Parenting Wisdom

I remember the days I dreamt of having a part-time job. When I worked full-time, with two young children and one on the way, I  fantasized about cuddly moments with the kids. All the things we would do together -...

If you are anything like me, the thought of moving makes you want to break out in hives. The packing, the unpacking, the living among boxes, not remembering which box you put the toilet paper in… Switching locations, near...

mom·sen·se (mɒm sens) noun 1.  practical motherly intelligence that is sensible or reasonable 2. a mother’s mental discernment, realization, or recognition  – She has momsense.  OR She used her momsense to determine that something was amiss. Last week, we heard Cate tell us about her...

All moms have coping methods. Maybe for you it’s watching TV, exercising, deep breathing or eating. For me, it’s sarcasm. I survive on a steady diet of farce, satire and sarcasm. Any time I don’t know what to do or...

Having a fussy baby can be one of the most challenging aspects of taking care of a newborn. It's not just about the discomfort your baby is experiencing, but also about the helplessness you might feel. But did you...

One of my intentions for the new year (not goals), is to focus on self care. So this morning I took a restorative yoga class at Surya Yoga with our very own Scottsdale Mom Blogger Jennie Love. I would...

Ahhhh, the splash pad. Like most young children, my kids love the splash pad. It is pretty much an Arizona childhood tradition to spend a hot afternoon cooling down with springs of water shooting all over the place. No little kid...

Boy, (noun) noise with dirt on it As a mom of boys I ask you, could there be a more accurate definition? The most spoken language in my household seems to be from a foreign country called Sound Effects. It...

Not sure if you guys have noticed, but we live in something of a digital age. I, more than most, retain an affinity for the old fashioned... I make pen-to-paper to-do lists and include items already completed just to give them a...

I don't know about you, but my Albert Einstein of a seven year old asks all the questions. From the time he opens his beautiful green eyes until those long lashes fan him to sleep, he is ALL questions....

As a middle school teacher, I see my share of goofy and/or dangerous trends. Kids have needlessly planked across desks, swallowed spoonfuls of cinnamon, and spontaneously burst into Fortnight dances in the middle of class. The most current trend...

I love to read and public libraries hold a special place in my heart. I remember going to libraries as a child feeling so proud that I got to select any book I wanted. The first time I toured...

That's right. My kids aren't doing anything. Before the school year ended, I talked to a mom who was on her way to pick her son up from t-ball and then drop her daughter off at swim team, in between...

As we go through monsoon season in the Valley, it is vital to remember the importance of Water Safety when in and around your pool. Weather forecasts can change quickly so it’s important to be alert at all times....

I changed my child’s legal name when he was two years old.  It was a whole entire process, but my husband and I are so glad we did it.  If you’ve ever considered changing your child’s name for one...

Arizona Language Preparatory is Arizona’s only tri-lingual full immersion school. Arizona Language Preparatory is FREE public charter school with grades k-6th. The goal is for their students to become fluent in three languages simultaneously. These langues include English, Mandarin, and...

If my doctor cuffed my arm before Turkey Day and then today, on the first day of December, I am confident she would think I needed a massage, a bottle of wine, or heavy medication. Like most of you,...

By Kim Westfall, Head of School at Christ Church School Hygge (hue-geh - noun, verb, adjective) is a Danish tradition of coziness and relaxation, gratefulness, being present in the moment, and celebrating the everyday moments that make life special. This...

Halloween is behind us. November is here (and so are the red holiday Starbucks cups!). I'm feeling the urge to get organized for the holiday season! If you're looking ahead too, here are some links from our archives to get you inspired,...

Chelsea, with Building Blocks Family, shared all about infant sleeping solutions! She helps start you right out of the gate with a strategy for emotional and physical healing while learning all about your baby. She teaches you how to...

As soon as my daughter could sit on the counter, we began baking together. We bake for play dates, for neighbors, for my husband's coworkers, and for ourselves. The value of baking with little ones extends far beyond the...

Everyone loves a good vacation. You plan the trip months in advance by selecting the perfect accommodations, shopping around for the best price on a flight, purchasing a Frommer's guide at your local bookstore, making reservations for Zagat rated...

Helicopter parenting is a topic roaming around the internet now-a-days. Good, bad, or what have you, when it comes to MATH homework in this house: I AM A HELICOPTER PARENT! Take me away. Lock me up. I confess it...

I am about to hit another motherhood milestone! I have finally, almost reached the end of my gigantic supply of Dum Dums. I know this may sound like an unconventional method of marking time as a mom, but when...

We love living in Scottsdale.  There are the obvious reasons....the weather, so much to do, beautiful scenery. But the people are what make Scottsdale the best, and we love having all of you mamas as part of our community! This...

Confession: I was pre-registered to vote 6 months before my 18th birthday.  I was SO excited to be a part of this democratic process that I marched myself down to the DMV and asked if I could pre-register.  I...

What do you get when several moms with different perspectives weigh in on the same topic? A great conversation! This post is part of our MomSense series on transitions. From what they eat and where they sleep, to who takes care...

How to Help Your Child Thrive at School, Even if They Haven't Before. How’s the new semester going?  Recently, I asked this of one of our students. He commented that he was happy for the fresh start because he didn’t have...

March is National Reading Month! If you're starting to drift to sleep after reading the same books over and over, it may be time to update your child's library. Today we’re highlighting a few of our favorites from the Best...

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 we can actually say summer...