Posted inBend Nest

Building Mental Resiliency to Beat the Back-to-School Blues

Behavioral health model is a win for everyone

Summer can be a tough time for parents—dealing with the lack of routine, sleep disruptions, family vacations and even just the increase in grocery bills with hungry kids hanging around the pantry all day. But for kids, summer is not only a welcome break from strict routines—it can also be much a needed respite from […]

Posted inBend Nest

BendNest Fall Calendar

Events for this Fall

Mondays Preschool Story Time READ – Join in for stories, songs and rhymes designed to support early literacy skill development, social emotional awareness and family engagement. Hear great stories while also becoming more familiar with letter sounds, rhyming, vocabulary and print. Mondays, beginning September 8. 9:30-10am. Downtown Bend Library | Free dpl.libnet.info/events Tuesdays Bilingual Stories […]

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Let’s Get Rolling!

Tips for helping your child learn to ride a bicycle

Few skills stir up a sense of childhood adventure and accomplishment like learning to ride a bicycle. Practicing wheelies, feeling the wide-open road, cruising downhill at high speeds all scream the word “freedom!”  Though the initial learning process is usually filled with anticipation and anxiety, after a few wobbles or mishaps, the personal triumph of […]

Posted inBend Nest

BendNest Fall Bookshelf

Books recommended by Paige Bentley-Flannery, Community Librarian, Deschutes Public Library

The Tour at School By Katie Clapham, Illustrated by Nadia Shireen Are you ready to introduce a new student to elementary school? “Imagine that you are in the New Person’s shoes.”  Where would you start the tour? Clapham shares everything about school from lunchtime to the playground. Make sure to stop at the library; it is […]

Posted inBend Nest

Finding the Stoke

Local skateboarding nonprofit inspires middle schooler and redefines the Bend skate scene

At the north end of Bend, in a nondescript neighborhood tucked between junipers and new houses, sits Northpointe Park. It’s home to a small skate spot with a few simple features—a quarter pipe, flat rail, volcano and ledges—just enough for locals to gather and push their limits. It’s midmorning, quiet and the perfect time to […]

Posted inBend Nest

Back-to-School Updates

What parents need to know for 2025-2026

Time to dust off those notebooks—there’s plenty to catch up on before the new school year kicks off. The great phone ban of 2025 The biggest bombshell this summer? Governor Tina Kotek dropped Executive Order 25-09, effectively banning cell phones for K-12 students during school hours. If you’re a parent who’s tired of competing with […]

Posted inBend Nest

High Five

Healthy, kid-approved snacks for the fall

It’s always exciting when fall rolls around and the new season’s flavors emerge. Now’s the time to head to the kitchen to prepare a few savory, kid-approved snacks. After school, before practice or in the lunch boxes, these budget-friendly treats are a sure hit. Don’t forget kids love to get in on the action, so […]

Posted inBend Nest

Saying Goodbye

Tips for overcoming separation anxiety in young children

For families everywhere, September means one thing: school. The long, lazy days of summer are over and it’s time to either start or return to the classroom. Yet, leaving the comfort and safety of home can be tough for some kids, especially little ones who are new to the experience.  Separation anxiety in preschoolers is […]

Posted inExpert Q&A

Expert Q & A

Expert Q & A with Leslie Rust, M.D. Central Oregon Pediatric Associates

Q: My three-year-old has frequent tantrums where he throws himself on the floor if he doesn’t get his way. Is this normal behavior or should I have him assessed? A: This is a very common experience for parents of toddlers! At this age, children are learning how to express big feelings, and they often don’t […]

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Editor’s Note: BendNest Fall

It’s parental go time!

As families wrap up their summers—squeezing in last-minute camping trips and back-to-school shopping—there’s a special buzz in the Central Oregon air. The change in seasons brings cooler temperatures, a return to routine and a fresh start for the whole family. In this issue, you’ll find helpful tips to guide you into fall: from supporting mental […]

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