Recently, I was watching an episode of a popular counseling show where the therapist asked a mother, “Does your daughter know your story?”  I thought this was such a powerful and important question to ponder — one that removes the mommy veil and invites us in to see the person behind the title. As Mother’s Day approaches and we navigate all the ways we will celebrate those who call themselves mothers, it’s important to acknowledge the myriad stories that surround motherhood, including the stories of women whose children were adopted. In her book “Relinquished: The Politics of Adoption and ..read more

Heather Perren (left) with Lagreeing At Home Co-Founder, Lexi Heiziner (right). Welcoming a new member into the family brings immense joy. Still, it also marks the beginning of a journey filled with physical changes, challenges and countless questions, especially when it comes to maintaining a safe and effective fitness routine during and after pregnancy. Here are some of the more frequently asked questions on how to manage safe and effective at-home workouts for new and soon-to-be moms. Editor’s Note: Always consult your physician before beginning any exercise program. Is it safe to continue ..read more

Sara Forte’s latest cookbook “Around Our Table” has recipes for the whole family. PHOTOS BY HUGH FORTE SoCal food blogger and James Beard Award-nominated cookbook author Sara Forte released her latest cookbook, “Around Our Table,” which offers a peek into her life in addition to family-friendly recipes like this grilled peach and burrata salad. The following recipe is excerpted with permission from “Around Our Table” by Sara Forte published by ‎Hardie Grant Publishing, April 2024, RRP $40.00 Hardcover. Grilled Peach and Burrata Salad with Breadcrumb Crispies SERVES 4 Grilled Peach and Burrata ..read more

Welcome to our May/June magazine! The L.A. Parent team loves covering travel — family excursions, solo journeys, couple and friend voyages. We travel to expand our understanding of people, place and history. What is just as essential is acknowledging that, wherever we go, we are bringing our foundation — our childhood dreams, accomplishments, wisdom, assumptions and limitations — with us. To travel is to navigate this two-way relationship. Whether we are visitors or the ones being visited, we are simultaneously students and teachers.  In our May/June magazine, come along with us ..read more

Tal Anderson is best known for her work on the Netflix series, “Atypical,” as Sid. The actor and filmmaker has recently tapped into her own personal journey of being on the autism spectrum to write a beautiful picture book called, “Oh Tal! Not Today.” The whimsical book is a celebration of differences, as well as creativity, tenacity and independence. L.A. Parent had the pleasure to catch up with Tal recently. Why did you decide to write this children’s book? “Oh, Tal! Not Today.” is the first book in a series of picture books called “Oh, Tal!” which I’ve been planning and wanting to write fo ..read more

It may come as a surprise to tourists and even some Los Angeles transplants, but picturesque parks, sprawling trails and native animals are all in the backyard of this dense urban city. Hiking enthusiast and L.A. native Nell Cross Beckerman is sharing the joy of natural surroundings in her new children’s book “From Park to Playa: the Trails That Connect Us.”   Nell in front of Playa sign. PHOTOS COURTESY NELL BECKERMAN After a decade of trekking the same hike up in Baldwin Hills, Beckerman discovered that the trail continued to another side —&n ..read more

Birdfy Feeder Bamboo  Enjoy nature with this smart bird feeder made from FSC-certified bamboo. Features a solar-powered camera for eco-friendly operation, allowing for bird watching with minimal environmental impact. Supports AI recognition to identify more than 6,000 bird species. $279.99, birdfy.com “Dear Graduate” This book challenges that age-old question “What do you want to be when you grow up?” by changing it to “What will you do when you grow up?” It asks 33 questions of graduates of any age about how they want to spend their time and what values they’ll develop. $15.99, ag ..read more

 Got Game camps are held at four locations in Los Angeles County. PHOTO COURTESY GOT GAME CAMP The sun is beating down harder as daylight stretches into the late evening, which means another school year is rounding to a close. For many of you, however, the drop-offs, lunch packing and daily activity schedules are year-round — particularly if your children are headed to summer camp. During those hours, it’s the camp counselors who become an essential facet of your child’s summer. If you find yourself wondering how to enhance summer camp not only for your child, but also the counselors resp ..read more

A Fiji Airlines A350 flies over one of the Fiji Islands. PHOTO COURTESY FIJI AIRWAYS Fiji, the glistening jewel of the South Pacific Ocean, offers visitors rich cultural heritage, tropical landscapes, pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters and vibrant coral reefs. This knockout paradise is full of treasures for the whole family, whether goals include staying active by jet skiing or hiking, utterly relaxed and immersed in a book while languishing on a beach or around a pool or expanding the mind with the culture and history of Fiji and its people. Notably, the people of Fiji are ready to welcom ..read more

Portland is a great place for the whole family to play. PHOTO COURTESY TRAVEL PORTLAND Portland has a reputation for being a little unusual. The phrase “Keep Portland Weird” is often said with great pride — and that kooky magic is great for kids of all ages. Even with a population of 700,000, downtown Portland presents an intimate, walkable city. It’s a place rich with epic nature opportunities, educational fun and quality family time. Thanks to Portland’s light rail (MAX), bus and streetcar system, every activity here is doable without a car. Visit trimet.org to download the mobile app that w ..read more