Author Archives: Ellen Sewell

Easy 4th of July Craft

HOW TO MAKE A NO-SEW PATRIOTIC BURLAP WINDSOCK The 13 stripes and 50 stars on the United States flag will always unite us, so here is a craft that salutes our country with a fresh take on a vintage look. You can relax while crafting your windsock, because painted burlap doesn’t require perfection or a […]

How One Local Mom Turned A Passion Into A Platform

MOM & CO-FOUNDER OF MY MUSIC STARTS HERE SHARES HOW SHE BROUGHT HER PASSION OF MUSIC TO OTHERS We’re so excited to share the story of how this local mom and teacher, Mary Anderson, turned her passion into a platform for local children. I was an elementary and preschool music teacher for 13 years and […]

Healthy and easy breakfast quesadilla with egg, cheese, avocado and tomato perfect for children

An Easy & Nutritious Quesadilla Recipe

THE VA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & VA WIC SHARE A FIESTA QUESADILLA RECIPE & ADVICE ON THE IMPORTANCE OF FOLATES Looking for a scrumptious breakfast or lunch idea for a fun summer day? The Folate Fiesta Quesadilla brings together fresh vegetables, eggs and cheese, making it a kid-friendly and kid-favorite recipe. Kids will also gain […]

When Should a Child Get Braces or Invisalign?

CHARLOTTESVILLE ORTHODONTICS SHARES TIPS ON KNOWING WHEN IT’S TIME TO STRAIGHTEN YOUR CHILD’S TEETH The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children visit an orthodontist at the age of 7, when permanent teeth begin to erupt and bites can be evaluated. At this age, issues such as cross-bites and crowding may become apparent. In addition […]

How to Raise Resilient Kids

9 TIPS FOR HELPING YOUR KIDS IN THESE CHALLENGING TIMES To say that these past months have been challenging is an understatement. With the pandemic, Black Lives Matter, riots, unemployment, fires, the whirl of the coming election, homeschooling and the isolation from family and friends, it’s no surprise that anxiety and depression are up nationally. […]

Big sister with her newborn sibling

Welcome Home Baby!

TIPS FOR BRINGING HOME BABY + PRINTABLE SIGN & COLORING PAGE FOR SIBLINGS There are so many emotions and thoughts parents have when bringing home a new baby, especially if there are older siblings waiting to welcome their baby brother or sister. Chances are you feel happy with anticipation but also stressed and worried about […]

Your Happiness Toolkit

ONE LOCAL MOM & CONFLICT RESOLUTION SPECIALIST SHARES HER EXPERIENCES AND ADVICE FOR FINDING YOUR OWN SELF-SERENITY   First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes a baby in a baby carriage. This is what I was hoping for when I met my ex-husband seven years ago. The divorce took over nine months. In the […]

Little girl pouting at playground

How to Ensure Your Toddler Understands No Means No

Dear Bob: No Means No   My toddler seems to have a hard time expressing himself with words. What can I do to help him? Actually there’s a lot you can do to help increase your toddler’s wordage. Here are some tips:   How To Talk & Listen To Your Child Most parenting articles stress […]