When I know I have an editorial to write, I often worry that I may be unqualified to write them anymore because I am less “in the thick of it with little kids” and more “on the rocket ship with young adults.”
But then I give myself a reality check: Once you have a child, you never stop being a parent and they never stop being your child. As your child came into this world quite unprepared, you came into the world of parenting hoping you were very prepared. I think I can speak for everyone when I say it turns out we knew as little as they did.
You learn together, make mistakes (hopefully learn from them) and grow up together.
So, you’re probably wondering what this has to do with our theme this month? Well, coming from a mother of three — whose youngest will be graduating high school this year — it turns out that the evolution of parent and child can actually be tracked by Halloween.
When they’re little and don’t have the ability to voice an opinion, you dress them how you want. During this phase, you still think you can shape who your child will be. Consider costumes like bumblebees, pumpkins and Charlie Brown.
Over the next few years, your kids will begin to find their voice, start to explore their likes and dislikes and begin telling you what they want to be for Halloween. It is during this phase that you realize you can help shape your child, but they are going to be who they are going to be. Think dressing up like Taylor Swift, a police officer and a cheerleader.
By the time they are tweens and teens, the most crucial phase in your development as parent and child together begins: They start to separate. As your child goes about creating their own identity, so do you. Think trick-or-treating without you, Halloween parties and costumes you would never in a million years have chosen for them.
Not long after, you may find yourself answering the door with a bucket of candy in hand for the neighbor’s little ghouls and goblins…because yours have grown up.
I would love to tell you there’s a hallelujah moment, but I don’t have one. I have watched my girls go from butterflies to angels, a Minion to Maleficent and a pro rodeo rider to Harley Quinn — and each costume has marked a phase in our growth. It’s been a fun ride, diving into the realm of pretend every October and witnessing my daughters blossom. Luckily, they haven’t grown out of the holiday just yet, and I hope they never do. It just looks different now, and so do we.
Happy Halloween!
PHOTO MADI BRUGGEMAN
Adventures on the Trail with Your Preschooler
(A.K.A. trying to grow your own hiking buddy)
Ah, fall! The weather gets a little cooler and you can start planning hikes with your preschooler while their older siblings are back in school. I look back on those years fondly, even though they were hard and full of tears — sometimes my own. But now I have three young adult children who love to hike and can out-hike me any day of the week.
I collaborated with my fellow teachers at Willson Preschool, who all share the joy of hiking with their children and grandchildren, to share our list of hints and tricks for enjoying time on the trail with your little ones.
Here it goes:
Ç CANDY. Let’s be honest, food is a motivator for all of us. I always loved Skittles; I believe this love of Skittles developed after M&M’s melted once in my backpack. But, really, bring whatever is your kid’s favorite. Maybe take a trip to the grocery store beforehand to let the kids pick out their favorites. Better yet? Find the bulk foods section and let them make their own GORP. Stop as needed on the hike for these motivators.
Ç GAMES. We love “I Spy” at preschool, and it can absolutely be played while hiking. Or try to find items as you go that are in every color of the rainbow. Go in order of ROY G BIV or mix it up — it’s your hike!
Make a scavenger hunt…one item at a time for the younger kids and a short list for the older kids. Things to look for might include a flower, or a specific type of flower, a ladybug, a pinecone, a cocoon, animal tracks, a cool rock (maybe even one shaped like a heart), a feather or a piece of litter to pick up and pack out.
If you have especially active kiddos, maybe “ Indiana Jones Adventure-hiking” is for you. For example, we stayed on the trail when we could, but we always loved getting up to the top of Drinking Horse and making it through “traps” and going under and over and
ARTICLE AND PHOTOS BY MEREDITH JOHNSON
Me trying to cajole my daughter on our way to Sacajawea Peak
around things. You can come up with a special hiking pattern that you have to traverse to make it to your destination safely…for example, step on that rock or root, touch a tree, that sort of thing. You can walk like an animal: hop like a bunny, stomp like a dinosaur, run like a cheetah or fly like a bird…get creative. Have your kids come up with ideas as you go along.
Ç SONGS AND STORIES. Oh, the songs you can sing together, especially if your little one is in the backpack getting a ride. You can play rhyming word games or rhythm-based games as you go along the trail. I promise you will bring smiles to those you pass as you go along.
A big old REWARD at the end. My son remembers many a hiking (and skiing) trip where the promise of ice cream got him through the day. Or maybe it’s something like hitting the hot springs or a creek to cool off down by the parking lot. Throwing rocks into a lake or creek at the end of a long dusty hike can be a big reward for the right kid.
MISCELLANY. Make sure you have sunscreen; you do not want a successful hike to be overshadowed by a horribly painful sunburn. Bring enough water. Pick the right trail. Maybe even go kid-free the first time and make sure it’s manageable. Again, you know your kid best. Always be willing to invite friends along…peer pressure can be a positive motivator. And most importantly, be flexible and ready to pivot. Turning around and trying again another day is never a failure.
Ç HIKE KIND. Teach good hiking etiquette: don’t litter, stay on the trails, greet those you see, yield to the hikers headed uphill and yield to runners in all directions.
I promise, it may be hard now, but there is hope. I look at pictures of my youngest before she found the joy: when she flat-out refused to look at Lave Lake once we arrived (see above) and the shot of me trying to cajole her on our way to Sacajawea Peak. My favorite of all hiking stories is when a couple hiking down saw our distress and tried to encourage my daughter by telling her that there were mountain goats at the top. Her only question was if they would eat her — and that she wished they would so she wouldn’t have to hike back down.
That same child of mine hiked almost 100 miles this summer and spent five days on a backpack adventure with me. So, there is hope. I promise.
Meredith Johnson teaches at Willson Preschool alongside a group of creative women who have a combined gazillion years of hiking with their kids and grandkids and can attest to the perseverance necessary to do so.
My daughter refusing to look at Lava Lake
Keeping it Real Halloween Through the Ages: From Tiny
Pumpkins to Teen Negotiations
WRITTEN BY BLAIR FJESETH
Halloween has a way of sneaking up on us parents. It’s a holiday that doubles as a quiet mirror, reflecting how parenting changes as our kids get older, one candy-fueled step at a time. At first, it’s all about our carefully-curated vision: the perfect costume and the safest route. But, as the years pass, the holiday evolves along with our kids. Suddenly, they have opinions, preferences and plans of their own, and what once felt like our occasion becomes a dance of compromise, negotiation and, eventually, trust. Halloween doesn’t just mark the calendar—it tracks childhood milestones, independence and the sweet (and sometimes sticky) way families grow together.
The Baby and Toddler Years: Halloween is all Ours
We pick the costumes, plan the route and orchestrate the sugar haul. Toddlers become tiny pumpkins, wobbly superheroes or whatever adorable thing we dreamed up, with our eyes always on the cuteness-to-practicality scale. And for those brave souls coordinating full-family themes with multiple kids? Hats off. There’s magic in those first unsteady steps, pumpkin buckets clutched tight, and in the pride of photos that will haunt (see what I did there) our social media feeds for years. I remember each of my babies’ first costumes like it was yesterday… though it definitely wasn’t. Since then, we’ve had Paul Bunyans, chickens, an inflatable Godzilla and countless other professions and characters in between.
The Middle Years: Negotiation Takes Over
Suddenly, our well-laid plans collide with requests for glittery tutus, face paint, fake blood or the last-minute costume idea change. Safety versus style, warmth versus authenticity… compromise becomes an art form especially in Montana. Will it be 80 degrees out or will we be trick-or-treating in snow?
The Pre-Teen Years: A Delicate Dance
By pre-teenhood, Halloween is all about autonomy, peer pressure and subtle rebellion. Kids have their own ideas, crews and strategies for maximizing candy, or social points. We step back, offer occasional advice on “costume appropriateness” and try not to kill the vibe. Our role now? Chaperone, chauffeur, occasional unpaid therapist. Candy moderation discussions are
practically laughable, yet the tradition continues. They trick-or-treat in new neighborhoods, laughing louder than we ever did, and we realize the holiday — once entirely ours — now belongs, in large part, to them.
I remember carrying them from house-to-house to show them off. Then I carried the “too-heavy” candy buckets. Now, I trail behind like a low-key creeper (maybe that will be my costume this year), making sure they’re safe while letting them stretch their independence.
Through it all, I’ve discovered that Halloween teaches a simple truth: parenting changes. Our influence rises and falls, compromise becomes a tool and trust takes center stage. Still, the heart of the holiday stays the same — a chance to be whimsical, a little spooky and connected, however the age, phase or kid allows.
We get only so many Halloweens and none of those are guaranteed, so I say “Stay spooky, stay whimsical and stay present.”
Blair Fjeseth is a working professional and proud Montana mom. You can reach her at blairparker. inc@gmail.com.
Fall Sensory Play
How to Make Your Own Seasonal Art Bins
WRITTEN BY KATIE DOLEN, COFOUNDER OF STATE OF PLAY | PHOTOGRAPHY ESHY SOUDER
Autumn in Montana is full of sensory magic: the crunch of leaves, the smell of apples, the snap of cool mornings and the golden glow of the aspen trees. At State of Play, we believe that kids learn best when they can touch, smell, squish and explore the world around them. That’s why we love bringing seasonal sensory bins into our classroom and play space, and why we think they’re a perfect way for families to connect at home, too.
Sensory play isn’t just about keeping little hands busy. Research shows that it strengthens neural pathways, builds fine motor skills and supports language development. When children scoop, pour, sort and sift, they’re building the foundation for math and science skills. When they mix colors or create pretend play stories in a bin, they’re flexing creativity and problem solving. And maybe most importantly — sensory play can be incredibly calming. Watching a toddler settle in to scoop beans back and forth, or bury a truck in corn kernels, is a reminder of how grounding hands-on play can be.
Here are a few of our favorite fall sensory bins you can try at home. Most are taste-safe (because we know how curious toddlers are) and all are easy to pull together with items you may already have on hand.
“When children scoop, pour, sort and sift, they’re building the foundation for math and science skills.”
1. Apple Pie Bin
Fill a shallow bin with uncooked oats and a sprinkle of cinnamon. Add small wooden spoons, muffin tins and a few red and green felt “apples” or pom-poms. Kids can scoop and “bake” pies, compare quantities and practice pretend cooking right alongside you.
2. Pumpkin Patch Play
Use dried black beans or split peas as a base — they feel smooth and soothing. Add mini pumpkins, small scoops and little people or animal figures. Hide the pumpkins for a harvest “hunt” or set up a pretend farmers market.
3. Leaf and Nature Bin
Collect colorful leaves, acorns and pinecones from a neighborhood walk. Add magnifying glasses and tongs so kids can examine textures, count and sort, and practice gentle handling of nature’s treasures.
4. Taste-Safe Apple Sauce Slime
For kids who still mouth everything, try mixing cornstarch, water and a little applesauce or cinnamon. This creates a tastesafe oobleck that smells like fall and fascinates children with its liquid-solid magic.
5. Pumpkin Wash Station
Sometimes the simplest sensory play is the most engaging. Fill a bin with warm soapy water, toss in a few mini pumpkins and scrub brushes, and let your child give them a bath. Add food coloring to the water for extra fun.
At State of Play, we change our sensory bins monthly to keep children curious and engaged. Our friends at @teachingbythemountains are a constant source of inspiration. Their educational and nature-based play ideas remind us that the best materials are often the simplest. You can see some of our favorite sensory bins on Instagram @playbozeman, where we share easy setups that can be recreated at home.
Fall is a season of slowing down and noticing the rustle of leaves, the smell of spice, the way the light shifts earlier each day. Setting up a sensory bin is an invitation for your child to notice, too. It says: “Here’s something to explore. Let’s see what you discover.”
So, grab a bin, scoop some oats or beans, and sprinkle a little cinnamon. Sit down with your child and play alongside them for a few minutes. You might be surprised by how soothing it feels — for both of you — to pause and take in the season, one scoop at a time.
To learn more about State of Play’s Open Play times, visit stateofplay.co.
Bannack
Ghost Walks
OCTOBER 24 & 25, 2025
Bannack, MT
Presented by the Bannack Association, Ghost Walks will be coming to life in Bannack this month. These ghost walks will get you in the spirit of the spooktacular season with performances based on historical events that occurred at Bannack.
These spooky reenactments are sure to entertain. Cost is $15 per adult and $10 for kids 12 and under. Reservation are required. All events are subject to change. Call 406-834-3413 for more information and reservations.
Pumpkin Patches, Mazes and More Applestem Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch
Craig, MT
The Applestem Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch is an agriculture-themed outdoor recreational attraction and farm that includes a 10-acre corn maze and other activities that are perfect for all ages. Located just outside of Craig, between Helena and Great Falls, the farm offers families hours of fun looking for the quickest path out of the corn and exploring other popular attractions like human foosball and Roller Bowling.
Hop on the Grain Train or ride the Cow Train. Take the plunge down a giant tunnel slide. Test your skills at steer head roping, dig into the sandbox or leap into the old-fashioned hay jump. Check out games, slides, human foosball, robotic donut maker, farm animals and more. There is tons to explore from Straw Mountain to the Net Maze and giant spiderwebs.
Let’s not forget the pumpkin patch. All of Applestem’s pumpkins are locally grown by the Hutterites at Sage Creek and New Rockport Colonies. Applestem specializes in selling what people cannot buy at the store, and they try to feature something new and exotic every year.
The Corn Maze is open through October 26. For hours of operation and ticket prices visit www.applestemcornmaze.com.
CRETACEOUS CROSSROADS
For the first time in over ten years, Museum of the Rockies unveiled a major new primary paleontology exhibition. Cretaceous Crossroads explores a time of transition in the Northern Rockies, when a vast seaway covered North America and new dinosaur species dominated the land. The exhibit is comprised of real fossil material, 3D prints, casts, reproductions, new paleoart, murals, AV interactives, an augmented reality piece, microscope stations, discovery drawers and more.
You will see a mounted Maiasaura (Montana’s State Fossil) tending its nest, a 30-foot-long Daspletosaurus (a T. rex cousin), dinosaur egg clutches, Troodon (raptor-like dinosaur), a 23-foot long Mosasaurus, and many other specimens, some of which are only known from Montana.
Gallatin Valley Pumpkin
Patches, Mazes and More
The Bozeman Straw Maze
With a new design every year, the Bozeman Straw Maze has been a Gallatin Valley tradition since 1998. The creation and construction of the maze — which is located on Valley Center Road between Bozeman and Belgrade — takes more than 5,000 bales of hay with two to three people putting in about 200 man-hours for over a month.
In addition to the maze itself, visitors will find corn sensory bins, tractor rides to a pumpkin patch, a trampoline PowerJump, petting zoo, yard games and so much more. A concession court also provides hot food, drinks and treats for the whole family to enjoy. Admission is $14 for adults, $12 for ages 5-10 and free for those under 5. Admission includes everything excluding the PowerJump and concessions.
The Bozeman Straw Maze is open through Sunday, November 2; hours of operation are as follows:
Ç Wednesdays-Fridays: 6-9 p.m.
Ç Saturdays: 10 a.m.-9 p.m.
Ç Sundays: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
PIR Days:
Ç Thursday, October 16 from noon-5 p.m.
Ç Friday, October 17 from noon-9 p.m.
Petting Zoo Dates:
Ç Saturday October 4 and Sunday October 5
Ç Saturday October 18 and Sunday October 19
Ç Saturday November 1 and Sunday November 2
The last group of the day will be permitted into the maze at closing time. Hayrides and concessions close one hour later. The mini-train does not run after dark.
The Bozeman Straw Maze is located at 1340 E Valley Center Rd. For more information visit www. bozemanmaze.com, e-mail info@bozemanmaze.com, or call 406-388-7818.
Fall Festival at Rocky Creek Farm
Tours, field trips and farm visits, u-pick berries and apples and more. The Fall Festival at Rocky Creek has been a Bozeman tradition for more than 30 years. Every weekend through October 26, the farm is packed with festivities: hay rides to the pumpkin patch, apple picking, cider pressing and more. The farm stand will be stocked with seasonal produce, carving pumpkins, decorative gourds, apple cider and more. Visit www.gallatinvalleybotanical. com for more information on upcoming events.
DAY CAMP PIR DAY CAMP PIR
October 16th and 17th
At the Ridge Kids PIR Day Camp, children will participate in gym play, swimming, arts and crafts and outside play (if weather permits). We are focused on helping your kids build a foundation for healthy living while having a blast!
PIR CAMP RUNS FROM 8:30AM-4:30PM
Please bring tennis shoes, water bottle, swimsuit and a nut-free lunch. Ridge Kids is available for extended care at the normal hourly rate. FOR DETAILS OR TO REGISTER, CALL (406) 582-4452, EMAIL CAMPS@RIDGEATHLETIC.COM, OR VISIT RIDGEATHLETIC.COM
$60 MEMBER/DAY • $75 NON-MEMBER/DAY
GROUP AND PRIVATE SWIMMING LESSONS
The Ridge offers year-round swimming lessons for members, non-members and students of all abilities! FOR DETAILS OR TO REGISTER, VISIT RIDGEATHLETIC.COM 4181 Fallon St., Bozeman, MT 59718 • (406) 586-1737 ridgeathletic.com
Gallatin Valley Pumpkin Patches, Mazes and More
Montana Corn Maze
Manhattan, MT
Open through October 25, this maze covers more than 6 acres and offers three different levels of challenges. The 2025 maze theme is Montana Icon. You will also find trikes for adults and kids, disc golf and wagon rides. Around the farm, guests can enjoy a playground and sandboxes, corn hole, ladder ball, a six-hole miniature golf course, the Little Husk Express barrel train for kids, a bale pyramid and wagon depot slide. An on-site market features Little Stingers Honey, Chameleon Crochet Co., Montana Corn Maze merchandise and farm-fresh pumpkins. Food and drinks are available on the weekends including Bozeman Tropical Sno on October 3, 4, 17, 18 and 25; Fully Loaded Tacos on October 4 and 16; Hawaiian Donut Co on October 11, 18 and 25; and Mafia Pizza on October 25.
The Montana Corn Maze is open on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Fridays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Online reservations for tickets are highly encouraged, visit www.montanacornmaze.com. The Montana Corn Maze is located at 4605 W. Cameron Bridge Rd. in Manhattan.
DogDash Monster Mash
OCTOBER 4, 2025
DogDash celebrates the unconditional love between dogs and their humans. Dedicated to giving back to the canine community by supporting local shelters and organizations, DogDash Monster Mash will be a day of fun with doggy ice cream contests, costume contests, goodie bags, a 3K walk/run and more. For every ticket sold, DogDash will donate to a local animal shelter in Bozeman with a goal to raise $1,500. The event will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Story Mill Community Park. Cost of admission is $35. For more information visit www.DogDash31.com.
Harvest Market
OCTOBER
4, 2025
Stroll through local vendor booths offering handcrafted goods, seasonal décor, jewelry, apparel, artwork, baked goods and more. Enjoy delicious eats from food trucks, live entertainment and fun activities for all ages — including a pumpkin patch, bounce houses, hayrides, a climbing wall and face painting. Admission is free. A suggested $10 parking donation supports Yellowstone Alliance Adventures, a nonprofit camp and retreat center serving kids, families and the local community.
More information can be found at yaacamp.org/ harvest-market. 13707 Cottonwood Canyon Rd., Bozeman, MT 59718
Bring your family to spend a fun-filled afternoon carving pumpkins with Kenyon Noble. Plan to arrive at noon, when kiddos 12 and under will pick a free pumpkin, carve their favorite designs and try to win some amazing prizes. Don’t forget to grab snacks and a free goodie bag full of spooktacular Halloween swag.
Prize categories are broken into three age groups: 0-5, 6-9 and 10-12. At 2 p.m. judges will pick the top three winning pumpkins from each age group. Announcement of each prize will come soon after. Winners must be present to win.
The Kenyon Noble team will be holding their own costume contest, so make sure to vote for your favorite. Wear your Halloween costume if you would like and join the fun. This event will be held at all Kenyon Noble locations.
Halloween Spooky Singalong Party
OCTOBER 25, 20245
State of Play will host a Halloween Spooky Singalong on Wednesday, October 25 at 10:30 a.m. Dress in costume and join Wildarts music for a Halloween-themed setlist before enjoying slimy surprises, silly sensory bins in the art studio and decorating cookies from Secret Garden Cookie Co. Visit www.stateofplay.co to register- book now as this event always sells out
Pumpkin Stroll
Drop and Glow
OCTOBER 29, 2025
The Bozeman Parks & Recreation Department invites you to share your Spooktacular creation during their annual community Pumpkin Stroll in Story Mill Park on October 29. Carve a pumpkin in the comfort of your own home, drop it off at the Story Mill Community Center anytime between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. on October 29, and the Parks & Recreation Department will add a tea light and make it glow during the stroll that evening. Jack-o’-lanterns will be placed around the activity lawn in the Story Mill Community Park from 6 to 8 p.m. for all to enjoy. Drop in anytime and see them glow. Halloween costumes are encouraged and hot cider will be served.
Witches Night
at the Story Mansion
OCTOBER 31, 2025
The porch of the historic Story Mansion at 811 S. Willson Ave. will be transformed on Halloween night, making it a perfect stop for trick-or-treating on October 31.
Downtown Bozeman
Trick or Treating
OCTOBER 31, 2025
Join downtown Bozeman businesses this Halloween from 4-6 p.m. for a safe way to enjoy traditional trick or treating. More than 150 businesses welcome kids and families with candy and spooky Halloween decorations.
Trick or Treat at Bozeman Health
OCTOBER 31, 2025
Stay warm and safe this Halloween and trick-or-treat your way around Bozeman Health Deaconess Region Medical Center from 3-5 p.m. Park in lot C and start at entrance 4.
Two Bozeman Locations
(North campus) 3774 Equestrian Ln. (South campus) 233 Enterprise Blvd. Serving ages 6 mths to 6 yrs
Enrolling Now Toddler and Primary Classrooms:
• Hot lunches and snacks from our own school kitchen included with tuition
• Weekly music classes included
• Supportive community of teachers and families
• Licensed early childhood center with DPHHS since 2013
• Children’s developmental needs supported by trained Montessori teachers
• Variety of scheduling options available
• Spacious, beautiful environments
• STAR 4 in Montana’s voluntary Quality Rating System (QRS)
CONTACT US TODAY!
Email: enrollment@bozeman montessori.com Ph: (406) 600-8098 www.bozemanmontessori.com Follow us on
Pumpkin Patches and More...
Pumpkin Smash in Story Mill Community Park
NOVEMBER
8, 2025
Grab your pumpkins, jack-o’-lanterns and gourds and meet the Bozeman Parks & Recreation Department at the Story Mill Community Park on November 8 from 11. a.m. to 2 p.m. for a smashing good time. Did you know that over 1 billion pounds of pumpkins are wasted in American landfills each year, contributing to harmful greenhouse gases? By composting pumpkins locally, you give organic material a second life, and the finished compost benefits farms and gardens right here in the Gallatin Valley. It is not just good for the planet; it’s also a blast for all ages. It’s free, it’s fun and it’s an opportunity to make a positive impact on our environment. The more pumpkins smashed, the bigger the difference.
Edgewater Farms Corn Maze
Townsend, MT
Get lost in the giant, custom-cut corn maze that meanders through 12 acres of corn. Other attractions include a giant slide, a corn pit, jumping pillow, corn cannon, apple blaster, hay ride, yard games and great food. Take a hay ride along the beautiful Missouri River to the pumpkin patch and pick out your perfect pumpkin. There is something fun for the whole family.
Edgewater Farms Corn Maze is open through October 25 on Fridays from 4-9 p.m. and Saturdays from 11 a.m.-9 p.m., with the last admission ticket sold at 8 p.m. each night. Ticket prices are $12 for ages 4 and up, $10 for first responders and military and free for children under 3. For more information call 406-949-1216.
PNKBZN 2025
According to the American Cancer Society, in 2024 there were an estimated 1,070 breast cancer diagnoses and 150 deaths in Montana.
October was designated National Breast Cancer Awareness Month in 1985 to raise awareness and gain research funding for a cure, while elevating education around the importance of annual/early screening.
PNKBZN, a community-wide campaign during the month of October, seeks to enhance local awareness about the importance of following screening guidelines for breast care, how to access diagnostic screenings and other resources, increase the community conversation around cancer awareness and provide inspirational stories of men and women in our community who are living with breast cancer.
Throughout the month of October, downtown Bozeman businesses will support PNKBZN with various activities and promotions. Shop downtown to contribute to various organizations that support breast cancer awareness funding and research.
Closer to Home
Advanced Breast Health Care at Billings Clinic Bozeman
This October, Billings Clinic reflects on National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It reflects on the fight so many women have faced and continue to face. One in eight women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime, meaning this disease touches nearly all of us in some way. While that statistic may feel daunting, there is hope: Early detection through screening saves lives, and those preventative resources are available right here in Bozeman.
For most women at average risk, experts recommend annual screening beginning at age 40 and continuing as long as a woman is in good health. These guidelines, supported by the American College of Radiology, the Society of Breast Imaging and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network have been shown to be most effective in catching breast cancer early and saving lives.
“Early detection is an extremely powerful weapon in the battle against breast cancer,” says Troy Graybeal, MD, Billings Clinic Bozeman Breast Radiologist. “It transforms a silent disease into a treatable and often curable one. Billings Clinic has made a significant investment to provide the patients of our region with access to gold standard care, and Billings Clinic utilizes the talents of highly-skilled physicians and technologists who implement the most advanced state-of-the-art diagnostic tools to aid in early breast cancer detection.”
Screening can look different for everyone. Nearly half of women have what’s known as dense breast tissue, which can make it harder for mammograms to detect cancer. In these cases, additional imaging such as a breast MRI can be helpful, detecting up to 15 more cancers per 1,000 women screened.
Family history, personal medical history and genetic mutations such as BRCA1 or BRCA2 – genes that normally protect against cancer but, when mutated, increase cancer risk — can place some women at an even higher risk. For these women, screening can start at an earlier age, and alternating mammograms and MRIs every six months is often recommended.
To meet all these needs, Billings Clinic Bozeman provides personalized, patient-centered preventative care, including services such as enhanced screening with mammogram and MRI.
With a focus on peace of mind through expert guidance, individually tailored plans and enhanced screening technology, Billings Clinic is working to ensure women and families in southwest Montana have kind, compassionate and expert breast health care close to home.
If you think you might benefit from an evaluation or simply want to learn more, call Billings Clinic Bozeman at 406-898-1700 or visit www.billingsclinic.com/ bozemanradiology to schedule an appointment.
Greater Gallatin United Way Launches new
‘Child Connect’ Initiative to Tackle Regional Child Care Crisis
Greater Gallatin United Way (GGUW) recently announced the launch of Child Connect, a new community-powered initiative designed to strengthen the region’s child care infrastructure by connecting families, child care providers and employers in a shared solution.
Child Connect addresses one of the most pressing challenges facing families and communities today: access to affordable, high-quality child care. The initiative supports early learning, helps working families stay in the workforce, empowers providers and equips employers with tools to support their teams.
“Innovation paired with community collaboration can reshape how families access child care,” said Kim Hall, President/CEO of Greater Gallatin United Way. “Child Connect is designed to strengthen the entire system, ensuring that families, providers and employers all have the support and tools they need to succeed.”
The initial phase centers on Kinside, a collaborative technology platform that connects families with real-time child care openings. It provides employers with tools to help employees find and access care, while giving providers tools to reduce administrative tasks and increase visibility.
For parents, this access is already making a difference. One Bozeman parent said, “My husband and I have been looking for a homebased provider for our first child. It was hard
to find any information on which providers even exist in our area… Being able to see which providers have open spots, how much they cost and what the hours are seems so basic but we could rarely find that information before calling. We just started using Child Connect and I am already relieved just to be able to see who is providing child care in Bozeman… Finding the right child care for us went from seeming like winning the lottery to something we can actually accomplish.”
Providers say the tool will be equally valuable for them. Jackie Ng, who operates two child care sites and is preparing to open a third in Big Sky, explained, “It’s so hard to fill spots when families don’t know their options or can’t easily find us. Having a system where parents can instantly see what’s available makes all the difference. Child Connect will help providers like me connect with families faster and keep our programs full, which is critical to staying sustainable.”
Child Connect is built around the understanding that strong families are the foundation of thriving communities. Through innovation, partnership and collective action, GGUW is helping lead the way toward longterm solutions.
This project is made possible through the support of the City of Bozeman and Family Forward Montana, a program of Zero to Five, along with community partners committed to expanding access to child care. To learn more or get involved as a provider, parent or employer, visit greatergallatinunitedway.org/childconnect.
United Way
kidsFEST
October 5, 2025
Greater Gallatin United Way will host their annual kidsFEST at the Gallatin County Regional Park on October 5 from noon-4p.m. The kidsFEST will be filled with free family fun and community spirit including food trucks, field games, a bubble dance floor, face painting, live entertainment, fun zones, family arts and crafts, games and giveaways.
Bozeman Parks and Recreation
Rec Mobile
October 10, 24 & 31, 2025
The goal of this free program is easy access to recreation for younger children in Bozeman’s park spaces. Recreation Leaders will provide equipment and activities for preschool-aged children (2 to 5 years). No preregistration is required; just drop-in and join the fun. Parents/ guardians are required to attend with their children.
The Rec Mobile will be at Gran Cielo Park (3003 S. 27th Ave.) October 10, 24 and 31, from 10-11 a.m.
Letters from Santa
NOVEMBER 3-DECEMBER 12, 2025
The Bozeman Parks & Recreation Department elves will be helping Santa send out his letters again this holiday season. To request a letter, visit www. bozeman.net/recreation and select “recreation registration” from November 3 through December 12 at noon.
Crankie Fest
November 14-16, 2026
The Third Annual Crankie Fest will take you “Into the Forest” with adventurous and tender tales of exploration and discovery among the trees. A crankie is an illustrated scroll that tells a story, created and performed by southwest Montana artists. Performances will also feature live music and sound effects as well as puppetry to bring the stories to life. These shows are free but advanced tickets are required. Best suited for those over age 5. Crankie Fest will be held at the Beall Recreation Center, November 14 through 16. Visit www.randomactsofsilliness.com for showtimes and to reserve a spot.
Park and Play
November 14, 2025
The Story Mill Community Center gym will be open on Friday mornings from 10-11 a.m. and full of fun activities for preschoolers to explore at their leisure. No preregistration is required. Parents or guardians are required to stay with their children. Park and Play is held on Fridays, November 14, 2025 through February 27, 2026 (excluding: November 28, December 26 and January 2) Cost is $3 for city of Bozeman residents and $4 for nonresidents. Register at www.bozeman.net/recreation or call 406-582-2290.
Tea with Clara
November 23, 2025
Montana Ballet Company’s beloved Tea with Clara will be held at The Armory on November 23 at 11 a.m. This special event is a must for families and children. Guests will have the opportunity to view live performance excerpts, meet Clara and other characters from The Nutcracker, have keepsake photos taken, join Clara on stage, enjoy fine treats and tea and more. Also included is a special Nutcracker boutique and a family-focused silent auction. New this year is a mimosa bar for adults over 21. Tickets are $75 per person. For reservations visit www.montanaballet.org or call 406.582.8702.
Uptown Butte Farmers Market
LOCATED ON WEST PARK STREET, BETWEEN PARK AND MAIN
OCTOBER 4, 2025 FROM 8 A.M. TO 1 P.M.
Since 1995, the Butte Farmers Market has blossomed and grown, earning a reputation for providing shoppers with colorful and hardy hanging and bedding plants, farm fresh eggs, chickens, fruits and vegetables from many gardens in the Butte area and the Hutterite colonies near Choteau, and Hmong vegetable gardens in the Missoula and Bitteroot area.
Vendors provide a wide variety of baked goods, packaged sausages, fresh produce, cut flowers, salsa and other prepared foods. A variety of arts and crafts by craftspeople from throughout southwest Montana are available as well.
On November 11, Veterans Day, all National Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to everyone. Mark your calendar for this National Park entrance fee-free day, the last in 2025!
helena
Family Care Tent
Look for Helena Village Collective all season long at the Farmers Market and other Helena area events. Come find the tent if you need a space to feed or change your baby, or want a quiet spot to rest. If you would like to sponsor the tent, or if you have any questions, please reach out to hello@helenavillagecollective.org.
Helena Farmers Market
FULLER AVENUE
SATURDAYS, THROUGH OCTOBER 25, 2025
9 A.M. TO 1 P.M.
One of the longest-running markets in the state of Montana, the Helena Farmers Market welcomes local farmers, crafters, food vendors and other artisans bringing their Montana-made products downtown for the local Helena community to see and purchase. While they browse, shoppers can enjoy the serenade of local musicians and smell the fragrant aroma of fresh floral arrangements and kettle corn.
Postpartum Support International
Helena Events
PSI Montana, Helena Chapter, is excited to share two upcoming events.
Climb Out of the Darkness Walk
OCTOBER 4, 2025 | MEMORIAL PARK
A community awareness walk to support postpartum mental health.
PSI Dads' Training
OCTOBER 6 & 7, 2025 | DELTA HOTELS HELENA COLONIAL
A two-day professional training focused on supporting fathers during the perinatal period.
Registration is now open. Please follow for updates: Facebook: Postpartum Support International – Montana Chapter Instagram: @mtpsichapter
Grief and Parenting: You’re Not Alone
OCTOBER 15, 2025
Grief doesn’t follow the school calendar. For many families, the back-to-school season can be especially tender—a reminder of what could have been or who is missing. Whether your loss is recent or long ago, parenting while grieving is a quiet strength few talk about.
In Helena, the Early Childhood Collaborative is working to change that.
Through gentle, inclusive gatherings, these events offer local parents a place to pause, connect and remember. From creative memorial projects to time in nature, these events are held every other month and are open to all who are grieving a child or pregnancy—at any age or stage.
On October 15, join the Early Childhood Collaborative for Wave of Light, a worldwide day of remembrance for pregnancy and infant loss. Participants will gather with candles, community and care.
Grief can feel isolating, but you are not alone. Learn more about upcoming events at ecchelena.org/loss-resources.
Ask Flora
WRITTEN BY FLORA MCCORMICK
In this column, you can ask your questions about parenting kids from ages 2 to 10 to Flora McCormick, Licensed Counselor & Parenting Coach.
Q. How do I get my daughter to apologize and really mean it? She seems to have no remorse for her actions. We explain why her behavior isn’t OK and that doesn’t seem to change anything. We even asked her how she would feel if someone else took her toy away and she just said, “I wouldn’t care.”
A. How many times have you asked your child for a simple apology? You may find yourself saying, “Say you’re sorry. No, say it nicely. Say it like you mean it.” And yet, deep down, you can tell they don’t really mean it. The words come out, but the lesson doesn’t land. As parents, this can feel frustrating because we want our kids to learn empathy and responsibility. But if we think that comes through a heart-felt apology, I believe we are really missing the mark.
What often happens is that children just learn how to look or sound sorry rather than truly feel it. They become skilled at saying the right thing without actually making a change. This can leave parents stuck, wondering how to guide their kids toward real accountability without constant prompting or long lectures. That’s why I believe forced apologies are actually worthless.
What to Do Instead:
Teach Kids True Accountability
1. Make it Right
Instead of centering on words, guide your child toward action. Repairing the harm (with actions) shows real responsibility and helps relationships heal.
Examples:
» If a toy tower gets knocked over, encourage helping to rebuild it.
» If a toy is grabbed, prompt them to return it and try again in a kinder way.
» If your child bumps into a sibling, guide them to check in: “Is your sister OK? I see she is crying. What can you do to help her feel better?”
Even in moments with adults, kids can “pay back the energy” (as recommended by Love and Logic). If a child yells at a parent, you might gently say, “That took a lot of my energy to be screamed at. Tonight, bedtime will be a little earlier so I can have some extra time to recharge.” Or you can offer an extra chore or helpful action for the child to “pay back the energy” that a challenging moment took away from the family.
Another key benefit of focusing on action is that it greatly reduces shame. And, frankly, shame is sometimes the root of the child’s resistance to saying “I’m sorry” in the first place. The very words “I’m sorry” are an admission of wrongdoing. Period. An apology ends there – simply focused on an element of “I know that was bad (which can feel to the child like they are saying, “I know I’m bad”).
When you focus on the actions that a child can take to make the situation right, they get to end on a positive note, feeling they are capable of repairing mistakes or an impulsive act that wasn’t very kind. They get to show concretely that they are a kind person and that is likely to leave the child having a more positive self-concept (instead of a shame-hangover).
2. Make a Plan
The second step is helping kids think about what they can do differently next time and practicing it right away.
Examples:
» If your child runs past and knocks someone down, you might say: “Let’s try that again. You wanted to get over there—this time, walk calmly.” (Let’s try a “do-over” right now to practice that).
» If frustration leads the child to knock over a toy, discuss three other ways they can express anger, and then practice those three options right there and then.
This gives kids a clear “map” of what choices are available. They see how one path creates more play and connection, while another brings frustration and extra work. Practicing the better choice helps them feel prepared the next time big feelings come up. Making a plan is not about lecturing. It is about rehearsing together so kids leave the moment with a real tool they can use more effectively next time.
It is easy to get caught up in whether our kids say “I’m sorry” the right way. But what really builds growth is guiding them to make it right and make a plan.
To get more sanity-saving strategies for parenting young kids, join Flora’s Free Facebook Group: Sustainable Parenting. Questions for the next issue or wins/questions from this issue can be submitted to contactflora@gmail. com. A special thank you to those who submit monthly questions.
The Child-Teacher Relationship: The Way to the Mind is Through the Heart
WRITTEN BY MAUREEN BRIGHT
On a shelf in my classroom is a small golden chest, lined with red velvet. In it are many treasures like cut-out hearts, cards full of hearts, a shiny ribbon and a handwritten note that reads, “I get frustrated. Thank you for understanding me.” Each item is a precious pearl – a reminder of when a student has given me their heart for safekeeping.
Thirty years of working with children and families, both in and out of the classroom, has taught me that the way to a child’s mind is through their heart. It follows then that the best predictor of a child’s success in school comes down to one thing: believing that their teacher likes them and that they like their teacher.
Children are not designed to follow strangers, which is why I start cultivating a relationship with my students before their first day of school, by meeting their parents. When parents – their children’s first and best teachers – introduce me to their child during a home or school visit, I become part of the village necessary for raising their child. This is a simple ritual, but one that is often overlooked.
In a good relationship between a child and teacher, the parent is always in the picture. We support each other and communicate back and forth. One of my jobs as a teacher is to help children hold their parents close during their long day at school through various forms of connection.
I want my students to know that it is my job to help them. When they seek me out because they are frustrated or hurt or when their gloves are wet, I tell them, “I’m so glad you came to me.” You might think that my students would be glued to me all day, but the opposite is true. When children know they
are taken care of, they can venture forth on their own. There is such a preoccupation today with independence that we sometimes force it upon our children before they are ready, causing great insecurity. Whether I’m offering a snack, help with their work, a quiet space or an encouraging word, I provide whatever is needed to let my students rest in the sense that they are under the wing of a caring, responsible adult who will protect their dignity and tender heart. All growth and learning comes from this place of rest.
Having a relationship with each student brings ease in drawing out their interests at their level and pace. All guidance is done one-on-one in a receptive space, within the context of this relationship, since the heat of the moment is not the teachable moment. Part of life is learning how to handle disappointment and frustration, so I make sure to allow room for sadness – reassuring my students that I’m alongside and that “we’ll get there.” I want them to feel a generous invitation to exist fully in my presence and to be their own person.
Why do I delight in helping my students feel seen, known and understood? Because each child is a treasure. And the younger the child, the more impact we have on their life. I am aware that I can only guide them along life’s way if I have their heart. When they look to me as a compass and a source of comfort and guidance, it becomes possible to clear the impediments to their growth and maturation.
Maureen Bright is a teacher of more than 30 years with a degree in Early Childhood/Elementary Education and is the Founder/ Director of Secret Garden Montessori. She is passionate about her work in making sense of children from the inside out and supporting those responsible for them. And, most importantly, she is a mother and grandmother. For more information about her work, visit www.secretgardenmontessorischool.com.
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