The second in a seven-part series by guest blogger Erin Barone for Family Forward Oregon.
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The recent comments about “stay-at-home” mothers by Hilary Rosen and Ann Romney have put motherhood squarely in the headlines. Opinions about what was said aside, these comments present an opportunity to look past the usual rhetoric and start talking about the deeper issues of how motherhood is valued (or not!) in our society. So, as a group of moms gathered on a sunny Sunday in Portland to participate in a discussion course called The High Cost of Motherhood and How We can Lower It, we did just that. More…

Category: Parenting, Politics // Posted on April 18, 2012 // Leave a Comment

Have you seen our April issue? If not, you’re missing out on the coupons and deals below:

Sunriver Resort: During the month of April, receive 30 percent off best available summer rates. (Page 2)
Learning Palace: Shop the 30th Anniversary Sale through April 22. (Page 11)
Green Drop Eco-Friendly Car Care: Take $15 off your next oil change. (Page 13)
EcoMaids: A Spring Deep Cleaning for $199. (Page 13) More…

Category: Coupons and Deals // Posted on April 16, 2012 // Leave a Comment

Baby Packy in 1962

Happy Birthday Packy! Our favorite home-grown elephant is celebrating the big 5-0 on Saturday with a pachyderm-sized party at the Oregon Zoo. And there’s lots more family fun to be had this weekend, too. Check our picks below, then take a peek at our online calendar for even more ideas every day.

ALL WEEKEND

Superkids Resale. Save big on kids and teen clothing, toys and equipment while enjoying family activities such as face painting, balloon animals and more. FREE admission. More…

Category: WOW! (What's On this Weekend) // Posted on April 13, 2012 // Leave a Comment

The first in a seven-part series by guest blogger Erin Barone for Family Forward Oregon.
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I was shocked to learn that being a mother is the single biggest risk factor for poverty in old age in the United States. Yes, along with the countless joys, there are high costs associated with being a mother in our society.

It doesn’t matter whether you work full-time, part-time, or stay at home; none of us is immune to the cultural norms and workplace and public policies that impact our ability to support and care for our families –- and ourselves. More…

Category: Parenting, Politics // Posted on April 11, 2012 // Leave a Comment

We can’t get enough of the fabulous food (all you can eat!) and awesome arcade fun at John’s Incredible Pizza Company in Beaverton, so this month we’re giving away a behind-the-scenes tour of John’s Beaverton location for a group of up to 12 people. More…

Category: Contests // Posted on April 9, 2012 // Leave a Comment

Happy Easter and Happy Passover! Be sure to check our roundup of Easter Egg Hunts in addition to the events below. And as always, there are even more listings every day on our online calendar!

ALL WEEKEND

Hearing Voices Storytelling Festival. This annual festival, sponsored by Washington County Cooperative Library Services, runs from April 7 to 14. Kick-off event features Leslie Slape and Habiba Addo April 7 at 1 pm. FREE. More…

Category: WOW! (What's On this Weekend) // Posted on April 6, 2012 // Leave a Comment

If you’ve had a chance to pick up our April issue -– or to read it online -– you might have noticed we’ve updated our look. We’ve got a new logo, a new layout for our Table of Contents, Ages & Stages and regular departments, and a cleaner, fresher design throughout the magazine.

What hasn’t changed is our commitment to bringing you interesting and informative parenting-related features, information on local parenting resources and our remarkably comprehensive daily Family Fun Calendar. More…

Category: Metro Parent // Posted on April 4, 2012 // Leave a Comment

Our April “Earth Day” issue is on the stands and online now. Inside, we’ve got an Ages & Stages on Raising a Nature Lover, an article from the Oregon Environmental Council offering “Five Simple Steps to a Greener Lifestyle,” and a feature that looks at the Eco-School Network from a kid’s eye view.

You’ll also find your favorite regular features, More…

Category: New Issue // Posted on April 2, 2012 // 2 Comments

Spring Break is over but there’s still plenty of fun to be had. Check our picks for the weekend ahead, then click on over to our online calendar for more listings every day.

ALL WEEKEND

Wooden Shoe Tulip Fest. Over 40 acres of flowers, a play area, pony rides ($5, weekends only), entertainment and more. 9 am to 6 pm March 30 through April 30. $10 car weekends, $5 car M-F. 33814 S Meridian Rd, Woodburn. 503-634-2243. woodenshoe.com.

Busytown. Northwest Children’s Theater presents an adaptation of the Richard Scarry book What do People Do All Day. More…

Category: WOW! (What's On this Weekend) // Posted on March 30, 2012 // Leave a Comment

Looking for a fun and meaningful way to wrap up Spring Break? Why not head to the coast for SOLV’s annual Spring Oregon Beach Cleanup, scheduled for March 31? As always, thousands of volunteers will gather — regardless of the weather — to help keep Oregon’s beaches clean and eliminate the waste that can be so hazardous to marine wildlife.

Events are planned all along the coast on Saturday, March 31, from 10 am to 1 pm. More…

Category: Charitable Giving, Events/Performances, Nature // Posted on March 28, 2012 // Leave a Comment

We’re pretty famous for our fabulous Family Calendar, which is packed with family-friendly events every day of the month. The print version we run in the magazine lists a huge assortment of events and activities for families with kids of all ages, and the online version includes even more.

But we’re also pretty proud of our online Parents’ Calendar, which lists a host of parent-focused classes and events each month. More…

Category: Events/Performances, Metro Parent, Parenting // Posted on March 26, 2012 // Leave a Comment

It’s Spring Break! Here’s a taste of what’s happening this weekend, but be sure to check our online calendar for family fun listings every day of the NO SCHOOL week ahead!

ALL WEEKEND

Recognition. Portland Symphonic Girlchoir and Portland Youth Ballet perform this musical about parents and children. More…

Category: WOW! (What's On this Weekend) // Posted on March 23, 2012 // Leave a Comment