We hope you’ve been enjoying this cold but sunny stretch of weather. After a month filled with sickness, travel, and holiday chaos, our family is finally starting to feel like we’re settling back into reality. There’s something comforting about returning to a normal routine.

Ready or not, it’s time to start thinking ahead to spring 2026—and that means registering for spring sports! Summerville Parks & Rec registration is open and includes tee ball, coach pitch, flag football, soccer, and pickleball. Registration closes this Thursday, January 22, so don’t wait! Click on each sport to register. You can also check out spring offerings through the Summerville YMCA, which has a great variety of programs open for sign-up now.

Also for the moms that are more seasoned than I am— please read the Palmetto Piece this week and reply to the email with some of your tips and tricks for making dinnertime more peaceful!

Do you love receiving Palmetto Parents every week? For only $5/month (less than a cup of coffee!) you can become a Palmetto Parents Supporter, which is a practical way you can support us and help keep this labor of love free forever.

For the first time ever, Lowcountry Public House will be hosting a winter farmers market every Saturday from 9am-2pm. The first winter farmers market kicks off this Saturday, January 17th and it will run every Saturday until the end of April. You can expect over 30 vendors of a variety of goods like breads, boiled peanuts, candles, flowers, plants, and much more! Check out the full list of vendors here.

If you haven’t been to Lowcountry Public House yet, it’s a very family friendly restaurant! They have some good food options for the whole family and an outdoor space with a small playground and plenty of area for the kids to run around. While the market will be going on from 9am-2pm, the restaurant opens at 11am so if you want to eat while you’re there and make it a full outing, hold off until 11am.

So consider shopping local vendors, grabbing some food, and enjoying some family time that’s enjoyable for all on these winter Saturdays at Lowcountry Public House!

After a chilly week (by South Carolina standards!), we’re in for a perfect day to bundle up and celebrate winter with Winter Wonderland at Central Creek Park. This fun, family event is happening Saturday, January 17 from 5–8pm, and with sunny skies in the forecast, it’s the ideal evening to enjoy a little cold-weather magic outdoors.

Hosted in celebration of three years of Central Creek Park, Winter Wonderland brings festive fun for all ages, all with free admission. You can expect:

Whether your kids are tossing snowballs, sipping hot cocoa, or meeting their favorite characters, there’s something for everyone. Central Creek Park is one of our personal favorite parks in the area, and events like this remind us why. Bundle up and get ready for a night of winter magic!

If you’re looking for something to kickstart your health journey this year, I suggest trying AG1.

It’s a low risk, high reward daily health solution filled with 75+ high-quality vitamins, minerals, and whole-food sourced nutrients to support optimal health of the brain, body, and gut.

It’s super practical for the busy mom or dad looking to add a low-lift but super healthy daily habit to their chaotic routines.

Plus the AG1 team gave me a special code for you to use so if you order from the link below you’ll some extra goodies. Let me know if you like it!

When we first heard that Odd Duck Market was opening a location in Summerville, we were so excited. We’ve been fans of their Park Circle spot, and the idea of having that same delicious, thoughtfully curated experience just minutes from home felt like a dream. Even better? The timeline from announcement to opening was lightning fast—and we’re not mad about it.

Odd Duck Market officially opened its doors on January 2nd, right in downtown Summerville across from the YMCA. They skipped the soft opening and just went for it. Even without the slow opening, the space is warm, welcoming, and already feels like it’s been part of the community for years.

They’re open 7 days a week from 7am-2pm, making it a perfect stop for morning coffee, brunch with friends, or a midday treat. We’ve already been twice—once on a busy Saturday (expect a short wait to order), and once during the week when it was much quieter. The staff was incredibly friendly and helpful both times, and even when things were bustling, our food and drinks came out quickly.

The vibe? Absolutely ideal. It’s the kind of place where you can work quietly solo, catch up with a friend, or bring the whole family. Inside, the market is housed in a beautifully restored historic home, complete with cozy fireplaces, local art, and charming, well-decorated rooms that invite you to linger. Outside, there’s a spacious patio with tables and a play area for kids—a total game-changer for families looking to relax while their littles stay entertained.

And while it’s definitely a coffee shop, Odd Duck Market is so much more. It’s a market, too—filled with local products like sauces, cookbooks, snacks, and specialty groceries. We even picked up our favorite barista oat milk to take home from their fridge section.

As for the food? Incredible. We’ve tried muffins, homemade toaster pastries (yes, like gourmet Pop-Tarts), and their breakfast sandwiches—all flavorful, filling, and clearly made with care. I (Courtney) eat gluten-free and was thrilled to find a gluten-free wrap and a GF bialy (like a bagel)—both were actually good, which says a lot.

You can tell this space was created with love, intention, and a clear understanding of what makes a community hub truly special. Whether you’re popping in for coffee, picking up local goods, or gathering with friends, Odd Duck Market is a must-visit—and already a new favorite.

One of my personal goals for 2026 is simple on the surface but feels surprisingly challenging: I want to make dinnertime more peaceful.

Right now, dinner often feels like controlled chaos. The boys are deep in their “witching hour”—hungry, fussy, and full of energy—right when I’m trying to cook. Even when we do manage to get everyone to the table, the meal itself doesn’t exactly feel like a break. I’m constantly popping up: grabbing more food, picking up dropped forks, finding napkins, or refilling water. By the time we finish, I feel like I’ve run a mini marathon—and “restful family dinner” is the last phrase that comes to mind.

We’ve tried things that help a little:

But I’m still searching for something more sustainable. I value home-cooked meals and sitting around the table as a family—so I know it’s worth the effort. We previously did some research and wrote an article about the positive impact having family dinners has on mental health, so we are committed to make it work!

After doing some research and thinking about it this week, here’s a few new things we are trying:

This year, I’m committing to slowly figuring it out: experimenting with systems that work for our family, simplifying where I can, and letting go of the pressure for every dinner to look a certain way.

And I’d love to hear from those of you who are ahead of me in this— What has made dinnertime better in your home? Whether it’s a mindset shift, a magical tip, or a favorite hack, I’m all ears. Drop your ideas, encouragement, or real-life stories in the comments on the poll or by responding to this email! Thank you!

Love,

The Berks 👨‍👩‍👦‍👦