As family members age, they often become more reliant on us to help them with their lives. When Grandma and Grandpa need help mowing the lawn, changing light bulbs, or lifting heavy boxes, the solution is easy: Drive over and…

We’ve all had to deal with those neighbors at one point or another. You know, the ones whose high schooler is the lead singer for a death metal band that practices on Tuesday nights until eleven-thirty at night. In their…

My husband and I are the parents of one spirited 6-year-old. Although our nuclear family is small, the extended one includes grandparents, an aunt, cousins, a Godfather, self-proclaimed “agnostic parents,” and fairy godparents. And yes, I’m aware that those last…

My 6-year-old daughter still rides in a car seat with a 5-point harness, which is the safest option for her thirty-six-pound frame. Lucky for me, she has not developed booster-seat envy, despite knowing that the bulk of her kindergarten buddies…

Have you ever met a parent who has an undecided stance on vaccines? Me neither. It’s a parenting decision that elicits emotional responses, a hot-button topic. But since firearms safety, healthcare, and the Supreme Court’s ruling on DOMA have been…

Ever take one of those “How Virginia?” or “How Richmond Are You” tests on Facebook? I know, not the headiest things in the world, but they can be amusing. And, what other opportunity do I have to showcase my secret…

When we first moved to Virginia, my husband changed his name. We had been married for a little while with our respective last names and, since having a child, we made the family decision that we’d like to have the…

I remember my childhood summers as a time of nonstop action. Whether I was setting up a lemonade stand at our neighborhood roller skating rink (otherwise known as Mrs. Swanson’s driveway) or inviting my friends over to run in the…

At a coffee shop, I overheard a mom talking on her cell phone. She was lamenting her single-mom status and all the responsibilities she faced on a daily basis, which did sound more than a bit overwhelming. At one point,…

Jump back with me into “Mad Men” time. Don is still married to Betty, and the Draper family is finishing up a family picnic at a park. Before heading back to the car, Don throws his beer can across the…