Heather is just an ordinary mom trying to make her kids' lives extraordinary. She plays dolls and trains, grows vegetables on the deck, and tries to soak in every moment with her family. She does chalk and bubbles on the building stoop, chases pigeons and watches squirrels. She goes to libraries, museums and kiddy classes.  She loves to attend, and often performs classical music concerts herself. She builds sand castles at the beach, and has sore arms from pushing playground swings. She has a love/hate relationship with the CTA. She eats her way around the world in the melting pot of Chicago and loves to cook. She used to drive a double stroller, but has finally upgraded to a car. If you're lucky, she'll share all her secrets about Uptown, the most diverse neighborhood in the city.

Past articles

Showing 1 - 10 of 14

 

One CPS mom's response to the announced Chicago school closings
March 26, 2013
This has been the most depressing spring break ever. My son's school is closing. 

Chicago Park District registration day success
February 26, 2013
What makes some city moms happy? Getting the classes they want when the park district opens online registration. 

Winter in Chicago: Please, Phil, be right
February 8, 2013
Heather Earnhart kicks off the return of our ChiTown Parent blog, a compiliation of thoughts from city parents living the dream. 

March Madness and the Race to Nowhere
March 2, 2012
Heather Earnhart is outraged at our education system's emphasis on quantity versus quality. And she is encouraging parents to do something about it. 

Watching our turkey grow
November 20, 2011
Heather Earnhart is thankful for the opportunity to teach her kids where turkeys (and other food) comes from - the farm. 

What back-to-school really means
August 24, 2011
Sure there's sadness when the kids leave for school, but all that is erased when you think about all the things you can finally do ... such as peeing in private. 

Turning forty ... forever
July 6, 2011
I finally turned 40, and now I find myself wondering about what I want for my children in the next 10 years, what life will look like at 50, and what to wear now that I've reached the big four-o? 

Chicago school says: “No kids allowed” at graduation: Huh?
June 10, 2011
It never crossed my mind to ask if my 3-year old would be allowed to attend his sister's kindergarten graduation. Boy, was that a bad move.  

Parents as "potty mouths": Watching my language around the kids
May 31, 2011
If his reputation as a Potty Mouth is well-earned, I wonder how Mayor Emanuel talks around his kids. What about you? Do you watch your language around your kids? 

Chicago, the "Second City"? Never
May 16, 2011
New York is top-notch in its family friendliness, IF you know what you're doing - and it doesn't hurt to throw some sidewalk chalk and an inflatable ball in your suitcase.