The Waiting
The summer of 1986 meant riding my Schwinn Thrasher eight blocks to Lafayette Pharmacy where I cashed in my nickels for a bag of assorted Jolly Ranchers. The loot cost me $1.67, and the trip took a solid twenty minutes…
Not Your Granny’s Wallpaper
When it comes to changing the look of a room, a homeowner’s first instinct is usually to repaint. Paint can be inexpensive, and often, it seems like a do-it-yourself job. But maybe it’s time to reconsider wallpaper – in all…
Challenges of Immigration
Immigration is in the news frequently, but some of the information can be confusing or contradictory. Let’s explore some of the terminology that’s being used as we continue to evaluate a system that is affecting so many families and businesses…
Expert Parenting Advice
We had some fertility challenges and used donors (egg and sperm) for both our children. Consequently, our two kids – ages three and almost five – look nothing like me or my husband. Body type, hair color, eye color –…
The Truth About Microchipping
There is no denying that our pets are an important part of our families. We post cute pictures of them on social media. We research ingredients to provide them with the best pet food. We enjoy talking to them, playing…
It’s August, Already!
Time to get those summer bucket list items finished up! There are tons of ideas in this issue of RFM, including some tips for connecting with your teens from this month’s Real Mom (page 24), and a slew of RVA…
The McShin Foundation
Newspaper clippings, photo collages, and resource flyers cover the hallways of The McShin Foundation in Henrico. It’s apparent this is not a typical treatment center with a clinical feel. There is a homey authenticity to the building and to the…
6 Big Ideas for Connecting with Kids
I remember a life in the not-so-distant past when my children were my constant companions. Their grubby-palmed grips and lap-time chats bound us together. But like hourglass sands, my companions are steadily slipping away. Some days, our quality time is…
When It’s Time for Media Control
Let’s start with a challenge. For the next week, informally log how much time you spend on screens at home and at work. For the purpose of this challenge, let’s categorize screens as televisions, computers, phones, and tablets (iPads, etc.). During…
Disease Comeback Stories
We don’t usually associate the phrase “history repeats itself” with illness, but sometimes diseases we thought were ancient history – or at least so uncommon they slide off the radar – make a sneaky comeback. Here’s a look at four…
