🌴 Solo Parenting, Movies at the Terrace and Babas

Hey Palmetto Parents,

I hope you enjoyed your first full week of summer! Maybe you have younger kids or homeschool and it’s been many weeks of summer break. Either way we have got some great ideas for you and your family!

First, we have the summer schedule for family movies showings at the Terrace theater on James Island. What is so special about these screenings is that it will be during the day in the middle of the week for kids and families to enjoy.

Then we have a fundraising event that is very close to our hearts. It is a fundraiser for Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital. Having gone through multiple procedures, er visits, and specialists - the team at Shawn Jenkins mean the world to us. Grab tickets and enjoy dinner and some dancing this Saturday night at the Bohemian Grill in Mount Pleasant.

Next, enjoy a quick coffee stop, brunch or date night at Babas downtown. This Italian inspired cafe has three locations and we are always so impressed with this cafe.

Lastly, survive a few solo weekends with me and my amazing (and wild) three kids. There are a few tips for parents who are in the same boat!

Have a great week!

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Looking for a simple midweek activity with the kids this summer? The Terrace Theater's Summer Kids Movie Series is a fun way to escape the Charleston heat, enjoy a little downtime, and experience favorite family films on the big screen.

Every Tuesday and Wednesday morning from June 2 through August 5, The Terrace Theater will screen a family-friendly classic at 11am. This year's lineup includes several Terrace favorites from past years along with a few movies they've never shown before.

It's a great opportunity to introduce your kids, grandkids, nieces, or nephews to beloved movies or let them see their current favorite film in a whole new way. Plus, you'll get a break from the summer sun while enjoying a relaxed morning together.

Admission for children under 10 is free, and tickets for everyone else are just $5.

Paid tickets can be purchased online in advance or at the box office. Free admission tickets for children under 10 are available at the box office only.

Give your kids a summer to remember with the Charleston RiverDogs Kids Club and Charleston RiverDogs Summer Youth Baseball Camps!

The Kids Club is perfect for baseball lovers ages 12 and under. Members enjoy perks like general admission to all Sunday RiverDogs home games, half-off the Kid Zone on Sundays, exclusive monthly experiences, and a Run the Bases fast pass after games. Kids also get 10% off youth merch on Sundays, a meet-and-greet with players, festive holiday parties, a fun birthday gift from Charlie, and an official Kids Club shirt—all designed to make every family game day extra special. 

Looking to turn that love of baseball into skills and friendships? Summer Youth Baseball Camps are where “every day feels like game day.” Campers train with top coaches, learn fundamentals, compete in daily activities, and build confidence both on and off the field. Each session includes instruction, fun challenges, a camp T-shirt and swag bag, and a certificate of achievement to commemorate a summer of growth and memories.

If your family has ever spent time in the NICU or received care through the Pediatric Emergency Department at Shawn Jenkins Children's Hospital, this event offers a meaningful opportunity to give back while enjoying a memorable evening with friends and family.

Boots, Beats & BBQ is returning with an evening full of live music, delicious food, dancing, and community support, all benefiting the patients and families served by Shawn Jenkins Children's Hospital. This event will be held at one of our local favorite burger shop, Bohemian Bull in Mount Pleasant.

Guests can enjoy mouthwatering barbecue, bid on exciting auction items, and take in live entertainment throughout the evening. Local favorite John Pruce and the Moonshine Boys will kick off the music at 5pm, followed by DJ Bekster, who will keep the party going with an after-party and line dancing.

Whether you're a former patient family, healthcare supporter, or simply looking for a fun night out for a great cause, this event combines good food, great music, and a chance to make a difference for Lowcountry children and their families.

• Live performance by John Pruce and the Moonshine Boys beginning at 5 p.m.
• After-party with DJ Bekster
• Line dancing
• BBQ dinner
• Silent and live auction items
• Fundraising support for Shawn Jenkins Children's Hospital

Every ticket helps support the life-saving care, specialized programs, and family services provided through Shawn Jenkins Children's Hospital. It's a chance to celebrate, connect with the community, and help ensure local children continue receiving world-class care close to home.

For families who have experienced the compassionate care of Charleston's pediatric specialists, Boots, Beats & BBQ is more than just a night of entertainment. It's a way to say thank you and help support future patients who may one day need the same care.

If you've spent any time exploring Charleston's coffee scene, chances are you've heard of Babas. With three downtown locations, Babas has become a local favorite for everything from morning coffee runs and work sessions to date nights and casual family outings.

Babas on Cannon, Babas on Meeting, and Babas on Wentworth are neighborhood cafés inspired by the cafés and bars of Europe while celebrating the incredible ingredients and products of the Southeast. Their mission is simple: provide the community with the highest quality ingredients prepared and served by people who genuinely love serving others. That commitment shines through in every cup of coffee, cocktail, pastry, and plate that leaves the kitchen.

What immediately stands out about Babas is the atmosphere. The spaces feel upscale yet welcoming, with a distinctly European and even Italian-inspired charm. It's the kind of café where you can linger over a cappuccino, catch up with a friend, or enjoy a quiet date night. Despite the polished aesthetic, Babas never gives off the "kids aren't welcome here" vibe that some trendy coffee shops can have. We've visited with our children several times, and families seem right at home alongside professionals working remotely and couples enjoying an evening out.

The coffee menu is refreshingly simple and executed exceptionally well. Guests can choose from classic espresso drinks including cappuccinos, macchiatos, lattes, and more. Matcha lovers will appreciate the matcha latte and refreshing matcha lemonade. For something a little different, Babas offers specialty drinks like the Peanut Drink, a combination of espresso, Baba's peanut milk, and chocolate. Another standout is the Honey Whipped Espresso, made with whipped espresso, honey, and oat milk. Available only iced, it's one of the most unique coffee drinks you'll find in Charleston.

While Babas is known for coffee, their beverage program extends well beyond espresso. They offer non-alcoholic specialty drinks, cocktails, beer, and wine. During a recent date night, I ordered the Sparkling Limeade, which was refreshing and perfect for an evening out without alcohol. It gave me all the fun of a special drink without the sleepy feeling that sometimes follows a cocktail.

For those looking for an evening experience, Babas offers a Happy Hour every Friday and Saturday from 4 to 8pm. Guests receive a complimentary salty snack with the purchase of a cocktail or wine. Their cocktail menu includes favorites like the Orange Spritz, made with Contratto, Campari, orange, Prosecco, and sparkling water.

One of the most interesting items on the menu is the caviar selection. If you've never tried caviar before, Babas provides an approachable introduction. Guests can choose from caviar on eggs, chips and caviar, or a caviar sandwich featuring caviar on a toasted buttery brioche bun with crème fraîche and chives.

When it comes to food, Babas focuses on quality over quantity. You won't find an enormous pastry case overflowing with choices, but what they do offer is exceptional. Banana bread, specialty cookies, cakes, cream puffs, and other rotating pastries are made with care and real ingredients. The selection is simple enough for picky eaters while still feeling elevated and special.

We've visited different locations for different reasons. Sometimes it's a quick coffee while working. Other times it's been a family outing with the kids. Most recently, my husband and I enjoyed a Friday evening date night at Babas on Wentworth. The location offers convenient street parking and is just over a half-mile walk from King Street, making it easy to continue your evening downtown after drinks and a snack. We loved that both the Wentworth and Cannon locations stay open late on weekends. As parents, our idea of a wild Saturday night these days is drinking coffee after our usual 5pm family dinner time, and Babas delivered exactly the atmosphere we were looking for.

Babas on Meeting
804 Meeting Street, Charleston
Open Monday through Saturday, 7am to 8pm
Closed Sunday

Babas on Cannon
11 Cannon Street, Charleston
Tuesday through Thursday: 7am to 8pm
Friday and Saturday: 7am to 10pm
Sunday: 7am to 6pm
Closed Monday

Babas on Wentworth
115 Wentworth Street, Charleston
Tuesday through Thursday: 7am to 8pm
Friday and Saturday: 7am to 10pm
Sunday: 7am to 6pm
Closed Monday

My husband will be gone for work the next three weekends, and if I'm being completely honest, it's a bit of a bummer. Weekends are usually when I try to slow down, catch my breath, and get the reset I need after spending all week with three busy kids. When you're the default parent all day, every day, weekends can feel like your chance to recharge as a family and share the load.

As I was mentally preparing for a few weekends of solo parenting, I found myself thinking about single parents. While many of us occasionally find ourselves handling a weekend alone, single parents do this every day. They carry the responsibility of school drop-offs, sick days, meals, bedtime routines, and all the unexpected challenges that come with raising children. If you've ever solo parented for even a few days, you know just how much work goes into keeping a household running. Single parents deserve so much credit for the incredible job they do.

Whether you're solo parenting for a weekend, a week, or somewhere in between, here are a few things that help make those days feel a little smoother.

One of the biggest mistakes I can make during a solo parenting weekend is overcommitting myself.

Instead, I like to create a loose outline for the day. Maybe we'll go to the park in the morning, stop by the library after lunch, or take a walk before dinner. The key is that nothing is set in stone.

Maybe we make it to the park an hour later than expected. Maybe we stay for ten minutes because someone melts down. Or maybe everyone is having a great time and we stay for an hour and a half. The flexibility allows the day to flow naturally without creating unnecessary stress.

Recently, I made loose plans with a friend. As it turned out, they had guests visiting from out of town and ended up spending the morning downtown with a large group of adults and kids. As I pictured chasing my wild 20-month-old through crowded sidewalks without my husband there to help, I felt a little disappointed that I wasn't joining them. But I also felt incredibly relieved.

The best part? I hadn't told my kids about the plans. There were no broken expectations, no disappointed tears, and no need to explain a change of plans. Sometimes the best parenting strategy is simply keeping plans flexible until you're sure they're happening.

By the end of a solo parenting day, decision fatigue is real.

Having an easy dinner plan can make all the difference. This doesn't have to be a Pinterest-worthy meal. Chicken fingers and fries, grilled cheese sandwiches with fruit, quesadillas, or simple sandwiches with plenty of protein are all perfectly acceptable options.

The goal isn't perfection. The goal is feeding everyone something filling and nutritious enough that nobody is melting down from hunger while you're trying to clean up the kitchen and get ready for bedtime.

Give yourself permission to choose easy.

It's tempting to think you'll use the weekend to catch up on everything you've been putting off.

The laundry. The grocery shopping. The work project. The cleaning. The errands.

But the reality is that solo parenting often takes longer than expected. Loading kids into the car can take twenty minutes. A quick errand can turn into an hour-long adventure.

Build extra time into your day for the things you actually need to accomplish. If you have work to do, schedule a realistic window for it. If you need groceries, leave plenty of margin. When every minute isn't packed with activities, you won't feel like you're constantly running behind.

This one might be the hardest tip for me to follow.

When the kids finally go to sleep, it's tempting to open the laptop, answer emails, fold laundry, clean the kitchen, or tackle a long to-do list.

But solo parenting is exhausting.

Whenever possible, try not to plan on getting a bunch of work done after bedtime. Instead, use that time to reset yourself. Watch a show. Read a book. Take a shower without interruptions. Go to bed early.

A well-rested parent is usually far more productive the next day than an exhausted parent who stayed up trying to do everything.

Solo parenting weekends rarely go exactly as planned.

Someone will spill something. Someone will skip a nap. The house may not be as clean as you'd like. You might serve chicken nuggets twice.

That's okay.

Your kids won't remember whether you checked every item off your to-do list. They'll remember feeling safe, loved, and cared for.

And if you're in the middle of a solo parenting weekend right now, know that making it through the day is sometimes more than enough. The dishes can wait. The laundry can wait. The perfect schedule can wait.

You are doing important work, and that's worth celebrating.

Have a wonderful week!

Love,

Jenna