Q: My eight-year-old seems to be sick all the time. She’s had several ear infections and colds this school year. How can we help her stay healthy? A: Frequent childhood illnesses are actually the immune system’s “workout”—it is the normal process of building long-term immunity. However, constant cycles of illness are exhausting for both the […]
Bend Nest
Bend Nest is a place to discuss, consider and laugh about all that parenting brings. A quarterly magazine produced by some of the finest writers, editors and photographers in Central Oregon, Bend Nest is smart and informed.
Posted inNest News
Central Library on Target to Open This May
The new central library is in its final phase of construction
Located at the junction of 27th Street and Wilderness Way in east Bend, the new central library is in its final phase of construction and scheduled to open this May. To prepare for the move, the downtown branch will close in April and remain closed for one year while renovations are completed. Featuring three floors, […]
Posted inParenting
Search for the Future
15 Secrets to a Successful College Tour
Spring break is an ideal time to experience college life in action, allowing your child to get a sense of how each college operates on a daily basis. Signing up for the official tour is the obvious first step, but what else can parents and students do to prepare for and make the most of […]
Posted inEducation
Handwriting in a Digital World
Why Cursive Matters
As parents, many of us fondly remember learning cursive handwriting in school as children–the curly letters that looked like calligraphy, the quick dash of a pen across the page, the excitement of handwriting letters to pen pals and family. Learning cursive was both practical and enjoyable for many of us. Linking letters together and keeping […]
Posted inFamily Time
Simple Blackberry Bread Pudding
Inspired by “The Tale of Peter Rabbit”
Growing up, I was enchanted by the stories and illustrations in Beatrix Potter’s classic children’s books, like “The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck,” “The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin” and, of course, “The Tale of Peter Rabbit.” The stories are sweet and funny, with cheeky characters usually learning a life lesson after a mishap. The illustrations are […]
Posted inBookshelf
How To Draw a Tree
Recommended by Paige Bentley-Flannery, Community Librarian, Deschutes Public Library
Are you ready to draw a tree? Explore the outside and pick one or two. What is the bark like? What color are the leaves? Smell it. Touch it. “Examine a leaf, front and back.” Will you dance around the tree? This is a beautiful book about exploring and truly noticing all aspects of different […]
Posted inBookshelf
Together we are Sunshine
Recommended by Paige Bentley-Flannery, Community Librarian, Deschutes Public Library
Haala and Sanaa and Munira are sisters. They are three different ages—so can they work together as a team? Explore the sun and skip through the grass. Listen to the wind’s music. Dance, tiptoe to the lily pond and climb the tree. This is an adventurous and heartwarming story about nature, playing outside and the […]
Posted inTrending
A Different Type of Travel
Volunteering Abroad for the Whole Family
Here, in Central Oregon, local volunteer opportunities are plentiful, both for children and adults, and range in variety from animal welfare to community events to farming tasks and more. Participating in any of these activities has countless benefits for the whole family. Not only do we help others and make a meaningful impact in our […]
Posted inBend Nest
Bend Nest Spring Calendar 2026
Mondays Homeschool Jump – Midday Fun for HomeschoolersACTIVITY – Mountain Air Bend welcomes homeschoolers to a special session which provides a fun, active and social environment where kids can jump, climb and play with friends. Perfect for homeschool groups or individual students, this event encourages physical activity, teamwork and imaginative play, while parents can relax knowing their kids are safe and engaged.Mountain Air […]
Posted inCulture
Once Upon a Time…
Local Theater Company Presents “Shrek, The Musical, JR”
Celebrating its 20th season this year, BEAT Children’s Theatre is excited to present “Shrek, The Musical, JR,” by David Lindsay-Abaire, with music by Jeanine Tesori. This February 20 – 22, BEAT actors will take the stage with this hilarious, touching and joyful story of Shrek and his fairy tale friends on a journey to find love, […]