Like so many of us, I am a fall person through and through. The leaves, the books, the sweaters, the colors, the coffee: What can I say? Fall has it all. One of my first childhood literary friends, Anne Shirley, proclaimed, “I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.” Ditto, Anne. […]
Pamela Savage
Take fantastic fall family photos
Many families choose autumn and early winter to take family photographs. The light seems just right, the pace of life has slowed down and there are upcoming holiday cards to consider. But taking family pictures can also be fraught with indecision – how do you know who to hire? What location should you choose? What […]
Kids and technology
Somehow, the back-to-school season is upon us. As we prepare for another year of growing and learning in today’s digital age, parents may have some concerns and questions about how to help their children utilize technological tools effectively and appropriately. I sat down with Emily Cherkin, also known as “The Screentime Consultant,” to discuss how […]
Cut back on cooking this summer
Ah, the lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer. … And the last thing I want to do at the end of them is cook dinner. Lucky for me (and my hungry family), there are loads of wonderful things to whip up for dinner that require no or very little cooking at all. Market veggie sandwiches […]
Make the best of cicadas
They’re coming! If the idea of our region’s massive cicada emergence gives you the creeps, you aren’t alone. I am definitely (ahem) bugged at the thought of so many airborne crawlies, but I am doing my best to put on a brave face. Since the only way out is through, why not turn up the […]
Teach life skills this summer
May is finally here, and with it comes the end of the school year. Between all of the spring sports, concerts, plays, graduations and family parties, so many of us parents are ready for a well-earned break from the rush and are excited for the lull of lazier, slower, summer days. And while the first […]
Wild about wolves
Most people are probably able to conjure the sound of a howling wolf. Whether you’ve heard a wolf howl in real life or as part of the soundtrack to a spooky movie, the sound of howling is ubiquitously associated with wolves in the dark, dusky midnight. But did you also know that several species of […]
Spring crafts for kids
Spring is finally here. This is a wonderful time of year to get outside with younger children, but it can sometimes be hard to know what to do. Spring crafts are a great way to teach kids about nature, use fine motor skills and get outside. They can also be a fun way to reuse […]
Pair a book and movie
Every parent on the planet likely knows the importance of reading as it relates to their kids’ future literacy. You probably also know that when very young children are read to their vocabulary increases and their language development blossoms. Reading with your kids is also quality time that ultimately strengthens the parent/child bond. And it’s […]
The sandwich generation
The term “sandwich generation” was first coined in the 1980s by sociologists Dorothy Miller and Elaine Brody to identify people in their 30s and 40s who were taking care of their children as well as their elderly parents or extended family members. According to the Pew Research Center, approximately 54% of Americans in their 40s […]
After the big day
I planned a wedding in Old City, Philadelphia, more than 14 years ago. I fondly remember the hustle and bustle of figuring out a venue, finding the right dress, sampling menus, curating a guest list and interviewing vendors. The vibe was celebratory, light and fun. Because I was to be wed in a Catholic Jesuit […]
Eat your veggies and like it
There is no way to sugarcoat this: January 2024 has thus far been cold, dark, wet and icy. Perhaps you started this January with lofty goals of eating healthier, moving your body more, attaining a promotion, limiting your screen usage, reading more books, whatever. Perhaps you also looked outside at the gray nothing sky and […]
