Marybeth Bock
Marybeth is a writer, wife, mother of two, and iced coffee enthusiast. Her writing can be found on numerous sites such as Raising Teens Today, Grown and Flown, Collegiate Parent, and I Am Teen Strong. When not in front of her keyboard, she loves to hike, read novels, craft, and take way too many photos of cacti and her very spoiled dog. You can find her on Instagram and Twitter.
5 Great Ideas for a 13-Year-Old Girl’s Birthday Party
Are you struggling to come up with a unique party theme for your daughter’s 13th birthday? We’ve got you covered with some excellent ideas that will definitely excite your soon-to-be teenager. And these five...
5 Essential Phrases to Say to Your Kids (Often)
When we’re in the trenches of parenting our kids, it’s often easy to find ourselves “losing it.” I know you know what I mean when I say that. On many days we feel like...
Things We Do Not Want for Mother’s Day
The annual celebration of Mother’s Day is quickly approaching. Don’t waste time or effort with hinting around or just hoping this year will be better than previous years.
Moms – send the link to this...
How to Set Up the Ultimate DIY Mimosa Bar
We could all use some good news these days, so I’m here to alert you to the fact that we are now entering prime mimosa season.
The months of April, May, and June are simply...
Could Your Teen Be Addicted to Their Cell Phone?
Nomophobia. Ever heard of it? If you have a tween or teen living in your house, you’ve probably witnessed the effects of it. Defined as a state of stress caused by having no access...
Get Ready for Cactus League Spring Training and the Dbacks 2023 Season
It’s the most wonderful time of the year for baseball fans in Arizona: spring training.
Cactus League Spring Training here in the Valley is set to start once again. The League was founded in 1947,...
Fun Facts about Super Bowl LVII in Arizona
The Valley is set to host the Super Bowl once again this month – its fourth time in sunny Arizona.
Whether you’re a big fan of football, just watching the game for the commercials and...
Helping Children Avoid The Fear of Needles
When my kids were little and I would announce that we were going to the doctor’s, the first frantic question out of their mouths was always, “Do I have to get any shots?” They...
I Don’t Want My Kids to Just Be Happy {Aiming Them Higher}
“What do you want to be when you grow up?” is a common question that all young kids get asked. And as our children grow older, that question often transforms and gets asked of...
Five Fabulous De-Cluttering Tips for the New Year
The start of a new year lends itself perfectly to a good purging and de-cluttering of our homes. As we take down holiday decorations and try to find space for new holiday gifts, most...
It’s January, Moms: You Need a “Daycation”
The holidays are over and frankly, we’re all just a little exhausted.
While December is a month that can be full of some wonderful time with family and friends, it can also be draining for...
Here’s the Magical Tea You’ll Want to Make All Winter Long
If it seems like there are a million germs floating around out there this winter, you are not wrong. Between the nasty old flu, RSV, and Covid variants that just keep on evolving, everyone is...
Create the Ultimate Popcorn Bar This Holiday Season
Is there any snack that’s better than popcorn? I think not.
Popcorn is a whole grain that provides about three grams of fiber per cup. Since we usually eat more than one cup per sitting,...
Fabric Pumpkins: Easy Fall Craft
Well, our temps here may still feel like summer, but every store we walk into reminds us that it’s technically fall, and that the HOLIDAYS ARE ALMOST HERE! (Throwing shade at you Costco, with...
Help Boost Your T(w)een Girl’s Healthy Relationships
While we don’t yet know what the long-term consequences will be for our tweens and teens who lived through Covid-19 during some of the most formative years of their lives, we do know that...
Let’s All Give “No Comment” Parenting a Try
What is No Comment parenting. Well, when your kids are really young, you are always looking for advice from fellow parents. Playgroup gatherings are perfect opportunities to ask other moms about sleep issues, potty...
Why Do We Take Our Kids on Vacation?
Why do we take our kids on vacation? Well, that’s a loaded question, isn’t it?
Here in Arizona, most of us plan a family vacation during the summer so we can escape the intense (yet...
Ten Cool and Tasty Local Treats You’ve Got to Try Right Now
When you live in a place where the summer feels endless, there’s always an excuse to go and grab some cool and tasty treats. Lucky for us, here in the Valley we’ve got so...
10 Great Valley Salads to Savor This Summer
It’s summertime in the Valley once again, and if you’re like me, you start craving cool, crisp salads to enjoy for a lunch or dinner meal out. We may be challenged by our triple-digit...
Ten Must Have Tunes for Your Arizona Summer Playlist
Summer has definitely arrived in Arizona so it’s time to make a new playlist to listen to as you hang out by the pool, at the lake, or next to your favorite splashpad.
Why not...
Sky Harbor Airport: Fun Facts and Terrific Travel Tips
It’s finally summer, and many of us here in the Valley are heading back to the airport this year to kick off a much-needed family vacation. But with summer travel heating back up again, and...
Graduation: Fantastic Gift Ideas for High School and College Grads
Graduation season is right around the corner. You may be struggling with what to gift your own graduate, or you may be thinking about those announcements from family and friends that will be arriving in...
Desert Gardening 101
Have you ever tried to keep a colorful flower bed alive through a summer in the Valley? Or dared to grow some herbs in your yard that ended up completely withered in the heat?...
You Really Can Help Your Kids Adopt a Mindfulness Habit
Every mom in the history of Momming has been there.
Has reached the point of frustration with a child and found themself saying, “Can you just sit still and be quiet for a few minutes?”
It...
5 Easy Ways to Read More Books in 2022
One of the best things to come out of the pandemic for me was a renewed joy of reading novels. Prior to 2020, my reading habits had been changing for several years. I found...
20 Great Local Charities for Your Family to Support this Holiday Season
When the holidays roll around, it’s easy to focus on giving gifts to our children. No matter what age they are, we spend time trying to find things they’ll love, and we experience joy...
Letting High School Students Take Ownership of Their Journey
The pressure to perform in high school these day is intense.
Kids are warned by parents and teachers that their grades matter from day one. Many of them are pushed to take as many Honors...
Pumpkin Spice is Not Always Nice
America, I think it’s safe to say we have jumped the shark – or the pumpkin spice deodorant – with our national pumpkin spice obsession. Yes, the deodorant is a real product. Go check...
The Wisdom of Love and Logic Parenting
We’ve all heard and read plenty about “helicopter parents” in the news over the last few years. Our society has placed collective blame upon them for excessive hovering and over-involvement during their kids’ childhoods,...
Discounted Dorm Items are Hot Buys in September
Now that my kids are no longer little, I’ve come to realize this fact about the intersectionality of parenting and shopping: You really miss out on a ton of innovation and information about products...