NWI Parent is proud to introduce a redesign of its website. We’ve packed it full of all the great content you’re used to, plus the site will be the new home for engaging news stories about kids and families in Northwest Indiana.

Please bookmark our new URL here.

Make sure you locate our popular directories, which list all of the family-friendly events, destinations and resources in the area. Then, laugh and cry with our bloggers—local parents from all walks of life—who aren’t afraid to tell it like it is. And finally, our continuously updated articles will keep you connected with the latest in parenting news and tips.

The easy-to-navigate NWI Parent site will have even more opportunities for community interaction, so jump in and look around. We want to hear about your kids, read your comments, and see your family photos. We’re here for you 24/7, so check it out, and let us hear from you!

Needlepoint and acrylic backgammon set in green, blue and white from Jonathan Adler.
(AP Photo/Jonathan Adler)

The world is a crazy busy, crazy big place for grandparents and grandkids looking to connect, so why not ditch the slippers for the holidays and focus on gifts grand-kin can enjoy together?

Somewhere between cozy, affordable footwear and the other end of the spending spectrum—grandparent-grandchild cruises—lies a wealth of gifts, projects and memory-making activities both can enjoy.

The love affair with all things vampire is alive and well.

Vampires proved they really are undead this year. The romance between a stubborn teenage girl and a noble vampire in the bestselling Twilight novels inspired movies, music, clothing and toys that continue to fly off shelves. Eclipse, third in the Twilight Saga series, opened in June with the widest release in cinematic history and grossed $68 million opening day, second highest ever. Top opening-day gross, coincidentally, went to the second flick in the vampire franchise, New Moon.

Madison Borselli, 17-months-old, sits on the lap of Dan Dowling, dressed as Santa Claus, at the Stone Zoo in Stoneham, Mass. Santa can be magical for children but can leave parents conflicted.
(AP Photo/Hillary Rhodes, FILE)

When Liz Anderson’s 9-year-old son asked her if Santa Claus was real, she froze. Only days before, she had been lecturing him on the importance of telling the truth. Now here he was, tears welling in his eyes, and his younger sister playing nearby.

Anderson, a public relations consultant from Waco, Texas, took her son to another room and told him the truth. They both cried. But a few days later, when her 7-year-old daughter mentioned a gift she wanted Santa to bring her, Anderson’s son winked at his mother. A year later, her daughter still believes and her son is still winking, happy to be in on the secret.

When Jad Terrebonne’s son, Paul, was diagnosed with autism more than two decades ago, he felt like someone had taken a hammer and shattered all his dreams.

“It was a shock to us,” he said. “I grew up in a ‘boys world’ and had that dream of hunting and fishing with him, like I did with my father. I really struggled with that for a long time.”

Jad Terrebonne recently self–published What About Paul? How I Gave Up My Broken Dreams detailing his family’s journey with Paul, now 27. Terrebonne’s wife, Rachelle, and his daughter, Amy Terrebonne Luarca, also contributed chapters to the book.The book is available through amazon.com.

After the initial surprise of Paul’s diagnosis wore off, Terrebonne said the family made it a priority to help Paul get all the services he needed. “I said I was going to fight to see that he could reach all of his potential,” he said.

(Photograph by Paul Tople/Akron Beacon Journal.)

Did you ever wonder how the poinsettia became a symbol of Christmas?

According to legend, it began many years ago in a small Mexican village where two children grew up in poverty.

Maria and Pablo knew there would be few gifts for them on Christmas morning, but festivities at their local church gave them something to look forward to with anticipation.

NWI Parent Blog—We’ve all gotta eat-might as well have some fun in the kitchen! Check here for recipes, cooking with kids, food finds, and more.

Just because it’s the holidays people think they need to come up with some sort of elaborate festivities. Not true! You can have a holiday party that is very fun, works for all ages and doesn’t involve huge effort or crazy ingredients.

Step 1: Pick a date. The holidays are crazy for everyone so be flexible – Sunday afternoon parties can be fun too you know.

Continue reading Barb’s latest post here on her “Food with a Dash of Fun” blog.

Supporters of Haven House are hoping teddy bears collected this holiday season will provide comfort to children who have been the victims of domestic violence.

Haven House, a shelter for northern Lake County women and children who are domestic violence victims, has held the annual Jacob’s Bears drive for a number of years, volunteer Kathy Kazmierczak said. It honors the memory of Jacob, an infant who died 10 years ago due to abuse by his caregiver.

Here’s our weekly showcase of the latest and greatest new selections in media for youth.

From books and games to educational toys and DVDs, there’s never a dull moment for active and eager young minds.

This week, three new book selections prove the holidays are soon to be in full swing, offering fun page-by-page perspectives from everyone ranging from snowmen and mice to kittens and even Horrid Henry!

BOOKS

AGES 7 AND UP

Horrid Henry’s Christmas
by Francesca Simon and illustrated by Tony Ross (
Source Books, $4.99)

The reigning prince of mischief is back, and Horrid Henry isn’t worried about Santa Claus or anyone else watching his bad behavior during this special time of the year. Besides trying to sabotage the school’s holiday program, he’s also spending his allowance to buy some “not very nice” presents for those around him. With fun illustrations, this entertaining 100-page paperback read makes a great stocking stuffer to teach children how NOT to behave. It’s available now in stores or at sourcebooks.com.

NWI Parent Blog—Photographer and writer mom of two, Beth always brings a new twist to the suburban mundane.

I have this baby boy who absolutely adores his Mom.

Anna was so independent as a child but she definitely preferred to be in her Mama’s arms, but Noah arrived before she turned one so her attention was quickly shared. She usually threw fits when I was leaving to go somewhere, even if I was just going outside to mow the lawn. (which I often did to “get away” back then.) To this day, Anna still prefers her Mom and is sometimes a little too clingy for my liking but really I do like it because someday, she’ll pretend I don’t exist.

Continue reading Beth’s latest post here on her “Laptops to Countertops” blog.

Students congregate in the hall at Calumet High School in Gary. (Photograph by Carmen McCollum/The Times.)

Calumet High School teachers and administrators say the key to decreasing the number of suspensions and expulsions is forming better relationships with students.

A couple of years ago, Calumet was among the top five schools across the state in suspensions, administrators said.

Today the school is focused on academics and working hard to transform the high school from one on academic probation to one filled with students who are academically successful and have the ability to collaborate and make healthy and productive decisions about their futures. The New Tech program, which was introduced this fall for freshmen and sophomores, will spread to the junior and senior class next fall.