March 2019

Incredible news! Those adorable cherubs who never slept? Well, they’ve ditched their diapers and sippy cups for undies and CamelBak bottles. So whether you’re planning a spring break trip (that’s April 1 to April 5 in Richmond), a summer vacation, or a fall getaway, know this: The sweet spot for…

Nineteen-year-old Brandon Farbstein has an old soul. It’s not surprising, then, that while many of his peers are in their first year of college, Farbstein is managing a highly successful career, traveling to a handful of cities each month to give motivational speeches to a range of audiences. On any…

  Visit the newly updated RFM Summer Camp Finder with close to 300 camps for all ages and interests. It’s easier than ever to search by activity, age, and location and find summer camps and activities for your kids!   It’s early spring, but Emily Shane already has summer camps on her…

We all know what it’s like to look at a closet full of nothing to wear. We know how it feels to show up at an event or meeting or date night and lack confidence because of the way we’re dressed. We know what’s it like to feel frumpy and…

When my older daughter was eight, my wife Kat and I prepared to take her to her first sleep-away camp. It was the summer after third grade and she was ready for an adventure. She’d been active in the local Brownie troop, and the Virginia Girl Scouts own a camp…

I miss saying hello during our double-issue months, so it’s nice to be back with this fresh, new issue to take us into spring! To get you up to speed, I will share my recent parenting fail that turned into what I am confident will become a Thompson family Valentine’s…

In 1975, Sylvia Clute, a former attorney for Reynolds Metals, decided to open a solo law practice. But despite her reputation as a successful attorney, five banks turned her down for a business loan. If they did return her calls, they always asked her how many children she had. The answer…

You’re at a wellness check-up for your son, Tommy, and much of the visit has been spent catching up with the doctor about your trip to Yosemite, Tommy’s recent soccer tournament, and the fact that he’s getting pimples. Tommy mentions that since the start of seventh grade this year, he’s…

Pictured: Caucus co-chair Sen. Monty Mason speaks during the Foster Care Caucus’s press conference on Jan. 15. He is backed by Del. Jennifer Carroll Foy, co-chair Del. Emily Brewer, Sen. Barbara Favola, Sen. Bryce Reeves, Sen. Janet Howell, Del. Chris Peace, and Del. Chris Hurst. Virginia’s lawmakers are signaling that…

It’s everywhere these days: Everyday moms and celebrity moms are talking more and more about breastfeeding in public. From Chrissy Teigen’s social media posts (and classic responses known as clapbacks to negative comments), to Kate Hudson’s Instagram pics of nursing her daughter in between workouts, many people have much to…

My daughter and her 2-year-old son garden on their deck. While they don’t exactly slay the grocery bill with their bounty, they do enjoy the time spent together. My grandson checks on the ripening strawberries and is curious about the potatoes growing in the big felt bag. He is learning…

Add a little sparkle to your bedroom décor with this fun project that features your initial in glitter as the main attraction. With just a few supplies and a little patience, you’ll have a fun piece of art you can hang on the wall or on your bedroom door to…

When I visited my mother over the holidays for five days, I caught a lot of grief about putting my 4- and 6-year-olds in bed pretty early (as usual) and limiting sugary treats (like always). How do you feel about adjusting bedtimes and diets when you’re visiting family and traveling?…

As the days grow warmer and longer, many of us will be spending time kneeling over flowerbeds and tending gardens. Those of us who share our homes with pets, however, should be cautious before bringing any of those plants and flowers inside.  Many plants are harmful to both cats and…

When Stephanie Kirksey first heard her daughter’s eating disorder diagnosis, she remembers feeling discouraged, angry, scared, and unsure where to turn. Her primary care physician suggested she contact Beth Ayn Stansfield, founder of Stay Strong Virginia. “After that first phone call, I felt a renewed sense of hope and empowerment.…

These days, with so many children in the care of one or more grandparents for a variety of reasons, some people wonder whether children in these circumstances are in any way disadvantaged. Assuming the grandparent or grandparents are reasonably healthy and mobile, the answer to this question might surprise you.…

Jake was tired of waking up in the middle of the night to a wet bed. When he was five, his parents assured him that his bedwetting was normal – something many children experience – but as he grew older, he began to read the traces of frustration on his…

Mexican Wedding Cookies 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened ½ cup powdered sugar 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 cup pecans, toasted, coarsely ground 1½ cups powdered sugar ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon Using a stand mixer and paddle attachment, add butter in the bowl, mix until light…