Health and Safety

State clears the way for schools, camps, youth sports to reopen

Public schools will reopen at the start of the school year, Governor Doug Ducey announced during a Thursday afternoon press conference. Organized youth activities —...

Were you “weekending” on your first free weekend?

"What are you doing during your first real weekend following the May 15 expiration of Arizona’s official stay-at-home order?" It didn't seem like a loaded...

Dining and distancing: Mesa family shares their experience

Rebecca Powers of Mesa took her 12-year-old son Jaxson to lunch Tuesday at one of their favorite local restaurants — BJ’s Restaurant and Brewery...

Restaurants reopen to a rush of relief, and remaining mixed feelings

Early Monday evening was just as busy as a weekend happy hour at the O.H.S.O. Eatery and nano-Brewery, thanks to a reopening rush. O.H.S.O....

Pandemic Parenting Poll: Lots of apprehension about the state reopening some businesses

Nearly three-quarters of Arizona families are opposed to — or undecided about — the state’s decision to partially reopen some services starting this week,...

Arizona Attorney General’s Office moves community outreach and support online

The challenges facing our nation as we address the coronavirus pandemic have many of us switching gears and adapting to a different way of...

Stay-at-home order extends through May 15, “partial reopening” begins Monday

Not much will change about how we're living and working when April 30 arrives. The original date set for relaxing pandemic-imposed stay-at-home orders has...

Pandemic Parenting Poll results show extent of the summer camp uncertainty

The pandemic has brought tough choices for parents. Will we send our kids to summer camp? Keep them home? Our poll show the exent of the indecision.

A local pediatrician on pivoting, protecting patients and parenting during a pandemic

Children and masks, pediatric telemedicine, and scheduling wellness checks during a pandemic. We talked with board-certified pediatrician Jason Vargas, MD, of Cactus Children's Clinic in Glendale.

Pandemic Parenting: Concerns about how our children are processing all of this

Children and teens are responding to this unprecedented crisis very differently — from acting out to shutting down to going with the flow.

Coronavirus and the consequences of meeting basic needs

This hoarding thing made my parents' risky trips to the store an exercise in frustration, and increased the need for them to try it more frequently. So I made what many in today's altered world would consider a stupid, reckless decision.

AAP urges healthy discipline measures as parents face unprecedented level of stress

Pediatricians fear an increase in incidences of child abuse given the unprecedented levels of stress families face because of the coronavirus.

Updated: Organizations offering child care during school closures

Working parents are scrambling to find child-care options in the wake of school closures to stop the spread of coronavirus, COVID-19. We're constantly updating this list of available options.

Our staff — and some local moms — share creative solutions to social distancing

Local parents are using creativity to confront this unexpected time of social distancing and sheltering at home. Here are three of our favorites.

Families First Coronavirus Response Act is a done deal

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act allocates $100 billion in aid for families during the pandemic crisis. And more help may be on the way.

Local school districts scramble to provide meals for kids during school closures

With Arizona schools closed until at least April 10, schools and districts are trying to provide meals to tens of thousands of children. Here's how.

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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