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 cavities. I wished someone in obstetrics had mentioned that. Instead, we had to take him to a pediatric dentist, where he was put under anesthesia and a great dentist did the work. His mother and I were in tears of fear...

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 into delightful zoomies and binkies, wiggling with joy as if casting little spells of happiness across the land. Once her magical energy is spent, she curls into a...

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 on the living room floor divvying up toys for two patient Labrador retriever mixes. Ethan and Chase were more than content to listen to her work through the logic of a stuffed animal distribution system. Each plushie...

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 difficult when things already hurt. The need to keep the body functional and out of pain during this time becomes a priority, thus a specific approach to exercise will balance out...

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 can feel far more intimidating than any ghost story. Birth is often portrayed as unpredictable and overwhelming, leaving many people feeling more afraid than excited. Yet it doesn’t have...

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 of the adults they trust most. That includes how we find ourselves talking about money. Think about a simple grocery store trip. You might sigh and say, “We can’t afford that right now.” To...

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 this humble treat into a spooky and spectacular Halloween centerpiece: a life-sized witch’s head sculpted entirely from Rice Krispie Treats. Kids love the gory...

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 their job. They are working to learn the world around them, become a person in their own right, and have fun. As parents then, we feel a need to keep our children safe, teach them the right...

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 easy. I know for myself, I often wonder: are we being too soft? Too strict? Finding that “just right” middle ground can be a real challenge. This monthly column provides tips for anyone who is...

Weather and the Whale is a new multimedia installation at UCSC’s Institute of Arts and Sciences Galleries that explores climate change and the relationship between humans and marine life from a whale’s perspective. The exhibition is the result of a two-year collaboration between UCSC faculty, marine scientists, and ten internationally-acclaimed artists. UCSC marine ecologist Ari Friedlaender and...

The local Scouting America Unit 505 held their annual Bridging Ceremony Aug. 28 to recognize merits and those advancing up the ranks of cubs to Scouts in an organization that celebrated its 115th anniversary in February along with their official name change to Scouting America. Scout leaders handed out 30 merit badges, and five Webelos—both boys and girls—graduated to Scouts during the festive...

Growing up in Capitola, I spent a lot of time outdoors – fishing off the wharf, biking with friends, and hanging out by the beach. I never imagined that I would be working in kitchens. But, at some point, cooking went from a hobby to something much bigger – my passion, my career, and my focus. Today, at 18 years old I am finishing my senior year at Soquel High School and working...

Growing Up in Santa Cruz was a sponsor of the Jacob’s Heart Golf Tournament Sept. 12 at Seascape Golf Club. This year we participated for the first time with a golf team! All proceeds from the Golf Tournament will go towards Camp Hearts + Hands. This 3-day summer-camp-style weekend is full of fun and joy for kids diagnosed with cancer and their families. From dance parties to arts and crafts, pony...

When preparing for a new baby, many expectant parents focus on prenatal checkups, baby showers, and preparing homes for the baby. But there’s one essential step that often gets overlooked: visiting the dentist. Dental care during pregnancy is not only safe, but also essential for both the pregnant parent and the baby’s long-term health. Good oral health supports more than just a bright smile. It...

Welcome to the world, baby Mia. And same to you, Liam. You are tops in California – in names, at least. The Social Security Administration keeps an eye on baby names, which come to it by way of registering newborns for Social Security accounts. Each year it publishes a list of the 100 most popular baby names, and for 2024 – they don’t yet have a running total for 2025 – Olivia...

At its heart, United Way of Santa Cruz County is about connection: helping families find support, preparing neighbors to face challenges, and empowering youth to lead. This fall, as families settle into school routines and think about safety at home, we are reminded that resilience comes from the strength of our community. Preparedness In Action Santa Cruz County has faced its share of wildfires...

Outfits and energy come in all ages and sizes. Every generation reflects beauty, whether it comes from years of knowledge or momentary passions. I found multiple people of all ages rocking outfits that reflect a great spirit. Today, we are going to look at people of all different generations. Ari Ari is a current student at Santa Cruz High. His band T-shirt with cut-off sleeves is from our local...

“Dreams come in the service of health and wholeness.” This quote was one of the mainstays of the late, great Rev. Jeremy Taylor, and still serves as an inspiration for most of us modern dream workers. We all dream whether we remember our dreams or pay attention to them. Every animal studied has dream-like interludes in their sleep including all mammals down to duck billed platypuses, as do...