Along with the joys of parenting, graduate students and postdocs with children face unique pressures and demands on their time. UChicagoGRAD Parenting Community supports families via enrichment programming and information sharing, but most importantly we strive to foster connections between fellow parents. While some of our programming is designed specifically for student and postdoc parents, most are available to all university-affiliated families. Caregivers are also welcome to accompany children. In Summer Quarter 2025, we offered two weekly children’s enrichment classes and monthly Family Mixers. Our programming continues in September with a field trip. To receive sign-up invitations, subscribe to the StudentParent Listserv. And read on to see details about September events, read past newsletters, and learn about Resources for Parents and the Student Parent Market.
September Programming Schedule
Stories in the Park
Tuesdays through September 16, 11:00–11:45 a.m., Nichols Park, near the playground at 54th and Kenwood
Stories, songs, fingerplays and snacks for all ages. Come to the final summer Storytime on the 16th and choose a free book, courtesy of our friends at the Campus Bookstore.
“Crafternoons”
Fridays through September 19, 3:30–4:30 p.m., UChicagoGRAD HQ (970 E. 58th Street, 3rd Floor)
Features a simple craft for little children, a more complicated one for big kids and grown-ups, as well as a coloring corner, toys for pre-crafters, and drinks and snacks for all.
Monthly Family Mixer
Saturday, September 20, 3:00–5:00 p.m., UChicagoGRAD HQ
Come and connect with fellow families at this free monthly gathering. In celebration of the new school year beginning, we will be giving away treat-filled pencil cases.
Field Trip to Maggie Daley Park
Thursday, September 18, 11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m., Maggie Daley Park, 337 E Randolph
Join us at the Wave Lawn playground in Maggie Daley Park for a morning snack and playtime. Each family attending will receive a UChicagoGRAD picnic blanket. The #6 bus or Metra Electric are both good ways to get there from Hyde Park. RSVP required: lmacgregor@uchicago.edu
Parent Write-Ins
Student and postdoc parents can utilize this twice quarterly free service: we watch your children as you do academic work in an adjoining space. The next write-in will be November 8, with registration happening 2 weeks prior.
Resources for Parents
- Read the University’s Graduate Student Parent Policy
- Parent Resource Guide 2025
- Fellowship Guide for Students with Children
- Child Care Resource & Referral – The University awarded a grant to Dr. Sarah Diwan at the Hyde Park Neighborhood Club to provide area childcare education and referral services to postdoctoral researchers and students at the University and Medical Center. Learn more.
Student Parent Market
Join the Student Parent Market listserv for student parents to buy, sell, give and and donate their items. This list is intended to separate such posts from all other family related announcements, and queries.