In this issue:
In this issue, an RVA Summer Fun Guide! Plus, exploring Philly, a local mom’s journey to launching her company, preparing your kid for college, and so much more.
Coming Clean
Gabi Day struggles with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, POTS, and a history of severe Lyme disease. While hospitalized during one of her particularly severe flare-ups, she decided that she needed to do something about the products she was putting on her skin. Her immune system was more sensitive than the average person's,…
A Family Guide to Summer in RVA
Summer is here, and there's no better time to dive into all that the Greater Richmond Area has to offer. Whether your family is in search of festivals, a place to cool down, or another activity to keep the dog days of the season full of fun, my daughter Amelia…
Exploring Philadelphia
As America celebrates its 250th anniversary this summer, there's no better time to visit one of our country's most historic cities. Philadelphia is where the Declaration of Independence was signed, where the Constitution was debated and adopted, and where many of the events that shaped our nation first unfolded. But…
Wintergreen Trip Package
Enter to win a trip for up to four to Wintergreen, where you’ll enjoy two nights’ lodging for four in exclusive Wintergreen accommodations, your choice of golf for up to four on Stoney Creek Golf Course or pickleball/tennis court time and equipment rental at Devils Knob Racquet Sports, four passes…
No Place Like Home
May was an exciting month for me personally. I got married (peep my new last name above), and soon after, my husband and I embarked on a 10-day honeymoon in Greece. Greece has been a bucket list vacation of mine ever since I saw The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants when I…
Sit, Stay, Play
It's rare to find a dog that doesn't like toys of some kind. Even if it's not a traditional stuffed squeaky toy or a tennis ball, most dogs gravitate toward some type of toy or another. Or maybe they make their own "toy" out of a non-toy item like a…
Trash or Treasure
One aspect of parenting no one prepares you for is the amount of half-eaten, slightly smooshed, or altogether ignored food that lingers on your children's plates after every meal. That — on top of the apple cores, carrot tops, onion skins, and various other kitchen scraps we create when cooking…
Beginning Breastfeeding
The early days with a new baby can be some of the most blissful you'll ever experience — and the most difficult. From your sleep routine being turned upside down to diaper changes on repeat, there's a lot to learn as you settle into caring for a precious, new life.…
Hot Summer Reads for Tots to Teens
Five Little Friends: A Collection of Finger Rhymes by Sean Taylor, illustrated by Fiona WoodcockAges 3–5 In the hallowed tradition of nursery rhymes and songs like "Itsy Bitsy Spider," this imaginative collection entices children to use their fingers, hands, and sometimes whole bodies to bring a variety of verses to…
Kids Can Do: Nature Crowns
Materials Cardboard Scissors Yarn Stapler, tape, or hot glue gun Found nature items (flowers, leaves, grass, stems, skinny branches) Instructions Break down a cardboard box and cut out a long rectangle, big enough to wrap around your head. Cut out small triangles along the top to make points or create…
What's Cooking: Summer Sides
Summer Vegetable Flatbread Serves 4 Ingredients 1 ear of corn 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved 1 small zucchini, chopped 1 tablespoon olive oil 2 flatbreads or naan (about 5×10 inches each) 6 oz ricotta cheese 2 oz goat cheese 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder 1/4 teaspoon salt Fresh basil leaves, for…
Pumping Iron
Iron isn't a nutrient that gets a lot of attention until something goes wrong. For women, especially, that can be a problem since iron deficiency is one of the most common nutritional deficiencies, and it affects women at nearly every stage of life. Monthly menstrual cycles, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and dietary…
School's Out!
Q. Now that school's out, my son is in full summer mode, and our daily routine has gone out the window. How can I maintain order in the house while still letting him enjoy his summer vacation? A. Summer can be full of so much joy — fewer demands on our…
Local Non-Profit Spotlight: Medical Home Plus
Dr. Harry Gewanter has three children with special needs, and he recalls that it greatly affected them in school. "[Navigating the school's special education system] was the most stressful event in my life," Gewanter says. "It was more stressful than medical school. It was more stressful than residency. And if…
Gotta Clean That Up
I picture the scene from The Office vividly. A confident Michael Scott recklessly maneuvers a forklift he's not authorized to use through the Dunder Mifflin warehouse. The warehouse foreman, Darryl, begs him to stop. Michael ignores him and slams the machine into a tall shelving unit of shipping supplies, knocking it over.…
A Parent's Guide to College
My daughter's first year of college was filled with new friends, adventures in a new city, and interesting classes. It was also filled with a rollercoaster of emotions and challenges — particularly during the first semester — as she transitioned from the structure of high school to the autonomy of…
RFM Bookshelf: "They Bloom Because of You" by Jessica Urlichs
Poetry often has the ability to capture things we'd like to say but might not be able to put into words. In Jessica Urlichs' They Bloom Because of You, a touching collection of poems gives voice to some of the innumerable sides of motherhood. From the tender feelings of new parenthood…
Maymont Animal Encounter
Discover unforgettable animal encounters at Maymont with three new Virginia Wildlife Trail experiences designed to bring you up close to some of Virginia’s native species. Choose from one of three animals for an up-close look at Big Bear or Little Bear, Monty the bobcat, or one of Maymont’s porcupines, Barb…
State Fair of Virginia Prize Package for Four
The 2026 State Fair of Virginia is happening September 25 – October 4 at Meadow Event Park, and we want YOU to be there! We’re giving away two Family Four-Packs, each including four admission tickets, four ride passes, and a parking pass. Don’t miss your chance to experience Best in…
Beer, Bourbon, & BBQ Festival
RVA's 17th Annual Beer, Bourbon, & BBQ Festival returns to Meadow Event Park on Saturday, July 25, for a day of sampling from over 60 beers, over 40 bourbons, and lots of barbecue, plus live music and more. We're giving away four tickets to enjoy the fun with friends.
The End of an Era
Summer Greetings, Friends! As we’re all enjoying these RVA summer days, and many of us are gearing up for a new school year, I’m preparing myself for a whole new era in the Thompson household. My baby boy, the one who was 1 year old when I started RFM, is…
RFM Reader Poll
You worked hard all week, and now it’s time to enjoy the weekend. From outdoor activities to local events, Richmond has plenty of ways to spend your Saturdays and Sundays. RFM Wants to Know: What’s your ideal way to spend a weekend in Richmond?