Shortages of teachers, infrastructure and technology workers will hamper schools' ability to provide the best education, facilities and tools to children, Superintendent Robert Taylor said Thursday.

Higher employee pay will be key to running Wake schools smoothly, superintendent says

Wake County Public School System Superintendent Robert Taylor speaks to the League fo Women Voters of Wake County, April 18, 2024

Consumer Reports surveyed more than 2,000 members who shared their experiences with pet insurance.

Is pet insurance worth the bark? Survey reveals middling results

Pet insurance

All assets associated with the tag: new mom

New mom Coverage

 Franklin County Health Department launched a new program to support moms. The goal is to reduce infant mortality rates.

BUCKS A MONTH. >> THE RATE OF INFANT BABIES DYING IN FRANKLIN COUNTY IS HIGHER THAN THE STATE RATE. NOW THE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT THERE IS OFFERING A PROGRAM TO HELP CURRENT AND EXPECTING MOMS WITH THE HOPES OF REDUCING THAT NUMBER WRAL'S DESTINY. PATTERSON EXPLAINS HOW IT WORKS. >> ALLISON SAD. AND ELAINE EDWARDS NOTICED A GAP IN FRANKLIN COUNTY SUPPORT FOR MOMS. THERE REALLY WASN'T ANY BREASTFEEDING SUPPORT IN FRANKLIN COUNTY. THAT WAS JUST ONE ISSUE THAT NEEDED TO BE ADDRESSED. THE MOST RECENT DATA SHOWS 5.4 INFANT DEATHS PER 1000 BIRTHS IN THE U.S. NORTH CAROLINAS RATE IS HIGHER THAN THAT. AND IN FRANKLIN COUNTY THAT NUMBER IS EVEN GREATER LOOKING AT THAT AND REALIZING THAT THIS IS SUCH A PROBLEM. WE REALLY HAD TO FOCUS ON. WHAT ARE THE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS TO INFANT MORTALITY. THE PAIR WORKED TOGETHER TO TRY TO IDENTIFY THOSE FACTORS AND THEN TRY TO PROVIDE A SOLUTION, HELPING PREP IN THOSE FINAL STAGES. GETTING READY FOR BABY. THESE NEW INITIATIVES ARE FUNDED THROUGH A 3 YEAR GRANT FROM THE STATE THAT MONEY HAS ALLOWED THEM TO TURN AN IDEA INTO A REALITY. THEY OFFER BREASTFEEDING IN SAFE SLEEP CLASSES TAUGHT BY CERTIFIED INSTRUCTORS IS PROBABLY THE LARGEST GRANT THAT WE HAVE. A HEALTH DEPARTMENT HAVE RECEIVED BEFORE. IT'S SOMETHING THAT'S NEVER REALLY BEEN DONE HERE IN FRANKLIN COUNTY. >> HERE, THE FRANKLIN COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT, THEY ARE STOCKED OF FULL OF BABY PRODUCTS. THEY HAND THESE OUT AT THE END OF EACH OF THEIR CLASSES WITH THE HOPES OF HELPING MOMS IN THE COMMUNITY. >> I REALLY DIDN'T UNDERSTAND THE GRAVITY OF THE CLASSES UNTIL WE WERE REALLY ABLE TO THE AT THE END OF CLASS CONVERSE WITH MOMS AND PACK UP THEIR CARS WITH THEIR PACK IN PLAYS AND THEIR BOPPY PILLOWS AND SEND THEM ON THEIR WAY. IT WAS REALLY A FULL CIRCLE MOMENT FOR US. THEY SAY THEY'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO CREATING MORE MOMENTS LIKE THAT. >> DESTINEE PATTERSON, WRAL NEWS, FRANKLIN COUNTY. I KNOW THOSE MOMS APPRECIATED ALL OF THAT. THE CLASSES ARE HELD ONCE A MONTH. THE NEXT ONE IS SCHEDULED FOR NEXT WEEK. AND YOU CAN FIND OUT HOW TO

Health Department launches program to support moms

Last week we tried a new playspace -- Notasium.

Take the kids: Indoor musical playground experience at Notasium in Cary 

Our indoor playground experience at Notasium in Cary 

I want to share the best thing I've ever read as a parent.



New mom: The best thing I ever read as a parent

"Year of Yes" by Shonda Rhimes

If you take your 23-month-old to an out-of-town wedding where she is supposed to be a flower girl -- get ready for a super stressful weekend and an epic fail. 



New mom's epic fail: If you take a toddler to a wedding...

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New mom: Things I've learned in a year

Toddler at the park

As my daughter's first birthday approaches, I can't stop thinking about the crazy week that led up to it.



New mom: Birth day

IV drip

Exercise has always been important to me. I know I'll be a much better mom, and wife, if I feel healthy.



New mom: Finding time to exercise 

On New Year's Day, I made scrambled eggs for my 8-month-old.



Food allergies in babies and toddlers: An expert tells all

Allergic reaction in 8-month-old baby

After weeks of putting it off, I finally made the difficult decision last week. For a second year in a row, I won't be seeing extended family for Thanksgiving.



New mom: COVID-19 and difficult decisions 

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New mom: Keep screaming, baby girl

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Children's books

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New mom: With COVID-19 cases on the rise, where can I take my baby?

Study: Babies born through use of frozen embryo transfer face higher cancer risk

Breastfeeding my daughter in the first weeks of her life was a constant struggle.