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Parenting & Family

Welcome Postdoc Parents!

Whether you’re an expectant, new or longtime parent, we know that managing your postdoc and parenting can be tough. NUPA can connect postdocs from all across the university who have children and offers resources and support. These resources were compiled in collaboration with Lesley Lundeen, formerly of the Work/Life and Family Resources office.

You can find other postdoc parents on the #parenting channel of NUPA Slack!

Resources at Northwestern

Childcare Resources and Referral Service

The Office of Work/Life & Family Resources is available to assist you with a variety of childcare needs. Whether you are looking for information or resources, or you are new to parenthood or the University, we offer many programs to help you locate quality, affordable childcare.

Northwestern faculty, postdocs, staff and students have access to the free enhanced Action for Children child care resource and referral services. Call (773) 356-8135 to reach a designated Northwestern representative.

Action for Children has also created helpful checklists to assist you in evaluating providers.

Northwestern University has a priority enrollment arrangement with several community childcare centers as well as fee assistance programs for several of these centers.

Family Groups and Resources

Looking for parenting groups and other sources of information and support in the area? Here are a few to look into.  

Parent Groups

Evanston

Evanston Families  offers a great list  that includes these groups and other area resources:

 

Chicago

  • Neighborhood Parents Network: membership-based non-profit organization dedicated to connecting parents with resources to navigate parenting in the city. Offers parent workshops and events; parent groups; childcare classifieds; a school search tool; active discussion forum, and discounts for local and national businesses. As of March 1, 2017, NPN offers a $10 discount off their $55 annual membership fee, to Northwestern faculty, staff, post-docs and graduate students. The discount may be applied at the time of enrollment for new members, or at the time of annual membership renewal, for existing members. There is also a Membership Fee Waiver program for families facing financial challenges.
  • Chicago Dads Group: online and in-person network for Chicago area fathers and their families.
  • Meet Up.Com: you can find dozens of parent groups for Chicago, specific Chicago neighborhoods and the surrounding area through Meet Up.

 

National and State Groups with Area Chapters

  • MOCHA: Mothers of Children Having Allergies: group for families of children with food allergies
  • Mocha Moms: support group for stay-at-home mothers of color.
  • Parents without Partners: international organization dedicated to single parents and their children.
  • Rainbow Families of Illinois: non-profit, community-based organization that includes lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender parents and their children and those considering parenthood.

 

Educational Programs, Events and Information for Families:

  • Center for Talent Development:non-profit center within Northwestern’s School of Education and Social Policy focused on gifted students. Offers in-person and online classes, camps, web resources and events.
  • The Center on Halsted hosts regular events and programs for LGBTQ families and houses the Butler-Vanderlinden Child Center, a space completely devoted to children’s activities.
  • Connect 4 Tots : City of Chicago text-message service for parents and guardians of toddlers ages 1 to 3. Parents and guardians who enroll will receive 2-3 text messages each week with information about their child’s growth and development, as well as connections to health, education, public service, and event resources in the City of Chicago.
  • Family Action Network: non-profit organization that curates a free human development speaker series each academic year. Past speakers have included Sherry Turkle, Andrew Solomon, and Sherman Alexie.
  • Fussy Baby Network: run by the Erikson Institute, offers parents of fussy babies assistance and support through a hotline, clinics at the University of Chicago Children’s Hospital, home visits and parent support groups.
  • Kids In Danger: tracks child product recalls and distributes information on unsafe products (including ‘hand me downs’ that may have been recalled but the information about them is no longer up.)
  • Mater Mea: website featuring stories of women of color at the intersection of motherhood and career.
  • Ounce of Prevention Fund: research and advocacy group that offers teacher training and early education programs and support for families of children 6 weeks-6 years in Chicago.
  • Tuesday’s Child: program helping families address behavioral issues through individualized training for both caregivers and children.
  • Zero to Three:national nonprofit that informs, supports, and trains professionals, policymakers and parents in their efforts to improve the lives of children ages 0-3 years of age. Check out their parent resources  and sign up for their monthly science-based parent newsletter Baby Steps.

 

Lactation Rooms

Northwestern University strives to provide a family-friendly environment for its faculty, staff and students. Nursing mothers have access to dedicated lactation rooms on both campuses. Contact lactation@northwestern.edu with questions about lactation support.

The University is required under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) to provide “reasonable break time” for an employee to express breast milk for their nursing child. The requirement applies for one year after the child’s birth. We recommend you also check out lactation room FAQ list.

All lactation room users must register with Work/Life & Family Resources in Human Resources in order to access your specified room using your iClass WildCard and reserve time via electronic scheduling calendars. We recommend you register as early as possible, at least 72 hours in advance.

We’ve also been informed by the Property Management staff at Northwestern Memorial that all of the following lactation rooms in Chicago are open to the public and do not require special requests for use:

  • Lavin Pavilion, 259 E. Erie, 2nd Floor, Room 02-242
  • Feinberg, 2nd Floor, Room 2-316A, Room 2-316B (enter through the women’s restroom)
  • Prentice, 1st Floor, Room 01-2322 (by southwest public entrance)
  • Prentice, 2nd Floor, Room 02-2308 (by escalators)

 

Parenting Children with Special Needs

If you are parenting a child with physical, social/emotional or sensory differences, you may be interested in the following sources of information and assistance.

 

General Resources

 

Chicago

Evanston

  • Evanston CASE: non-profit organization providing Community, Advocacy, Support and Education for families affected by special needs. Serves parents and caregivers with children aged 3 to 22 who attend Evanston public and private schools. In addition to coaching and education services, CASE offers free Parent Connections Support Groups, a monthly newsletter, community presentations, and an annual special needs resource fair.
  • Evanston Public Library programs for special needs families: includes storytimes and Legos for children with special needs.
  • Noah’s Playground for Everyone: a fully-handicap accessible playground designed around the needs of children with sensory, developmental and physical limitations.
  • Northwestern Early Intervention Research Group:group of scientists and clinicians dedicated to improving infants’ and toddlers’ early development. Provide clinical services to families such as free speech, language and autism screenings; autism and language-related resources; toy recommendations; and an active blog.

Wellbeing and Support

Both parenting and a postdoctoral fellowship can be hard on your physical, emotional and financial health. Many postdocs have benefited from seeking support from the following places and resources.

Employee Assistance Program

The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a network of services for faculty, postdocs and staff, as well as their household family members. The program provides you with free, confidential counseling sessions with a local, licensed counselor and unlimited, 24/7 telephonic counseling. For assistance contact 855-547-1851.

 

YourLife Wellness Program

Through YourLife Wellness, you can access a wide-variety of programs & services, resources, reading materials, and discounts, which can help support your physical, financial, and emotional well-being.

 

Medical Leave of Absence

If you need time away from Northwestern to focus on treatment and recovery for a mental or physical health condition, as confirmed by your healthcare provider, then you may request a Medical Leave of Absence.

 

The Baby Blues and Perinatal Depression and Anxiety

Many women and men feel anxious, sad, irritable and overwhelmed during pregnancy and after their baby’s birth. But it’s also not uncommon for expecting and new parents to experience prolonged and severe symptoms of depression and anxiety. 

However you feel — even if it’s just that you don’t feel like yourself — there are many sources of support in the Chicagoland area. Here are a few places to turn to, in addition to the Employee Assistance Program:

 

Schools and Childcare

Childcare Providers in Chicago

The following are child care providers that Northwestern graduate students and their families have used.

Please note that these are not recommendations but are for your information only. Families should still screen each provider thoroughly.

Centers/Schools:

Home Daycares:

Childcare Providers in Evanston

The following are child care providers that Northwestern graduate students and their families have used.

Please note that these are not recommendations but are for your information only. Families should still screen each provider thoroughly.

Centers/Preschools

 

Home Daycares

Schools in Chicago

Evanston and Chicago offer a wide variety of public and private school options for pre-K through 12th grade. Please note that the Northwestern University Office of Work/Life and Family Resources does not endorse or recommend any particular school or child care center and encourages all parents to carefully evaluate any provider they are considering to care for their child.

Public Schools

Private Schools

These schools offer a discount and/or priority enrollment to Northwestern faculty, staff and students.

Schools in Evanston

Evanston and Chicago offer a wide variety of public and private school options for pre-K through 12th grade. Please note that the Northwestern University Office of Work/Life and Family Resources does not endorse or recommend any particular school or child care center and encourages all parents to carefully evaluate any provider they are considering to care for their child.

Public Schools

Private Schools

These schools offer a discount and/or priority enrollment to Northwestern faculty, staff and students. 

Evanston and Neighboring Suburbs

Things to Do with Kids in the Chicago Area

Evanston Area Activities

Evanston is known for being family friendly and there are great activities and resources both on and off Northwestern’s Evanston campus. Here are just a few.

On Campus:

Arts and Culture

  • ImagineU: theater series geared toward children and their families. Past productions have included THE HUNDRED DRESSES, JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH, and A YEAR WITH FROG AND TOAD. Tickets for Northwestern students are $6; tickets for children are $8.
  • Kids Fare: a series of 1 hour Saturday morning music programs for kids ages 3-8, led by Northwestern faculty, guest artists and students. Tickets are $6 for adults and $4 for children.
  • Music Academy: the Bienan School of Music offers music instruction for both children and adults, including Kindermusik programs for children ages newborn-7. Tuition ranges from $268-$305/session but financial aid may be available for students starting in the fall.
  • Mary and Leigh Block Museum of Art: free and open to the public, Tuesday-Sunday.

University Libraries

  • Did you know that you can bring your kids to any of the university libraries with you so long as you are aware or and abide by the rules of the Quiet Zones? Also, there are kids’ books you can check out! Ask a librarian to get started.

 

STEM

  • Dearborn Observatory: The Dearborn Observatory is free and open for public observing with the historic 18.5″ refracting telescope every Friday night from 8:00 – 10:00 pm. Tours are hosted by Ph.D. students and/or undergraduate students majoring in Physics & Astronomy. Note: the dome does not have heat or air conditioning and is not ADA-accessible (it can only be reached via several staircases).

 

Sports and Recreation

  • Crown Sports Pavilion (Northwestern’s Athletic Center, also referred to as SPAC) – 2379 Sheridan, (847) 491-4300, offers memberships for students and their families. Membership grants you access to all facilities and enables you to participate in family swim times, pre/post-natal exercise classes, and children’s swimming classes (ages 6 months-12; $69-$79/session). Family restroom and family changing rooms available.

 

In the Evanston Area

General

Arts and Culture

Sports and Recreation

 

Play Spaces

 

In Skokie

There are a number of great places to take your family to in nearby Skokie:

 

North Shore Area

 

Chicago Area Activities

Chicago has no shortage of family friendly activities! Below you’ll find just a sample.

General Guides

Cultural

Libraries

 

Music

  • Merit School of Music: nationally accredited music school in the West Loop with a focus on serving children facing economic barriers to participating in music.
  • Old Town School of Music: offers a variety of classes for adults and children in music, dance, theatre and other areas, including the very popular “Wiggleworms” class for children ages newborn-4. Locations in Lincoln Park and Lincoln Square.
  • Merry Music Makers: features Music Together early childhood classes for ages newborn-5, private music lessons and summer camps. Locations in Edgewater, Andersonville, and Lakeview. Free trial class available.

Museums

Chicago has tons of amazing museums. Many are free but those that charge admission can be expensive. If you go to museums that charge for entrance often, check their websites for free or reduced price days (such as Illinois Resident Free Days) or consider purchasing a membership. The Chicago Public Library also has a popular program called “Museum Passports” that lets you borrow a free admission pass for 4 to one of 15 museums. Talk to your local librarian about the best days for getting these passes before they’re checked out.

Theater

  • Chicago Children’s Theater: the largest professional theater company dedicated to children and their families in Chicago. Produces shows year-round and offers classes and camps. Through their Red Kite Project, they create theatrical experiences and summer camps for children with autism. They also recently expanded their programming for children with impaired vision or hearing and Down’s syndrome
  • Emerald City Theater: produces shows for children ages 0-13 and hosts the largest theater arts education program in Chicago.

 

Zoos

Nature

 

Sports and Recreation

  • Chicago Park District: Chicago has one of the largest public parks systems in the country. Offers a large variety of summer camps and low-cost classes in a variety of areas, as well as many free family events. Check out their My Chi Parks app.
  • Milliennium Park: Amazing architecture, public art and tons of free concerts and family programs, particularly during the summer months. Children love splashing in the fountain and exploring the Lurie Garden.
  • YMCA of Metro Chicago: locations around the city and surrounding area. Fitness, community and youth programs including camps and child care.

 

 

Getting Around Town with Kids

There are many ways to get around the area with your family and a number of these options include discounts or free rides for kids.

Evanston

Intercampus Shuttle

Children 14 years of age and younger may accompany a parent on the Intercampus Shuttle; there is no charge.  All NU faculty, staff, and students must present their current and valid WildCARD at boarding.  Strollers are permitted, however for the safety of all passengers they must be folded prior to boarding and not block the aisle.

Evanston Buses, Trains, Parking, Bike Info and More!

 

Chicago Transit Authority

The CTA oversees transit in Chicago but also several bus routes in Evanston and other surrounding suburbs.

These “how-to” guides are a good introduction to the system.

Children under 7 ride free with a fare-paying customer. Children 7-11 pay a reduced fare. To take advantage of the reduced fare, tell the bus operator or see a train station attendant.

Metra Regional Rail

The Metra rail system serves a large portion of the Chicagoland area, including Evanston. On weekdays, children under 7 ride free with a fare-paying adult and children ages 7 to 11 save 50 percent over One-Way fares.

On weekends and select holidays, children ride free with Metra Family Fares. Up to three children age 11 and under ride free with each fare-paying adult. The $8 Weekend Pass can also be used as the adult fare.Family Cars are available on weekends and non-rush hour weekday trains.