December 2023 Issue

Happy Holidays from Mobile Bay Parents! As the festive spirit fills the air and the holiday season unfolds its magic, we’re thrilled to extend a warm and joyous welcome to you! Whether you’re a seasoned visitor or a first-time explorer, we’re delighted to have you join us in celebrating the wonders of this special time of year!

In this special December edition, immerse yourself in the enchantment of the season with our exclusive Holiday Happenings Guide – your passport to unforgettable moments, joyful experiences, and the magic that makes this time of year truly special for your family. We also encourage you to read our local interviews and family content from this month’s issue! ☃︎🎅🎄❄️☃️🎁🦌

Unearned vs. Earned Education Preparing to Kick Off the New Year Informed

I have been on the road frequently speaking at student and parent conferences. One of my favorite things about what I do, other than getting to meet parents and students, […]

Staff Contributor 6 days ago

Dinner’s Ready: Cooley Family’s Christmas Magic Cookie Bar

Santa Claus is coming to Mobile soon and this month’s Dinner’s Recipe isn’t really a dinner at all. This sweet, seven layer Christmas Magic Cookie Bar, brought to you by […]

Savannah Browning 7 days ago

The Story of RSV

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a common seasonal virus which largely affects our youngest patients. It is easily spread, and can quickly run through a community. The story of RSV […]

Student & School Spotlights Dec Mobile Bay Parents

Staff Contributor 1 week ago

December 2023 Student Spotlights

Every month we compile a list of students and schools doing great things across our community. We have so many talented students in our area. Greater Pensacola Parents joins with [...]

Gifts Kids Can Give on a Small Budget

Nothing is more heartwarming than a gift made by a child. Handmade gifts are affordable, fun to make, and can be given to parents, grandparents, teachers, and siblings. Here are […]

Guest Contributor 4 days ago

The Importance of Risky Play for Children

In 2023, Ellen Sandseter, PhD and her team of Norwegian researchers determined the importance of “high risk” play. They found that children across the globe engage in six types of […]

Works of Wonder Therapy LLC 4 days ago

Teach Them to Be Givers… And Be an Example

Q. With all the commercials and marketing that accompany the holiday season, how can parents teach their young children about giving and putting others first at this time of year? […]

Dave Ramsey 4 days ago

Holiday Traditions For You & Yours to Treasure

Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Eid al-Fitr, Bodhi Day, or the winter solstice, holiday traditions are a fun way for families to bond and create fond memories. The traditions […]

Guest Contributor 4 days ago

From the Publisher – December ’23

As I mentioned a few months ago, cleaning out and organizing our attic space has been on our to-do list for a hot minute. Well, I am proud to say […]

Lynn Knighton 7 days ago

Mobile Bay Parents

Close Cookmode

body.modal-open #wpadminbar{z-index:999;}.embed-responsive-16by9 .fluid-width-video-wrapper{padding:0 !important;position:initial;}img.wp-smiley,img.emoji{display:inline !important;border:none !important;box-shadow:none !important;height:1em !important;width:1em !important;margin:0 .07em !important;vertical-align:-.1em !important;background:none !important;padding:0 !important;}.wp-block-button__link{color:#fff;background-color:#32373c;border-radius:9999px;box-shadow:none;text-decoration:none;padding:calc(.667em + 2px) calc(1.333em + 2px);font-size:1.125em;}.wp-block-file__button{background:#32373c;color:#fff;text-decoration:none;}body{--wp--preset--color--black:#000;--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray:#abb8c3;--wp--preset--color--white:#fff;--wp--preset--color--pale-pink:#f78da7;--wp--preset--color--vivid-red:#cf2e2e;--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange:#ff6900;--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber:#fcb900;--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan:#7bdcb5;--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan:#00d084;--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue:#8ed1fc;--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue:#0693e3;--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple:#9b51e0;--wp--preset--gradient--vivid-cyan-blue-to-vivid-purple:linear-gradient(135deg,rgba(6,147,227,1) 0%,#9b51e0 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan:linear-gradient(135deg,#7adcb4 0%,#00d082 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-amber-to-luminous-vivid-orange:linear-gradient(135deg,rgba(252,185,0,1) 0%,rgba(255,105,0,1) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-orange-to-vivid-red:linear-gradient(135deg,rgba(255,105,0,1) 0%,#cf2e2e 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray:linear-gradient(135deg,#eee 0%,#a9b8c3 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--cool-to-warm-spectrum:linear-gradient(135deg,#4aeadc 0%,#9778d1 20%,#cf2aba 40%,#ee2c82 60%,#fb6962 80%,#fef84c 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--blush-light-purple:linear-gradient(135deg,#ffceec 0%,#9896f0 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--blush-bordeaux:linear-gradient(135deg,#fecda5 0%,#fe2d2d 50%,#6b003e 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-dusk:linear-gradient(135deg,#ffcb70 0%,#c751c0 50%,#4158d0 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--pale-ocean:linear-gradient(135deg,#fff5cb 0%,#b6e3d4 50%,#33a7b5 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--electric-grass:linear-gradient(135deg,#caf880 0%,#71ce7e 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--midnight:linear-gradient(135deg,#020381 0%,#2874fc 100%);--wp--preset--font-size--small:13px;--wp--preset--font-size--medium:20px;--wp--preset--font-size--large:36px;--wp--preset--font-size--x-large:42px;--wp--preset--spacing--20:.44rem;--wp--preset--spacing--30:.67rem;--wp--preset--spacing--40:1rem;--wp--preset--spacing--50:1.5rem;--wp--preset--spacing--60:2.25rem;--wp--preset--spacing--70:3.38rem;--wp--preset--spacing--80:5.06rem;--wp--preset--shadow--natural:6px 6px 9px rgba(0,0,0,.2);--wp--preset--shadow--deep:12px 12px 50px rgba(0,0,0,.4);--wp--preset--shadow--sharp:6px 6px 0px rgba(0,0,0,.2);--wp--preset--shadow--outlined:6px 6px 0px -3px rgba(255,255,255,1),6px 6px rgba(0,0,0,1);--wp--preset--shadow--crisp:6px 6px 0px rgba(0,0,0,1);}:where(.is-layout-flex){gap:.5em;}:where(.is-layout-grid){gap:.5em;}body .is-layout-flow > .alignleft{float:left;margin-inline-start:0;margin-inline-end:2em;}body .is-layout-flow > .alignright{float:right;margin-inline-start:2em;margin-inline-end:0;}body .is-layout-flow > .aligncenter{margin-left:auto !important;margin-right:auto !important;}body .is-layout-constrained > .alignleft{float:left;margin-inline-start:0;margin-inline-end:2em;}body .is-layout-constrained > .alignright{float:right;margin-inline-start:2em;margin-inline-end:0;}body .is-layout-constrained > .aligncenter{margin-left:auto !important;margin-right:auto !important;}body .is-layout-constrained > :where(:not(.alignleft):not(.alignright):not(.alignfull)){max-width:var(--wp--style--global--content-size);margin-left:auto !important;margin-right:auto !important;}body .is-layout-constrained > .alignwide{max-width:var(--wp--style--global--wide-size);}body .is-layout-flex{display:flex;}body .is-layout-flex{flex-wrap:wrap;align-items:center;}body .is-layout-flex > *{margin:0;}body .is-layout-grid{display:grid;}body .is-layout-grid > *{margin:0;}:where(.wp-block-columns.is-layout-flex){gap:2em;}:where(.wp-block-columns.is-layout-grid){gap:2em;}:where(.wp-block-post-template.is-layout-flex){gap:1.25em;}:where(.wp-block-post-template.is-layout-grid){gap:1.25em;}.has-black-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--black) !important;}.has-cyan-bluish-gray-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-white-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--white) !important;}.has-pale-pink-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--pale-pink) !important;}.has-vivid-red-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-red) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan) !important;}.has-vivid-green-cyan-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-pale-cyan-blue-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-purple-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple) !important;}.has-black-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--black) !important;}.has-cyan-bluish-gray-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-white-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--white) !important;}.has-pale-pink-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--pale-pink) !important;}.has-vivid-red-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-red) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan) !important;}.has-vivid-green-cyan-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-pale-cyan-blue-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-purple-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple) !important;}.has-black-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--black) !important;}.has-cyan-bluish-gray-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-white-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--white) !important;}.has-pale-pink-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--pale-pink) !important;}.has-vivid-red-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-red) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan) !important;}.has-vivid-green-cyan-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-pale-cyan-blue-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-purple-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-to-vivid-purple-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--vivid-cyan-blue-to-vivid-purple) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-to-luminous-vivid-orange-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-amber-to-luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-to-vivid-red-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-orange-to-vivid-red) !important;}.has-very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-cool-to-warm-spectrum-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--cool-to-warm-spectrum) !important;}.has-blush-light-purple-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--blush-light-purple) !important;}.has-blush-bordeaux-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--blush-bordeaux) !important;}.has-luminous-dusk-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-dusk) !important;}.has-pale-ocean-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--pale-ocean) !important;}.has-electric-grass-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--electric-grass) !important;}.has-midnight-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--midnight) !important;}.has-small-font-size{font-size:var(--wp--preset--font-size--small) !important;}.has-medium-font-size{font-size:var(--wp--preset--font-size--medium) !important;}.has-large-font-size{font-size:var(--wp--preset--font-size--large) !important;}.has-x-large-font-size{font-size:var(--wp--preset--font-size--x-large) !important;}.wp-block-navigation a:where(:not(.wp-element-button)){color:inherit;}:where(.wp-block-post-template.is-layout-flex){gap:1.25em;}:where(.wp-block-post-template.is-layout-grid){gap:1.25em;}:where(.wp-block-columns.is-layout-flex){gap:2em;}:where(.wp-block-columns.is-layout-grid){gap:2em;}.wp-block-pullquote{font-size:1.5em;line-height:1.6;}.mashsb-count{color:#ccc;}@media only screen and (min-width:568px){.mashsb-buttons a{min-width:177px;}}.banner{background:url("https://mobilebayparents.com/wp-content/themes/meridian-recipes/assets/img/banner.jpg") no-repeat scroll center center/cover;}.header-bgimg .banner:before{background-color:#05071d;opacity:.6;}body,gtnbg_root,input,gtnbg_root p{font-family:"Lexend",sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:400;}h1,h1.gtnbg_suffix{font-family:"Lexend",sans-serif;font-size:30px;font-weight:600;}h2,h2.gtnbg_suffix{font-family:"Lexend",sans-serif;font-size:24px;font-weight:600;}h3,h3.gtnbg_suffix{font-family:"Lexend",sans-serif;font-size:22px;font-weight:600;}h4,h4.gtnbg_suffix{font-family:"Lexend",sans-serif;font-size:20px;font-weight:600;}h5,h5.gtnbg_suffix{font-family:"Lexend",sans-serif;font-size:18px;font-weight:600;}h6,h6.gtnbg_suffix{font-family:"Lexend",sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:600;}:root{--color-primary:#17b978;--color-primary-rgba:23,185,120;--color-primary-rgb-1:rgba(23,185,120,.1);--color-primary-rgb-05:rgba(23,185,120,.05);--color-primary-rgb-15:rgba(23,185,120,.15);--color-menu:#51526e;--color-menu-hover:#17b978;--color-menu-active:#17b978;--color-add-listing-button-text:#fff;--color-add-listing-button-text-hover:#fff;--bgcolor-add-listing-button:#17b978;--bgcolor-add-listing-button-hover:#17b978;--banner-bg-opacity:60;--color-banner_title:#fff;--color-breadcrumb-link:#f8f9fb;--color-breadcrumb-link-hover:#17b978;--color-breadcrumb-active:#acabac;--color-breadcrumb_separator:#f8f9fb;--bgcolor-footer:#1a1b29;--color-footer-divider:rgba(255,255,255,.1);--color-footer-title:#fff;--color-footer-text:rgba(255,255,255,.4);--color-footer-link:rgba(255,255,255,.4);--color-footer-link-hover:#17b978;}.no-js img.lazyload{display:none;}figure.wp-block-image img.lazyloading{min-width:150px;}.lazyload,.lazyloading{opacity:0;}.lazyloaded{opacity:1;transition:opacity 400ms;transition-delay:0ms;}*{word-break:unset !important;}#contact_modal{display:none;}.directorist-sidebar .widget.atbd_widget.dclassified_widget_buttons{display:none !important;}.single-at_biz_dir .directorist-listing-single__thumb{width:70px;height:70px;float:left;}.single-at_biz_dir .directorist-listing-single{border:none !important;}.single-at_biz_dir .directorist-listing-single__thumb img{height:70px !important;width:70px !important;border-radius:6px !important;border:1px solid #ccc;}.single-at_biz_dir .directorist-listing-single__content{width:calc(100% - 70px);float:right;}.single-at_biz_dir .directorist-listing-single__info{padding-top:0 !important;padding-bottom:5px !important;}.single-at_biz_dir .directorist-listing-single__meta{border:none !important;padding-top:0 !important;padding-right:0 !important;padding-bottom:0 !important;}.single-at_biz_dir .directorist-thumb-top-left,.single-at_biz_dir .directorist-listing-single__info--list{display:none !important;}.single-at_biz_dir .directorist-archive-grid-view.directorist-archive-grid--fix .directorist-all-listing-col{width:100% !important;padding:15px 40px !important;}html{font-size:16px;}

Unearned vs. Earned Education Preparing to Kick Off the New Year Informed

Dinner’s Ready: Cooley Family’s Christmas Magic Cookie Bar

The Story of RSV

December 2023 Student Spotlights

Gifts Kids Can Give on a Small Budget

The Importance of Risky Play for Children

Teach Them to Be Givers… And Be an Example

Holiday Traditions For You & Yours to Treasure

From the Publisher – December ’23

Get Your Free Digital Subscription

Social Profiles

December 2023 Issue

Holiday Happenings Guide

Mobile Bay Parents

Local Event Calendar

Get Your Free Digital Subscription

Get The Best Parenting Resource Delivered to Your Inbox

And Don't Worry, I Don't Spam.

Social Profiles