This week, we’re doing the same, except for your kiddos. These are books that are guaranteed to capture imaginations, expand worldviews, keep screentime to a minimum, and maybe even teach a little! We’ve divided this list into age groups, and these choices should be available at your local, independent bookseller and your local library!

AGES 3-5

• Serafina Makes Waves by Matthew Burgess, illustrated by Robin Rosenthal
• Mouse’s Wood written and illustrated by Alice Melvin
• The Dino Door by Josh Funk, illustrated by Renée Kurilla
• Dad by Christian Robinson (GREAT for a Father’s Day gift!)
• Bear for a Day written and illustrated by Corey R. Tabor
• Kindergarten Gets Ready by Naomi Danis, illustrated by Pete Oswald
• Otter’s New Neighbors written and illustrated Li Xingming, translated by Shan Chen
• The Bookshop by Hiba Noor Khan, illustrated by Julian Ariza
• Just a Shell… or Is It? By Becca McMurdie, illustrated by Paola Escobar

AGES 6-8

• My Big Book of Texas: All That’s Great About the Lone Star State written and illustrated by C.S. Jennings
• What If? Tell a New Story Every Time by Tom Schamp
• Ottonline Goes to School by Chris Riddell
• I Told a Little Lie written and illustrated by Judith Henderson
• When I’m a Moshom by David A. Robertson, illustrated by Corrie Hill
• Seahorse Is Furious and There’s Nothing You Can Do About It written and illustrated by Morag Hood
• A Room with a View by Joanna Ho, illustrated by Thais Mesquita

AGES 9-12

• Cotton and the Shadow of Memory Creek by Carolyn Christian
• The Filoli Fiasco by Advik Arun
• The Marsh Fellows by Anna-Laura Sullivan
• A Wish with Wings by Sarah Guillory
• Dante N. Ferno: Camp Catastrophe by Brian Gordon
• Camp Big Top by Alexandra Diaz
• Berserkers by M. A. Larson
• The Midwatch Institute for Wayward Girls by Judith Rossell

TEENS and YA

• Behind Five Willows by June Hur
• In the Country I Love by Alaa Al-Barkawi
• Gentlest of Things by Sarah Underwood
• Forlorn Harbor by Jim Doran
• Below by Jason Chabot
• Murphy’s Law for Teens: Modern Life Principles and Lessons by Emily Carter
• This Is How I Look When I’m Ignoring You by M. T. Raiser
• Beyond the Mirage by Vella Karman
• Rogue Spells by Melinda Kucsera
• A Garden of Dragons by C. Lynmore

The post Tanglewood Moms’ Summer Reading for Kids and Teens 2026 first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

Of course, vacation means summer reads. Whether you want something light and fluffy, dark and creepy, or just a good ol’ huge honkin’ history, we’ve got you covered!

• Most Ardently Yours by Freya Sampson (available July 7, just in time for the beach!)
• The Last Mandarin: A Novel by Louise Penny and Mellissa Fung
• Journey to Nowhere: A New World Tragedy by Shiva Naipaul (re-release available July 14)
• Broken Dove by Dani Francis
• Dolly All the Time by Annabel Monaghan
• Whistler by Ann Patchett
• The Hidden Life of Trees: What They Feel, How They Communicate – Discoveries from a Secret World by Peter Wohlleben
• It Will Come Back to You by Sigrid Nunez
• Cloudthief by Nathaniel Rich (available July 14)
• Canon by Paige Lewis
• Daughters of the Sun and Moon by Lisa See
• Honey by Imani Thompson
• The Unicorn Hunters by Katherine Arden
• The Danger to Be Sane: Creativity and the Eccentric Mind by Rosa Montero
• We Hexed the Moon: A Novel by Mollyhall Seeley
• Beginning Middle End by Valeria Luiselli (available July 28)
• The Love Haters by Katherine Center
• Rules for the Summer by Meghan Quinn
• American Patriarch: The Life of George Washington by H.W. Brands
• With a Vengence: A Novel by Riley Sager
• June Baby by Shannon Garvey
• Good Joy, Bad Joy by Mikki Brammer
• It Could Have Been Her by Lisa Jewell (available June 23)
• Ungodly Rich by Katherine McGee (available July 7)
• The Travel-ing Dictionary by Ella Morton
• John of John by Douglas Stuart
• The Calamity Club: A Novel by Kathryn Stockett
• A Murder in Hollywood by Michael Crichton (this thriller was written in 1973 but only released two weeks ago!)
• Love Overboard by Kandi Steiner
• The One Day You Were My Husband by Rosie Walsh
• The Great Wherever by Shannon Sanders
• The Last Page by Katie Holt
• London Falling: A Mysterious Death in a Gilded City and a Family’s Search for Truth by Patrick Radden Keefe
• Etna by Paul Yoon
• You Won’t Get Free of It: Stories of Mothers and Daughtersby Rachel Aviv (available July 7)
• Summer in the City: A Novel by Alex Aster
• King of Gluttony by Ana Huang
• The Bookshop: A History of the American Bookstore by Evan Friss

Stay tuned for next week’s summer reading suggestions for kids!

The post Tanglewood Moms’ Summer Reading 2026 first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

We’re days away from the one day a year when mothers will be celebrated with pampering and lots of love (and will probably have to clean the kitchen afterwards). If you or your family need some ideas for places to celebrate that special woman in your life, we’ve gathered them here. Make your own reservation (and save cleaning the kitchen!) or forward this to your partner!

• Mother’s Day Tea Party at Thomas Place
• Wandering Roots Market Mother’s Day Sip ‘n Shop
• Chef Marcus Paslay is really celebrating moms!
  • Clay Pigeon Mother’s Day Brunch
  • Piatello is opening early and has entertainment for the littles
  • Mercado Juarez is offering moms free flowers while they last
• Messina Hof Mother’s Day Bubbles & Brunch
• Mother’s Day Brunch at Café Modern
• Mother’s Day Flower Garden Paint & Tea Party at Conundrum Farms
• Mother’s Day Brunch & Movie (Mamma Mia!) at Movie Tavern Hulen Mall
• Mothers Enjoying Nature at the Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge
• Taste Project’s Mother’s Day Brunch
• Mother’s Day Weekend Train Excursions Aboard the Grapevine Vintage Railroad
• Parent & Child Mother’s Day Brunch at Central Market Cooking School
• I <3 Mom CRC Mother’s Day Half Marathon & 5K
• Mother’s Day at the Mont
• Mother’s Day Picnic & Pilates in Trinity Park
• Blue Mesa’s Mega Mother’s Day Brunch
• Mother’s Day Brunch at Emilia’s
• Branch & Bird’s Mother’s Day Brunch
• Mother’s Day Brunch at the Wicked Butcher
• A Mother’s Day of Refined Indulgence (May 8-10) at Del Frisco’s
• Mother’s Day Brunch at CRÚ Wine Bar & Bistro

The post Mother’s Day in the Fort first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

To summarize the last blog post, my younger child’s principal came into her humanities class and told them they had 89 days left as high school students. She then offhandedly told that little nugget of heartache to me before blithely wandering off to her room to do homework, unaware of the puddle of Mom she left behind her.

Well, we’re now in our last six weeks. Imagine how THAT hit me.

Once again, I was never the mom to weep when my children hit the big milestones. I cheer that they are doing exactly what they are programmed to do: grow up and move forward, living their lives as independent people.

But…

Everything I do is now tinged with a bittersweet quality. This weekend will be the last time I go to Austin College in Sherman to see a play that my older kiddo is involved in producing. I realized that next year will be the first year since it reopened in 2018 that I.M. Terrell Academy will not have one of my sprogs as a student. Each event has a sense of finality and sadness attached to it that I’m not used to.

(Again, I know that graduations are not about me, but this article is, dammit.)

I think part of my struggle is because I’ve always been the mom who doesn’t weep. I love that my kiddos are maturing into people that I want to know. I have lived in my head, understanding child development and knowing that my whole purpose as a mother is to raise my children to leave and become their own person. But I can’t seem to find that objectivity these days.

My babies are growing up. My heart hurts, and my eyes leak.

So if you see me in these next six weeks, please ignore the mess that I am. Pat my head and tell me it will be alright. And if you’re feeling the same way I’m feeling, know that you aren’t alone. There are a lot of parents who feel like you do right now.

Solidarity, my sisters and brothers. Solidarity.

The post T-Minus Six Weeks and Counting first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

Apologies for the abrupt opening of this post, but it’s rather on my mind at the moment. However, I recognize that I probably should have put a trigger warning on this. So, here you go.

TW: Contains references to pet cancer and euthanasia.

Fido came to us as an eight-month-old stray, rescued by a family friend. She had been living in the parking lot of a business. I had (possibly naively) mentioned to this friend that our cat, Spot, got upset when I was out of town and the sprogs were with their father. Fido would obviously be a wonderful companion to Spot, thereby solving Spot’s loneliness while giving her a loving home.

Unfortunately for both Spot and Fido, Fido was, essentially, a kitten, while Spot was probably about three. Fido couldn’t understand why Spot didn’t want to play with her all day, every day. Spot couldn’t understand why this young whippersnapper wouldn’t leave him in peace.

Eventually, they established a pecking order, and peace was restored to the house, for the most part. They learned to navigate the joys of a shared household, and they would even curl up together when the weather turned cold, although they never admitted this.

When David moved in with us, Fido accepted him pretty quickly, whereas Spot still, almost a decade later, regards the other male in the house with some suspicion. Fido would curl up on his chest, purring so loudly it sounded like boulders in a cement mixer.

As some of you might know from my social media posts, Fido was not overly endowed with intelligence. There are various methods of testing a domestic animal’s intelligence, and Fido failed them all. She was dumb but sweet, and she loved nothing more than sitting on my shoulder or hip as I fell asleep, or curling up on David’s chest, and having her forehead skritched with one finger.

I’ve seen many of my friends post on social media about the death of a pet. Invariably, they apologize for being “too emotional.” Why shouldn’t they be emotional? They just lost a member of their family.

Pets give us unconditional love. (Yes, even cats do this. It just looks different to a dog’s love.) Our relationship with them is uncomplicated by messy human dynamics; they love us and rely on us for food, shelter, and care, while we love them and rely on them for emotional support, companionship, and a sense of structure.

Yet we seem to feel a sense of shame for grieving a pet. We expect to be mocked for mourning the death of an animal. So we apologize for our grief, minimizing our heartache and the effects of our loss.

Fido was diagnosed with cancer about two months ago. She lost a large amount of weight very rapidly and had a raspy, almost asthmatic cough that she couldn’t shake. However, she wasn’t in pain and was still eating and drinking.

Until yesterday.

We made the difficult choice, and the vet came to our house today.

We were able to give her the gift of a peaceful death, free from fear and pain, in return for the years of love she gave us. She was warm and surrounded by her people. It was, aside from a brief prick of the needle, painless for her. If only all our endings could be as such.

So my family and I will be in mourning for a while. Unashamedly and unhurried by society’s expectations on how long you should be sad about “only a pet’s” death.

Fido wasn’t just a cat. She was a member of our family, and we mourn her passing.

The post Heartache and Love: Dealing with the Loss of a Pet first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

Where did the schoolyear go? Summer’s coming, and your little darlings need something to keep them out of trouble this summer. Fortunately, we’ve got just the thing to help: Tanglewood Moms’ annual guide to Fort Worth summer camps. The BEST Fort Worth Summer Camp Guide!

Whether it is a sleepaway camp or a day camp close to home, summer camp can be an important part of a child’s physical and mental development. A few years ago, the American Camp Association did a study on the value of summer camp. The study showed marked growth in campers’ independence, self-confidence, and self-assuredness. Ninety-three percent of campers reported that camp allowed them to become friends with people who are from different backgrounds. Seventy-four percent of campers reported that they did things that they were afraid to do at first. Seventy percent of parents reported that their child gained self-confidence at camp.

Camp can expand a child’s horizons in ways that school, with its heavy emphasis on test results, cannot. Whether it’s doing a ballet intensive, building a robot, learning a new sport, or putting on a play, camp allows children to focus on something they love or learn something entirely new.

Perhaps most importantly, camp allows children to just be children. Yes, there are expectations placed on them at camp. They have to learn to work with strangers and resolve minor conflicts that may arise. They have to learn that their every want will not be accommodated. But without the pressure of grades and the expectations of family, teachers, and peer groups, campers are free to simply live and soak up every adventure and learning opportunity. Simply put, they can stop being students and simply enjoy being kids.

There are many wonderful possibilities for your child this summer in Fort Worth. No matter what it is that makes your kiddo smile, they can do it here. We hope that this will be a comprehensive list of summer camp options in Fort Worth for you to consult from year to year. We’ve organized our index to separate camps by age as well as theme for easy navigation. Many of our partners have generously sponsored ads with full details about the camps they offer. If you’d like to learn more about advertising with us, please email tanglewoodmoms@gmail.com.

The post Exploring, Flourishing, Thriving – 2026’s Summer Camp Guide first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

My younger sprog came home from school last Tuesday and announced that her principal told her senior class that they had 89 days of school left. She then toddled off to do homework and get into a raucous call with friends, completely unaware that her bombshell had left Dear Old Mom a complete mess.

Eighty-nine days left. Eighty. Nine.

Over the course of two weeks in May, both of my children will be graduating. The older sprog graduates from Austin College on May 23, while the younger graduates from I. M. Terrell for STEM & VPA five days later on May 28.

I don’t know if I’m ready for this.

(Okay, graduation isn’t about me, but this article is, so bear with me.)

I’ve never been one of those parents who get upset that my children are growing up. That’s what they’re supposed to do! I cheered when both kiddos ran into their kindergarten classes without a backward glance. Good for them! They should be excited about starting “big kid” school! Every one of their milestones has been met with, if not joy, at least the understanding that they’re doing exactly what they’re supposed to be doing, developmentally speaking.

But this year has been tough. This year, my babies are no longer babies.

Both sprogs want to take a gap year before moving to the next phase in their lives. The older wants to work for a year to build up some capital before grad school. The younger wants to work part time and get their core classes out of the way at TCC before heading off to their undergraduate studies. To save the money they’re going to be earning, both kiddos plan to live at home. They aren’t moving across the world, leaving their old mom all alone and weeping.

But…

I never thought I would struggle with change like I’m struggling right now. Whether it’s due to my neurospicy brain or it’s simply an outward manifestation of my Gen X pragmatism, I’ve never been one to get sentimental when one chapter ends and another begins. While I do get nostalgic, I don’t pine for the “good old days.” Life doesn’t stop, and I’m excited for each new season. (Way to mix metaphors, Lee!)

But the idea of two graduations in five days has knocked me flat. Something big is changing, and I don’t know what that’s going to mean for us going forward. Of course I’m excited for my children; they are fascinating people, and they’re going to continue to be fascinating. This change just seems BIGGER, somehow.

After spending the last two days castigating myself for being a sentimental sap, I’ve decided to embrace the emotions and nostalgia. This is a big deal. My children are marking major milestones in their lives, moving from childhood into adulthood, and it’s okay to be a mess. I’m so proud of what they’ve accomplished and what they’ve overcome, and my tears don’t detract from my joy in their accomplishments.

So congratulations to all the members of the Class of 2026! And congratulations to all the mamas of the Class of 2026. I see you.

The post A Season of Change first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

In this eye-opening interview, Travis points out that while items like e-bikes and other trendy tech or recreational gifts may be exciting to unwrap, they can also carry serious safety hazards if buyers don’t pay close attention to proper use, product quality, and potential injury risks.

Travis takes an even deeper dive into this topic in the latest episode of the Driving Change with Travis Patterson podcast, which focuses specifically on the growing dangers associated with kids’ e-bike use. E-bikes have exploded in popularity, yet many parents are unaware of how severe the injuries can be. In Episode 13, Travis breaks down the rise in e-bike crashes, the factors that make these incidents so dangerous, and the safety oversights putting young riders at risk. He also unpacks often-overlooked legal and insurance implications such as liability gaps, coverage issues, and what families should know if a child is injured or causes an accident.

The post The Hidden Dangers of E-Bikes and E-Scooters first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

It started, “Children Eat Free at Fort Worth area Chicken Salad Chick locations until SNAP benefits are restored.”

Per group rules, the poster made it clear that the post was not political. Meggie Schissler, the poster and co-owner of the Chicken Salad Chicks in our area, simply wanted to do what’s right.

“We [Meggie and her husband, John] have two young kids who are in FWISD, and we know how hard it is to be parents,” Meggie said. “We wanted to help if we could. It really does take a village.”

Until SNAP benefits are restored to Texans, any child who visits a Chicken Salad Chick location in Burleson, Fort Worth, Hurst, Midlothian, and Southlake) will receive a free Kid’s Meal. There is a limit of one meal per child per day, and the offer is for dine-in customers only. However, as the post says, “No purchase necessary, no questions asked.”

Photo courtesy of Meggie Schissler

The response to Meggie’s post was immediate and supportive. One member wrote, “Restoring my faith in humanity one chicken salad at a time.”  Another wrote, “YES! I’m coming to support you tonight! Thanks for deciding dinner for me lol”

“We’ve been overwhelmed by the encouragement,” Meggie said. “It’s refreshing to see the community encourage each other.”

The idea of giving free food to children until SNAP benefits are restored is not a brand-wide move. Meggie said that the Chicken Salad Chick owner in Albuquerque started it yesterday morning, and Meggie and John thought it was a great idea. And each one of their 10 locations got behind the idea immediately.

“We have awesome teams in place,” Meggie said. “We threw this on them yesterday, and not one of them skipped a beat. Each of our stores has its own community, and they all want to support their communities.”

These days, it isn’t easy to find any good news. Our news outlets and social media feeds are full of bad news. Meggie’s post was a much-needed ray of sunshine in our doom scrolling. Kindness and empathy should not be political. A little compassion, a little love for our neighbors, can go a long way.

The post’s last sentence summed up that grace perfectly.

“Let’s help care for our children, who are both our most valuable and most vulnerable. They are our future.”

The Schisslers
Photo courtesy of Meggie Schissler

The post Caring for Our Most Valuable and Most Vulnerable first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

Probate—the legal process of settling an estate—can be time-consuming, costly, and public. A revocable living trust helps avoid probate, ensuring a smoother transition of assets. However, like any estate planning tool, it comes with its own set of advantages and drawbacks. Let’s explore how revocable living trusts work in Texas and weigh their pros and cons.

What Is a Revocable Living Trust?

A revocable living trust is a legal entity created to hold and manage assets during your lifetime and distribute them after your death. As the grantor (the person creating the trust), you retain full control over the trust and can modify or revoke it at any time. When you pass away, the trust’s designated successor trustee takes over and distributes the assets according to your instructions, without the need for probate.

Unlike an irrevocable trust, which permanently transfers assets out of your control, a revocable trust allows you to maintain ownership and control over your property while still enjoying the benefits of probate avoidance. This makes it a flexible estate planning tool, especially for those who anticipate changes in their financial situation or family structure.

Benefits of a Revocable Living Trust in Texas

1. Avoiding Probate

One of the primary reasons Texans choose a revocable living trust is to avoid probate. Unlike a will, which must go through the court-supervised probate process, a trust allows assets to be distributed directly to beneficiaries without delays or court fees. This is particularly beneficial in cases where heirs need immediate access to financial resources or if the estate involves multiple properties that could otherwise complicate the probate process.

2. Privacy Protection

Probate is a public process, meaning that your will, assets, and beneficiaries become part of the public record. A trust, on the other hand, keeps your estate matters private. This is especially important for individuals who value confidentiality regarding their wealth and asset distribution. Unlike a will, which is accessible through court records, a trust operates outside the court system, ensuring discretion.

3. Faster Distribution of Assets

Since probate can take months (or even years in complex cases), using a trust allows for quicker distribution of assets to heirs, which is especially beneficial if immediate financial needs exist. If beneficiaries rely on their inheritance for living expenses, medical care, or education costs, a trust can help bypass the delays associated with probate.

4. Flexibility and Control

A revocable trust allows you to make changes throughout your lifetime, ensuring that your estate plan evolves with your circumstances. You can add or remove beneficiaries, change trustees, and adjust asset distributions as needed. This flexibility is useful in cases of marriage, divorce, births, or changes in financial status.

5. Continuity in Case of Incapacity

If you become incapacitated, your named successor trustee can step in to manage your assets without the need for a court-appointed guardian, providing financial stability for you and your family. This is a major advantage over a will, which does not provide any provisions for managing assets in the event of incapacitation.

6. Avoiding Ancillary Probate for Out-of-State Property

If you own property outside of Texas, a revocable living trust can prevent the need for ancillary probate in other states. This is especially useful for individuals with vacation homes or investment properties in multiple locations, as probate laws vary by state and can lead to additional legal complications.

Drawbacks of a Revocable Living Trust in Texas

1. Upfront Costs and Complexity

Creating a revocable trust involves higher initial legal fees compared to drafting a will. Additionally, transferring assets into the trust (such as real estate and bank accounts) requires time and effort. While a basic will may cost a few hundred dollars, setting up a trust can cost several thousand, depending on the complexity of your estate and attorney fees.

2. No Immediate Tax Benefits

Unlike some irrevocable trusts, a revocable living trust does not provide asset protection or tax advantages. Since the trust remains under your control, its assets are still considered part of your taxable estate. If reducing estate taxes is a priority, additional estate planning tools, such as irrevocable trusts or gifting strategies, may be necessary.

3. Funding the Trust is Essential

A common mistake is failing to transfer assets into the trust. If assets are not properly titled in the trust’s name, they may still go through probate, defeating the purpose of creating the trust. To ensure proper funding, all real estate deeds, bank accounts, investment accounts, and other assets must be formally transferred into the trust.

4. Ongoing Maintenance

To keep your trust effective, you must continuously update it by adding new assets, changing beneficiaries, and ensuring that all documents align with your wishes. Failing to maintain the trust could lead to unintended probate proceedings if newly acquired assets are not properly titled in the trust’s name.

5. Limited Creditor Protection

Because you maintain control over a revocable living trust, its assets remain accessible to creditors. If you face lawsuits, divorce settlements, or other financial liabilities, creditors may be able to claim assets held in your trust. Individuals seeking strong asset protection might consider alternative strategies, such as irrevocable trusts or business entities.

Is a Revocable Living Trust Right for You?

A revocable living trust is an excellent option for Texans who want to avoid probate, maintain privacy, and ensure a seamless transfer of assets. However, it requires careful planning and ongoing maintenance. If your estate is relatively simple and you are comfortable with Texas’s probate process—which is often more streamlined than in other states—a will might suffice.

Additionally, if you have a small estate with no complex assets, the cost and effort of establishing a trust may not be justified. Texas offers simplified probate options for smaller estates, which could make a traditional will a more practical and cost-effective choice.

Before making a decision, consult an experienced estate planning attorney to determine the best approach for your specific situation. With the right strategy, you can create a plan that meets your needs and provides peace of mind for your loved ones. Estate planning is not one-size-fits-all, and working with a professional ensures that your plan is tailored to your unique circumstances and goals.

This article, written by Leslie D. Thomas Thomas Walters, PLLC., was shared with permission. 

The post Avoiding Probate in Texas with a Revocable Living Trust: Pros and Cons first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.