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The Gift of Not Getting What You Want
Courtesy Photo: Kenpo in the MountainsThere are few things more painful than watching your child struggle.Or at least, that's what I thought was happening.By Jen Paul Schroer My 8-year-old son, Ryker, attends karate classes here in Santa Fe, and recently we signed him...
Helping Kids Learn That “No” Matters
Stock PhotoA simple word that means everythingBy Alena Schaim Keeping kids safe is one of our deepest instincts as adults. And some of our most powerful opportunities to support that safety show up in small, everyday moments—often without realizing it. It happens when...
I Think You Have Autism: A Journey to Autism Coaching
Courtesy photos: Working at camp was incredibly rewarding.A journey to autism coachingBy AJ Richard “I think you have autism.” I laughed. How could I have autism? I provided care for individuals with autism. I was 32 years old. My partner proceeded to list reasons she...
Fostering Authentic Family School Relationships
Courtesy Photo: Running in support of Chaparral Elementary.Working together ensures student successBy Erica Martinez-Maestas I write this from a place of deep love, care, and commitment for our local students, families, and educators. I’m born and raised in Santa Fe,...
Embracing the Fourth Trimester Together
Courtesy photo: Gissel Castro family.How community can make a differenceBy Kai Shenandoah Forsley You’ve prepared the nursery, read all of the books, and taken all of the classes. Or not. Either way, the time has come. The baby is finally here. While pregnancy and...
Universal Child Care
Courtesy photo: Students gather around the table to share breakfast and start the day.Supporting families means supporting educatorsBy Rebecca Baran-Rees On a recent morning in Santa Fe, Destiny Montoya served breakfast to the children in her care: bowls of Cheerios,...
Finding the Perfect Pup
Courtesy photo: Kayla Donaldson and her dog, Yuki.What Families Should Know Before Bringing Home a Dog This Holiday SeasonBy Kayla Donaldson, Lead Dog Trainer, Dog Training Elite New Mexico Every year around the holidays, I start getting calls from families across...
Soul Food
Courtesy photo: Mother and daughter paddleboarding.How do we nourish our child’s spiritual well-being?By Betsy Lombardi When I was raising my children, it was helpful to know that “it takes a village.” That meant that I didn’t have to have all the answers. As my...
She’ll Grow Out of It
Courtesy photo: Sofie and Mom on an outdoor adventure.Adventures in Parenting: Girls with AutismBy Amanda Zengel When I had my first daughter, Sofie, in 2016, it was a dream birth. My waters broke at 34 weeks and she was ready. After an easy delivery, I looked in her...
Sweet Dreams: An Infant Sleep Guide for Parents
Sweet Dreams: An Infant Sleep Guide for Parents Creating a safe sleep environment for your baby By Rach RalyaWhether you’re still pregnant or a new parent, you might be spending time thinking about how you’ll get your baby to sleep, among other challenges new parents...
Elementary
My Neighborhood School
Courtesy Photo: Kindergarteners and 1st graders read with community reading buddies while parents/guardians share strategies for encouraging their young readers. Where Friendships Begin, Families Connect, and Communities GrowBy Erica Martinez-Maestas There is...
Helping Kids Learn That “No” Matters
Stock PhotoA simple word that means everythingBy Alena Schaim Keeping kids safe is one of our deepest instincts as adults. And some of our most powerful opportunities to support that safety show up in small, everyday moments—often without realizing it. It happens when...
Family-Friendly Places that Put a Smile on Everyone’s Faces
Courtesy Photo: Il Vicino bambino pizza with artichoke hearts, capers, kalamata olilves, and sausage.From classic New Mexican food to wood-fired pizza and a sweet ending with ice cream, everyone is happy with these local options.By Heather HunterIl Vicino 321 W. San...
Reimagined STEM Possibilities
Courtesy Photo: Building bird nestsEmbracing kids’ curiosity and potentialBy Judy Reinhartz As the school year winds down, we hear children ask, "What are we going to do this summer?" It gives you more time with your children to turn their curiosity into hands-on...
More Than a Sport
Courtesy Photo: Friendships grow stronger on the wall.How climbing builds focus, empathy, and community in a plugged-in worldBy Karuna Abe As the only climbing gym in Northern New Mexico, the Santa Fe Climbing Center (SFCC) is more than a place with ropes and...
Notes From Jen: Mary Had a Little Lamb
Courtesy Photo: Aviva at her very first piano lesson at The Candyman Strings & Things—small hands on the keys, beginning a beautiful musical journeyThree Generations, One Song, and the Gift of OpportunityBy Jen Paul Schroer Aviva is six years old and learning to...
Fostering Authentic Family School Relationships
Courtesy Photo: Running in support of Chaparral Elementary.Working together ensures student successBy Erica Martinez-Maestas I write this from a place of deep love, care, and commitment for our local students, families, and educators. I’m born and raised in Santa Fe,...
Serving Up Confidence
Courtesy Photo: Coaches Pamela and Marcie bring the team in for a time-outWhat coaching middle school volleyball reveals about patience, parenting, and joyBy Pamela K. Blackwell Volleyballs bounced in every direction across the middle school gym, propelled by the...
Universal Child Care
Courtesy photo: Students gather around the table to share breakfast and start the day.Supporting families means supporting educatorsBy Rebecca Baran-Rees On a recent morning in Santa Fe, Destiny Montoya served breakfast to the children in her care: bowls of Cheerios,...
Guardería Infantil Universal
Courtesy photo: Un grupo de estudiantes comparte el desayuno al empezar el día.Apoyar familias es apoyar educadoresPor Rebecca Baran-Rees Una mañana reciente en Santa Fe, Destiny Montoya sirvió desayuno a los niños bajo su cuidado: tazones de Cheerios, fresas y...
Teens
The Gift of Not Getting What You Want
Courtesy Photo: Kenpo in the MountainsThere are few things more painful than watching your child struggle.Or at least, that's what I thought was happening.By Jen Paul Schroer My 8-year-old son, Ryker, attends karate classes here in Santa Fe, and recently we signed him...
Youth, Nature, and Biodiversity
Courtesy Photo: The author showing Billy and Gabby all the silt and organic matter that they are cleaning from the acequia. Healing land and communityBy Javier Vigil In the mountains and valleys of Northern New Mexico, the relationship between people and the land has...
A Summer of Significance
Courtesy Photo: Field trip adventures allow campers to appreciate parts of their own city and wilderness areas.Learning through sunny-season programsBy Darya Glass It started as a need for summer childcare in a household of two working parents, a scramble for programs...
Helping Kids Learn That “No” Matters
Stock PhotoA simple word that means everythingBy Alena Schaim Keeping kids safe is one of our deepest instincts as adults. And some of our most powerful opportunities to support that safety show up in small, everyday moments—often without realizing it. It happens when...
Family-Friendly Places that Put a Smile on Everyone’s Faces
Courtesy Photo: Il Vicino bambino pizza with artichoke hearts, capers, kalamata olilves, and sausage.From classic New Mexican food to wood-fired pizza and a sweet ending with ice cream, everyone is happy with these local options.By Heather HunterIl Vicino 321 W. San...
Wilderness Changed My Life
Courtesy Photo. David’s youngest son, Henry, (far left) on top of Mt Taylor for a sunrise summit vistaNow my kids carry on the traditionBy David Salmanson In June 1979, I flew from New York City to Albuquerque airport to spend a summer in western New Mexico at a...
More Than a Sport
Courtesy Photo: Friendships grow stronger on the wall.How climbing builds focus, empathy, and community in a plugged-in worldBy Karuna Abe As the only climbing gym in Northern New Mexico, the Santa Fe Climbing Center (SFCC) is more than a place with ropes and...
Kids Take City Hall
Photo by LeRoy N. Sanchez.Calvin and Alma interview Santa Fe’s new mayorBy Calvin and Alma Lovato Between meetings and a packed schedule, newly minted Santa Fe mayor Michael Garcia took time to catch up with a very important group of constituents: Santa Fe’s youngest...
Rethinking Resolutions
Adobe Stock PhotoHow to make fitness goals stick this yearBy Gary Schneider Every year, most of us make a resolution to get fit, healthy and at our best through exercise by either joining a gym, walking or running, or some other type of exercise. We may even go for a...
Fostering Authentic Family School Relationships
Courtesy Photo: Running in support of Chaparral Elementary.Working together ensures student successBy Erica Martinez-Maestas I write this from a place of deep love, care, and commitment for our local students, families, and educators. I’m born and raised in Santa Fe,...