Happy Friday!

We hope you had a great shortened work/school week. The weather has been amazing and our family got to enjoy some beach time, park outings, and longer walks. We enjoyed hearing about the families that ventured out on the Summerville scavenger hunts and we were super impressed with our winners who braved the rain last Saturday to be the first family to find all 24 sculptures. We absolutely love seeing families making memories together.

This weekend we celebrate Grandparents day on Sunday! We know we have a sizable group of grandparents in our audience, so cheers to you! If you’d like a special way to celebrate with grandparents this Sunday, Eggs Up Grill in Knightsville is hosting a Grandparents Day breakfast complete with crafts, a photo booth, and delicious breakfast as always.

If you’re looking for a place where kids can roam, imaginations can run wild, and the family can appreciate historic ruins, Colonial Dorchester State Historic Site is the perfect pick. This 325-acre park is one of forty-seven state parks in South Carolina, and it’s right here in Summerville! Another bonus? The site is a stop on the Sweet Tea Trail! Read more about how to get stamps along the Trail and win Summerville Swag here.

Public Works Art Center is once again hosting one of our family’s favorite events, the PWAC Block Party! Mark your calendars for Saturday, September 13th, from 10am-1pm, when West Richardson Avenue (from Short Central to Cedar Street) will transform into a lively, art-filled street festival.

Think old-fashioned block party meets creative carnival. Families can look forward to:
🎨 Art-themed carnival games
🖌️ Live mural painting
🎶 Music & performances
🌈 Face painting and colorful treats
✨ Hands-on art stations

Last year when we went to this event we were amazed by what a great job the PWAC did putting it all together. The kids had a blast and there was so much to do, all for free. Held alongside the Summerville Farmer’s Market just a block away, it’s the perfect Saturday morning outing for families looking to enjoy art, music, and community all in one place.

The Block Party also serves as the opening reception for PWAC’s SPARK Community Exhibition, where artists of all ages and skill levels have the chance to display their work. It’s one of the most inclusive art shows of the year—every piece submitted is accepted—making it a true celebration of local creativity. Last year was our first time looking through this exhibit and I loved seeing the variety and insane talent of local artists (including kids)!

This event isn’t just fun—it’s meaningful. The Block Party is PWAC’s primary fundraiser, helping sustain free admission year-round, offer affordable art classes and studio space, and partner with local nonprofits to make art accessible for everyone. Your participation directly supports expanding art opportunities throughout the Lowcountry.

📍 Where: Public Works Art Center, West Richardson Ave
📅 When: Saturday, September 13th | 10am-1pm
💲 Cost: FREE

We’ve both been to a number of chiropractors, and Active Care Family Chiropractic really stands out. Here’s why we love them:

📞 Call (843) 871-2472 to book your appointment and mention Palmetto Parents to get 50% off your first visit (includes exam, x-rays & treatment).

Excludes Medicare/Medicaid due to federal law.

Back when we first started Palmetto Parents, one of the very first places we highlighted was Kairos Mediterranean—a fast-casual restaurant serving customizable bowls, pitas, and salads with fresh proteins, flavorful toppings, and house-made sauces. Think Chipotle, but Mediterranean.

When we first moved to the area and I was newly pregnant, the only Kairos location was in Mount Pleasant. Honestly, it became one of my favorite little rituals after appointments at the birth center there—swinging by Kairos for a meal. So when they opened a location right here in Summerville, less than ten minutes away, I was thrilled.

But somehow, over the past year, we forgot about it… until last week when I took the boys for lunch before running errands at Azalea Square. That meal reminded me why I loved Kairos so much in the first place! It’s fast food, but not your typical fast food—it’s flavorful, nutritious, and full of variety. I especially appreciate meals like this when eating out, because it’s the kind of thing I’d never pull off at home (I’m just not chopping a dozen veggies, cooking lentils, and making multiple sauces on a Tuesday).

The boys were equally impressed. My son tried the pita-dilla (a pita quesadilla!) and they shared a side of meatballs and fries. Speaking of fries… Kairos has my absolute favorite fries anywhere, especially if you order them Greek-style. I went for a bowl loaded with chicken, veggies, baba ghanoush, and hummus—so satisfying. The kids’ menu also has simple, affordable options like rice bowls and pitas, making it an easy family win.

If you’re out near Azalea Square and need a quick but wholesome meal, Kairos is such a great choice. Fresh, filling, and family-friendly—it’s definitely back on our regular rotation.

One of the most common themes I see young parents asking about on social media is friendship. We’ve written before about making friends and being a good friend, but lately I’ve been reflecting on how friendships really do have seasons.

Of course, we all need one or two close friends who can walk with us in the ups and downs of every season. But the reality is, many of our friendships won’t look like that all the time. Life brings shifts—new babies, heavy work or travel schedules, family struggles, illness, or simply the demands of parenting. During those times, even the best of friends might turn inward, show up less, or initiate less. And that’s okay.

What I’ve learned is: don’t give up on those friendships. Ideally, when one person is in a hard season, the other can lean in and carry more of the load. But often, as parents, our hard seasons overlap—and that just means there may be a gap or a pause in the rhythm of the friendship. That pause doesn’t make the friendship less valuable.

In fact, research backs this up: studies show that friendships are remarkably resilient to lapses in communication. One study from the University of Kansas found that time apart doesn’t necessarily diminish the quality of a close friendship—it often just picks up right where it left off when both people have the capacity again.

I’ve been practicing this myself: sending a quick text to a friend when they come to mind, even if it’s been months since we last connected. Sometimes it leads to a coffee date, other times just a warm reminder that we’re still here for each other. One of my closest friendships went through years of this—she was finishing med school in Hawaii while I was moving and having two kids. Our friendship looked different during those years, but it was still real, and now that life has shifted, we’ve reconnected in a deeper way.

So here’s my encouragement: show grace to your friends. Remember that friendships can stretch, bend, and even go quiet for a season without breaking. And when you have the chance, reach out. You built the friendship for a reason—and sometimes a simple “thinking of you” is all it takes to bring it back to life.

If you like to explore other parts and Charleston and love Palmetto Parents, subscribe to the Palmetto Parents Charleston newsletter!

It’s the same great Palmetto Parents newsletter you know and love, but for all things Charleston, sent to your inbox every Wednesday.

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Love,

The Berks 👨‍👩‍👦‍👦