Richmond Family Magazine September-October 2026 Cover featuring Crystal Cempron, Rachel Beanland, June Mena, and Allie Wine

In this issue:

In our annual education issue, meet four moms who decided it’s never too late to pivot to a new career. Plus, learning at Maymont’s Virginia Wildlife Nature Trail, back-to-school tips, family fun in Miami, and so much more.

The Courage to Change Course

We've all had the thought. Sometimes it comes as we lie awake at 3 a.m. thinking about the next day's to-do list. Sometimes it comes while sitting in traffic on the way to work. What if I did something completely different with my career? Maybe it's opening a coffee shop,…

Animal Educators

Barb and Sandy don't let fame go to their heads, even though they can be a little prickly at times. These two spiky balls of cuteness are the stars of Porcupines Up Close, one of the educational animal encounter programs at Maymont, where critters share their lives openly with guests…

Greetings from Miami

For many years, Miami has been a favorite vacation destination for our family. The Florida hotspot has it all: culture and art, exquisite dining, that city vibe with a beautiful beach backdrop. We especially love to visit in the fall around Thanksgiving after the summer heat has died down but…

Education Organization

As summer winds down, many families are focused on shopping for new backpacks, lunchboxes, and school supplies. But before bringing anything new into your home, it can be helpful to take a moment to prepare the space where your family's daily school routines happen. Having an organized home isn't about…

Scam Season

The phone rang just after breakfast. The caller claimed to be from Medicare and explained that a new Medicare card was on the way. They only needed to "verify" a few details to avoid interrupting benefits. Everything sounded convincing — until the caller asked for a Medicare number and banking…

A Lesson in Saving

As parents, many of us spend a lot of time thinking about how to prepare our kids for the future. The range of education possibilities can feel exciting, while figuring out how to plan for the costs can feel overwhelming. Most of us want to give our children options, but…

Sweet Temptations by Teresa: Homemade Desserts Crafted with Love

What began as a passion for baking has blossomed into a beloved Richmond-area dessert business. Teresa, an Emergency Room nurse with a love for creating delicious homemade treats, turned her passion into Sweet Temptations by Teresa, a dessert business and food truck serving the Richmond community and beyond. Known for…

Fall Favorites

Squash & Pumpkin: #Squashgoals by G.G. McQueen, illustrated by Michael Slack Ages 3–7 Acorn Squash is tired of being overshadowed by Pumpkin and her beloved spice each fall season, so a campaign is launched to make Acorn Squash the new seasonal star. The Leaf Thief by Alice Hemming, illustrated by…

Silly Snail Friend

Materials Three pipe cleaners Pencil Two googly eyes Instructions Twist your pipe cleaner tightly around a pencil to create a spring. Slide it off and set aside. Take your other two pipe cleaners and twist the bottom half of them together, leaving the top untwisted. Twist each of those ends…

One-and-Done Dinners

One Pot Chicken Enchilada Pasta Serves 6 Ingredients 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil 1 clove garlic, minced 1 small yellow onion, chopped 1 red bell pepper, chopped 1 lb ground chicken 8 oz dry rotini pasta 1 14-oz can diced tomatoes 2 cups red enchilada sauce 2 cups low-sodium…

Beating Back-to-School Germs

Kids share more than glue and Goldfish when they return to the classroom. As any parent knows, they're likely passing around plenty of germs too. While that's pretty much inevitable for little ones, there are simple ways we can help them ward off illness as they return to school. 1.…

Balancing Act

Q. My child seems to be constantly on the go between school, homework, sports, and other activities. How can I help her find a healthy balance without overwhelming her? A. First, let's take a step back and examine how balanced your child's current schedule is. One helpful way to think…

Sportable

From the sidelines of Sportable's youth wheelchair basketball camp, Amy Smith watches her 24-year-old daughter, Hannah, glide across the court, expertly dribbling a basketball while coaching campers as young as 10. Hannah's fiancé and fellow Sportable athlete, Christian, is also taking in the action of the camp from the sidelines.…

Whatever Door We're Standing In

I have a collection of photos that all look about the same, even though almost nothing about them actually is. Two brothers posed side-by-side, wearing backpacks that are slightly bigger each year, on slightly broader shoulders. But if you pay attention to the backdrops, what's behind them has changed a…

Testing the Waters

When I registered my 6-month-old daughter Hallie for her first lesson at a local swim school, I didn't think a mommy-and-me swim class could teach me, a former Division I college swimmer and swim instructor, anything new. But once I entered the damp locker room with my crying baby and…

Lifelong Learning

I've always loved back-to-school season. Each year, I'd get excited for my new classes, the start of a new grade level, and all the possibilities that came with a new semester. Don't even get me started on the excitement of new school supplies and a new first-day-of-school outfit. I've always…

Science Museum of Virginia Supernova Membership

There’s never been a better time to become a Science Museum of Virginia member! With a Supernova Membership, you’ll get free, unlimited regular admission for one year for two adults and three children under 18 in the same household. You’ll also receive four free Dome passes, four free guest passes,…

Maymont Garden Glow Tickets

Immerse yourself in a mesmerizing world of color and light at Garden Glow presented by Kroger October 14 – November 8. After dark, experience Maymont transformed by artful lighting. Take a hike down the magically lit Woodland Trail and a serene stroll through the glowing Japanese Garden, followed by fun…

RFM Reader Poll

They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but does that mean it’s the best? Let’s settle this once and for all! RFM Wants to Know: What’s your favorite meal of the day?

A New Season

Just like that, summer has wrapped up, the kids are back in school, and the days and nights are turning cooler. My nest is empty for the first time ever, but with my mom living with us, a friend described it as a haven now, which I love and am…

Fall Into Comfort: Get Your HVAC Ready Before the Chill Sets In

There's something about a crisp fall morning that makes you want to grab a sweater and a pumpkin spice anything. While you're embracing all things fall, take a moment to prepare your HVAC system for the cooler months ahead. A[TA1]  bit of prep now means your home stays warm, efficient,…

Review: Rachel Beanland’s The Half Life Explores Love, Conscience, and the Cost of Loyalty

The Half Life, local author Rachel Beanland’s absorbing new novel, is a beautifully layered story about love, loyalty, and the difficult work of waking up to one’s own conscience. Set largely on the sun-washed Italian island of La Maddalena during the years of the Atomic Age in the 1970s, the…