While April showers traditionally have been said to bring May flowers, there are plenty of spring blooms on display beginning much before May. Whether it’s wildflowers or blossoming trees your tired winter eyes crave, there are a surprising number of opportunities to take in nature’s pretty spring flowers within easy driving distance of Springfield. For […]
Pamela Savage
Bring out the beauty within
Though I was married in the aughts, I have a few vivid memories of my wedding weekend. In particular, I remember being in a salon in Philadelphia with my mom, my bridesmaids, my future mother-in-law, and my partner’s sister, grandmother and cousins. We had joined together early in the day for mimosas and bagels, and […]
Dealing with sibling rivalryÂ
Imagine coming home from a long day of work or errands and meeting your partner at the door. Your partner gestures for you to take off your coat and sit down at the table. Would you like a snack or a glass of water? There is some big news to share with you! Would you […]
A parent’s guide to gaming
Growing up, my brother had a Game Boy that he let me use on long car rides. It simply wasn’t my thing. I remember not having any patience for leveling up in Zelda, often choosing to stare out of a window rather than take a turn on the device. As an adult, I am thus […]
Tips to get through the winter
Winter is upon us and we are going to get through it. Here are ideas for ushering your family through the wintertime with some healthy habits that will hopefully promote peace and well-being in your homes. Indoor games The draw of the sofa/snuggle/screentime trifecta is strong this time of year. And while I have no […]
Get the whole family involved in giving backÂ
Supporting our community during the holidays reaps benefits for everyone. Here are some opportunities to donate, serve and give back during the month ahead. Springfield area Micropantries Food scarcity is a major issue all of the time, but especially during the holidays, and particularly in 2025. Many of our readers are already aware of micropantries, […]
Holiday movie and book pairings
Kids of all ages love to be read to, and reading together as a family can boost connection in so many ways. Books allow you to talk about all sorts of different topics and themes with your kids and teach empathy and compassion for different kinds of characters and circumstances. This is such a wonderful […]
Dealing with daytime darkness
Here we go again – daylight savings time. The changing of clocks. The unsettling reality of darkness at 4 p.m. While initially cozy, the drastic reduction in sunlight that our bodies experience during the winter can unfortunately cause mood changes, fatigue and a weakened immune system – not to mention, it’s just sort of a […]
Take the 30-day decluttering challenge
As the seasons start to change, it’s time to put away swimsuits and goggles in order to find sweaters and slacks. Oftentimes, when you are looking for fall and winter items, you may notice that an abundant amount of stuff has somehow piled up in every cabinet and drawer throughout the course of the summer […]
Take a family camping trip
Growing up, my family were car camping people. Both my brother and I were involved with scouting, and my parents kept an up-to-date Kampgrounds of America (KOA) directory in the sideboard in the living room. I vividly remember one trip to the Outer Banks where it rained so much that the tent flooded and I […]
Start a new school year with more independence
As parents, one of our most important goals is to teach our children to be independent, but teaching those skills can sometimes be difficult and fraught. It’s not always easy for kids to walk into their new roles and responsibilities with good cheer, and it’s definitely not easy for parents to let go. Our well-meaning […]
Keep kids reading this summer
With summer just around the corner, many parents are probably wondering how to keep kids busy, as well as engaged with all of the learning they’ve accomplished over the last school year. Look no further than your local library for great options that are both entertaining and educational. Summer reading has been proven to help […]
