Picture this: It’s 1990, I’m about to turn 10, and the excitement is real. My mom is gearing up to host five of my closest friends for what promises to be the highlight of my year — my birthday party. My mom, ever the hero, has pulled out all the stops. She ordered my all-time favorite pizza and whipped up a homemade chocolate cake paired with creamy vanilla ice cream (my absolute favorite dessert.). And as if that weren’t enough, we’ve got an itinerary jam-packed with fun —music, games, and just hanging out. To my young self, this is the epitome of fun, the ultimate birthday bash. Does anyone ..read more

A fun and easy way to make some cute little creatures! Materials: White Cardstock Watercolor Paint (Either Liquid or Palette) Paint Brush Drinking Straw Scissors Glue  Fine Point Black Marker Googly Eyes (optional) Baking Sheet to Catch the Splatter (optional) Steps: Start by dropping 2-3 drops of the watercolor paint onto your paper, making a little puddle about the size of a dime. Then, hold your straw about 1 inch away from the paint and blow into the straw to spread the paint in different directions.  Repeat the first two steps with a variety of colors to fill up your paper ..read more

Lindsey Frierson and her husband Gerald Whitsett grew up in Cleveland Heights. Growing up they were very familiar with the Northeast Ohio suburbs. After they married, they purchased a townhome that didn’t have a backyard in a nearby suburb. Once they had their daughter, Rian, they started looking for a home that was more conducive to raising a child and would be in a location where they would still be close to both of their parents. They decided to move to Beachwood in 2017, when their daughter Rian (now almost 10) was 2.  Frierson says what keeps her family in Beachwood is, “The communit ..read more

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your family. “I’m Courtney Lynn Ottrix, a storyteller at heart, a community enthusiast, and a true Clevelander who was born and raised in Shaker Heights. I come from a big family, (my parents had five children), and I loved growing up with siblings. I literally dreamed of having my own family. I graduated from Shaker Heights High School and went on to attend Duquesne University. Upon graduation, I very proudly moved back home. Now, as an adult and resident I’ve dedicated my career to highlighting Cleveland’s vibrant life and hidden treasures through ..read more

We’ve all been there. It’s May 15, the kids have been sick off and on since spring break. Is there money in their lunch account? We still are not sure what day they have gym.  As the school year winds down, the questions mount even further and the to-do list grows. To help you with your to-do list, we asked local parents about their year-end lists and what tasks they prioritize as they prepare for summer. Summer Learning Plans Academically, a conversation with your child’s teacher still may be in order. Ask the teacher to assess your child’s strengths and weaknesses, which will inform any ..read more

Multi-step skincare routines. Expensive serums. Sephora hauls. For tweens? “Skin care is a hot topic,” says Jamie Cole, owner of Skin Deep Laser Spa in Strongsville. And social media has helped that interest grow among younger and younger ages. Dr. Siee Malik, a pediatrician and a mother of three daughters, also has seen the growing popularity of skin care both in her Akron Children’s Mayfield Heights practice and at home. To be clear, not every child is on board with the trend. Some still need encouragement to embrace the basics, but others have adopted 10-step routines that could be harmful ..read more

The May issue of Northeast Ohio Parent has arrived! Check it out on newsstands, or view the digital edition! In this issue we chat with local influencer Courtney Ottrix about balancing her career and blended family while spotlighting Cleveland’s hidden gems. The May issue also highlights the city of Beachwood. Plus summer camps, the end of the school year check list and more! Subscribe for free to our digital edition! You’ll receive future issues automatically in your inbox. The post Read the Northeast Ohio Parent May 2024 Issue appeared first on Northeast Ohio Parent ..read more

We love hard-boiled eggs, especially this time of year. They make for a great snack, breakfast, or addition to a salad. If you find yourself with any extra hard-boiled eggs, I recommend trying out this recipe. This spring-like recipe makes for a quick and easy lunch or small meal before after-school sports. If you find yourself with any extra hard-boiled eggs, try this out.  Makes 1 healthy portion but can be doubled to serve 2-3.   Here’s what you need: • 1 hard-boiled egg • 1 hard-boiled egg white • ½ large avocado • ½  tsp Dijon mustard • Salt and pepper to taste  H ..read more

  Join Greater Cleveland Aquarium aquarist McKenzie to learn about these tiny spotted garden eels. Watch this behind-the-scenes video to learn what and how they eat, how they live in the wild, and how they build and maintain their burrows. For more video and virtual fun, visit GCA’s YouTube channel. Wednesday Watch is brought to you by Pinecrest The post Learn About Spotted Garden Eels With Greater Cleveland Aquarium appeared first on Northeast Ohio Parent ..read more

In Northeast Ohio, many parents seek part-time employment that allows them to balance work with family responsibilities. The ideal part-time job offers flexible hours, a good income, and the possibility to contribute meaningfully while being present for one’s children. This article explores several great options for part-time jobs in the region that cater specifically to the needs of parents. 1. Remote Customer Service Representative Description: As businesses continue to support online services, the demand for customer service representatives has increased. These roles often allow for remote ..read more