Parenting

Getting control of all that medical information

A few months ago, I was complaining to a friend about the paper chaos that threatened to take over my house. It was so...

In praise of chores

Kristy Clason was appalled when she saw the homework assignment her son brought home one day. The gym teacher at his California school sent...

He ran away — to school!

My 9-year-old son, Levi, ran away to school the other day. That was after his initial attempt to leap from our truck as it rambled down the road...

Novelty golf and the Bunny Hutch

The Bunny Hutch in Lincolnwood: Who says you can't go home?

JENNIFER ALLEN: Teaching kids time management

Jennifer Allen is a Mesa mom of four kids between the ages of 2 and 8 and the founder of MyTime Calendars as well...

Oh, Mama!

Here are just three of the Valley’s many magnificent moms. Meet the winner and runners-up in our Mother’s Day 2009 cover mom contest. (And...

Parenting on overdrive

Parenting can be an overwhelming, all-consuming job. But in the quest to keep our children safe and healthy, we often go too far and...

Ryan House – Palliative care for kids, respite for weary families

Most parents know the feeling — the mixture of anticipation and guilt at the prospect of a vacation without the kids. You work hard...

Fundraising: not necessarily bad for kids

“My mom says I have to sell enough cookies to pay my way to camp,” whispered Shawna Reed, then age 13. Her family had...

Resolving conflict

As parents, and as teachers, we learn to use the theory of “natural consequences” to show young children that mistakes beget corrections. If children...

Decorating the bump

For a twist on the traditional baby shower, consider hiring a gestational artist to add some color to the pre-baby celebration. “A lot of times...

Keeping families in synch

The relationship between parent and child is like a dance, says Lorenzo Azzi, Ph.D., a psychologist for the Good Fit Counseling Center in Phoenix....

Birthing at home

Like most first-time moms to be, Stacy Aberilla took her prenatal vitamins, shopped for supplies and prepared her home in anticipation of her new...

Parental alienation

EDITOR’S NOTE: Names and some descriptive details have been changed to protect the privacy of the family. This may be the eighth Christmas that Beth...

Bedroom TVs?

Q: It seems like more kids—even young children—have TVs in their bedrooms these days. Is this a good idea? According to the American Academy...

Are you fluent in baby?

Along with all of the other surprising changes that come with bringing home a newborn baby, you may find that you are suddenly fluent...

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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