Kids, the annual task of planning for summer break can begin as early as February. My daughter is in kindergarten, so this is the first year that I’ve had to think about what she’ll be doing during the ten weeks when school is out. Truthfully, I was already starting to…

Lori Waran is a builder. She’s not building houses – no lumber or hammers here – but she can build an organization and an audience by using her coveted skill set. Her vision for completing the task at hand may not always follow the norm, but her track record in…

My family and I prefer to be outside and on the move. Since the day our two kids were born – they’re teens now! – it seems like we’ve been on the road seeking adventure. Virginia offers plenty of opportunities for families who love nature or enjoy the sense of…

Working parents didn’t need a pandemic to learn the importance of having reliable child care for their children, but the pandemic certainly demonstrated the essential and critical role early childhood caregivers play in educating and shaping future generations. “The child care workforce supports every other workforce in Virginia,” says Angela…

Q. My eleven-year-old daughter is large for her age, while my son, who is a year older, eats constantly and has a slight frame. Family members compare them all the time and make comments to both my kids that bother me. I’m not sure how my daughter feels about it…

The airports and skies were very busy last year as Americans continued to return to travel after the pandemic. On the Sunday after Thanksgiving last year, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screened more than 2.9 million passengers nationwide, which broke the agency’s all-time record for most travelers in a single…

I went many years without having the pleasure of naming a dog. My pets were rescues, and I always kept their original names. The names were cute and the dogs seemed comfortable with them. Turns out, if they’d had a less than positive response to their name, it might have…

It’s so nice to have more daylight in the evenings and warmer temps during the days, as we welcome spring in Richmond. And you know what that means? Summer is right around the corner. If you have school-aged kids, it’s time to start planning for ways to keep them busy…

There’s a desire for adventure in all of us. For many people with disabilities, finding ways to experience outdoor adventure can seem almost impossible. Janie Willis is a rock climber, kayaker, and angler based in Richmond. She also lives with multiple disabilities. Prior to discovering Beyond Boundaries, she had very…

The last several months have been tough on many families with infants and toddlers. By this time of year, the average infant or toddler who attends preschool or child care (or has an older sibling who does) has likely had between six and twelve respiratory infections since the fall.Respiratory infections…

One of the topics I am frequently asked about as a pediatric registered dietitian is the ever-increasing number of types of milk and milk alternatives. It can be hard to sort through the options to determine which one(s) best meet your family’s needs. This article includes recommended amounts of milk,…

photo: Brittany Mullins Savory Oatmeal ½ cup old-fashioned rolled oats1 cup water1 cooked egg2 tablespoons feta 
or grated parmesan cheese (dairy-free if needed)3 or 4 grape tomatoes halved¼ avocadoEverything But The Bagel seasoningSea salt and pepper to tasteFresh parsley, for toppingHot sauce, optional Heat water and oats in a medium…

Last year marked the twentieth birthday of one of my favorite ways to save, the health savings account (HSA). The HSA came into existence through the Medicare Modernization Act signed into law by President George W. Bush on December 8, 2003. What is a health savings account? The HSA is…

Being a kid today can be overwhelming. Just think of the torrent of information, images, and communication that is inundating our children at every waking hour. TikTok one moment, Instagram the next, and texting with friends in between. With little time to put it all in perspective, it’s easy to…

Several years ago (I’m pretty sure it was 2019 because my eldest child Sam had recently moved out), I went to my closet with a very clear mission. I was determined to sort through all the clothes and other things that had piled up in there, including but not limited…

On the last day of their sleepaway camp deep in the North Carolina mountains, each boy gets a T-bone steak, cooked to his liking. There’s a side of potatoes and chocolate pie for dessert. It’s their celebratory meal after two weeks living out in the woods. Some have fought bees…

One in seven people experience a substance use disorder (SUD), and nearly 50 percent of the population in the United States is related to or knows someone with SUD. Loving someone with SUD can be painful, stressful, or traumatizing. By the time a family decides to seek help, they might…

A powerful novel of hope and forgiveness from a beloved author. I’m typically one to choose titles for pure pleasure over anything too heavy, so I was torn when I saw the latest book from one of my favorite authors, Mitch Albom of Tuesdays with Morrie fame. Set against the…