This past weekend at the Emmys, a red carpet reporter caught a bunch of flack after asking only the women on the red carpet how they “balance” work and motherhood just days after a shame-y article about Chelsea Clinton missing her almost 2-year-old daughter’s first day of preschool to campaign for her “sick mom.”

While “balance” is oft discussed in my circle (who couldn’t use a good life hack from someone in their boat?) the other parent isn’t excluded from the conversation. I’ve worked and not worked in my almost 11 years of parenting and it’s been a balancing act for both of us regardless of my work status. Take this week, for instance. In one night we will have had curriculum night for both kids at different schools plus a hockey practice and team meeting. I’d like to think I’m pretty resourceful, but that’s a night that needs a second pair of hands to accomplish, whether it be a spouse, family member or sitter.

So today, in hopes of adding some options to work on that “balance” for all of us with kids in the house, I’m covering events for the family to be together, an option for the parents to get time without the kids, and a local music class I wish we had time for!

This Saturday at the Frances Anderson Center, the whole family can get together and play with Legos. Lego Family Fun using Lego Workshop is Saturday, Sept. 24 from 10 a.m. to noon and is for kids ages 5-10. Parent participation is required but “parents play for FREE with a registered child.” The class description boast learning about engineering with Lego and working as a team to “build awesome engineering machines.” To register, you can call Debbie at 425-771.-0230 or visit RecZone.org.

Next Friday, Sept. 30, which happens to be an early-release day in the Edmonds School District, Glazed and Amazed is having a “Kids Night.” From 6 to 9 p.m. your kids can hang out, get fed, watch a movie and “create fun projects” for $30 plus tax, per kid. If I had three kid-free hours and was looking to eat, I think I’d finally try Bucatini located by PCC or get a french dip at Salt and Iron on Main Street. You can find more details at GlazedandAmazed.com or by calling 425-673-5474.

Cascade Elite Gymnastics in Mountlake Terrace does events like these as well if you are looking for some adult time. Their upcoming event is full, but they do them often and are offering an overnight in late October. They are also close to Diamond Knot Brewery and Snohomish Pie Company, so you could take full advantage of the time by walking to food and drink and, of course, pie.

In searching the Edmonds School District e-fliers and perusing Emily Hill’s “Artfully Edmonds” column, I found out about a group called Steel Magic Northwest. This is a steel drum after-school program that is very reasonably priced. Kids from grades 5 through 12 can sign up to learn the steel drum in a group setting. There are also separate adult classes later at night. I was in touch with the Executive and Artistic Director Gary Gibson, mainly because I wanted to know if they were doing another-12 week session after this one starts on Sept. 26. Gibson told me that they offer their 12-week classes “at least twice a year.” From those classes, which will be held at Edmonds Adventist Church, 8625 196th St. S.W., they form their performing groups: younger kids, high school kids and then the adults. While these are more or less year-round groups, Gibson was both accommodating and helpful when I messaged him via their Facebook page. We are hoping to join their next session, which should start early next year! To register you can visit SteelMagicNorthwest.org.

The life hack I was thinking of when I mentioned them above is the audiobook! If you download the “Overdrive” app, which is available on many different devices — iPad, Kindle Fire, home computer, etc. — and use your library card information, you can download audio books for your kids to listen to for free! This was one of my favorite bits of info to get and I love passing it on. Mine listen while they’re playing Legos and I just read that listening to books helps focus. With all of my crying during Harry Potter, the audiobooks are a nice option for all of us!