The Parent Circle presents workshops and lectures on child development and parenting issues several times a year to educate and inform our parent community. Listed below are some of the events we have held in the past. We are always looking for ideas on subjects or speakers that our members would like to see, so contact the programming chairperson with any suggestions.

• Preschool Readiness Seminar
  • How to determine if your child is ready for preschool, the different types of preschools and what you should look for in choosing a preschool for your child.
• Parenting Tips
  • Topics have included discipline, gender differences, sibling rivalry, and pre-reading workshops.
• Couple Time
  • Workshops have focused on relaxation and massage, keeping the spark in your marriage, and transition to parenthood.
• Health and Safety
  • Topics have included nutrition, stranger danger, and first aid/CPR.

Once a month, treat yourself to a night out with other parents at the monthly Parent's Night Out. We meet at a different restaurant every month around 7 p.m. for an evening of good food and good company. Some of our favorite places are:

• Blind Faith Cafe
• Lulu's
• Tapas Barcelona
• The Cheesecake Factory
• The Lucky Platter

For more information on Parent's Night Out or to suggest a restaurant, please contact the Adult Special Events Chairperson

Our monthly newsletter is one of the most important ways we communicate with our members. It contains information on upcoming events, workshop recaps, helpful child-rearing tips, and a calendar of area activities to check out with your family. It is also a place to share your parenting stories, recipes, or reviews of books or fun family activities with other members. You can also place classified ads.

The newsletter is put together by our volunteer editor and graphic designer and is written by the board and other parent members, with an occasional article written by a guest. You can receive the newsletter via postal mail or e-mail.

Click here to see a sample newsletter: November Newsletter

If you have something you want to submit to the newsletter, need to update or change your mailing information or preference, or have any questions, please contact the editor.

About to have a baby? Just had a baby? Know someone in The Parent Circle who is expecting or has a newborn? Our Meals for New Moms programs helps our newest members and their mothers by providing two hot meals per family.

Meals for New Moms is organized by our Member at Large Chairperson. If you are a new mom, or know someone who is just send your request for meal to the chairperson, who will contact other members who have volunteered to cook and coordinate meals.

Do you love to cook? Do you double great recipes so you have a stash in your freezer for later? Put those skills to good use by volunteering to be a chef for our new moms. Just e-mail the chairperson and let them know you want to help! This is one kitchen where too many cooks are a good thing!

Most months we try to provide some activity or outing that can be done as a family. Examples of some of our favorites and ones we have done in the past are:

• Concert at Ravinia
• Nature walk at a local nature center
• Family Yoga workshop
• Outing to Wagner farm

For information on upcoming activities or if you have an idea for one, please contact the programming chairperson.

What kid doesn't like a party? And what parent doesn't love an opportunity to celebrate as a family and let the kids run around, dance and play? The Parent Circle has seasonal children's parties yearly, each one with a different theme and always a blast for the parents and the kids!

• Beach Party
  • We celebrate the unofficial start of summer with a picnic and playing on the beach before the beaches open for the summer.
• Halloween Party
  • There are plenty of treats, and maybe some tricks, at this perennial favorite! Our Halloween party combines arts and crafts for all ages with entertainment and, of course, treats!
• Winter Holiday Party
  • Celebrate the season at our holiday party. The holiday party combines arts and crafts for all ages with live entertainment for the children. The favorite part for most kids is the icing at the cookie decorating station.
• Spring Party
  • The spring party is different every year but the goal is the same: Shake off that cabin fever! We have activities and entertainment for all ages as we get ready to welcome some warmer weather.

Interested in helping to plan one of the parties? Contact the Kids Party Chairperson.

The Parent Circle also provides members with a private Meetup group through the popular Web site Meetup.com. The use of the Meetup group is restricted to only current members of The Parent Circle who have a code to register.

This site allows us to have a place to share pictures, files and information without the necessity of a Web master to maintain it for us. Since it's private you, don't have to worry about people trolling the site for pictures or e-mail addresses. The only information available to nonmembers is the basic "about us" information and a link to The Parent Circle Meetup Group.

Other features include an interactive calendar where members can see upcoming events; RSVP and see who else has RSVP'ed to events; photo albums where members can post pictures from events as well as pictures of their kids; message boards where The Parent Circle Board can post messages or members can post discussions; and a place for reviewing archives of our newsletters.

Membership in the Meetup group is optional and is a way to enhance your Parent Circle membership. It does require a separate registration with Meetup.com, but no additional fee.

For questions about our Meetup Group contact the Vice President.

The Parent Circle is a parent-run organization: Our parent members run the group through volunteer positions on The Parent Circle Board. Why should you join the board? Get to know other members better and form lasting friendships. Feel the satisfaction of helping pass on the important and fun services that The Parent Circle provides. Or simply use it as an excuse to get out of the house once a month to socialize with other parents.

The Parent Circle Board turns over every year. Each June the "old" board passes the baton to the "new" board. Some board members choose to carry on with the board in the current position or they choose to try something new.

Please contact the President or Vice President for information on open positions and the where the next meeting will be held.

• Contact a Board Member

President	Melissa Haak
Vice President	Jamie Hochman-Herz ,  Jennifer Botchway
Treasurer	Stacey Oesterle
Secretary	Gretchen Gurujal
Membership	Julie O'Hare,  Angela St. Pierre ,  Jennifer Doherty
Programming	Mary Clare Meyer
Traditional Playgroups	Stacy Levine
Drop-in Playgroups	Cathy O'Malley
Children's Parties	OPEN
Adult Special Events	Shana Stein
Newsletter Editor	Jennifer Botchway
Designer	Karen Kellems
Webmaster	Greg Haak
Babysitting Co-op	Stephanie Casey
Marketing / Events	OPEN
Fundraising	Katie Smith
Member at Large	Sarah Albert