As the Santa Cruz Gives selection committee reviewed applications for the 2025 six-week holiday fundraiser, we talked about current events and trends in giving that might impact the campaign this year. Volunteer Center executive director...
The Lasting Impact of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Cruz County Since 1969, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Cruz County (BGCSCC) has been a cornerstone for local youth in the area...
Vanessa, a postpartum mom of two, came to me concerned about feeling heaviness, bulging, and leakage after having her children. A brief search on the internet revealed to her she may have pelvic organ prolapse...
The holidays can bring moments of magic — sparkling lights, familiar songs, cozy family gatherings. But for many parents and caregivers, they also bring full schedules, high expectations, sensory overload, and an endless to-do list...
Colleges today are looking for curious students — those who dive deeply into subjects that truly fascinate them. Gone are the days when being a “Jack of all Trades” guaranteed admission. Juggling three sports, piano...
You are not alone in wondering about what it means to hold the 4th Thursday of November as a day of gratitude, known to some as Thanksgiving, and to others as the Day of Mourning...
Some days, I get so caught up in work, chores, and the busyness of everyday life that I forget to slow down and really notice the little things. Watching my daughter play, hearing her laugh...
Meet Rocco, the lovable “chocolate bear” with a powdered sugar coat! Though considered a senior, Rocco’s youthful spirit shines — he loves walks, hikes, and endless games of fetch. He rides beautifully in the car...
In planning for a pet’s health and wellness, many people have looked at and purchased pet insurance. If you are interested in learning more, here are a few general considerations and questions to think about:...
Every song begins with a single note. And for 125 Santa Cruz students this month, that note will ring out from the gift of a brand new guitar that they can call their own. On...
I’ve been teaching writing to children for almost 20 years now, first in small homeschool groups, then online since 2013. My students have ranged from reluctant writers who can hardly put out a sentence to...
Parents often say it feels like the old rites of passage have faded or lost their spark. Thankfully, many remain. There’s still the first driver’s license, the cap tossed skyward at graduation, the first heartbreak...
One of the first things we saw at Narita Airport outside of Tokyo, Japan, after our eleven-hour flight from San Francisco was a big wall-sized poster with two people surrounded by a big room full...
One of the worst things that happened when raising my son was that no one told us that breast feeding in the middle of the night and not brushing his teeth right then could cause...
Introducing Princess Cupcake, a 1-year-old ruby-eyed angel with a soft Himalayan coat as delicate as spun sugar. This gentle royal adores attention, especially from kind, slow hands. When granted space in her kingdom, Cupcake bursts...
My now sixteen year old niece would kill me if she knew I was telling this story, but one of my favorite family videos shows her at age seven, sitting cross- legged in her underwear...
A mother’s body endures progressive change over the course of the nine months. As her belly grows, alignment shifts naturally and ligaments loosen. This predisposes the body to aches and pains and exercise becomes more...
October brings with it the crisp air of autumn, pumpkins on doorsteps, and a season of playful scares. Halloween may be about jump-scares and haunted houses, but for many expecting parents, the unknowns of birth...
Kids are always listening. Even when they’re busy stacking blocks, staring out the car window, or sneaking a cookie before dinner, they’re tuned in to the world around them, especially to the words and tone...
There’s something nostalgic— and delicious—about the aroma of homemade Rice Krispie Treats. The warm sweetness, the buttery crunch… It’s a childhood favorite that brings smiles to just about everyone. For over 40 years, I’ve turned...
The most tempting word in parenting? Of course it’s “no”. Sometimes it’s “NO” and sometimes it’s “noooooooo” You might be thinking, “yep, that’s my job as a parent.” Children want to do absurd things. That’s...
Parents naturally want to make their kids happy—we love them so much, it’s natural to want to give them the world. But balancing that desire with the need to set clear, consistent boundaries isn’t always...