As a parent of three grown children (2 daughters and 1 son), if I had read the title above when my children were infants and toddlers, I would have questioned the veracity of the title or dismissed it. At the time my children were born, I was working on my Master’s Degree in Social Work…
A Holistic Approach to Wellness Imagine being a first-time parent. Maybe you know this feeling already! You’ve spent 9 months carrying this baby in your womb (or supporting your partner during pregnancy). Delivery was a whirlwind of testing, stretching, and pushing you past what you ever thought you were capable of, ending in the most…
Girl Scouts is the largest organization in the world dedicated to girl leadership development, with 3.2 million active members and more than 59 million alumnae. Since 1912, women have explored new fields of knowledge, learned valuable skills, and developed strong core values through Girl Scouting. Adams County has over 400 Girl Scouts and 136 registered…
One thing every parent knows for sure is that watching your child experience pain—whether physical or emotional—is one of the hardest things to handle. As your child enters adolescence, let me tell you firsthand, it becomes almost a constant. Whether it’s getting a bad grade, having a fight with friends, breaking up with a boyfriend…
Kindergarten is an exciting time, yet it can be met with mixed emotions for both the caregiver and the child. For us parents, it is a bittersweet moment. We are in shock at how big our babies got so quickly, like, where did that time go? Yet we are so proud of who they have…
Mississippi Valley Council Scouts Lead the Way Formerly known as the Boy Scouts of America, Scouting America officially rebranded in 2025 to better reflect its inclusive mission and evolving programs. With a long history dating back to 1910, this organization has grown to serve both boys and girls through coeducational programs like Cub Scouts and…
Merging a Blended Family: Why It’s a Slow Cooker, Not a Blender Bringing two families together is a journey filled with excitement, love, and inevitable challenges. Many people picture blending a family as a quick process, as if tossing all the ingredients into a high-powered blender and hitting “purée” will create a seamless mix. But…
Activities for Traveling with Kids You’ve packed the snacks, double-checked the bags, wrangled the shoes (why is one always missing?), and finally buckled everyone in. You pull out of the driveway, already thinking through your mental checklist—and then, just seven minutes in, from the back seat, a little voice chimes in: “Are we there yet?”…
Where History, Nature & Sweet Moments Meet From Advisory Board Member: Sarah Clark When I think about a memorable family trip, one place that always comes to mind is Nauvoo, Illinois. Nestled along the Mississippi River, this charming town offers the perfect blend of history, nature, and family-friendly fun. Whether you’re exploring your roots or…
Weekend Trip to: Burlington, IA From Advisory Board Member: Nikki Eddy Last summer, my husband, two kids (12 and 6 at the time), and my mother took a short drive from Quincy to Burlington, Iowa. We had been there many times before for various reasons—shopping somewhere different, enjoying meals, or watching a Burlington Bees game—so…