Parenting Wisdom

"That's too hard, Mom. I can't do it." Is this a familiar response when you ask your kids to fold laundry or set the table? Some chores might be too much for kids at certain ages so it's important...

One of the constant questions many of us ask ourselves as parents is, “Am I doing enough to make sure my child is happy?” We often wonder if we are providing the foundation they need in order to grow...

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...

This post is sponsored and written by Cajons.com. For more musical inspiration, visit their website. Enjoy! Whether you're a seasoned musician or someone who couldn't carry a tune in a bucket it is important to make your home a place where music...

Our family loves to celebrate almost as much as we love traditions. Last year we made May Day Baskets with our two year old. It seemed like the perfect opportunity to teach her about sharing and being a kind...

I probably jinxed myself by writing my last post on the Valley's Pediatric Emergency Rooms. Within two weeks of publishing the article - and a week before she was set to be a flower girl in my brother's wedding...

Good enough. Not great, not terrible. But good enough. Could I really be that kind of parent? Before kids (BK), I was a bit of a perfectionist. Always have been. I never liked to do anything unless I felt I could...

As a personal chef, I spend a lot of time preparing and serving healthy and delicious gourmet food to my clients. Since time is money, I have become extremely adept at preparing food in the most efficient manner possible...

  When you find that your fancy purse is filled with cheerios and your stilettos are gathering dust, it's time to to call in reinforcements before you fully commit to flip flops and yoga pants. Grab your girlfriends and schedule a much-deserved...

Anyone else out there hooked on the show "This Is Us"? (As if any of us need another show to be addicted to... am I right?) It's about three siblings (twins and an adopted brother) who were born on...

Do you ever find yourself looking around and wondering how everyone is so happy, so put together, and making this mom thing look so easy? Do you find yourself wondering what their tricks are, reading Facebook posts of everyone’s happy moments...

Before kids, your life was totally about you. Where you wanted to work, what you wanted to eat, how much sleep you needed (or didn't need!) - it was all up to you. After kids, well, let's just say,...

Last time in Nanny Gossip! {Part 1} we talked about what Moms should know that our nannies or babysitters don't tell us. Here are some more insightful answers, along with the very important question, "How much do I pay...

Summer is here and we all know that means larger energy bills. I am always looking for ways to save big on energy bills and to teach my daughter to be more environmentally conscious. Energy bills are so expensive and...

We're back with SMB's Belly Diaries guest vlogger, Michelle, and her 19 week update! If you missed her 16 week video update be sure to go back to view it... it's just too good to miss! Here's Michelle... And finally, a belly...

There's a strange paradox of time when you have children. On one hand, it feels like they were born yesterday, but on the other hand, you feel like you've been taking care of them FOREVER. I know that most of...

Last month we brought you the half-marathon training stories of two of our Scottsdale Moms Blog contributors. Last Sunday they each completed the Susan G. Komen Women's Half Marathon in Phoenix, and today we are so proud to share...

It's easy to say, that on any given day I can create a Facebook status of the things I've accomplished that will leave someone picking their jaw up off the floor.  They will think I'm super-mom.  While there are...

Everyone knows that being a working mom doesn't mean that you don't put your kids first. It doesn't mean that you love them less or that you don't WANT to be home with them full time. I AM a...

I love Harry Potter. I have all the books. I watched all the movies. I anticipated, with the excitement of a child before Christmas morning, each and every new release. So what does this Mom do when her now 9...

Snapshot One: I looked in the mirror as I slid on a pair of size-zero Gap khaki capris.  I was nearly six months pregnant with my first baby and my gaunt frame was still shrinking.  At this point I had...

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...

Thank you to Jennifer Cropp, MD from North Scottsdale Pediatrics for providing flu symptoms and treatments resources for this post. As parents, we dread flu season. We hate to see our children sick, and we as parents just don't have...

The arrival of your first child is a huge deal. You do all the reading and the research and the shopping and the decorating and the sanitizing and all the things to prepare. Then the second comes along and,...

  Get your baby to sleep through the night: Math does it! Calculating sanity for the parents of an infant? Actually, it’s just simple addition, but it feels like magic! Below, you will read about the formula, literally, that leads...

I recently was introduced to a local mom who has turned a sad situation into saving lives. I wanted to share her inspiring story and help spread awareness to other women on a type of cancer that could target any of...

Before kids, I used to travel all the time.  After kids, not so much.   So when the opportunity came up to travel to Japan for the first time in nearly five years - without kids, without husband - I...

1. STORYTIME! (AKA Children’s Programs) From Toddlertime at the Phoenix Public Libraries to Shake, Rattle & Roll at the Scottsdale library Branches, to a number of interesting sounding programs for older children that my little guys are still to young...

I usually consider myself pretty up to speed when it comes to the laws regarding the safety of my kids.  I've regularly reviewed the National Highway Traffic Safety Administrations (NHTSA) website for recommendations when it comes to car seat...

Four years ago, I found myself one evening at Francesca's at Kierland Commons. It was a sweet shopping event, and I had invited my dear friend Jennifer. After some casual chitchatting, I shared with her that we had recently...