Marybeth Bock
Marybeth Bock is a native San Franciscan, who spent 13 years living and working in two European countries and four U.S. states as an Army spouse. (Faves: Germany and Hawaii). She’s been enduring the heat of Arizona for 14 years now with her husband, two adult-ish kids, and one crazy coonhound. An alumna of UCLA (Go, Bruins!), she has a Master’s in Public Health and loves to research and write about all health topics, particularly the mental and physical health issues of adolescents and women. Her writing can often be found on the Grown and Flown and Blunt Moms websites. As a new empty-nester, she is thoroughly enjoying the role of “College Mom”, and is finding more time for crafting, hiking, Happy Hour and travel. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter.
Family Friendly Ways to Celebrate Armed Forces Day
Among the many things that living through a global pandemic has taught me, one significant realization has been that it is important to celebrate – pretty much anything. Big occasions, little events, half-birthdays, you...
What You Need to Know About Valley Fever
Valley Fever, also known as Coccidioidomycosis, is an infection caused by the fungus Coccidioides, which lives in the soil in the southwestern US, parts of Mexico, and Central and South America. People, and house pets, can...
A New Way to Help You Balance Your Kids’ Technology Time
If you’re not familiar with Common Sense Media, they are a non-profit organization which was founded in 2003. Their mission is to ensure digital well-being for kids everywhere, and they are a leading source...
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...
The Holiday Cards Dilemma
Holiday cards.
To send or not to send? That is the question. And it’s been a bothersome one I’ve grappled with every winter for the past five years.
When I think back to the holidays of...
What to Expect When Your Kids are Grown and Almost Flown
In today’s world, the minute a woman finds out she is pregnant for the first time, she has a vast array of helpful resources at her fingertips. There are books, websites, and online support...
This Mom’s Ode to October
The fictional character Anne of Green Gables said, “I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.” And I couldn’t agree more.
As a desert dweller, October is finally the month when...
Fostering Healthy Family Technology Habits
We’ve all done it. In the course of running late, and gathering up kids, their stuff, and our keys, we’ve driven off and 10 minutes later have realized we’ve left our phone at home....
Let’s All Give “No Comment” Parenting a Try
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 training, and temper tantrum strategies.
As our...
Be Sparkler Safe This 4th of July
For many Americans, it wouldn’t be a proper Independence Day celebration without watching a fireworks show or setting off a few fireworks of your own. Here in Arizona, like many regions in the southwest U.S....
Flip Flop Wreath {a Fun and Frugal Summer Craft}
The long, hot days of summer have arrived, and so has the daily search for fun (but not too pricey or complicated) activities to do with your kids. Flip flop wreaths are a great...
How to Avoid Summer Brain Drain
Parents of teens: Raise your hands if you can’t wait for the seemingly endless days of kids sleeping until noon, daily requests for money, hours of video games, wet beach towels on the floor...
Encouraging Diversity in our Children’s Friendships
Have you ever looked around in your child’s classroom, or at their friend group, and wished that there was more ethnic and cultural diversity?
Sometimes parents can feel a bit awkward about this situation, and...
What Can Parents of Younger Kids Take Away from the College Admissions Scandal?
The details of the college admissions cheating scandal have been trickling out in the news for more than a few weeks. Parents with kids who have applied to college in the last several years,...
Prepared Childbirth Tips for the Teen Years
Many years ago, after my first child was born and I became fascinated with the whole birthing process, I became a certified childbirth educator. I loved helping couples overcome their anxiety about birth 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?”
As adults,...