When a parent dies. . .

My 6 and 1/2 year old's classmate recently--and suddenly---lost his father. We were immediately notified by the Echo Lake Elementary school's principal and alerted that the school counselor would be talking with the children, and asked to speak with our child as well.

How exactly does one explain death to a first grader? How do we get over that shock ourselves, when any parent--especially the parent of such a little one--occurs?

As we were outside just having gotten him from the bus stop, I crouched down and looked into Bryce's eyes and explained this terribly sad situation. He said "Okay, mama" and hopped on his scooter. Well, that didn't go as I had planned.

Any advice on how this has been effective for others?

Detours and Onramps: Women & Work in Richmond

October 28th-Detours and Onramps is coming to Richmond! U of R, 8:30-3pm.

Detours & OnRamps, a forum supporting women on their quest for work-life balance, is coming to Richmond, sponsored by Momentum Resources. Register by 10/10 and receive $25 off the registration fee: https://secure.hostmonster.com/~mccartan/onrampsforum/Registration_richmond.html

This is for women who:

--Have held professional jobs in a variety of industries including financial services, publishing, accounting, legal and and interested in returning to the same field with a family-friendly schedule.
--Are looking for career options other than those professions/careers for which they were trained or in which they advanced prior to motherhood.
--Are seeking flexibility for job sharing, flex time, or alternative career paths.
--Are well-educated and professionally trained; many with advanced degrees.
--Are interested in investing in their career and their future - not looking for a part-time job while at home for several months.

Phenomenal networking opportunities exist. Join us!

Ashland Berry farm: Halloween Fun Starting 10/3/08!

At night in October, Ashland Berry farm is transformed into 3 horrors beyond ones imagination. Beginning Friday October 3rd three different scares Boogar Woods, Dr. Boz’s Labyrinth and Hailey’s Mortuary of Madness. Hayrides to the woods begin at 7pm. Ticket sales for all events start at 6:30.Tickets must be purchased in person.NO ADVANCED SALES. We stop selling tickets at 10PM. (On some evenings tickets sales may be cut off earlier because we have reached maximum occupancy. Get your tickets early)

http://www.ashlandberryfarm.com/HauntedEvenings.html

Fun for Families: Touch a Truck. 10/11, 10am-2pm

THIS WEEKEND!

Touch A Truck

EXPLORE up to 30 different kinds of trucks. PLAY in the newToddler Zone (0-3) or Kids' Corner (4-8+) where you will find crafts, games with prizes, toy truck play areas, free balloons and separate moonbounces.

• EAT lunch with us or grab a snack.


• COLLECT stickers, stamps and driver signatures in the Touch A Truck Keepsake Journal.


• SHOP and get ahead of the holiday rush by visiting Artists' Alley and other vendors.


• Most of all, ENJOY a great day with family and friends!!
  


• Date: Saturday, October 11, 2008 Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Location: Short Pump Middle School 4701 Pouncey Tract Road Glen Allen, VA 23059
  Click here to purchase your tickets!

Part-time opening-Bon Air Dance & Pilates

Richmond moms! Are you professional and looking for part-time work? Available opening: Tuesdays, Wednesdays from 2pm-8pm and Fridays from 4pm-7pm doing light office and receptionist work. Reply to Owner@bonairdance.com.

Really Big Film Festival Starts Soon! $5 tickets!

Science Museum of Virginia’s Ethyl IMAX®DOME Really Big Film Festival, Wednesday, Oct. 1-Friday, Oct. 31: http://www.smv.org/nowshowing/IMAXDome/festival/

“This isn’t just any film festival,” says Science Museum of Virginia Director Richard Conti. “We’re showing Richmond’s favorite giant screen films. Over the summer our guests voted on their favorites on our web site. May I have the envelope please … The winners — in approximate order of their geographic distance from Richmond.”
Beavers — Meet a couple of young beavers as they set out to build their home in the new several acre pond they create. Their life is not without danger — but by spring they become new parents.
Ring of Fire — Get closer to an erupting volcano than you ever thought possible. Visit the Pacific Rim. This is where you can find more than three quarters of the world’s active volcanoes and half a billion people.
Hidden Hawaii: Born in Paradise — Dive thousands of feet below the ocean’s surface to watch the fiery birth of Hawaii’s newest island — Loihi. Scale a 3,000-foot cliff in search of a rare alula plant. Visit Hawaii’s famous beaches. See the ocean’s eternal battle with living coral that protects land from sea.
Everest — Join a daring group of mountain climbers as they trek across creaking icefalls and gaping chasms, up a dangerous cliff to the danger zone of oxygen-thin altitude. Along the way they become heroes as they triumph in the wake of tragedy.
Antarctica — Search for scientific clues locked in centuries-old ice. Fly a helicopter over towering glacial peaks. Dive through submerged crystalline caverns and join a company of penguins in an underwater ballet.

Get GREAT used kids' stuff-Sept 27th, 8am-11am

Southside Area Mothers of Multiples (SAMOM) will hold their EVERYTHING FOR KIDS SEMI-ANNUAL SALE on Saturday, September 27th at Manchester Middle School (7401 Hull Street Road, Richmond 23235) from 8:00 a.m. til 11:00 a.m.

This yard sale will feature gently used infant/children's clothing as well as maternity. Also, equipment, bedding, toys & much, much more! Over 50 families selling. The sale will be held rain or shine. Cash only. No strollers allowed. http://www.samom.com/

Richmondmom.com TESTED=it rocks. check it out: http://richmond.craigslist.org/bab/842048657.html