Grief and All Its Friends

While we're collectively sharing in the experience of living through this global pandemic, there are variations to everyone's experience and the things and they ways they are grieving.

Best Beginnings of Yellowstone County

The early days of parenting can feel fairly isolating and overwhelming, and Best Beginnings partners aim to build a bridge to expecting and new parents.

Behind the Social Media Smokescreen

Behind every #blessed there is a life being lived that goes far beyond what is shared on social media.
And that's okay.

Library Discoveries: Don’t Worry, Douglas!

This delightfully illustrated book is an absolute joy to read that has a lovely message, while being full of giggles.

Ask the Author: Q&A with Cathy Ringler

A Q&A with author Cathy Ringler, getting to know her and her must-read middle-grade book, 'Miya's Dream.'

Christmas Through the Years: Ages & Stages

The way we celebrate Christmas goes through many transformations, depending on what age, phase, and stage our family is currently in. The key is to...

2019 Holiday Happenings

From here to there and there to here, there is Christmas fun EVERYWHERE! We’ve mapped out the holly jolly good times for you and yours to mark your calendars and make the most of this holiday season.

Holiday Cooking 101

Never been on your own for cooking the main holiday meal? Have no fear, Holiday Cooking 101 is here!

Pumpkin Spice and Everything Nice

You know fall is in the air with the arrival of all things pumpkin spice. If seasons have smells and flavors, that is certainly autumn’s claim to fame.

The Importance of a Living Will

Having a living will in place is a gift to your family. We can't plan for the unexpected.

Long-Term Illness: Tough Conversations, Planning, and Support

When long-term illness becomes part of a family's fabric, there are conversations that need to be had, planning done sooner rather than later, and supports available for all.

Home Alone: How to Tell If Your Child is Ready

Of the many phases and stages of parenting, deciding when your child is ready to stay home alone is one of the trickier ones to identify.

While They Were Sleeping

Little or big, toddler or teen, in sleep, they will always be our babies.

Meal Makeover

We’re looking at taking a deep dive into the family kitchen, creating a Meal Makeover in 2019. Starting with organizational elements, then adopting some changes to the family menu, and finally the big...

Create the Perfect Recipe for Your Holiday Bucket List

With a dash here and a sprinkle there, we invite you to pick and choose your way through our ingredient lists to create the perfect recipe for your Holiday Bucket List.

Don’t Stop Reading (together)

As our kids get older it's easy for reading together to fall by the wayside, but it doesn't have to. Perhaps you'll join me in this New Year's resolution to find (and create) opportunities to read wit...

Pets: The Good, The Funny, The Mischievous

We asked our Facebook followers and friends to share with us their pet stories*: the funny, the frustrating, the heart-melting; and they delivered.

Life with Mikey (a doggie day in the life)

It’s been 700 days since I first met my people. Dad always likes to tell the story of how on the day they came to meet my siblings and me, they had planned on choosing my sister; but I had other plans...

Which Back to School Mom Are You?

With back to school fast approaching, it got us thinking about that first day of school, and what it means to the mamas, which begs the question: which Back to School Mom are you?

Navigating Club Sports

From getting started and managing expectations to all kinds of things to consider when choosing to play club ball.

Sports Edition: I wish my parents knew…

Ever wondered what the kids are thinking about their #1 fans?

The Great Outdoors: Reality VS Expectation

Outdoor experiences, the reality might never quite match the expectation, but that's alright, we'll just be over here making the memories. Good, bad, or hilarious.

Mama’s lessons learned in 5th grade

March Madness & Basketball: Not So Different from Parenthood?

There are many things that one could compare parenthood to, but in honor of March Madness, we've pulled together a list of parallels to be drawn between the worlds of parenthood and basketball.

The break up: I am so over you winter

When you've just had enough of what winter has to offer.

Then vs Now: Do you remember...

Take a trip down memory lane with us!

Bless Your Sweet, Over-Protecting Heart

Ohhh, new parents...Bless your hearts. We've all been there, the first time we leave our precious babe in the hands of another (probably grandma) and over-instruct like there's no tomorrow. It's okay,...

Getting to know the Billings Career Center

Billings Career Center, nestled in next to City College, we know where it is, but do we know what it does?

6 Reading Challenges to Fight the Summer Slump

It can be a real challenge to get the kids to buy into any kind of summer reading schedule, but these 6 ideas will have them willing to fight the summer slump!

Mom Perspective: Top 9 4th grade lessons learned

The Outdoorsy Side of Summer: Family camping

Isn’t it lucky, then, that we live in this great state that is practically begging us to take the kids and explore its wide open spaces; to experience the outdoorsy side of summer?

The Talk: Not a one and done conversation

So. Many. Conversation. In fact "The Talk" should be re-dubbed, The Talk(s).

Fight the Pout: Developing Sportsmanship in our Children

Help your child be an excellent teammate and friend (and one day co-worker) by helping them develop the vital life skill of sportsmanship.

Lifelong Sports: Being & Staying Active as a Family

Being active as a family lays a solid foundation for your children in making it a priority for the rest of their lives.

Date Night: Living Your Marriage Intentionally

We all know how easy it can be to get lost in the day-to-day, living life side-by-side but not intertwined; yet we also know how important it is to intentionally carve time out for the relationship th...

'This Is Us' winter 2017 premiere

'This Is Us' winter 2017 premiere, if you're ready, we're ready; let's talk about it!

The Case of the Missing Filters

Where have all the filters gone? We’re not sure, but we’re on the case.

Tips for doing a video interview with grandparents

Follow these easy tips for capturing your grandparents' life stories - you won't regret it!

Back to School: Batting a thousand

If at the end of a school year, parents are all kinds of done when it comes to fighting over one more piece of homework or signing (never mind enforcing the returning of) one more reading log, the sta...

Mom's top 8 3rd grade lessons learned

Must Read: How to Babysit a Grandpa/ma books

These books are a great read (with fun, bright illustrations) for you and your kiddo or for grandparents and their grandchildren. Lots of fun ideas for those precious moments together.

Technology: Then & Now

Admittedly we had fewer screens vying for our attention in our youth, and technology is constantly growing and morphing into the next big thing, but just how different are things these days? Well let’...

Helping Your Teen Make the High School to College Transition

For some advice on answering the question of how to transition from parenting our dependent child/teen, to parenting an independent young adult, we talked to Jeff Rosenberry, Interim Associate Dean of...

Getting Ready for High School Graduation: From Point A to B

As your child heads into high school, you might think that you’ve got all kinds of time before you have to start thinking about senior year and graduation. The road from freshman to senior, though bus...

Parenting Reality Check: It’s only for a little while…

As the saying goes: The days are long but the years are short...

Big Sky ISR: Going Beyond Traditional Swim Instruction

ISR lessons differ from traditional swimming instruction in several ways. One, it teaches children ages 6 months-6 years old Self-Rescue™ techniques designed to help them survive should they ever find...

Top 7 2nd Grade Lessons Learned

How to Have Productive Parent-Teacher Conferences

We talked with 1st grade teacher, Anna Meadows and 4th grade teacher, Lyndsey Archila, for tips on having a successful Parent-Teacher Conference.

Top 6 First Grade Lessons Learned

A beginner’s guide to breastfeeding

Billings Public Library Brings Michael Berenstain and ‘The Berenstain Bears’ to Billings

Author Michael Berenstain came to Billings for a two-day visit that included a book signing, reading, and a talk on illustrating children's book.

Tips for Adopting a Healthier Family Menu...More to Consider!

Today we're diving a little deeper into the Environmental Working Group’s (EWG) “Dirty Dozen” and “Clean Fifteen,”, as well as sharing some more tips from Jessica Kotur, a Montana girl who has adopted...

Library Discovery: ‘What to Do If an Elephant Stands on Your Foot’

In this Library Discovery, we're bringing you the sassy and fabulous 'What to Do If an Elephant Stand On Your Foot' by Michelle Robinson.

5 Kindergarten Lessons Learned

Make Montana Your Top Travel Destination Part 2: Montana State and National Parks

In this second installment we’ll be exploring some of our beautiful State and National Park options.

Make Montana your top travel destination: Montana vacation spots (Part 1)

Whether you’re looking for the “simplicity” of a daytrip or you’re planning a full-out vacation, Montana’s wide open spaces are the perfect prescription for your cabin fever.

"We're expecting!": Creative Ideas for Sharing Your Pregnancy News

Click onwards for a medley of tried and true reveals from moms and grandmas (and future moms with big plans) as well as some from the mind of yours truly. From candy to onesies, expectant parents are...

Your child's friendships: What to do when you don't approve

Deciding if an Allowance is Right for Your Children

To give an allowance, or not to give an allowance: How do you decide when and if an allowance is the right choice for your children?

Parenting lesson: Celebrating your child’s individuality

The comparison game – we know it’s fruitless, we know we’re not supposed to do it, yet how often do we find ourselves gathering tid-bits about other kids to use as a ruler for our own child? Let's tal...

Babyproofing 101: 8 Tips for Keeping Your Baby Safe at Home

Once baby becomes mobile, you'll want to be on top of your safety game. Check out these 8 tips for keeping baby safe at home.

Creative Ways to Avoid the Summer Slump

We're talking 7 creative solutions to avoiding the summer slump; don't let your kiddos lose everything they gained this school year!

Kindergarten Readiness: More than Academics

Back when this article was just a thought bubble being bandied about an editorial meeting, it started with the broad heading of “Literacy,” with a plan to incorporate Billings Public Schools’ new “Kin...

Be You

Two words – little words, at that - but they struck me all the same during a brainstorming session with a group of kiddos ranging in age from 3 to 14 on ways that we can choose - and spread - kindness...

'Little Joe Chickapig: A Story About Following Your Dreams'

A sweet, rhyming story about discovering and following your dreams.

Egg My Yard Delivers Easter Magic While You Sleep

Local, specialty business, Egg My Yard, brings the Easter magic while you're sleeping. Take the Easter Bunny duties off your already busy schedule!