http://www.wral.com/lifestyles/family/blog/1545147/Staff members of Carolina Parent magazine provide insight, tips and suggestions on making the most of family life.Copyright 2009 by Capitol Broadcasting Company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:39:51 -0500Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:39:51 -050060http://www.wral.com/lifestyles/family/blogpost/6463942/This weekend offers loads of family fun in the Triangle, from an American Indian Heritage festival and a Christmas Parade on Saturday in Raleigh to a family film festival in Apex on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:39:51 -0500Familyhttp://www.wral.com/lifestyles/family/blogpost/6463942/http://www.wral.com/lifestyles/family/blogpost/6446419/If you’re going holiday shopping, you still need to look out for lead in toys. A children’s health advocacy group has found children’s toys with the Barbie and Disney logos contain high lead levels, The Associated Press reports.Thu, 19 Nov 2009 09:24:59 -0500Familyhttp://www.wral.com/lifestyles/family/blogpost/6446419/http://www.wral.com/lifestyles/family/blogpost/6429146/I made five visits to the doctor last week. It’s a new record for me but not one that I’d care to repeat. My two kids caught the flu (most likely the H1N1, according to their doctors), my mother had bronchitis and I had to have my eye checked.Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:14:05 -0500Familyhttp://www.wral.com/lifestyles/family/blogpost/6429146/http://www.wral.com/lifestyles/family/blogpost/6405040/Slipping into a pair of cozy pajamas and settling into bed with a book is among the best ways to reassure and comfort yourself after a long day. Now, a Garner school teacher is working to spread that loving bedtime atmosphere to children in the Raleigh-Durham area who have been neglected, abused or simply may not have a stable home environment.Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:49:46 -0500Familyhttp://www.wral.com/lifestyles/family/blogpost/6405040/http://www.wral.com/lifestyles/family/blogpost/6379058/This morning, I spoke with a mom who rose before daylight to have her son at a 5:30 a.m. swim practice. Her son is on the swim team, which meets every day, but she says he’s falling asleep after school.Mon, 09 Nov 2009 11:33:07 -0500Familyhttp://www.wral.com/lifestyles/family/blogpost/6379058/http://www.wral.com/lifestyles/family/blogpost/6361998/Ready to step into the spirit of the holidays? Attend opening night festivities of Disney's A Christmas Carol: An IMAX 3D Experience, in downtown Raleigh on Friday, and you'll return to 19th-century England, complete with caroling, confections, cheer and special appearances from characters in Theatre In The Park's A Christmas Carol.Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:39:26 -0500Familyhttp://www.wral.com/lifestyles/family/blogpost/6361998/http://www.wral.com/lifestyles/family/blogpost/6352125/Worried about your family getting the H1N1 flu? Who isn’t? Every day seems to bring changes in which age group is more vulnerable, yet if you’ve called your pediatrician’s office to try to get a shot, you know that the vaccines aren’t coming in fast enough.Thu, 05 Nov 2009 10:57:30 -0500Familyhttp://www.wral.com/lifestyles/family/blogpost/6352125/http://www.wral.com/lifestyles/family/blogpost/6312468/Got plans to celebrate Halloween with the kids? As the witching hour approaches, the spirit of fun is spreading its wings across the Triangle. If you're looking for age-appropriate entertainment, you'll find a range, from Frightful Haunts (ghostly offerings designed to send you scurrying for your mummy) to Not-So-Scary Events for Little Boys and Ghouls.Fri, 30 Oct 2009 16:42:37 -0400Familyhttp://www.wral.com/lifestyles/family/blogpost/6312468/http://www.wral.com/lifestyles/family/blogpost/6267590/In the mood for Halloween? You’ll find a bunch of spooky and zany events around the Triangle this weekend plus your pick of pumpkin patches, hayrides and haunted houses close to your home.Fri, 23 Oct 2009 10:05:38 -0400Familyhttp://www.wral.com/lifestyles/family/blogpost/6267590/http://www.wral.com/lifestyles/family/blogpost/6252261/Looking for good after-school programs? You can find them in North Carolina, which recently ranked in the Top 10 in America After 3pm, a survey of after-school programs in all 50 states. But most parents statewide who want their kids in after-school programs aren’t able to find them, usually because programs aren’t available, they can’t afford the fees or transportation issues make it impossible.Wed, 21 Oct 2009 10:37:00 -0400Familyhttp://www.wral.com/lifestyles/family/blogpost/6252261/