By Michael Klinkner, Licensed Clinical Social Worker A 2017 survey found 60% of teens had experienced verbal, emotional or physical violence in a dating relationship. Abusive teen relationships can lead to a host of issues like poor academic performance, binge drinking and substance abuse, suicide attempts, negative body image and low self-esteem. It can also set the stage for violence in future relationships. As parents, we want what is best for our teens. As they enter dating relationships, the goal should be to have age-appropriate fun and spend time with people who will help them g ..read more

  By Kimberly Yee April is Financial Literacy Month – a time dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of wise money management. Being smart about handling finances is more important than ever, as families experience higher prices from groceries to gasoline. As Arizona’s Treasurer, it has been my priority to provide families the information they need to create a solid foundation for financial wellness which positively affects the fiscal health of the State of Arizona and our children’s future. During work hours at the State Capitol, people address me as “Madam Treasurer,” but w ..read more

Dead Horse Ranch State Park   Get Your Kids Outdoors with Arizona State Parks and Trails By Michelle Thompson The desert is heating up. Summer will soon be here and finding ways to keep the kids entertained can seem like a full-time job. Let Arizona State Parks and Trails write you an adventure itinerary that can occupy a day, a weekend, or a week! The Grand Canyon State offers so many amazing outdoor places to explore that it won’t take long to get the kids hooked and excited to plan the next trip. To introduce kids to the outdoors, we’ve prepared special tips to making the adventure c ..read more

  Eating Disorders: What Parents Should Know, When to Ask for Professional Help By Michael Klinkner, Evolve Counseling AZ It is not unusual for teens to alter their eating habits. Eating more because a growth spurt or eating less because they are busy or stressed is normal at this age. Some teens may try a new trendy diet they saw on TikTok or one their friends swears by and they may even occasionally skip a meal. Often, these changes will pass, and your teen will go back to their usual eating habits. As a parent, be aware of your teen’s eating patterns and habits, so you recognize if th ..read more

  How To Get Them Talking With Open Ended Questions By Sarah Lyons When your child comes home from school and you ask, “How was your day?” you may receive the frustrating answer of “Fine.” and no other information. Parents can encourage kids to open up and elaborate on their answer by asking open ended questions that foster communication rather than the conversation ending with a quick, one word response. Every parent desires a healthy and open relationship with their children but this can be challenging, especially if you feel like your child is not sharing the ups and downs of their da ..read more

  By Pam Molnar Springtime is a time for new growth and the perfect opportunity to test out your creative skills. Crafting is a way to spend time together, encourage your kids to express themselves through creativity and fill in the “I’m bored” moments on a rainy day. As a crafty mom, I try to keep basic craft supplies on hand – paints, glue, beads, yarn – and love to upcycle items that would have otherwise gone to a landfill. If you are looking for a few crafts to add to your spring plans, here are a few of our ideas. Painted Rocks Flat river rocks are an easy canvas to create Kindness ..read more

    By Sandra Gordon Open spots at summer camps can go faster than a popsicle melts on a sweltering day. Still, for your child’s wellbeing and your own, it pays to get picky and do your homework. Before taking summer camp virtual tours, “know what you want,” says camp director, Sam Doescher, who runs a day and resident camp for boys and girls ages 8 to 17. Ask your child what he or she is looking for in a summer camp. What do you want from that camp experience for your child? What about location: Do you like more woodsy, beachy or lake-type surroundings? Of course, cost can be a maj ..read more

    Take A Girls Trip To Recharge By Yvette Armendariz Tempe mom Zona Cecil fondly recalls taking a yearly girls trip. Her first escape took place when her girls were just 4 and 6. “Honestly, having complete trust in (husband) James, and the way he took care of the girls, made it much easier to relax. He had his getaways and I had mine,” she said. “We both needed our time away.” For her first trip, she packed the minivan and drove to Napa Valley with her besties. “I didn’t have to worry about kids, feeding, entertaining, bedtime, etc.,” she said. Instead she enjoyed “indulging in ti ..read more

  By Cheryl Maguire   When I was younger, I only had one choice for summer camp—the town camp. The town camp was a traditional all-day 6-hour camp with a heavy emphasis on sports. I was more of a bookworm than an athlete so this type of camp was not a good match for my personality. I remember coming home every day whining to my mom, “It was so hot and all we did was play (fill in a sport). Do I have to go to camp tomorrow?” By the end of the summer I’m sure my mom wished there were other options for me. Now there are so many choices it can be overwhelming to figure out what type of ..read more

  “My volunteer efforts have put me in a new space to develop and grow as a person, both professionally and personally. I’ve learned a lot about myself through engaging with my Little, other Bigs, and Staff. Of course, the match relationship is awesome to help create all of this… Me and my guy are legit friends at this point in my eyes and he’s helped me to be a better friend.” – Big Brother Geoff regarding his Little Brother Raazi     By Jessica Whitney   Big Brothers Big Sisters Needs More Volunteers Have you ever considered becoming a mentor or have charitable work on ..read more