Parenthesis Parent Child Center

I’m a working mom with a solo law practice, and I highly recommend Parenthesis. This is a terrific place for parents to get a break and/​or get work done. The morning program is three mornings a week (two in the summertime) and lasts 2.5 hours. Each child is assigned to a classroom for play and crafts, while parents head to the parents’ lounge for coffee, wi-​fi, and/​or relaxation time. If you’re breastfeeding, you can also nurse your infant there (and then put them back in the infant room after baby is fed). I’ve made some wonderful friends there, too.
Due to my work obligations, our schedule changes frequently and we can’t always attend. One thing I love about Parenthesis is that we don’t have to pay for visits we don’t use.
The only thing I’d change about Parenthesis? I wish it was open every day, all day long! :)

This is a great resource for parents in the Oak Park area. When my offspring were small (ages 0 – 5) I participated in the morning program. Several mornings a week I strolled them over, where they played in their age-​appropriate room for an hour or so under professional supervision, while I went to the parents’ room to chat, chill, or work. There was a reasonable sliding monthly fee for this sanity-​saving service.
The twice-​annual kids’ resale event was a great way to recycle the old clothes and buy «new» ones (you don’t need to be a member, just get on their mailing list). Parenthesis also offers evening programs for single parents and teen parents. Just a dandy place.