TulsaKids’ Top Articles of 2023
It’s that time of year when we get to look back and assess the past twelve months. Below, you’ll find TulsaKids’ powerhouse articles of 2023. If you haven’t read them yet, go ahead! And let us know in the comments: Which TulsaKids articles or blog posts did you find most engaging/helpful this year?
New From TulsaKids Magazine
These are the most-read articles from our monthly magazine.
1. Jett Calmus: Jenks High School Athlete
September 2023. Football is a big deal around here, especially in communities like Jenks! Our interview with Jenks senior Jett Calmus, who plays both football and baseball, was a heavy hitter.
2. OHCA Urges SoonerCare Members to Check Their Accounts
September 2023. At TulsaKids Magazine, we always try to provide parents with important information they need to know. This timely reminder from the Oklahoma Health Care Authority alerted SoonerCare members that they needed to renew their eligibility. Eligibility renewals were put on pause during the pandemic.
3. Stacy Strow: Encouraging an Exceptional Educational Experience
September 2023, by Nancy A. Moore. September was a big month, apparently! This interview with Wolf Creek Elementary Principal Stacy Strow came about after several of our Facebook followers gave her name as the reason they love their kid’s school. Principal Strow makes it a point to learn EVERY child’s name, creating an “outstanding culture” at her school.
4. Montessori and Reggio Emilia: Child-Centered Learning
January 2023, by Mikaela LeBlanc. Our January issues are typically focused on education, and that was certainly true in 2023. Our feature article on Montessori and Reggio Emilia looked in depth at these popular educational philosophies.
5. When the Teacher is the Bully: 5 Steps to Advocate for Your Child
April 2023, by Dr. Tamecca Rogers. In this article, Dr. Tamecca Rogers draws from her son’s experience to share practical tips on what parents can do if their child’s teacher is treating them unfairly.
Top Blog Posts of 2023
We love our bloggers! This year, we welcomed a new blog – Exploration and Education by Amanda Murphy. Plus, Coffee Nebula, by Kristi Roe Owen, took the Gold Award in the PMA Digital Awards competition for the third year in a row! And Diane Morrow-Kondos’ Grand Life blog took home the silver.
1. Unexpected Moments of Grief – The Day I Canceled My Parents’ Phone Line
By Diane Morrow-Kondos, Grand Life. Diane’s touching and relatable article about grieving her parents’ deaths reached a record number of 148,000+ views in just a couple of days, becoming one of our top-read articles of all time.
2. Ten Qualities of a Good Father
By Diane Morrow-Kondos, Grand Life. Diane’s Father’s Day contribution does exactly what the title suggests. She outlines ten qualities shared by good fathers. These include showing up, verbally expressing love and listening to his kids.
3. We Did Great Wolf Lodge
By Amanda Murphy, Exploration and Education. Amanda Murphy joined the TulsaKids blogging team in April 2023, and we are so happy to have her! Her blog focuses on fun things to do with kids – whether that be a trip to Great Wolf Lodge, a trip to Colorado, or something close to home like ORU’s Elsing Museum.
4. Hope Playground at Whiteside Park is Open!
By Tara Rittler, Spaghetti on the Wall. Tara attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new inclusive playground at Whiteside Park. She shares several photos from this important new facility.
5. “Ain’t Too Proud” Delivers Hit After Hit in Telling Temptations’ Musical Journey
By Betty Casey, Editor’s Blog. We are always grateful to Celebrity Attractions for the offer of media tickets to many of their shows. Here, Betty Casey reviews the Temptations musical, which came to the Tulsa PAC in April 2023.
More to Explore
- What’s Your 2023 Self-Care Strategy? by Kristi Roe Owen, Coffee Nebula
- Why Are Oklahoma Schools Still Hitting Children with Disabilities? by Diane Morrow-Kondos, Grand Life
- Another Circle of Hell with Superintendent Ryan Walters – and a Little What-Aboutism by Betty Casey, Editor’s Blog
- Not Kidding Around: An Interview with Travis Kidd by Lynn Hernandez, Dads Rock!
Oldies, but Goodies
These pre-2023 articles are at the top of the list in terms of drawing readers to TulsaKids.com.
1. “Killers of the Flower Moon” Granddaughter Shares Complex Connection with Osage Murders
August 2021, by Natalie Mikles. Natalie Mikles interviews Margie Burkhart, the granddaughter of Mollie Burkhart. Margie talks about the film, meeting Leonardo DiCaprio, and how her family continues to be affected by the “Reign of Terror.”
2. Five Things to Know if You’re Marrying Someone With Children
November 2016, by Diane Morrow-Kondos. Diane’s blog post has been read by thousands of people looking for advice on blending families.
3. Everything You Need to Know About Bin Store Shopping
September 2022, by Kristi Roe Owen. Bin store shopping – it’s the next big thing! But it’s not as simple as simply showing up during open hours and browsing at your leisure.
4. Age-Appropriate Books to Talk to Your Kids About Sex
2012, Updated 2020. No matter where they live, parents are looking for resources for how to approach the topics of puberty, how babies are made, etc. This list has some great recommendations from Family & Children’s Services.
5. Keep Your Hands to Yourself: Don’t Touch Our Hair!
May 2022, by Dr. Tamecca Rogers. Dr. Tamecca Rogers writes about The Crown Act and outlines why it is never OK to touch a Black person’s hair. She draws on her personal experience and gives advice for how educators in particular can create inclusive classrooms where everyone feels welcome.
Places to Go, Things to Do
TulsaKids is a trusted source for family fun! Not only does our magazine have an extensive – and award-winning – Community Calendar, our website is also a great place to go any time you’re looking for weekend events, seasonal activities, etc.
1. 10 Things To Do This Weekend in Tulsa
We update this list every Monday, and it is a key feature in our weekly eNewsletter. Subscribe today so you don’t miss out!
2. TulsaKids’ Online Calendar
Supplementing our magazine calendar, TulsaKids’ online calendar provides even more ways to stay entertained, 365 days a year. Plus, you can filter the calendar by category if you’re looking for something specific, such as storytimes, outdoor fun, etc.
3. 30 Best Things To Do in Tulsa With Kids
In February, we created this list to be a perennial resource for families. But don’t let the title fool you – we couldn’t resist, and there are definitely more than 30 things on the list!
4. Indoor Places to Play in Tulsa
Bowling, skating, bouncing, escaping – you’ll find Tulsa’s top indoor entertainment locales all in one place!
5. Tulsa Birthday Parties for Kids
If you’re a parent, you’ll probably have at least one birthday party to plan each year! This article-version of our Party Planner can help you find top venues, vendors and more.
And if you haven’t heard, we also launched a Birthday Club in June! Join today to receive party-planning discounts and fun freebies on your kid’s special day.
