Parenting Wisdom

Spring temperatures are here, but not for long! Need a reason to get your kids outside and have them learn something new? Try hosting a ladybug playdate.   Whether your playgroup has three kids or thirty, this backyard or park playdate offers...

I'm finding that the way I grew up is becoming a way of life that is nearly extinct in the US.   No, I didn't walk to school barefoot in the snow, uphill both ways. I grew up in the...

At SMB we want to bring you information and inspiration from around the Valley and beyond. Here are some clickworthy links from around the web this week. Enjoy! I just bought my first bottle of kids’ sunscreen for the season...

Childhood obesity awareness may be something that is hard to talk about. It may be uncomfortable or challenging to know which questions to ask. Thankfully, Dr. Rachel Buck, a pediatrician from Phoenix Children’s Pediatrics – Paradise Valley graciously agreed to...

As I creep into midlife, I've pondered the word regret. We hear it all of the time throughout our life, "If you don't move forward with this plan, you might regret it," or "Don't do something you may regret,"...

When our daughter, Sophie, was 6 months old (and I was actively taking birth control pills) the last thing I expected to see in our home was a positive pregnancy test!  I mean, we wanted to have a third...

In the ever-evolving landscape of education, homeschooling has gained immense popularity for its flexibility and personalized approach. Homeschooling empowers parents to take charge of their child's education, tailoring lessons to meet individual needs. One name that's been making waves...

Our contributor, Kari, shares with us How to Prepare for Parent-Teacher Conferences. With 7 years of classroom teaching experience and more than 20 years of community leadership and volunteerism, these tips are sure to help you have a successful...

We often see stories in our newsfeed of families who open their hearts (and often wallets) to help others during the holiday season. We like and share their posts to help remind ourselves about the meaning of Christmas and...

If you're invited to a child's birthday party and see the parents have requested your presence, not presents, here are five things you should know about kids' no-gift birthday parties.  1.If the invitation says something to the tune of no...

The Scottsdale Moms Blog 2019 Preschool Guide is now live.....click the link below to check out our newest Guide! Also please let us know if you have a great preschool we need to add to the list, and if you...

Breastfeeding isn't for the faint of heart. Though it is one of the most womanly and nurturing acts a woman can do, it is also challenging and tiring. A woman who chooses to breastfeed will do well to study up, seek support and remain determined.

There's a lot going on in the world right now, and staying positive can be a struggle. In quarantine without our normal morning routines, it's easy to go a little bit stir crazy. Let us help you reset your...

In anticipation of Mother's Day on Sunday I have been asked some sweet questions by my inquisitive kiddos about what I would like for the holiday created in my honor.  Mostly the requests circle back to what the boys...

Isn't it amazing watching your little one's communication skills develop? Toddlers are going through a stage of rapid brain development which provides the perfect time to encourage speech and language skills. There are many things you can do to...

  I can remember the very first summer we lived in AZ and when monsoon season started (we moved from Chicago to Scottsdale when I was a kiddo). That first storm was a doozy! In a matter of minutes it...

So I’m a travel addict. I have bad Wanderlust. I also have two small children and a job that requires me to plan vacations 10 months in advance (hello, being a doula and birth photographer). We’ve had some US...

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, or who will be applying...

Motherhood brings pictures. Hundreds (maybe thousands) of pictures a year. We try to capture every precious moment and although we use many to share with friends on social media, there are those we take to keep for ourselves those are...

A little inspiration can go a long way sometimes, especially, at the dawn of a new school year. Transitioning from the free-spirited days of summer to the routine of the school year can be exciting, but it can also be...

It’s a new year, which means new beginnings, new insurance, and bigger smiles. If you’re considering orthodontic treatment for your child this year, our partners at Dunn Orthodontics in Scottsdale, Phoenix, and Litchfield Park have outlined a few common...

After a year in a pandemic, moms are feeling lonely. If you don't already have a good friend base, and even if you do, this experience has been isolating.  If you are like me, you have your good friends from...

We at SMB are excited about a new little feature we’ve added to the blog!  In addition to our regular lineup of awesome Scottsdale Mom contributors, we’re including a monthly post by a LOCAL expert! We’re covering topics ranging from discipline to reading readiness...

Like many mommies, I enjoy my coffee. Each day begins with a cup, and I usually end up buying another while I'm out and about. There may be a Starbucks on every corner, but there are several local coffee...

I watch both Reagan and Nora on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  I've figured out how to wrangle them for small outings like this one.  I grabbed two dresses, a blanket, a stroller and a camera to get these sweet little...

As we search for ways to do something to make a difference in light of the recent tragedy in Uvalde, I am sharing about Sandy Hook Promise and why I support their organization.  In 2004, I stopped watching the news....

Let me just start off by clarifying that when it comes to the baby led weaning movement, I am not an expert. Not only am I not an expert, but I'm also not here to stand on a soap box, bossing anybody around and tell mamas how to...

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 to or being unable to...

When I broke down and finally went to see Dr. Jones I was almost 8 months into my pregnancy.  What broke me was the zinger I got in my right leg and through my right hip (ouch!) each time I stood...

Kiddos are freaking out? Facilitate 10 ways of finding calm. Explore below to help them learn or improve on how to smooth things over within themselves. Whether your kiddo just “needs to calm down”, could stand to develop more...