Articles

Discover Winter Tales

There’s snow place like the library! This month, cozy up with Maricopa County Library District’s winter-themed tales. Looking for more? Check out the library’s...

Looking forward to the future

MacKenzie Scott charitable gift helps Arizona early childhood nonprofit celebrate 40th anniversary  In 1981, Southwest Human Development started with a single program serving young children with...

Arizona Ski and Snow Destinations

We desert dwellers are lucky. We can visit winter weather just a few hours north or south of the Valley, get our fill of...

Co-Parenting Your Baby: 3 Guiding Commitments

Research confirms the accuracy of these poignant lyrics—even for newborns. Here are three commitments separated parents can make to best support the physical and...

Journey to Parenthood

A look at RAK Editor, Monique Seleen’s pregnancy experience: My husband and I are so excited to become first-time parents in 2022. Our little boy...

Win a virtual viewing to HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA: TRANSFORMANIA

My family loves going to the movie theaters but now that we have 3 kids, two of which have a hard time sitting through...

Happy trails! Try hiking as a family at these favorite scenic spots

As we head out for any adventure, big or small, we keep our destination a secret from the kids. Most of the time, we’re...

Parenting hack: Here’s a week of easy go-to family meals

Meal planning is my jam. This process is essential for my family to function. Planning brings calmness and clarity to our typically over-scheduled weeks...

Healthy Love Habits: Happy Holiday Humor

By Karen Aurit, LAMFT Could the secret to navigating holiday stress and even the success of your marriage depend on making your spouse laugh? Research shows...

Courageous Co-Parenting: Sharing New Year’s Resolutions

By Michael Aurit, JD, MDR Struggling to agree on the pick-up time for Christmas morning? Unable to reach an agreement on Winter Break schedules? Are...

Easy Butter Toffee Pretzels

If you're like me you probably spend a lot of the holiday season baking...and eating. These pretzels are a family favorite and we love...

Common Sense Picks: The best holiday movies for kids

By Ilana Lowery, Arizona director for Common Sense Media When you're ready for some quality family time amid the chaos of the season, there's nothing...

Using Common Sense: 8 Ways to Balance Family Screen Time this Holiday Season

By Ilana Lowery The holidays often mean gatherings and time spent with friends and immediate and extended families. Holidays also can be a tough season...

Holiday Tradition Ideas

By Kate Reed My family loves holiday traditions and while we’ve added new ones as a family some of our traditions were passed down from...

5 Tips to Avoid Child Meltdowns and Tantrums During the Holidays

Between holiday parties, cookies, hot chocolate, family get-togethers, school festivities, and more, it can be a crazy time of year for both kids and...

A tongue-tie may be having a bigger impact on your child’s health than you realize!

By Dr. Erika Rowe I triple dog dare you to breathe solely through a coffee stirrer straw for ten minutes. Did you try it? Do...

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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