Think back to the schools of yesteryear, the ones you and your siblings may have attended. Whether public or parochial there was most likely one teacher and one classroom for each grade. Children walked to their neighborhood school and knew what to expect when the school bell rang. Teachers wrote…

Mine is a mixed marriage. My husband loves the beach. I love the city. And the kids love adventure. So this year, we decided to vacation in Charleston, SC. We toured the sites in the morning and hit the beach in the afternoon. Perhaps the best part of this metro…

Your daughter comes home from school looking sad and a little worried. She tells you she doesn't like school anymore and doesn't want to go back. After a little coaxing, you find out that a classmate has been shoving her, calling her names, and won't let her play with the…

We can’t help but show off these real Richmond kids! You’ve seen them every month. See the Cover Kids Video And each issue of RFM flies off the racks – from Ashland to Petersburg – largely because of these happy, talented, awesome children. We had a blast catching up with…

In a former life, long before kids and even before marriage, my husband and I worked as "paid political operatives." Working on political campaigns was our profession. We were inspired by candidates we believed in, who would go to Richmond or Washington, and would cast their votes the way we…

Left, right, left, right - okay, now I'm in the groove. Just keep the stride going for ten more minutes, and the treadmill odometer will hit that magic three-mile mark. Then tomorrow I'll see if I can push it a little farther. Hey, no comments, please. I know this body…

The cooler and shorter days mean October has arrived in Richmond! And if that doesn’t convince you, that cute little cheetah on our cover will! Yes, it’s time to carve the pumpkins, stock up on candy, and make that all-important Halloween decision: make or buy the costume. We want to…

When I was a kid, Halloween was one day. It was a glorious day to be sure. But it was one day - in the life of a busy, happy family with six children and two working parents. When Halloween fell on a weekday, there was a parade through the…

Grief is one of the most complex emotions to process. And almost all of us, no matter our age, will be exposed to it. At 15, Taylor Smith’s life was dramatically changed when his mother died of breast cancer. Before this tragedy, Taylor was known as an easygoing and friendly…

Q: Our first son was talking up a storm by age two, but his little brother doesn't seem to be picking it up as well. He follows directions, so we know he hears just fine. A friend has suggested looking into a delayed language specialist.Thoughts? A: All children develop at…

Quite often in my practice I save people - from themselves. Because information is readily available, consumers are enticed by today's highest rated stocks, best venture capital deals, and newest no-risk opportunities with guaranteed ten percent returns. We also hear about lottery winners who quickly lose their financial gain and…

Hot Dog Mummies Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Cut eight hot dogs in half. Cut a slit in each hot dog piece and stuff with a thin slice of your favorite cheese. Thaw 8 sheets of phyllo dough (look for it…

While you may consider bladder health an embarrassing subject to breach with close friends, let alone your health care provider, remember that it's something that physicians talk about daily. To us, it's science and it can be a telling sign of your overall health. Frequent urination - or having to…

I've been arrested. Once, when I was fourteen years old. That's right. Your RFM legal writer has a criminal record. Surprised? Probably not. Many law-abiding, hard-working parents have had a brief run-in with law enforcement, most likely during those rebellious teen years, and most likely involving some sort of minor…

Join the art movement characterized by spontaneity and the expression of emotion in painting. Be inspired by abstract expressionist and native Virginian Judith Godwin and bring this dramatic art form to your family table. What You Need: Any color poster board (cut to placemat size, 20 x 12-in. Rectangular, 12-in.…

The American Cancer Society recently updated its colonoscopy guidelines for men and women, regardless of family history. Visit cancer.org for details. ______________________________________________________________________ Chocolate-laced drool trickling down your preschooler's chin. A demonic clown with green nubs for teeth. Or that eerie scene from Ghostbusters when the gentle librarian's spirit hovers in…

Did you ever wonder why your 7-year-old trips over his shoes, without picking them up? Or why your teenager doesn't hear you when you ask him to make his bed? Or why your toddler spits out the carrots she loved just yesterday? Despite the evidence of your own eyes and…

Breast cancer patients deal with more than the realities of battling a life-threatening disease. There are challenges with self-image and self-worth issues to process as well. While breast preservation in cancer patients is now a common procedure, there may be significant cosmetic issues, especially following a large lumpectomy. Oncoplasty represents…

Working with other nurses, docs, and medical experts for nearly thirty years - plus, parenting two kids and managing a home - I know there are plenty of frightening things out in the world. Like lots of people, I appreciate Halloween and all the scares that come with it. It…

A Closer Look at Conjunctivitis Your eyes feel gritty and itchy. They've been tearing all day. Bright lights hurt. They look red and swollen, and there may be a crusty yellow discharge when you wake up in the morning. Wipe it away, and it's back within the hour. Chances are…

Ringing, roaring, hissing, or chirping. Each person who has tinnitus may have his or her own special kind of sound, but all agree that the noises can be intrusive and disturbing. People with tinnitus hear sounds that are not heard by others. Sometimes referred to as a ringing in the…