When Virginia Tourism launched its Crush Friday initiative earlier this year, the message was loud and clear: Take some time off from work. Get away for a weekend or longer! It’s good for your mind, body, and soul – and yes, Virginia’s economy! While this particular campaign was aimed at…

The eager glint in their eyes and enthusiastic smiles are what you first notice when the River City Stars bound onto the stage. Dressed in navy, silver, and Carolina blue uniforms with their hair-bows bobbing, the squad members tumble, dance, and clap to the rhythm of an upbeat Disney music…

I’ve logged many a rocky road in flip-flops. To date, I’ve survived ten years traveling with two exasperating eaters to research and write 100-plus family travel articles, and ultimately savor – yes, savor! – one back surgery (my one solo vacay, and it was in the hospital, friends!). Given my…

Members of the RFM team share books they’ve recently enjoyed. Maybe you will, too!  Being sad when a book is over is a sure sign that it’s a winner – don’t you agree? A blurb about The Immortalists caught my eye on my daily dose of TheSkimm back in January,…

When I was growing up, I had a peanut butter and jelly sandwich nearly every day in my school lunch. Now I teach in a nut-free classroom and meticulously read ingredient labels in the grocery store before putting anything into my cart. I am well-trained in managing a family with…

I know it’s out here somewhere. The college our daughter has been looking for. And as we make our way down endless highways and byways in search of it, my odometer might as well be racking up dollar signs instead of miles. Here on a spate of college tours –…

I’m here this month to save you from yourself, you hard workers. Do you know that Americans left 662 million – MILLION! – vacation days on the table last year? We’re talking days that our employers want to actually pay us to not come to work. And we said, “No…

Have you ever congratulated yourself for accomplishing something fantastic – while simultaneously smacking yourself for not doing more? It happened to me again recently. Twice a year, my daughter’s school hosts a Book and Breakfast, where they ask for parent volunteers to read the same book as the students, and…

I have a 3-year-old son and a 2-month-old baby. My son was completely potty trained until about a month ago when he insisted on going back to wearing diapers. We gave in, and now wonder if we did the right thing. What do you think? Do we let him stay…

On a snowy March evening in 2014, Brad Hughes parked his patrol vehicle on Midlothian Turnpike in Chesterfield County and turned on his emergency lights. As a conservator of the peace, one of Hughes’ responsibilities was to assist police officers at crash sites. This was a multi-vehicle crash on an…

The anticipation of bringing a new baby into the world can be both exciting and stressful for mothers-to-be. But if you are an expectant African American woman, there is much more at stake, according to a recent study. Having a baby comes with several risk factors, and too many black…

If you’re in a committed relationship, deciding to move in together can be a very exciting time. But aside from the joy of taking a big step in your relationship, living together can also bring new challenges, many of them financial. According to a 2015 study by SunTrust Bank, 35…

Vacationing with pets is more common now than ever, and a plethora of destinations offer pet-friendly accommodations so your dog or cat can join in on the family fun. There are many factors to consider, however, when bringing your furry friend on the road. A little planning goes a long way…

In 1908, the publisher of the Richmond Times-Dispatch died. The next year, Joseph Bryan’s widow bought a 262-acre estate called Rosewood and gave it to the City of Richmond to establish a free public park called Bryan Park in her late husband’s memory. This land was rich in ponds, streams,…

With graduations, First Communions, Mother’s Day, and Father’s Day, the next few months are full of gift-giving opportunities! This year, don’t overlook plants. They can make great gifts, and the fond memory of your present grows each year. Not only will you be giving a memorable gift that keeps on…

In 2016, Virginia made history when it became the first state to mandate computer science education for all students enrolled in public schools (K through twelve). Yes, you read that correctly: Kindergarteners will start learning about computers, code, and computational thinking. Toward the end of 2017, the Computer Science Standards…