Ages & Stages

What’s in your diaper bag? Local moms reveal their top baby must-haves

We asked local moms about their favorite must-haves for babies. From unisex diaper backpacks to fancy wipes, here are some of the products moms...

Birth to Five helpline offers support for soothing fussy babies

The Fussy Baby program, part of Southwest Human Development’s Birth to Five Helpline, provides support for parents who are concerned about their baby’s temperament...

Transitions: Helping your child navigate to a new school or on to college

Consider a visit to a foreign country where you don’t know anyone, you don’t speak the same language and you aren’t familiar with the...

Big-picture parenting: The new year is a great time to consider long-term goals

As parents, we can quickly get stuck in the daily minutiae of child rearing and forget to look ahead. A new year is a...

Mud maniacs: Obstacle course races offer family fitness and fun

On a normal day, kids are asked dozens of times to act and look a certain way: Tuck in their shirts, fix their hair,...

Teens: Phoenix Sister Cities applications due Jan. 11

Phoenix high school sophomores and juniors can apply to serve as Youth Ambassadors and travel to one of Phoenix’s 10 sister cities. Youth Ambassadors...

Six neighboring families, six different approaches to school choice

We are mothers, neighbors and friends. Each of us values faith, family and education. Yet each of us made different school choices for our...

Holiday Gift Guide: Toys and more from local stores

As moms, we understand the appeal of fast and free shipping. But part of the joy of the holidays is exploring local shops that...

Choosing a school: Where to start as a parent

“If someone tells you the name of another school, plug your ears,” my husband joked, after we’d completed what felt like our hundredth school...

The power of music: Getting “in synch” with your kids

Something magical happened during a visit with my brother’s family in Germany this past summer. On our last night, as it was getting late and...

Spanking is both ineffective and harmful, experts say

Spanking as a disciplinary tool increases aggression in young children and is ineffective in teaching a child responsibility and self-control, according to a recent...

Can’t solve that algebra equation? Local libraries offer homework help

Gone are the days of brain-wracking and finger-crossing when being asked by your child about the order of operations in algebra, how to multiply...

AAP cautions pregnant women and breastfeeding moms against marijuana use

With marijuana now legal for medical or recreational use in half of the country, the American Academy of Pediatrics urges women to avoid the...

Moon magic: How kids can make their own impact craters

Look closely at the moon and you’ll see it’s covered with craters — some of them billions of years old. Ever wonder what caused...

A healthy tray every day: Local chefs help improve school lunches

Chef Charleen Badman, who dazzles grownups at her Scottsdale restaurant, last year expanded her wizardry to include younger, more pedestrian diners. The five-time James...

Inclusive preschool benefits typically developing kids and those with autism

About 130 children attend inclusive preschool programs at Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center Community Schools in Phoenix and Tempe, where typically developing children...

PARTY ARTICLES

Money Lessons from Birthday Parties

Teaching Kids the Value of Gifts & Gratitude Between the cake, balloons, and wrapping paper tornado, birthday parties are often all about fun, but they also provide the perfect opportunity to teach kids early lessons...

Time to Paw-ty

Celebrating your favorite furry friend Call me crazy, but when my husband and I adopted our first dog together, we threw her a birthday party complete with cake, streamers, guests, appetizers, games, and more. Was...

Unique Ways to Host a Joint Birthday Party

My brother and I have birthdays that are just one day apart—his on March 3rd, mine on March 4th, and our oldest brother just a few weeks later on March 21st. Fast forward 31 years...

Out-of-the-box Birthday Party Ideas in Phoenix & Tucson

Wanting to do something a little extra special for your child’s next birthday party? Maybe it’s a milestone birthday—like turning double digits or entering the teen years. Or perhaps your child has requested to...

Birthday Traditions & Clever Theme Ideas

Childhood birthdays are unlike any others. I have fond memories of waking up on my birthday morning anticipating all the fun that was in store. With three kids who had birthdays all in the same...

Out-of-the Box Birthday Party Ideas

Wanting to do something a little extra special for your child’s next birthday party? Maybe it’s a milestone birthday—like turning double digits or entering the teen years. Or perhaps your child has requested to...

Party Etiquette

Whether you’re hosting a party or attending one, you may be wondering—do people really RSVP anymore? What about goodie bags, are those still a thing? Do I need to stay with my child at...

How to Throw a Birthday Party that Won’t Break the Bank

I remember the days when birthday parties consisted of colorful balloons, streamers, a simple cake, and the classics like musical chairs and tag with a few friends. Times have changed and suddenly it feels necessary...

How to do a drive-by birthday party

As we get deeper into quarantine, people have gotten creative with birthday celebrations. One result: the drive-by birthday party.

Home pool party? Hire a lifeguard!

Drowning happens silently and quickly. That’s why children are at risk even when — and sometimes especially when — adults are nearby. Even a "designated pool watcher" can avert his or her eyes for a...

Hiking birthday party

For a child who loves adventure and outdoors, turn a hike into a birthday party.
Tour de Liam, Biking birthday party theme, bike race, outdoor activites, arizona parties

Bike race birthday party

When there are lots of neighborhood friends who love to ride their bikes together, host a birthday party that feels like an official bike race.

Island birthday party

Pool parties are popular in Arizona. Make a stylish upgrade at your next birthday party by incorporating décor and details that will transport guests from the desert to a tropical island paradise.

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