive leadership.

 Celebrating 71 Years with Giveaways and Community Events

A historical photo of the Santa Monica Pier.

“Our father, uncle and grandfather built Playland with a simple mission —to make people smile. Seventy-one years later, seeing families still laugh and play here means the world to us,” said Marlene Gordon, daughter of George Gordon. “We’ve watched our children and now grandchildren grow up among the games and memories. We’re proud to share that experience with generations of guests who return again and again.”

 “Playland isn’t just a business — it’s our family story,” added Joanie Gordon, also a daughter of George Gordon. “It’s a joy to see the arcade continue to evolve while staying true to its roots.”

Playland Arcade is the longest-running family-owned business on the Santa Monica Pier and continues to blend classic and modern amusements, including air hockey, Skeeball, claw machines and other gaming favorites.

Renovated and Ready for the Future of Fun

In 2025, the Gordon family breathed new life into the cultural landmark with an extensive renovation, bringing a fresh new look and appeal for future generations of gamers. Its twinkling lights, whimsical sounds and whispered urban legends remain a time portal into the golden age of Southern California boardwalk fun.

“This place holds so many memories — from first dates and birthday parties to generations of families competing at Skeeball,” said Dana Picore, also a co-owner and great-granddaughter of Morris Gordon. “Seventy-one years later, we’re still ringing with the sound of laughter and games and we hope to keep it that way for decades to come.”

Hollywood Connections and a Historic Role in Saving the Pier

Over the years, Playland Arcade has played a starring role in countless family vacations — and even in Hollywood. The arcade has appeared in films and TV shows such as “The Sting,” “Three’s Company,” “Hancock,” “Iron Man” and “Forrest Gump.” It has weathered storms, redevelopment proposals and the rise of online entertainment, yet remains a beacon of real-world fun.

A look at Playland Arcade when it opened 71 years ago.

In the 1970s, when the pier faced demolition, the Gordon family helped lead the “Save Our Pier” movement alongside local advocates and actor Robert Redford, cementing Playland Arcade’s place in Santa Monica history.

“Playland Arcade has always been about more than just games — it’s about tradition, connection and joy,” said Monique Giroux, granddaughter of George Gordon and current co-owner. “We’re honored to carry this torch into a new era while preserving the magic that’s made Playland Arcade a multigenerational family treasure.”

Plan Your Visit

📍 Location
350 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CA 90401

🕒 Hours

  • Open 7 days a week
  • 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. (summer hours: open at 9 a.m.)

🎟️ What You’ll Find

  • Classic and modern arcade games: air hockey, Skeeball, claw machines and more
  • Family-friendly fun for all ages
  • Newly renovated space with a nostalgic seaside vibe

🎉 Special 71st Anniversary Events (October 2025)

  • Giveaways all month long
  • Nostalgic display of tokens, memorabilia & photos
  • Locals’ Night: Oct. 16
  • Private anniversary event: Oct. 18

☎️ Contact
Phone: 310-451-5133
Email: info@playlandarcade.com
Website: playlandarcade.comPlayland Arcade is located at 350 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, 90401.

Dr. Ozzie the Dragon Brings Hope to Kids at LuskinOIC

Published

On National Care for Kids Day, Luskin Orthopaedic Institute for Children unveils a joyful symbol of healing and resilience.

As the nation celebrates National Care for Kids Day on Sept. 20, Luskin Orthopaedic Institute for Children (LuskinOIC) is spotlighting a special campus landmark that embodies its mission of caring for children: Dr. Ozzie, a 10-foot statue of the beloved dragon mascot. Installed earlier this year, the statue continues to stand as a joyful symbol of resilience, healing and hope for pediatric patients and their families.

LOIC Ambassadors pose with Dr. Ozzie, the dragon mascot at Luskin Orthopaedic Institute for Children. PHOTO BY MARK WANG

Since his creation in 2014, Ozzie the friendly dragon has been a fixture at LuskinOIC, spreading cheer, high-fiving kids and making special appearances at events. Inspired by a red dragon on the playground, Ozzie was designed by Dan Madden, Advisory Council member, to represent playfulness, resilience and LuskinOIC’s mission of advancing health equity for every child in Los Angeles and beyond. Ozzie’s presence has since become a symbol of hope and comfort for children undergoing treatment. 

“Dr. Ozzie’s statue, complete with signature lab coat and stethoscope, will ensure Ozzie’s impact will be felt for generations to come,” said LuskinOIC Vice President Michael Sullivan. “His presence reflects our commitment to making every child feel safe, supported and cared for throughout their medical journey.” 

Observed annually on Sept. 20 since its creation by the Designetics Cares Foundation in 2021, National Care for Kids Day spotlights the vital need for children’s health, education and well-being through community support and acts of care.

Dr. Ozzie and LuskinOIC Vice President Michael Sullivan.PHOTO COURTESY LUSKINOIC

Fittingly, the Dr. Ozzie statue captures the warm spirit and unwavering advocacy for accessible healthcare. It also serves as a source of comfort and encouragement to patients and their families. Whether welcoming visitors at LuskinOIC’s entrance or providing a beloved photo opportunity, the statue will stand as a beacon of resilience and joy. 

Follow Dr. Ozzie’s adventures on social media @LuskinOIC.

Luskin Orthopaedic Institute for Children was founded in 1911 as Los Angeles Orthopaedic Hospital. It is the largest pediatric orthopedic facility on the West Coast focused solely on musculoskeletal conditions in children. Locations in Downtown Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Westwood and Calexico treat the full spectrum of pediatric orthopedic disorders and injuries. For more, visit luskinoic.org.  

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Kickin’ Cancer 5K: Honoring Women’s Health and Community

Published

By Megan Tady

How Amy Epstein turned personal tragedy into a movement for early detection, advocacy, and strong female support systems.

Difference Makers: In this section, we spotlight parents who are making a difference by their actions and improving the life of families. Some felt a calling, others pivoted after an unexpected life event. Whatever the case, we are grateful they are part of our community.

Runners of all ages take off from the starting line at the Kickin’ Cancer 5K, organized by the Lynne Cohen Foundation in Brentwood, Los Angeles. PHOTOS COURTESY LYNNE COHEN FOUNDATION

After Amy Epstein lost her mom to ovarian cancer in 1998, grief turned into resolve. She made it her mission to ensure no other family would endure the same loss.

“No daughters, no mothers, no sisters should have to go through what my family experienced — especially when so many women’s cancers are preventable and treatable with early detection,” she says. 

From grief to action

Epstein and her three siblings founded the Lynne Cohen Foundation in 1998, which hosts the annual Kickin’ Cancer 5K, 10K and Women’s Health Expo in Brentwood, where she grew up, where her mom lived and where the memory of her mother, Lynne Cohen, remains rooted. This year’s event takes place on Oct. 12, with the starting line on San Vicente Boulevard.

Amy Epstein (center) with her mom (the last Lynne Cohen) and sister.

“My mom was everything this event is,” Epstein says. “She was beautiful, fiercely smart, incredibly well put-together — and completely selfless. She was hands-on in everything she did, especially in the community.” Cohen died at the age of 53. 

A community rallies together

Kickin’ Cancer started as a small gathering of family and friends and has now become a multi-generational, community-wide experience that draws hundreds. Participants walk or run in teams, wear matching shirts, hold signs with names of loved ones and write emotional messages on a tribute wall Epstein and her team created — a kind of living journal of remembrance and resilience.

Women’s health on the frontlines

Every dollar raised supports the four Lynne Cohen Foundation Preventive Care Clinics in Los Angeles and New York, which provide essential services such as free mammograms, genetic testing and counseling to low-income women at increased risk of breast and ovarian cancer. 

“These clinics are essentially on the frontlines of women’s cancer, and they’re helping to do what I first set out to do, which is save women’s lives,” Epstein says. “It’s about creating spaces where women feel seen, heard and equipped to speak up for themselves — especially in medical settings, where women’s symptoms are still too often dismissed or minimized.”

Remembering her own mom’s horrific battle is a painful memory. “Her disease was just so brutal. She was only 48 when she was diagnosed, and it was at a late stage, and especially back in the ’90s, the treatment for ovarian cancer was even more brutal.” Epstein watched a dazzling, energetic woman fade away, leaving her motherless at the age of 22, just as she was graduating from Duke University. Her legacy has informed Epstein’s life work. 

Amy Epstein.

Lynne Cohen was known for her philanthropic energy, volunteering in her children’s schools, organizing fundraising campaigns, and becoming deeply involved in the Los Angeles art and Jewish communities. Even while fighting late-stage ovarian cancer, she worked to raise money for ovarian cancer research. “It clicked for her that research was the only way to beat this disease,” Epstein says. “That it was the future.”

Now her daughter, Amy Epstein, is that future. While pushing for additional research and funding — studies show that funding for primarily women’s diseases is far less than diseases that affect men — she has built the Lynne Cohen Foundation into an educational platform for women’s health advocacy, early detection awareness and community-building. And this mom of three boys also hosts the SEAM podcast, which covers a wide range of topics about women’s health. 

Her message to women is to talk about what is happening in their own bodies, even if it feels embarrassing, awkward or trifling. She points out that men often have no problem talking to their doctors about issues — their stomachs, their bowels, their prostates. “They’ll say it without hesitation,” she says. “Women, on the other hand, are taught to whisper. To be discreet. But it’s time we stop being discreet and start being clear. Start being loud. Start being seen. And it starts with knowing what’s normal for you. And having the confidence to speak up when it’s not.”

The power of female bonds

The theme for this year’s Kickin’ Cancer event is strong female bonds — among mothers, daughters, sisters and friends — and their central role in women’s health and advocacy.

These bonds, Epstein says, can be lifesaving because fellow women are often the first to notice that something has changed in one another — whether emotionally, hormonally or physically. She describes it as the intuitive diagnostic system: “There’s value in having long-term friendships where people can reflect you back to yourself. It’s not medical data, but it’s lived data — it’s relational and it’s powerful.”

It’s in the everyday moments when women gather and talk — over dinner, a walk or in a group text thread — that female friends tune into one another’s health.

“Say you’re sitting with a girlfriend, and you say something like, ‘God, I’ve just been feeling really off… whatever it is—brain fog, anxiety, night sweats, mood swings,’ Epstein says. “And it’s that one friend who’s known you for over a decade who goes, ‘Girl. That doesn’t sound like you. You need to call your doctor. And if you don’t have one, here’s mine.’”

And should a woman get a dreaded cancer diagnosis, it’s female friends who rally around each other. “Having those emotional bonds already in place can make all the difference for someone going through something as traumatic as cancer,” she says. “You’re not walking that road alone. You’ve got people beside you who know you, who love you and who are going to carry part of it with you.”

The concept of women not having to walk it alone is literally visible at Kickin’ Cancer. Every year, Epstein is unprepared for how emotional she feels watching hundreds of community members lace up and pound the pavement in honor of the women in their lives — and in support of the countless women the clinics will help in the future.

Carrying a legacy forward

The night before the event — just like she’s done every day since Cohen died — Epstein will say good night to her mom. And in the morning, she’ll show up at Kickin’ Cancer, her mom’s spirit still palpable. In the race. In the wall of messages. And in the work that’s still to come. 

Want to participate?

L.A. Parent readers and followers receive a 50% discount on registration costs for this year’s event. Just visit the registration page and enter promo code LAP50.

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