Capital City Parent

Dr. Gregory Bennett, SIU School of Medicine associate professor of pediatrics and the director of outpatient pediatric clinics, with Claire Ketchum. Stylish new gym shoes, notebooks with the most popular superhero or princess and the oh-so-important back-to-school outfit top the to-do list for most kids heading back to school. But for parents, some health-related items […]

Sangamon Valley Youth Symphony (SVYS) is gearing up for an exceptional orchestra season and is looking for new additions to the ensemble. Established in 1976, Sangamon Valley Youth Symphony has provided orchestral experiences and education to Springfield and surrounding communities for 40 years. SVYS is home to six youth orchestras for musicians in grades 3-12, […]

Today 23 percent of American families have just one child. Photo from metrocreativeconnection.com I am an only child. There are certain stereotypes that people associate with us. At a previous job, for example, my boss noted the surgical efficiency with which I removed the crusts from my sandwich and said, “I’m going to go out […]

PHOTO metrocreativeconnection.com Ever since Alternative Celebrations launched its radical (as in root), gift giving approach in the 1970s, thoughtful authors have offered tips, craft instructions and recipes to make holidays in general, and gift giving in particular, less materialistic and more meaningful. I welcome their voices on the subject. The kind act of expressing affection […]

Christie and Levi DeFrates enjoy Funshop. PHOTO BY DIANNE CROWN In January 1976, visionary child-and-family advocate Dr. Georgia Davis opened the doors to Funshop in a Springfield church. It was designed to be a safe haven where overscheduled parents and children could enjoy the rare gift of time to talk and play together, just for […]

PHOTO metrocreativeconnection.com Children are naturally curious, and have a strong desire to emulate the grown-ups in their life. For the young child, time spent in the kitchen provides a wealth of opportunities to learn, discover and fine-tune motor skills. Aside from increasing exposure to different foods and flavors, the responsibilities and satisfaction that come along […]

Jeff Bridges as Rooster Cogburn, a man of True Grit. If grit still makes you think of sandpaper or southern breakfasts, you haven’t been paying attention. In the past few years, grit has become an important buzzword in the study of children’s development and education. As my now 4-year-old daughter was learning how to dress […]

Riverside Stables Horse Camp May 30-Aug 15. Riverside Stables Horse Camp May 30 – Aug 15, 8am-4pm Mon- Fri. Week-long sessions offered June 8 to Aug 10. Ages 5-16. $425 per week. Reserve your week at riversidestable.com. Riverside Stables Horse Camp, 2310 Chinchilla Lane, 522-7702. Kids Camp at Springfield Racquet & Fitness Center. May 31-Aug […]

PHOTO metrocreativeconnection.com I had been dreading the question ever since my plane touched down in Oslo. I was eight months pregnant, visiting my family in Norway for Christmas for one last international adventure before the baby arrived. The question was finally raised by my cousins as we were sitting around and relaxing after Christmas dinner: […]

PHOTO metrocreativeconnection.com In children, tooth decay is the biggest problem that dentists see. “Twenty percent of kids have 80 percent of the cavities,” said Dr. Mary-Margaret Looker, dental director at Central Counties Health Centers, Inc., in Springfield, which provides preventative dental services to low-income patients. “Oral health is important to overall health,” she said. “The […]

Ah, bedtime. Where parents read and reread old favorite books and rejoice when new classics are found. If you’re looking for a respite from Goodnight Moon and Golden Books starring Disney and Pixar characters, we’ve got you covered. We’ve consulted both national critics and Springfield-area librarians – all have recommendations to expand and enrich story […]

If you are a parent, you need a will. Even though you’re young and healthy, even though your mortality might be the farthest thing from your mind, even though right now you’d rather spend the money on something else. You need a will because at the end of the day, you’re mortal, and when you […]