Sarah Bloom
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Journalist. Mother to 2 boys and 1 girl. 6x Emmy Award Anchor 12 News Today and #FoxRichmond Morning News #RVaParenting reporter. #RVA #murrowwinner
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Articles by Sarah Bloom
Little Hands Virginia aims to collect 400,000 diapers this year
RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) - Little Hands Virginia is collecting diapers and hopes to gather 400,000 this year. The organization supports families in Central Virginia by helping provide necessities, including diapers. “Diapers are expensive, and there’s no state, local or federal program that helps reduce the cost of diapers,” said Taylor Thornley of Little Hands Virginia.
Organization provides period products to Central Virginia schools
RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) - Sylvia’s Sisters is providing period products and replacement clothing to area schools to help keep girls in class. The organization held an event where representatives from area schools picked up supplies, including leggings in every size, replacement underwear and period products. Robin Mac-Kent, with Highland Springs Communities in Schools, picked up dozens of pairs of underwear and tights.
Pumpkin patch season has arrived. Here are 6 places to check out in Central Virginia
RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) - It’s become a popular fall tradition: a day at the pumpkin patch to pick out a pumpkin, take seasonal photos, and enjoy some good, old-fashioned family fun. With more than 18 pumpkin patches within an hour of the Richmond area, no one does family fun better than West End Mom Megan Ariail, who is breaking down her favorite local spots for fall.
Satay Chicken Pizza
Satay Chicken Pizza This recipe was developed in response to hunger, a creative impulse, and a lack of other food in the house. It’s great. Really. Submitted by Sarah Bloom Updated on September 27, 2026
Family adopts 7 children, many with disabilities, says they followed God
CHESTERFIELD, Va. (WWBT) - A Chesterfield County family continues to grow. The Morgans have seven children, many adopted. They said “yes” to growing their family over and over again, adding children with disabilities and older children who needed a family. A Chesterfield County family continues to grow. The Morgans have seven children, many adopted. It’s more responsibility than most parents could imagine, but the Morgan family says they couldn’t imagine it any other way.
Check out these apple-picking day trips near Richmond
RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) - If you’re ready to fall into all things autumn as we enjoy cooler weather, apple picking is probably on your list. We teamed up with the West End Mom for a list of tips to make the most of the fun. Watch:
Parents navigate AI’s role in kids’ learning
RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) - Parents are working to understand artificial intelligence and how it will affect their children’s future, according to experts who work with families. Dr. Khilia Giacobone, director of children and families with Youth for Tomorrow, said AI is an increasing topic of conversation with the families she counsels. Giacobone said students can use AI to get good grades, but that doesn’t mean they are learning the material.
Expert says parents should support, not coach, young athletes
RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) - Sports teach children skills such as teamwork and resilience, according to Dr. Khilia Giacobone, director of children and families with the counseling service Youth for Tomorrow. Giacobone said sports teach children to think of others besides themselves. “I am a big supporter of kids engaging in group activities. Play sports.
Tips for parents on helping kids prepare for SAT, ACT
RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) - For many teens, there is a lot riding on an SAT score, and parents may be looking for ways to support their child through the process. Dr. Khilia Giacobone, director of children and families with Youth for Tomorrow, has counseled families through the college test prep process. She said different kids deal with different problems getting ready for tests like the ACT or SAT. Some deal with anxiety, while others struggle with the executive functioning needed to study.
Back-to-school: How to help kids transition smoothly
RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) - As students head back to school, a Chesterfield County Public Schools social work coordinator says families can take steps at home now to make the transition easier. Dr. Tynisa Giles, coordinator of school social work services within the department of equity and student support services for CCPS, has worked with tens of thousands of students returning to the classroom.
Universities’ use ‘safety concerns’ to silence students, staff on Palestine
Jewish activists defending the Palestine solidarity encampment at the University of Sydney in May 2024. Photo: Zebedee Parkes Students for Palestine activist Yasmine Johnson used her appearance at the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion to demolish the argument that student protests for Palestine are antisemitic. Johnson, who is Jewish, said the idea that campus protests “create a dangerous atmosphere is farcical”.
Virginia Poison Control warns parents about teen safety risks
RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) - Virginia Poison Control is sharing warning signs parents should watch for that may indicate a teen or young adult is in danger. The signs span a range of concerns, from alcohol and drug use to dangerous trends circulating on TikTok. Learn more in the this week’s RVA Parenting:
Virginia Poison Control warns parents about teen safety risks
RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) - Virginia Poison Control is sharing warning signs parents should watch for that may indicate a teen or young adult is in danger. The signs span a range of concerns, from alcohol and drug use to dangerous trends circulating on TikTok. Learn more in the this week’s RVA Parenting:
Need a break from the heat? Here’s where to cool off in and around Richmond
RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) - Swimmers looking for a place to cool off this summer have several options in and around Richmond that don’t require a neighborhood pool membership. Here’s what “The West End Mom” Megan Ariail suggests: Pocahontas State Park Aquatic Recreation Center (Pocahontas State Park), located inside Pocahontas State Park, is open to the public with low admission fees.
Screen time concerns: Expert shares tips for cutting back as a family
RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) - Children between the ages of 8 and 18 spend an average of 7.5 hours a day on screens, according to 2025 data cited by a local health expert — and doctors say that’s a growing concern for children’s health. “As of 2025, kids between the ages of eight and 18 years old spend 7.5 hours a day on screen time. That’s almost a full person’s workday of just sitting on a screen — video game, tablet,” said Dr. Khilia Giacobone. “And so as parents, we have to work to make screen time OK.
Herod, Bar Kochba, Trump and Huckabee: The Battle for Eternity
Last week, on a beautiful June night, I found myself in the eastern Judean desert, not far from Bethlehem, at the foot of ancient Herodium, a lavish palace built by King Herod between 23 and 15 BCE. Herod was a widely despised, Roman-appointed client king of Israel, Jewish in name only, who displaced the Hasmonean dynasty. The Hasmoneans, descendants of the Maccabees, had won Jewish self-rule a century earlier, a victory still celebrated each year at Chanukah.
Conflux Dance Theater gives performing moms a stage — and a place for their kids
RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) -A Richmond dance studio is giving mothers with professional dance backgrounds a space to keep performing with children in tow. Conflux Dance Theater has built a rehearsal environment where kids are welcome alongside the work, offering a different kind of dance experience for women who thought their formal dancing days were behind them. Christina, a former professional ballet dancer, said she worried she would not find a place to dance after having her first child.
Henrico CASA podcast reaches 100th episode milestone
HENRICO, Va. (WWBT) - A podcast started to support the area’s most vulnerable children has grown and grown. Now celebrating its 100th episode, Henrico CASA’s “Vigilant Voices” has become a voice for many parents looking for advice on tough subjects and a call to action to support kids. CASA is a program that supports children going through the court system by providing a court appointed special advocate.
Planet Fitness offers free gym pass to teens for the summer
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Planet Fitness offers free gym pass to teens for the summer
RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) - Parents, here’s a tip to save you money and keep your teens busy this summer: Planet Fitness is offering a free summer pass for your child to work out. We stopped by the gym to ask how it works: Click/tap here for more information.
Foster parents share journey to building family through adoption
RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) - Thousands of children across Virginia don’t have a family, and they’re hopeful they still have time to find one. May is National Foster Care Month, and the Schmidt family’s story shows how parents are building families through foster care. The Schmidts hope to adopt their three foster children, ages 8, 12 and 17. They met them a few years ago through foster care. “What they’ve been through is a lot.
Pools and water parks set to open for summer season
RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) - Memorial Day weekend marks the opening of several area pools for the summer swim season. RVA Parenting teamed up with the West End Mom about how you can have fun in the water. Pocahontas State Park’s Aquatic Center is open to the public with low admission fees. The facility includes a three-foot pool, a five-foot pool and an activity pool with a water-powered playhouse, water cannons, water slides and zero entry.
Family-friendly events happening this summer in Central Virginia
RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) - The West End Mom is helping us plan some fun ways to kick off the summer season. From Riverrock this weekend to exhibits and special events days at area museums, including ways to celebrate our country’s 250th, check it out in this week’s RVA Parenting:
Flowers to fireworks to mimosas, celebrate Mother’s Day in Richmond
RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) - Mother’s Day is Sunday, and Richmond Family Magazine has compiled a list of ways to celebrate. Agecroft Hall is offering free garden admission for Mother’s Day. The Richmond Concert Band will perform, and tulips are in bloom. “Oh my gosh, it’s amazing. It’s just, I mean, it goes on forever. There are trails that go down towards the river.
Test anxiety tips for students taking SOLs
RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) - Students across the area will take Standards of Learning tests this spring, showing off what they’ve learned at school. Older students might be thinking about SATs and ACTs, but those tests can come with an emotional test as well. A lot of kids experience anxiety going into a test, and experts say that can directly impact test scores.
Virginia Poison Control warns parents about edibles, essential oils, household dangers
RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) - Virginia Poison Control takes close to 40,000 calls each year from families and hospitals for children who have eaten something they shouldn’t have. The free 24-7 service provides answers about what to do when a child ingests a dangerous substance. Poison control officials say they are currently seeing a lot of calls for younger kids who have gotten into edibles, as well as unexpected problems like essential oils and house plants.
Virginia Poison Control warns parents about edibles, essential oils, household dangers
RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) - Virginia Poison Control takes close to 40,000 calls each year from families and hospitals for children who have eaten something they shouldn’t have. The free 24-7 service provides answers about what to do when a child ingests a dangerous substance. Poison control officials say they are currently seeing a lot of calls for younger kids who have gotten into edibles, as well as unexpected problems like essential oils and house plants.
Virginia Poison Control warns parents about edibles, essential oils, household dangers
RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) - Virginia Poison Control takes close to 40,000 calls each year from families and hospitals for children who have eaten something they shouldn’t have. The free 24-7 service provides answers about what to do when a child ingests a dangerous substance. Poison control officials say they are currently seeing a lot of calls for younger kids who have gotten into edibles, as well as unexpected problems like essential oils and house plants.
Car seat safety: How to reinstall your child’s seat correctly
RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) - Installing a car seat can be a challenge for parents, and reinstalling one after cleaning out a vehicle adds another layer of risk. A car seat product manager at Chicco shared key safety reminders for parents. Joshua Dilts, senior car safety product manager at Chicco, said the first priority is making sure the seat is appropriate for the child. “Is it the appropriate car seat for your child?” Dilts said. Parents can check the height and weight limits printed on the seat.
Spring break day trips around Virginia
RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) - Families looking for spring break activities can find options ranging from reptile encounters to beach trips within a day’s drive of Richmond. The West End Mom, a local parenting resource, compiled a list of day-trip destinations across Virginia. Richmond area Chimborazo Park features a mini Statue of Liberty, a playground area and walking trails. Visitors may see cherry blossoms during spring break season.
Diaper drive supports Chesterfield families with essentials, resources
CHESTERFIELD, Va. (WWBT) - The Chesterfield-Colonial Heights Families First and Infant and Toddler Connection of Chesterfield diaper drive running through March is helping local families access basic necessities while connecting them to resources and services. The drive allows families to receive diapers for free, enabling them to use their money for other essentials like food. Diapers and wipes are not covered by government assistance programs.
Spring cleaning for neurodivergent kids: How decluttering can reduce brain clutter
RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) - Spring cleaning may mean more than dusting and turning over closets. For families with neurodivergent children, reorganizing the home environment can also help reduce brain clutter and support focus, according to an executive functioning coach. Maria Del Corso, co-founder of New Agenda, an executive function coaching practice, said visual and environmental triggers can make it harder for some children to organize thoughts, hold information, and stay on task.
Richmond Family Magazine camp expo returns Saturday
RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) - Richmond Family Magazine is hosting its annual Camp Expo this Saturday, March 7, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Dewey Gottwald Center inside the Science Museum of Virginia. The event is free for families. The expo features more than 60 camps for children ages 3 through high school seniors, including outdoor camps, climbing camps, sports camps, art camps, music camps and new camps making their first appearance at the event.
Annual diaper drive returns in March to help Central Virginia families
CHESTERFIELD, Va. (WWBT) - For families living paycheck to paycheck, the cost of diapers can force an impossible choice: diapers or food? This March, the Chesterfield-Colonial Heights Families First and Infant and Toddler Connection of Chesterfield programs are launching their annual diaper drive to address a critical need in the community. “Do we want to start potty training at two months old or have food?” asked Beth Collins, a parent who has faced this dilemma. “It’s not really a choice.
Chesterfield middle school brings Olympic learning to classroom
CHESTERFIELD, Va. (WWBT) - Students at Manchester Middle School are competing in their own version of the Olympics, turning the global competitive experience into a classroom learning environment. The school’s gifted program is using the Olympic Games to teach core subjects like science, history, math and geography, along with values like sportsmanship, hard work and empathy.
Colonial Heights schools add AI gun detection system
COLONIAL HEIGHTS, Va. (WWBT) — Schools in Colonial Heights are adding an extra layer of protection to keep students safe with new artificial intelligence technology that detects guns in and around schools. The program is called ZeroEyes, which uses AI to identify weapons through existing security cameras already installed in the schools.
Virginia child poverty rates rising, advocacy group reports
RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) - Child poverty rates in Virginia have increased from 9% to 12%, according to new data from the Annie E. Casey Foundation analyzed by Voices for Virginia’s Children. The updated figures show that one in eight children in Virginia and across the country live in poverty. The data examines five key areas related to children’s well-being: child welfare, economic security, early education, mental health and health equity.
Executive function coach offers strategies to help children adjust to routine changes
RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) — Getting back to school after a long holiday break can be challenging for kids, especially neurodivergent children who may struggle with routine changes. Maria DelCorso, co-founder of New Agenda and an executive function coach and speech therapist, said neurodivergent kids can have a particularly hard time with the long winter break. “For neurodivergent children, when they’re in a rhythm and that structure exists, they start to find that rhythm.
Richmond-area spots offer festive decorations, special treats for families
RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) - Christmas and holiday dining has become a popular tradition in Richmond, with local establishments transforming into winter wonderlands for families seeking festive experiences. The West End Mom has compiled a list of top spots around RVA that embrace the holiday spirit with elaborate decorations and seasonal offerings. Coffee shops, bakeries and restaurants throughout the area are going all out with Christmas festivities this season.
West End Mom shares list of no-cost Christmas events requiring no advance planning
RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) - Christmas costs may be adding up, but families can still make holiday memories without spending money or planning weeks ahead. Megan Ariail, known as @TheWestEndMom on Instagram, shared a list of completely free holiday activities that families can enjoy together in the Richmond area. “You can relax for the holidays and just go — no tickets, no planning weeks ahead,” Ariail said.
Richmond family with disabled child surprised with Disney World trip
RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) - A Richmond family received a surprise trip to Disney World through Baking Memories 4 Kids, an organization that raises money by selling holiday cookies to send children with disabilities and their families to the theme park. Evan Jenkins has multiple disabilities from a chromosome disorder and has defied medical expectations throughout his life, according to his parents Erika and Jared Jenkins. “He’s just been such a trooper. He’s overcome so much.
Parenting expert shares tips for teaching kids thankfulness
RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) - As families gather for Thanksgiving, parents have an opportunity to teach children lessons in thankfulness and gratitude. I reached out to parenting expert Carissa Garabedian for tips on raising appreciative kids during the holiday season. Garabedian recommends giving children examples of things to be thankful for that aren’t material items. Parents can point to simple acts like having someone tie shoes, hold a door or make dinner.
What to do with 529 college savings when your child’s plans change
RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) - Parents who saved for years in 529 college accounts have several options if their child decides not to attend college or drops out. Students who choose trades or professions instead of traditional four-year degrees don’t mean those education savings are lost, according to financial experts. “In addition, you can use it for continuing education now.
Expert gives advice on when kids are ready for smartphones
RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) - Smartphones and smartwatches remain popular holiday gifts, but parents continue to debate when children are ready for the devices. Technology safety consultant Marcy Thornhill says parents should evaluate their child’s level of responsibility before making the purchase. “As you start to think about smart watches and technology, ask yourself a few questions. Do they know how to be themselves? Do they know how to clean their room?
New study reveals dangerous TikTok trends sending kids to ER, costing parents thousands
RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) - A new safety analysis from the Omega Law Group reveals the serious consequences of dangerous social media challenges, with children as young as 10 attempting potentially deadly trends that have resulted in more than 100 deaths and tens of thousands of emergency room visits. The study shows kids have suffered severe injuries and deaths from participating in viral challenges after seeing them online.
‘Tis the season’: Get a head start on holiday planning for the family
RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) — Families looking to create holiday memories in the Richmond area have several festive options, though many events require advance reservations or ticket purchases. We’ve teamed up with Megan Ariail, The West End Mom, on several things you and your families can do. Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden offers its annual Festival of Lights display along with dining experiences. The garden provides brunch with Santa and dinner with Santa options featuring all-you-can-eat meals.
Hallowheels contest features creative costumes for good cause
RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) — Families are creating over-the-top adaptive Halloween costumes for this year’s Hallowheels contest, with money raised from votes going directly to Children’s Assistive Technology Services (C.A.T.S.). The contest features creative costumes including a K-Pop demon hunter, a Wicked-themed costume and a Target employee outfit. Voters pay $1 per vote, with proceeds supporting families who need medical equipment but cannot access it.
Hallowheels contest features creative costumes for good cause
RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) — Families are creating over-the-top adaptive Halloween costumes for this year’s Hallowheels contest, with money raised from votes going directly to Children’s Assistive Technology Services (C.A.T.S.). The contest features creative costumes including a K-Pop demon hunter, a Wicked-themed costume and a Target employee outfit. Voters pay $1 per vote, with proceeds supporting families who need medical equipment but cannot access it.
Don’t wait: Book your RVA family Christmas adventures now
RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) - Get a jump start on booking your family’s favorite holiday experiences before they sell out! This guide helps you plan memorable moments, manage your budget, and create lasting traditions, ensuring a joyful and stress-free festive season for you and your loved ones.
Family-friendly Halloween fun without the frights
RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) - For families who prefer their Halloween celebrations without haunted houses and jump scares, the Richmond area offers plenty of spook-free seasonal fun. Megan Ariail, The West End Mom, has compiled a list of family-friendly Halloween activities that focus on autumn enjoyment rather than frightening experiences. Tom Leonard’s Farmer’s Market in Short Pump hosts an annual movie in the pumpkin patch with free popcorn.
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