Happy Friday, Palmetto Parents!

We hope your family is adjusting back to the school year rhythm and can enjoy this weekend together.

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We’ve had an eventful week with more sickness (for me) and ear tubes for our youngest. But our older son has had some good days back at preschool and all the boys had a blast exploring Pine Trace Park on opening day yesterday!

When Daniel’s mom tweaked her neck this week and couldn’t shake the pain, she took our advice and booked an appointment at Active Care Family Chiropractic — and let’s just say, her text says it all 👇

Whether it’s daily aches, back-to-school stress, or just needing a reset, Dr. Stoller and his team offer gentle, effective care for the whole family. Local, trusted, and family-friendly — exactly what we look for.

Mention Palmetto Parents for 50% off your first visit (exam, x-rays, and treatment included).
📞 Call (843) 871-2472 to book.
Excludes Medicare/Medicaid due to federal law.

Want to play games with your family while enjoying delicious food and a night out? On Tuesday nights between 5-9pm, take the family to Luxe Bar & Bistro to enjoy their cozy indoor seating or their spacious outdoor seating area for a welcoming space to have a family game night. Luxe serves a family friendly array of foods including a variety of apps, nachos, pizzas, sandwiches, salads, and dessert. Luxe has some games on hand but if you’re family has a favorite, be sure to bring it with!

For the littles:

Eggs Up Grill in Knightsville is hosting a magical breakfast tomorrow! Dress up as your favorite character (the staff will too!) and get ready for a morning full of smiles, photos, and enchantment. Come in whatever costumes you have— princesses, princes, superheroes— all are welcome!

📅 Saturday, August 16 | 🕘 9am-12pm | 📍1585 Central Ave, Suite 15, Summerville

What’s in Store:
🎭 Character Meet & Greet
📸 Photo Station
🎨 Coloring Pages
🎶 Disney Favorites
🥞 Family-Friendly Breakfast

Come in costume—or just come ready for a satisfying breakfast with extra fun!

For the LEGO® Lovers:

Join the Last Blast of Summer at Magnolia Plantation and don’t miss your chance to see 40 incredible LEGO® sculptures before they disappear! Say goodbye to summer and celebrate the finale of the Nature POP! art exhibit.

📅 August 16 | 🕗 8am-12pm | 📍 Makerspace, Great Lawn

Bring the whole family for a morning packed with LEGO-themed adventures and outdoor fun:

All activities are included with garden admission. Complete your scavenger hunt at the Peacock Café to claim a popsicle and enter to win a LEGO® brick sculpture. One lucky family will also take home a LEGO® set from their gift shop! The prize drawing will be held at 12:30pm in front of the house.

Come early to beat the heat, let the kids run wild, and make the most of this last burst of summer fun!

🎟 Tickets: Grab yours here.

When I needed sticker labels for my son’s lunchbox and water bottle, I didn’t turn to Amazon — I reached out to Jessica at Custom Created by Jess, a local Summerville mom who seriously does it all.

Jessica is our go-to for back-to-school essentials like:

But that’s just the start! She also makes car charms, bookmarks, luggage tags, wristlets, and more — all perfect for gifting or treating yourself to something unique and personal.

She has tons of pre-made designs to choose from, but her real superpower is custom work. I’ve worked with her on diaper bag tags and travel labels, and she always goes the extra mile to make sure everything is exactly how you want it. Plus, her prices are super fair — and way more special than anything mass-produced.

Use code PALMETTOPARENTS20 at checkout for 20% off your order.

🛒 Shop Custom Created by Jess on Etsy
📱 Follow her on Facebook
📧 Email Jessica to start a custom order: [email protected]

Even though school is back in session, who says summer has to end? If you are savoring the summer or just looking for a cool treat, check out this sweet hidden gem! 

Just a little ways from downtown Summerville, up Hwy 78, there is a charming soft serve ice cream shop that many people may not know about. Located at 2885 West 5th North Street in Summerville, Cravings Soft Serve Ice Cream Parlor offers ample ice cream flavors and options for the whole family to enjoy. Dipped ice cream cones, sundaes, ice cream nachos, milkshakes, and floats are just some of the many menu options Cravings offers. 

Our family has known about Cravings for a while from driving by it but we had yet to try it. Last week, my boys and I finally took a trip to celebrate the beginning of school and our experience did not disappoint! My boys ordered simple vanilla “kiddie” ice cream cones (one with sprinkles, one without) and we enjoyed our sweet treats outside at their covered picnic tables. The boys loved their ice cream cones and even had some leftover! 

We look forward to visiting Cravings again and trying all the different flavors and options they have…I mean come on, we have to try the ice cream nachos! 

Cravings is open from 1-9pm Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday & Sunday and from 1-10pm on Saturday and Sunday. It is closed on Mondays.

-Jessica D.

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It’s the same great Palmetto Parents newsletter you know and love, but for all things Charleston.

We’d love to have you.

When our children act differently than we hope—or make mistakes—it’s easy to feel embarrassed. Maybe they tease another child at the park, talk back to a teacher, or aren’t as respectful as we’d like. I was talking with other moms this week, and we all agreed: those moments can fill us with guilt. We worry about what others think, and it’s tempting to snap, respond harshly, or even try to explain away their mistakes.

But here’s the truth: embarrassment and guilt often distract us from what our response should really be. Our role isn’t to shield our kids from consequences or make ourselves look perfect—it’s to teach and guide them. Mistakes are a normal part of growing up. Everyone makes them, especially our kids as they are learning about themselves, their feelings, and the world around them.

Turning a Moment Into a Lesson

Instead of letting frustration or embarrassment take over, we can approach these situations with confidence and intention. Here’s how:

Why This Works

Research supports this approach. A study published in Child Development found that children whose parents respond to misbehavior with calm guidance and teaching—rather than harsh punishment—are more likely to develop empathy, self-control, and positive social behavior over time. In other words, how we react in these moments truly shapes their social and emotional development.

So, when your child slips up or behaves in a way that makes you cringe, take a breath. You’re in their life for a reason: to teach them, guide them, and help them become kind, considerate, and respectful adults. Mistakes aren’t failures—they’re invitations to grow together.

Love,

The Berks 👨‍👩‍👦‍👦