Arizona allows children to attend school without vaccines as long as parents sign an exemption form. When diseases appear that could lead to a large outbreak – such as the case of the mumps in Higley Unified School District that I reported on this week – those children are removed from school.
Just today, a story came out about additional states looking to pass exemption laws.
Arizona doesn’t rank very high when it comes to children who are vaccinated. Parents choose to not vaccinate for a number of reasons – religious and …

I recently wrote a column for the Tribune about how many different public – and private – schools are available within a very short distance from my home.
I choose to send my kids to my neighborhood school. The principal has an open-door policy. The educators have years of experience. My children’s teachers and I work together and they communicate often when anything arises.
But I also know that there are options around me. As I wrote in the column, I seriously considered a dual language program for my middle child. But …

On the drive to school/daycare/work this morning, my big kids asked me a question: Mom, do you get to pick what job you do?
The conversation was sparked by my 7-year-old daughter’s question about the traffic lights. I didn’t know the answer, but I said that’s the job of a traffic engineer and if she wanted, she could study that when she gets older.
With that, I started in on a 3-minute conversation about going to college, picking your course of study (and what jobs are more available) and then getting a …

I took a moment this morning to check on our East Valley Mom Bloggers Connect page. Wow. I found this wonderful blog about Strawberry Cupcakes with Almond Buttercreme. Oh, if only I had a reason to make these. (I may have to make one up!) There are other recipes, too.
With there being a big football game this weekend, I spent some time in the kitchen, but not a lot. I made fruit salad (YUMMY!), guacamole and a cheese platter. Nothing fancy, but all yummy and homemade (oh, except the cheese). …

Oh, I love good craft ideas.
So I was so happy when I looked over at Finley and Oliver on our EV Mom Bloggers Connect page.
There are not one, but two adorable Valentine’s Day crafts. You have to check them out. Plus, they look super easy.

Moms, if you need a break — and a massage — here’s your chance.
The next Mom’s Nite Out event is coming Wednesday. The event is hosted and organized by Choosing Love blogger (and EV Mom Bloggers Connect contributor) Wendy Wright.
Every mom who attends the event will receive a free chair massage at Mom’s Nite Out courtesy of BackFit Chiropractic & Rehab. Moms will also get a goodie bag of giveaways, learn more about local vendors and get a chance to chat with other moms. Food and drink available for purchase, …

Arizona often ranks very high in the country for school choice. I wrote a piece for the Tribune last week about this fact – and asked different groups to talk about whether or not that translates into a better education system in the state.
Now I ask you. What choice do you make for your child’s education? Do you haveel you have a choice? In some cases, families choose their neighborhood school. Some choose private education. Some pick a program in a district on the way to work.
The reasons for the …

My husband can light up the face of any of our children just by walking into a room. My youngest wraps her whole body around his neck when she hugs him. My middle daughter loved it when daddy came to build gingerbread houses with her class in December. My son’s whole outlook can change when daddy is around.
So when I received an email about this promotion from the National Center for Fathering (fathers.com), I thought I would share.
This year, one “Super Dad” will receive more than a coffee mug for …

I took my oldest daughter to get her ears pierced – again – this past weekend. We did it to mark her 7th birthday.
We’d done the same thing about a year ago for her 6th birthday. But when we went to replace the started earrings, despite the care we took the first time around, she complained of some pain. So we never got another pair of earrings in and the holes closed.
While at the store this weekend, my 1 year old sat in her stroller. The mom ahead of me …

As many moms can attest, sometimes we are the last ones to bed at night, last to eat breakfast (if we eat at all), last to go to the doctor when we are sick. Sometimes a hat substitutes for a shower and “me time” is found in the 40 minutes of dance class once a week.
I’m guilty of all of the above. But I know mentally, physically and spiritually I want (and need) to do a better job taking care of me so I can be a better mom, a …