How can we make Scottsdale Moms Blog more useful?

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It’s time for a reader question – how can I make Scottsdale Moms Blog more useful for you? Fill out our survey and post ideas to the comments section for a chance to win a $50 gift card to Flemmings Steakhouse. (Can you say “Date Night”?)

One of the things that makes our community of mamas so great is that we share information and encourage each other about what we’ve learned in our jobs as “Mom”.

Here’s your chance to help us connect with you!  Please take a minute to complete our survey (6 questions) and, if you have time, use the comments section of this post to answer a few additional questions about SMB.

Create your free online surveys with SurveyMonkey, the world’s leading questionnaire tool.

Now here’s your chance to let us know how we can make SMB even better.  Please use the comments section to discuss the following:

  • Topics – are there topics (specific or general) you’d like covered in the coming months? What are the main issues that you’re facing as a mommy at the moment? How can we encourage you better?
  • Types of Posts – Pregnancy and Adoption, Home Management, Parenting, Mom Therapy, Giveaways, Events, Things to Do, Local Business spot lights …. have your say about what you’d like most/least
  • Blog Features – what would make your reader experience better?
  • What Frustrates You about Scottsdale Moms Blog? What is Best about it?
  • Other Ideas and Feedback – anything goes, big or little.

The ‘Rules’ – Any feedback, suggestions, dreams or ideas that you have are welcome. While we can’t promise to respond to each comment or put every suggestion into place we make a commitment to you to read anything you have to say.

All that we ask in return is that you be honest, courteous and constructive with your feedback.

Scottsdale Moms Blog is a project that several moms pour a lot of time and effort into – as a result sometimes criticism can be a little difficult to hear – however we know it’s vital to take it all on board if this is to continue to be a valuable resource for Valley Moms.

So it’s over to you. Feel free to either leave your feedback in comments below or to share them privately with us via the Contact Page.  All comments will be entered to win the Flemmings Steakhouse $50 gift card!  You have until next Tuesday, August 9. 

26 COMMENTS

  1. Giveaways — love these 🙂
    Events and Things to Do — there can never be enough ideas on what to do with 4 kids on a day that I have completely not planned
    Local Business spot lights – kind of like a Yelp for Mom’s –
    Topics: Childcare options for when you need it – review of the new “drop and shop” type kind of scare me since I don’t know the people. Maybe it’s just me!?!
    Blog Features – You do a great job now! Love the site!
    Other Ideas and Feedback – ideas for mom’s to make extra income with kids at home

  2. I personally prefer the topics that relate to Scottsdale/Arizona specifically. I feel that there are TONS of options for general “mom” information, and I come here to find topics that are relevant to me as a mom IN Scottsdale. Thanks for the good work!

  3. I love the Date Night section. We have used a few ideas from there and it has been really great!

    I love reading all about the babies ~ so fun! It would be great to read about kiddos in the older brackets too (my oldest is 11). I’ll even volunteer to write some for that age bracket!

    Hugs you guys! Keep up the Awesome work!

  4. I love the website. You guys do a great job with that. I think everyone loves all. The giveaways you can give! But I will say that I get frustrated with play dates. They have gotten better but you generally have them on the same days which is Fridays and coincidentally the day I have to work…..It would be nice if you could rotate them out so different people can make different days work. I loved the family picnic dates too, that was awesome and it was nice for my hubby to meet other hubbies.

  5. I am grateful for smb! I appreciate the various topics you provide. As a mom of a 18 mth old & 2 mth I’d love more creative ideas of keeping them occupied during the summer. Its so hard to find things to do for my 18mth old that doesn’t include sitting in 110 degrees with my baby. Also I would love more posts about ditching the pitching fits and how to discipline at such a young age. What’s worked for other moms is so helpful and that would be great with several topics.

    I’d love to see more moms getting together not just for playdates but for moms time away. Not necessarily a big shindig but interest related meet-ups; however I know this takes a planner so it might be difficult.

    Love the give-aways and that you all take time out of your busy day to bless us moms with some encouragement, thoughts, ideas, etc… Keep it up girls!

    • Erica: Great idea about Mom time!!
      I host a Mom’s Craft night on Friday evenings at my home. Generally 1 time a month. I provide wine and light app’s, and you bring your favorite craft or not…..some Mom’s just like to come to hang out and chat with other Momma’s. I would love for you to attend our next craft night!

  6. Having 3 kids, all 4 yrs old and younger, I would love to see some ideas on how to balance spending one on one time with each of them, how to balance quality time with them and house work, activities /outings that all can enjoy or at least are easy to take all 3 to, etc. It would be nice to see more ideas of fun things to do at home with your kids (crafts) especially during the hot summer months. Would also love to see great deals posted, like when GAP has sales on their sale items or Target is running a super deal on diapers, for example.Maybe wouldn’t even have to be posted by SMB, but have a spot where Scottsdale moms can go and post deals they come across. Great website! Helpful and fun

  7. You moms run an AWESOME blog. I have only heard positive things from people about the moms behind it, as well as the blogging itself.

    Something I will be facing in the next few months is what to do with a toddler boy and a newborn girl… my second will be coming in about a month, and my first is 13 months…yikes! 😉

    I love the information on fostering and adoption, as there are so many kiddos that need homes. I hope to do one or both of these options in a few years, and I love reading about great programs or new stories on this topic.
    Local Business spot lights are super helpful and promote knowledge in our community.. love these! My preschool, Scottsdale Child Care & Learning Center, would love to know how to be a part of this!

    On that note, also it would be interesting to see more on local education (preschools, charter schools, etc) and what has been a positive/cool/exciting thing for different Scottsdale families.

    I also am a CRAZY deal finder, doing most of my shopping at garage sales and craigslist. It would be neat to know about any great mom&pop places in the valley that have incredible deals!

    Otherwise, love the diversity in the writing styles as well as topics, love the familiarity in each blogger’s bio’s, and love finding new interesting local blogs to subscribe to! Thanks for all you do!

  8. I have to agree with many people: the posts relating to Scottsdale/AZ specifically are incredibly helpful. I love all the events and things to do you shine a spotlight on and the giveaways! So great!

  9. I love te post about daily things we all stuggle as moms but dont always talk about. Always encouraging! I enjoy local spots highlights as well as the recipes from the cooking club(the caramel sauce was to die for :))

  10. I would love to see a Q&A forum! I often have questions that I would like to hear other (local) moms’ answers to. Sometimes I will post questions on my own Facebook but other times they might be kind of personal and I’d love an anonymous way of asking. It would be wonderful to hear from moms from the blog b/c of the sense of community it provides.

  11. So happy to have found SMB! I love your resourcefulness and the way you share with others. My only feedback/suggestion would be to have play dates more than once a month on Friday’s. I personally would host at my home anytime, as I would love to get to know other moms in my area. I am sure other mother’s would like the opportunity to host and meet Mom’s in a more personal setting as well. I loved the indoor play date you had at church but I didn’t attend for fear of my little one getting ran over!! She will be walking soon, so we will be able to participate more. Also, I would like to meet all the SMB contributors at events/play dates so we know who your team is. Maybe nametags for just the SMB team members…. It would also be nice if there was a message board or place to post so Mom’s can discuss issues they might be having, questions or concerns. I personally have questions all the time and would love a resource for that. Keep up the good work Ladies. So happy to have met you and be part of your group!

  12. I always love a good giveaway! Who doesn’t?! And I love hearing features on activities to do with my daughter that are cheap/free, we love trying to get out at least once during the day, we are busy bodies. And I love local business spotlights, there are so many great places that I have never heard of and love getting a chance to try out new things thta I wouldn’t have otherwise! I think you guys do a great job keeping your posts diverse and interesting!

  13. Would love to see a craft corner or similar, home projects etc. Discounts to local salons for hair and beauty would be nice. Ideas for weekend or day trips close to the valley – travel corner. A way to connect with moms with bubs of similar age, ie create facebook group or link up for newborn to 6mth, 6 to 12mth etc. It’s always nice to have direct contact with moms going through same milestones. You have such great blog content and energy SMB ladies, very happy to have found you 🙂

  14. Scottsdale Moms Blog has been such a great resource for me! Having just moved here from PA and not knowing anyone, this was a great place to go to reach out to other moms in the area and start to make new friends. It’s so easy to connect with moms through the events.
    Steph had mentioned a lunch for moms new to the area and I think that would be a great idea to be able to connect with other people going through the same experience of trying to meet new people and discover fun activities for their families in Scottsdale.
    Thanks for everything you do! I don’t know if I would have met any other moms without this website!

  15. I filled out the survey and really appreciate your wanting feedback. I love reading the blog often times it makes me realize.. I am not crazy (alone anyway, lol).

  16. Love this blog, you ladies do a great job. In addition to what you already do (I wouldn’t take anything out) I too would love to see more about activities around the valley for families and kids. I’ve lived here all my life and still don’t feel like I know the tons of amazing things our city has to offer. I think it would be great to have more recipes, I hate making things that I’ve found in a cookbook or online because I never know how it will turn out. But I love making something that someone has already tried and loved. Another idea is something like a ‘question of the week’. A reader would ask a question (like, how did you potty train your toddler? or how did you transition to cow’s milk after breastmilk/formula?) and you would have multiple writers answer with their take. This is my #1 piece of advice to new moms…ask a question to several different people, usually you will get several different answers (which is OK) and then you can choose which would work best for you. And if what you pick doesn’t work, then you have some other ideas to try. My last suggestion is DIY and CRAFTS!!! The internet is AMAZING in terms of finding great ways to update your home on a budget, creating decor and making things for and with your kids. I love trying out new things and my daughter is really getting into crafts too which is so fun (and if you need a writer for this I am totally interested 🙂 🙂 🙂 You ladies are great!

  17. I love this website. I love when I read the posts I do not feel so alone in what I am going through with my little ones.

    I have always wanted to go to the playdates or the events that you guys do but a lot of the times they fall during the week and I am a fulltime working mom and only have the weekends off. I think the rotating playdates days would be great so us other moms can try to make some of them.

    Also, having momtime or mommy get togethers that don’t entail 50-100 women getting together you know smaller more for what types of things each mom likes (scrapbooking, cooking, sewing, chatting, etc.)
    I also have sometimes when I need emergency child card like when my nanny is sick or grandmas are busy and ideas for that would be great topics.

    Lastly, I know this site is all about the moms, but my husband and I have a great relationship and it would be nice for some get togethers to be “Parent” get togethers not just mom’s so possibly to meet other couples who we could end up connecting with and create a lasting friendship with too.

  18. Topics: Things to do with your kids at home (especially toddlers); the ‘new’ stay-at-home Mom,

    Types of posts: Would like most: DIY projects; Easy, healthy foods for kids; Local, family friendly events (free); babysitters, neighborhood play groups. Would like least: pregnancy and adoption (there are already so many other services out there- I come to SMB to find out what is going on around town and to make friends and to assimilate to Arizona and make my home here)

    Blog features: Things that are truly helpful and make fun of real life; things that people can relate to.

    What frustrates me: not enough events around town. What I like: the SMB sponsored events

  19. I am such a huge fan of SMB and love what you provide for mommas! Not sure how this would happen but one thing that would be awesome is a way to get invoved with a smaller group of moms with similar interests. It can be difficult to meet other like-minded moms at the mom’s nights out but if you knew there were going to be moms there that you have an instant connection would, that would be awesome.

    I also love all the adoption stuff that you have highlighted because selfishly it pertains to our family 🙂 Maybe highlighting different types of situations for families like single mom households or large families or one kid families. I’m sure there are thousands of different types of mommas that could relate to all these things.

    I also love the idea of a crafting group or project of the week or something that would get my creative juices going. Or it might be a craft to do with kids – just an idea that I could grab to do with the kids when I’m out of ideas myself.

    I really appreciate all the Scottsdale geared stuff that you highlight so maybe offer more insights on what to do it the valley, for example 10 places for yogurt, 10 outdoor places to get good pics of kids, 10 best kept date nights, 10 best happy hour spots, etc. I’ve been here for 25+years but I am still learning new stuff about the valley depending on what I am looking for or what stage of life I am in.

    I love the giveaways and would always like more of them, enough said 🙂

    I am always curious about the resale shops in the valley and what others experiences have been. I never know what the best place is to take my stuff and would love to hear from other moms.

    Any other general tips on kid-friendly places in the valley are also super appreciated – like I never knew that the Fry’s on Tatum & Bell has a child care!?!

    Lastly, because I personally love bargains and deals, I love hearing family geared tips & money saving ideas from other moms around Scottsdale .

    Love this site and you girls are truly doing a marvelous thing 🙂

  20. I am so glad I found SMB! I enjoy reading about places to go and things to do in the area. I am always looking for fun new kid friendly things to do with my kids during the day or even family activities to do on the weekend. I am also always looking for babysitters so my husband and I can go out on some kid free date nights! I am not sure if you could do this but it would be awesome if you could put together a list of contact information for babysitters in the area (or different areas in the Valley-we are up in Cave Creek). If SMB approved the babysitter I would not hesitate in calling them up when we need one!

    Thank you for providing all of the information on your site. It is extremely helpful and you are all doing a great job!

  21. I appreciate your whole website, but I think an always very relevant mom info topic is sleep “training”. I just recently had a recommendation for a sleep consultant which I took advantage of. I’ll let you know how it works. My daughter was sleeping through the night for a while, but then reverted after she got sick & I am struggling to get her back on track. I know most moms have been there, but it’s always reassuring to hear the other moms stories and suggestions on to cope. This has probably been the biggest struggle for me… so far. Thanks for the resource!

  22. I love the website and all the content you provide and I really look forward to reading new posts from your site each day! I appreciate all of the hard work you ladies put into the site and especially like reading about things to do in Scottsdale. I would absolutely love more content relevant to working outside the home. While I appreciate the series you have on being a working mom, it would be great to hear from some moms successfully navigating working fulltime outside the home and balancing both work and family life.

  23. Love the blog! It’s been an amazing resource for me as a first time mom so thanks to all the moms who contribute!!
    I really like the Mommy SOS posts and would love to see more of those…recommendations for just about anything mom or baby related is always useful especially from seasoned moms! I used the pediatrician and obstetrician recommendations to further research doctors! And product recommendations are always extremely useful especially for some of the bigger items you tend to buy with a new baby. For new moms it’s daunting to try to sort through the crazy amount of baby gear out there so giving favorite brands/products is very helpful!
    Really like the video blog that Michelle’s been doing for belly diaries and think you could incorporate video in to some other series as well.
    And of course, giveaways are always a huge bonus! 🙂

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