We are celebrating 25 years as a parenting resource in Collier and Lee Counties
We’re proud to celebrate 25 years as a trusted parenting resource in Southwest Florida, serving families across Collier and Lee Counties. When Neapolitan Family first launched in 2000, parenting looked very different. Social media didn’t exist, cell phones were used strictly for emergencies, and most parenting advice came from friends, neighbors or relatives. A lot has changed over the past two and a half decades—and we’ve grown alongside you, adapting to every shift while staying true to our mission: supporting local families with helpful, timely, and trustworthy content.
The following decade brought smartphones and social media, shifting both attention and parenting. “Cybersafety” became a buzzword, and Google a verb. Kids’ entertainment moved from TV to devices, where influencers replaced traditional role models. College prep pressures began earlier than ever.
The third decade brought our greatest challenge: the Covid-19 pandemic. In March 2020, we had 60,000 April magazines ready for delivery and no open destinations. We quickly pivoted to mailing issues and boosting our online platform, revamping May’s content to focus on home life and digital resources.
We’re proud to say we’ve never missed publishing an issue in 25 years, and our audience reach soared with the combination of print and digital media.
We loved reconnecting with past publishers, photographers, and cover kids. We hope to remain a trusted resource for SWFL families for years to come.
Celebrating 25 Years of Milestones
From our very first issue in 2000 to the launch of our digital platforms, community events, and award-winning content, Neapolitan Family has grown with the families of Collier and Lee Counties. This timeline highlights the key moments that shaped our journey—each one a reflection of our commitment to being Southwest Florida’s go-to parenting resource for over two decades.
Neapolitan Family Magazine Cover Kids: Then and Now
To celebrate 25 years as a parenting resource in SWFL, we invited families on Facebook and Instagram to share then-and-now photos of their children, who have appeared on our covers. Here are some of the amazing grown-up versions of our former Neapolitan Family cover kids, featured alongside their original magazine covers.
What Local Parents Say: Then & Now
We reached out to local parents on social media to hear their reflections on 25 years of Neapolitan Family. From heartwarming memories of cover features to thoughtful insights on how parenting has changed, here’s what they shared about how our magazine—and the journey of raising children—has evolved over the years.
“My daughter was featured when she was in pre-k (she’s 23 now). The director of Little Ducks Day School placed one magazine, face down, in front of every child. She had the kiddos turn them face up on the count of three. The children were so excited to see Elena on the cover! I was invited to watch and it was a thrill.
“We looked forward to a new magazine each month. Our calendar was filled with activities that we learned about in Neapolitan Family magazine. I loved to read the articles.” -Lorel M.
“I like seeing all the local kids on the covers!” – Quynn Mc.
“I love all the updates on local family events happening in the area. The information is a great resource for our community.” – Serena J.
“Better: more information and communication about special needs, learning differences, and conversations about inclusivity. Worse: Phone usage—adults and kids alike. I met so many other parents just chatting when my older kids were little (before smartphones), but by my last child (after smartphones), I felt like a lot of parents were on their phones instead of talking with each other at kids’ activities, classes, at the playground, etc.” – Ellen H-G.