Parenting

Lessons from dads

A dramatic shift is underway in families. Dads are more involved in childrearing than ever before. Over the last 10 years, the number of...

Stick to it! Fostering grit in children

Experiences that require a sustained commitment foster grit in children and encourage the resilience needed to persist in reaching goals.

Phoenix author writes “Story Girl” for his daughters

Phoenix author Paul Mosier says his daughters Eleri, 11, and Harmony, 6, are eager readers. For years, they have watched him write novels for...

“Mom on the Road” a journey of self-discovery

Mother’s Day gives us an opportunity to pause and reflect on time spent with our own mothers and with our children. Memories---some good and...

“Workshopping” moms of Mothers Who Write

There is something about becoming a parent that makes you wax poetic in ways you never did before. Or, at least, you would if you...

Paradise Valley Mothers of Multiples to the rescue

My daughters were about three hours old when I realized that parenting twins was not like parenting a “singleton.” While there are many common...

“Young Mothers” explores life after teen pregnancy

A new exhibit explores life after teen pregnancy through a series of photographs featuring Valley mothers who were 19 years old or younger when...

Past, present and future folded into origami cranes

I was lucky to have my obachan, my Japanese grandmother, live with us for extended stretches of time while I was growing up. We...

Saying goodbye to a pet at home

It was a sad day in October 2012 when the Naumann family said goodbye to Kiley, a beloved family member. Kiley, 11, was a...

Raising multiethnic, multiracial children

“Why are you writing about that?” my 14-year-old daughter, Isabel, asked when I told her about this month’s “Voices from the Village” topic on...

PEN Phoenix supports families facing learning and attention differences

As a preschooler, Colin Erfle struggled to learn the names of colors. He couldn’t memorize the ABCs. Rhyming was tough. “He couldn’t memorize our phone...

Fussy baby? A local resource for parents

Laticia Mehta thought she was ready for the birth of her baby girl. As a hospital nurse, she knew the importance of preparing both...

Raising chickens

Goats, sheep, dogs, rats, snakes, turtles, turkeys, deer, cows. No, I am not a zookeeper or a farmer—just a mom who could never say “no”...

Handmade ornaments are holiday treasures

Felt. Sequins. Yarn. Popsicle sticks. Glue. Lots of glue. These are the things that my daughters’ small hands turned into treasures every December. In those...

Voices from the Village: Teaching gratitude

Start with understanding the difference between "wants" and "needs." This semester, my 10-year-old son Nico started attending a new school where he didn’t know anyone...

Kids and pets – Views from a Valley mom and vet

Sundi Ashenfelter, DVM, doesn’t remember a time before the animals. She grew up caring for dogs, cats, horses—and a few desert tortoises, too. Now...

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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