I grew up with one TV in our living room. We took turns picking a show — usually just one a day — and the rest of the time was filled with homework, family dinners, and playing with my siblings. I remember being jealous of friends who had TVs in their rooms, but looking back, I’m so grateful. Having one shared screen meant we talked more, played more, and spent real time together. Now, with my three-year-old daughter, I try to keep that same balance. We’re mindful about screen time, and I...

Learning about “love languages”, a concept that Dr. Gary Chapman wrote about in his book, “The 5 Love Languages”, opened my eyes to all the different ways one can express themselves. Dr. Chapman believes everyone expresses and experiences love in the same five ways – physical touch, gifts, words of affirmation, acts of service, and quality time – but each person has a primary language that is most meaningful to them. Relationships are more likely to thrive when people show their love in the...

Dear parents, foster parents, grandparents, relative caregivers, and other adults raising children and teens: we’re celebrating YOU in January 2026! For the 14th year in a row the County Board of Supervisors has partnered with First 5 Santa Cruz County to declare January as Positive Parenting Awareness Month, joining other California counties and the California legislature, which will pass a resolution declaring January 2026 as Positive Parenting Awareness Month across the state.    What does...