By Lela Nargi Amy Cahill remembers the afternoon last December when she was shopping with sons Max, age four, and Logan, age 2, at the Target near their Lincoln Park high rise. Spotting two sparkly plastic princess crowns, Max turned to his mother and insisted, “We’ve gotta get those!” They were a perfect match for […]
Meet Andrew Alford, Jeffrey Norberg, & Kate, Wicker Park, Chicago
by Lela Nargi When hotel designer Andrew Alford got an offer to pack up shop in hometown San Francisco and become chief creative officer for boutique chain Graduate Hotels, based in Chicago, he knew it would be a big transition (not least of all because of the weather). “It was definitely a change for our family,” says […]
Meet the Music-Loving Solares Family, Bucktown, Chicago
By Lela Nargi Jessica Solares and her husband, Luis, don’t just teach music in Chicago’s creative epicenter; they live music, too. Parents to 3-1/2-year-old Lucia, who attends preschool at Bucktown Academy, near the Solares’ Bucktown Music studio, the two met at Elmhurst College, where they both studied Music Business —a major Jessica describes as “odd” and also uninspiring when […]
Last Minute Family Day Trips For the Dog Days of Summer
By Ilene Miller My two boys, age 10 and 13, love to spend summer “chillaxing” and getting away from the grind of the school year. But typically, by the end of July, we are all burned out on the pool and looking for some family fun in the sun that doesn’t involve a three hour car ride […]
A Night Off With Kim & Jeff Bosse of Birch Road Cellar, Lincoln Park, Chicago
By Lela Nargi Just over a year ago, Kim Bosse, a social media consultant, and her friend Sharon Provins, hit on a brilliant idea: a top-secret, members-only club that would appeal to grownups—if not exclusively parents, like them—who were looking for a low-key, no-kid night out that didn’t have to end right after dinner was […]
Profiles of Childhood: Nicole Miles, Doula and Sitter, Chicago, IL
As told to Lela Nargi I grew up on the Southwest side of Chicago and I’m the oldest of three girls. My parents were high school sweethearts and have been married for 28 years. My father works for the Chicago Transit Authority and my mother now works at a local university. I’ve always been surrounded […]
Meet Kendall: Chicago-native, Vanderbilt Student and Babysitter!
With over 35 glowing reviews on UrbanSitter, it comes as no surprise that Kendall has an upbeat and bright personality. Now studying child development at Vanderbilt University, Kendall hopes to transition her people skills and passion for helping others into a full-time career after graduation. Here, Kendall shares with us what life is like […]
Meet Katie: Nurse Practitioner, Hockey Fan, & Babysitter
As a pediatric nurse practitioner at the top hospital in the US, Katie makes her living helping children. Since joining UrbanSitter in 2015, she’s expanded her services to include babysitting for some of Boston’s coolest families. A lifelong Chicago Blackhawks fan, she says she uses her own passion for sports as a tool for connecting […]
How to Create the Perfect Family Picnic
What better way is there to enjoy a relaxing afternoon with your family – soaking in the sunshine, eating good food and simply being together – than with a glorious, family picnic? Before the summer slips away, follow our formula to create the perfect family picnic. We show you how to choose the right menu, […]
Round Up: Family Friendly July 4th Events, Fireworks and Festivities
Don’t miss out on the loads of family fun and fireworks displays there are for the taking this July 4th. Here’s a round up of events in the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, San Diego, Chicago, Boston and NYC: SF BAY AREA 4th of July at the Berkeley Marina July 4, 2013 12 pm […]