By Mary Beach
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If your parents forced you to practice your scales saying it would build “character”, they were onto something.  One of the largest scientific studies into music’s effect on the brain at the University of Vermont College of Medicine found something remarkable:  Musical training doesn’t just affect your musical ability ---- it provides tremendous benefits to
children’s emotional and behavioral maturation.

By Mona Koerner

This week in Santa Fe I watched the political machinations of what many called the "most extreme" abortion bill in the nation[1].  I read the bill[2], I read the existing law that the bill is repealing[3], I read the other abortion law that remains on the books[4], and I read the New Mexico Supreme Court ruling that grants a woman a right to a “medically necessary” abortion under the Equal Protection Clause of the New Mexico constitution[5].

I saw the TeenPact participants reaction to this bill and the mobilizing of people to oppose the bill.  I read the rhetoric on both sides (all inaccurate and inflammatory). I spent 20 minutes in the Governor’s office listening to the secretary answer continuous calls opposing the bill. I received urgent messages via group text and Facebook to act to oppose this bill.  I emailed and spoke to my representative.  I discussed the issue with other moms.  I saw the polarization of the people around this issue.  And I prayed.  And I really felt that God was telling me – “don’t waste your energy, this is not the battle I'm calling you to fight”. 

By Angelina Anastasio

By Maclaren Keffer

​So your child is ready for sports? Naturally, you begin to investigate different options only to discover you’re required to spend 5 nights per week and hundreds of dollars to launch your child into athletics. As a parent, you value physical pursuits AND having a life outside of sports. And maybe, just maybe, you’d like to get some exercise yourself. Is there no middle ground? 

Yes! Meet Running Medicine, a running club organized around the idea that movement is medicine. Running Medicine was founded in 2016 as a part of the Native Health Initiative (NHI), which was designed to “create a culture of wellness through a supportive, loving community.” 

By RoseAnne Gallegos

​The most beautiful month in New Mexico is October... no question.  Most of us home-educating families, after about two months, being back to the homeschool grindstone, need some reprieve (reprieve - verb, re-prēve: to give relief or deliverance to for a time). 

We started attending the CAPE Family Fall Retreat 13 years ago!  Every March or April, when we sit down to enter our calendar items for the rest of the year, we always write 'CAPE Retreat' in the October 20 something days.  My youngest son enthusiastically asks months in advance if we're going to the CAPE retreat!

By Isabel McCabe

I started taking classes advertised by PLANT, Inc. when I was in the seventh grade. The first class I took was a speech class. I was not too excited for the speech class because public speaking to me was one of the worst things someone could make me do, but as the weeks went by I started to enjoy it! I learned about the steps required to form a good speech and how to actually give the speech.
      
​After this speech class I took a finance class and a second speech class called Always be Ready. In the finance class, I learned the right way to handle money, and I also learned how important saving truly is. In this class, I had the opportunity to run for president, treasurer, or secretary; I ran for president, which is something I never would have done without this class. In the second speech class, I learned more about speeches, and I even learned a little bit about debate. 

By Karen McCabe

I put my daughter in a speech class advertised through PLANT, Inc. which was being offered on the west side. She didn’t really want to be in this class…what kid really wants to get in front of their peers and give a speech? I knew it was important since my experience in high school was one of getting out of giving an oral report in any way I could.

Sheer terror!!
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It’s been said that public speaking is one of the top five fears we all have.
When I took over our co-op it was my number ONE fear. By the Grace of God I eventually got over it. There were times others had to come on stage and speak and I could feel and see the anxiousness as they made their way to the microphone. 
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by Sandy Cannon
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Many of us have memories of our own high school prom.  Good memories?  Not so good memories?  My personal memories of prom left me wondering if there wasn’t something better that we could offer our kids.  When I heard about the ABQ Regency Ball, I knew I wanted my oldest son to attend, but I was not sure what I was getting into.

Six years later, I’ve been the director of the ball for three years and am already making plans for next year’s ball.  There are two main reasons I love the ball.  It is good, clean fun for our teens and there are many lessons they learn through the experience, other than just going to a dance.