October 2019

It was spring 1894, early in President Grover Cleveland’s second term. A new company offering chocolate confections had recently been founded in Derry Township, Pennsylvania, in a town called Hershey. Avant-garde dancer and choreographer Martha Graham was born on May 11. And in Richmond, locals were enjoying a brand-new municipal…

To many, a decade represents ten years of time. To others, it marks a milestone – 87,600 hours of hard work, dedication, passion, and challenges.  Richmond Family Magazine’s publisher Margaret Thompson falls in the latter category. Ten years ago, she was working at a local marketing agency, MarketShare, interviewing writers…

When cancer hits, it feels like a tsunami that comes crashing into you. Just like a huge wave, the devastation reaches far and wide. The fear, anxiety, burden of care, and concern extends through your whole village. And when you’re the mom of a 6-year-old and 2-year-old, unfortunately, it affects…

Unlike the rest of my family and most of my friends, my kids have only known me as a small business owner, since I launched Richmond Family Magazine when they were just one and three years old. I hope they have picked up a thing or two about what it…

“I can’t imagine having a real job,” is a thing I used to say sometimes. Until my oldest daughter, who recently graduated from college and joined the workforce full-time, looked at me sternly and said, “Mom, stop saying that! You have a very real job, and you’re amazing at it.”…

My daughter turned five this year. As birthday milestones go, this was certainly a big one – for her and us. Any parent can attest to the bittersweet moment when a child starts kindergarten. Besides that, parents love to see their children smile broadly on their birthdays as they review…

Recently, a good friend of mine from the Midwest started giving serious thought to moving to Richmond with his family. We were chatting about different RVA neighborhoods when I thought it’d be easier to mark up a map on my iPad of places for him to look. I started circling…

We don’t toot our own horn too often, but ten years in business is a big deal, so we’re celebrating! I have greeted you from this space 117 times, for ten straight years, and each time, it’s been a thrill to put another issue of RFM in front of Richmond-area…

Make a ghost of your own for your room. Or, have a DIY craft party and make this fun craft with friends. What you need: • Common household items to build your ghost frame, such as tall water bottles or plastic jars and a ball • White or light-colored cheesecloth,…

Life Insurance can be a confusing topic. Some of us have a policy through our employer but haven’t considered the coverage amount. For others, life insurance might just be something we’ve chosen to put off until later. No matter what stage of life you are in, life insurance is an…

A friend of mine is what I call a pushover with her tween kids. It seems like she’s afraid to reign them in for some reason – like she’s worried about how they will respond. My oldest is seventeen, and I feel like I know what this mom is in…

At the Bellemeade Community Center in South Richmond, a fifth grade student had a message to share with the world. “That’s my birthday twin!” Niq-Niq called out across the room.  On the receiving end of the greeting was Julia Warren, the 22-year-old founder and executive director of Celebrate RVA, a…

Pediatricians are asked for advice at all stages of children’s growth and development, but few questions remain as polarizing as questions about vaccinations.  As the risks of vaccine hesitancy have become even more apparent – the World Health Organization has recently listed this as a top ten threat to global…

Quinoa Spinach Salad 4 cups fresh baby spinach, chopped 1-1/2 cups cooked quinoa (cooked according to package directions) 3/4 cup butternut squash, chopped 1 medium apple, peeled and chopped 1/3 cup pepitas (pumpkin seeds) or pecans 3 tablespoons dried cranberries Tahini Apple Cider Vinegar Dressing 2 tablespoons tahini 2 tablespoons…

If college is on the horizon for your child or a student you know, paying for it may cause heart palpitations when you consider the level of student loan debt that now exists for young people. Take heart though, educating yourself about payment options is key for figuring out the…

Hypnotherapy is one of the most widely misunderstood and controversial treatments available. The myths and misconceptions stem from people’s ideas about the hypnotism you might see on a stage.  I get it. I, too, was once in an audience where the individuals on stage were instructed to quack like ducks.…

By the late 1960s, Shockoe Slip had become a rundown, little-known part of town. The decline of the nearby canal and tobacco warehouses had left the once-bustling commercial center mostly vacant in a changing economic landscape.  At a time when urban revitalization efforts relied on highways and parking decks, concerned…

The countdown to the big count is on: The 2020 Census kicks off in January and most families will be contacted by mid-March. The census is slated to continue through October 2020. You can respond to the 2020 census online, by phone, or by mail. Go here. Every ten years, the…

Almost every baby will experience diaper rash at some point in the diaper-wearing years. Rashes range from mild to severe and can cause a slight annoyance or a massive upset for you and your baby. Don’t leave yourself guessing as to what to do when a rash appears. Take a…

Relatively speaking, most children are very aware of family routines. They know where their toys are, what time they need to go to school, and what to expect when interacting with different people. That becomes more challenging when a grandparent or loved one develops Alzheimer’s disease or another form of…