Best Local Parent/Family Information (Raleigh, Durham: renting, chapel, school rankings)

[cherryweb]

Good day,

I have a question regarding quality online/offline family/parent information. Anyone with children will surely understand that when you become truly sold out to the life of a family, for the most part keeping up with the trends of people without kids/family is no longer a high priority. I say that because when you don't have kids, finding information on nightclubs and best restaurants is easy. But finding the best park or toddler yoga instructor is usually word of mouth.

I wanted to start a list of the best online resources for parents and families here in the Triangle.

I already know about the:

• News & Observer: Good overall general info. http://newsandobserver.com
• Carolina Parent: childcare research and camp information, Carolina Parent l Parenting advice, family events in Raleigh, Durham, Cary, Chapel Hill, Hillsborough, Carrboro, health news, education
• TriangleMom2Mom: Good site for new families and babies. Mom2Mom : Front Page | Mom 2 Mom
• The Preggo Page, (Follow my pregnancy): http://pcrawford.myncblogs.com/
• GreatSchools.net: North Carolina Schools - North Carolina State School Ratings - Public and Private For School rankings.

But what about the rest? Where do you go to find out school information, current events, get knowledge on family trends and or advice? Is there another magazine, a blog, a church or even a Local Newsletter that helps to keep parents in the know, locally in the Triangle?

Thanks in advance.

[Babytarheelz]

I like TriangleMom2Mom and Carolina Parent. They're both really great. I also like Meetup.com. I joined a local group in my area and it's been a great resource for playdates and activities. There's a magazine called Kidsville that has some good material at times. GoCityKids is also a great website and BabyCenter.com also has a local page with some great recommendations.

Some will probably recommend Triangle Mommies, so I'll just throw this out there before they do. I was a member for a long time and there is some really great info on there and some really good people. But, I found it to be poorly managed, VERY clicky, and if you don't mold yourselves to thier standards, you're not welcome. I deactivated my membership not too long ago because I just don't have time for their drama and there are far more better resources out there!

[K. Dunn]

Originally Posted by cherryweb

Good day,

I have a question regarding quality online/offline family/parent information. Anyone with children will surely understand that when you become truly sold out to the life of a family, for the most part keeping up with the trends of people without kids/family is no longer a high priority. I say that because when you don't have kids, finding information on nightclubs and best restaurants is easy. But finding the best park or toddler yoga instructor is usually word of mouth.

I wanted to start a list of the best online resources for parents and families here in the Triangle.

I already know about the:

• News & Observer: Good overall general info. http://newsandobserver.com
• Carolina Parent: childcare research and camp information, Carolina Parent l Parenting advice, family events in Raleigh, Durham, Cary, Chapel Hill, Hillsborough, Carrboro, health news, education
• TriangleMom2Mom: Good site for new families and babies. Mom2Mom : Front Page | Mom 2 Mom
• The Preggo Page, (Follow my pregnancy): http://pcrawford.myncblogs.com/
• GreatSchools.net: North Carolina Schools - North Carolina State School Ratings - Public and Private For School rankings.

But what about the rest? Where do you go to find out school information, current events, get knowledge on family trends and or advice? Is there another magazine, a blog, a church or even a Local Newsletter that helps to keep parents in the know, locally in the Triangle?

Thanks in advance.

Just wanted to say thanks in advance Cherryweb for this post. How right you are that us "families" are looking for something else on the web when it comes to a specific area. More concerned with local parks, local [and withing a few hours] natural and man-made attractions, bicycle paths, fairs, gymnastic facilities, hiking trails, dance academies, kids community sport teams, ect. In researching those spots where we think we might want to hang our hats, we heavily use this website of course, and a must is also the GreatSchools.net that you mentioned [found that invaluable], otherwise someone from outside [or inside from what you mentioned] the area doesn't have a clue of local sources. So I hope your post gets some action to help both the locals and hopefully someday newbies like us!

[bluedevilz]

Here's a good site for those in the Chapel Hill area...

CHillKids - Fun and Family Living in Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and the Greater Triangle area

[cherryweb]

Originally Posted by bluedevilz

Here's a good site for those in the Chapel Hill area...

CHillKids - Fun and Family Living in Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and the Greater Triangle area

That site has a lot of potential for families in Chapel Hill.

[mia78]

In addition to what was mentioned earlier, there's Durham Mother's Club and Mocha Moms who have chapters in Raleigh and Durham

[NewUser]

Wow. A thread that mentions the Triangle Mommies website that hasn't been deleted yet. Someone must be asleep at the helm.

Oh wait. I see. The post trashes Triangle Mommies.

[cherryweb]

Originally Posted by mia78

In addition to what was mentioned earlier, there's Durham Mother's Club and Mocha Moms who have chapters in Raleigh and Durham

I have heard many good things about the Mocha Moms, but in other cities not so much in the Triangle. Word of mouth is a powerful source of information, but presents challenges for people who are not naturally social or circumstances prevent them from having social circles like working long hours or being newly relocated.

[Babytarheelz]

Originally Posted by NewUser

Wow. A thread that mentions the Triangle Mommies website that hasn't been deleted yet. Someone must be asleep at the helm.

Oh wait. I see. The post trashes Triangle Mommies.

Oh, didn't know TM couldn't be mentioned on here...what's that all about (not that I care, I'm not a fan!)

[cherryweb]

Just found another great site called TriangleTracks.com. Started here by a local and would be a great addition to my original list.