November-December 2021

Anyone who is a Hallmark movie fanatic, like yours truly, is familiar with Roanoke native and University of Virginia grad Jen Lilley. The spirited and friendly actress stars in many of Hallmark’s most beloved films, think Mingle All The Way; Winter Love Story; Love Unleashed; Paris, Wine & Romance; and…

Hitesha Patel of Chesterfield, mom of three-year-old Amaiya, says the Children’s Museum of Richmond is hands-down one of her family’s favorite places to visit. She’s not alone, but there’s a unique reason this parent appreciates CMoR as much as she does. “My daughter is an only child, and CMoR gives…

As weird as the holiday season was last year – no meals out, no shows or movie theaters, no big family gatherings, no church service on Christmas Eve – I have to admit, paring back the shopping was kind of awesome. If I concentrate, I can actually remember some of…

If you’re anything like me, you’ve barely managed to put your Halloween decorations back in the attic (or perhaps they are still on the porch – shhh, I won’t tell anyone), and you are already feeling the pressures associated with turkeys and Santa.  Holiday decorations were out in the stores…

 We did it! We made it to another holiday season. We survived Halloween and another election, and we are pointed squarely in the direction of Thanksgiving. The days have now grown shorter. It’s time for the extroverts to connect with long lost friends and introverts to hide under long lost…

I know you’re like me, looking forward to a more normal Thanksgiving and holiday season after the very different 2020 versions. Never in a million years would I have imagined a Thanksgiving table set for just the four of us, but looking back, it wasn’t so bad having a quiet…

Here’s a creative photo-taking and craft-making project. Take festive photos, print them out, and upcycle them into holiday gifts - like bookmarks, greeting cards, or a set of notecards! Check out Kids Can-Do at RFMonline.com for helpful photography tips from Lauren at the Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen.  …

My six- and eight-year-old daughters fight constantly. Do you have any strategies to help me help them get along better? Unfortunately, constant sibling quarrels are extremely common. The good news is that children in the six-to-eight age range can start to become conscious of when certain feelings are arising in…

The days at Fort Lee were long. And for the hundreds of Afghan refugees filling out paperwork and trying to contact loved ones, those days had been preceded by many other long, hard days. For these families, the journey to escape after the fall of the Afghan government was harrowing.…

Updated Nov 12, 2021 Since the school year began, parents across our region have been understandably anxious about their child’s risk of exposure to COVID-19 in the classroom. Positive cases in school communities are inevitable, but one trend we’re discovering may surprise you: Very, very few kids are actually getting…

Peppermint Bark 9 oz dark chocolate baking chips 9 oz white chocolate baking chips 1 teaspoon peppermint extract 3 regular-size candy canes Line an 8-inch square pan with parchment paper. I cut two pieces and have one going in each direction so the whole pan is covered. Melt the dark…

 It’s always a good idea to get your holiday shopping done early, but this year it’s more important than ever. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a microchip shortage and supply chain issues. This means electronics, toys, and other products and gift options will be (or already are) in short supply.…

Todd the kitten weighed less than a pound when he came to Richmond Animal League from a local animal control partner. More ominous than that, he came with medical records that read: Suspect ringworm, recommend euthanasia. Ringworm is a fungal infection of the skin – the same fungus that causes…

As a counselor with a decade of experience, I was surprised when my Instagram blew up after I posted some free advice for couples. I said that men in particular need to help out as much as they can around the house and with the kids. Chores are a part…

After seizing power in Germany in 1933, the Nazis instituted a slew of anti-Jewish decrees designed to remove Jews from economic and social life. By 1935, with the passage of the Nuremberg Race Laws and the Law for the Protection of German Blood and Honor, it became almost impossible for…

If your children are anything like mine, they’re asking to bring out the Halloween bins in August and the Christmas decorations in October. Though our children’s enthusiasm can be contagious, not everyone enjoys decorating or can afford to make it a priority in their busy lives. However, children often enjoy…

The upcoming winter months can bring a host of common childhood illnesses to the forefront of our minds such as colds, flu, and bronchiolitis, which is more commonly referred to as RSV. Bronchiolitis is a respiratory illness usually caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Children older than two usually get…