November-December 2022

Like most folks, the last nearly three years of the pandemic have been unsettling, to say the least. My family was leery of traveling and even more leery of cruising. But when we had the opportunity to celebrate the christening of the Disney Wish and set sail for three fun-filled…

Discover why Richmond’s historic estate and crown jewel, Maymont, is a must-visit over the holidays and throughout the year. Maymont is a Richmond treasure families can savor any time of year. Nestled in the city, the beloved estate is especially magical during the holidays, with its glowing lights, seasonal greenery,…

Discover why Richmond’s historic estate and crown jewel, Maymont, is a must-visit over the holidays and throughout the year. Maymont is a Richmond treasure families can savor any time of year. Nestled in the city, the beloved estate is especially magical during the holidays, with its glowing lights, seasonal greenery,…

My child had worked so hard on her list that year that I couldn’t bear the thought of watching her hand it over to Santa.  Things might be a bit more high-tech these days – what with magical elf communications – but back in the day, my kids delivered their…

While everyone’s holiday traditions differ, the high expectations and level of activity surrounding all holidays and special events can be very stressful, especially if you have a child with a disability or even mild sensory issues. Too often, we set unrealistic expectations for the perfect holiday – think flawless photo,…

This article wasn’t turned in on time. It wasn’t even close. I’ve spent the last month and a half thinking about the DadZone, asking myself questions like: What should I write? Shouldn’t you probably start writing soon? And the all-important: Will my editor still like me if my piece is…

If the RFM calendar is any indication, it’s safe to say the holiday season in Richmond, Virginia, is back in full force. There are so many events from now until the end of the year, you won’t know which to hit and which to skip. All of your RVA favorites…

Gift tip! Shop for memoirs and audio books this year.  When it comes to holiday gifting, you can’t beat a good book. I have taken a recent liking to memoirs, and these days, nearly every celebrity of any sort has one out, so there’s something for everyone on your shopping…

Turn tubes into clever and colorful snowpeople using odds and ends from around the house. What you need: • Toilet paper tubes • Glue • White acrylic paint • Paintbrush • Crayons, markers • Odds and ends: pom poms, felt, fabric, yarn, chenille stems, twigs What you do: 1 Paint…

My  two-year-old started potty training this month, and he’s doing pretty well. We’ll be traveling over the holidays, and I’m wondering if I should have waited. Is it a bad idea to put him back in diapers? Learning to use the potty is a big step for children and their…

It is noon on a Sunday and students and chaperones from Godwin High School have created an assembly line to unload materials from a large box truck. Working as a team, they move from start to finish on the installation of a modular, metal wheelchair ramp on the front stairs…

COVID-19 numbers aren’t what they were at the pandemic’s peak, but omicron continues to keep us on our toes. That’s why the CDC recommends Moderna’s and Pfizer’s updated booster shots for children and adults. As a mom of four and a pediatric infectious disease specialist, I know families are tired…

Sweet Potato Casserole 8 cups sweet potatoes, about 4 large potatoes 1 cup canned coconut milk, light or regular ¼ cup maple syrup ¼ cup coconut oil, melted 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 teaspoon cinnamon ½ teaspoon sea salt ½ teaspoon freshly grated or ground nutmeg Topping:…

Last year, my kids had their first interaction with Legendary Santa. While they were captivated by all the wonder of the experience, their favorite activity (to my surprise) was visiting the Fawn Shop with their MaeMae and PaPa and purchasing gifts for my wife and me using their Fawn Bucks.…

In his short life, Richmond native Clemenceau “Clem” McAdoo Givings found a vocation he was seemingly born for and helped reshape the U.S. Armed Forces.  When World War II broke out in 1939, the military – like most of American society – was deeply segregated. Black service members were separated…

Toward the end of A Christmas Carol, Ebenezer Scrooge pleads with one of the ghosts, vowing that he will change his ways after glimpsing the grim future that awaits. “I will live in the past, the present, and the future,” Scrooge exclaims. “The spirits of all three shall strive within…

There are more than 4,000 children currently in foster care in Virginia. Of those, approximately 700 are legally available to be adopted, waiting for a family like yours to provide them with a forever family. Fostering and adopting a child can be rewarding. If you’ve been considering this step, it’s…