6 Fredericksburg Parent and Family • May 2025
Entrepreneur
of the Year
PROUD FOUNDING
MEMBER
ADVERTISING
PHONE 540-429-3572
EMAIL leighanne@fredericksburgparent.net
CALENDAR & SOCIAL MEDIA
EMAIL leighanne@fredericksburgparent.net
EDITORIAL
PHONE 540-429-3572
EMAIL leighanne@fredericksburgparent.net
SNAIL MAIL P.O. Box 7884, F'burg, VA 22404
www.fredericksburgparent.net
LIKE
facebook.com/FredericksburgParent
SIGN UP
FredParent.net
PIN
pinterest.com/fredparent
FOLLOW
@fredparentmagazine
parent
fredericksburg
& family
PUBLISHER & EDITOR Leigh Anne Van Doren
leighanne@fredericksburgparent.net
Tabitha & Jamie Nelle's mom
MEDIA & ADVERTISING DIRECTOR
megan@fredericksburgparent.net
Megan Walsh: Mia, Noelle & Adelaide's mom
DESIGN & PRODUCTION
Cheryl Carter:
Alex, Kate & Jackie's mom
WEBMASTER
caroline@fredericksburgparent.net
Caroline Murray:
Nate & Brendan's mom
CALENDAR & COOL THINGS TO DO ELETTER
amanda@fredericksburgparent.net
Amanda Danaher:
Emma, Wyatt,
Grant, Jack and Thea's mom
EDUCATION & INFANT ELETTERS
Debra Caffrey:
Aidan's mom
SPECIAL EVENTS COORDINATOR
jessica@fredericksburgparent.net
Jessica Trask:
Cye, Asher & Ragan's mom
SOCIAL MEDIA DIRECTOR
Laura Carter: Alison and Michael's daughter
The publishers reserve the right to reject any advertise-
ment, editorial or listing that does not meet the publication's
standards. No part of this magazine may be reproduced
with out permission. Listing and advertising rates are avail-
able upon request. Every effort has been made to assure
the accuracy of the information contained herein, however,
the publisher cannot guarantee such accuracy. Listings and
advertisements are subject to typographical errors, ommis-
sions and/or change without notice. For terms and conditions
please visit our website at www.fredericksburgparent.net
© Copyright 2025 Nurture, Inc. All rights reserved.
WRITTEN BY LEIGH ANNE VAN DOREN
letter to reader
Leigh Anne Van Doren,
Frederickburg Parent and
Family publisher
Honoring
the Month
of May
Leig
An
Let's take a moment to honor May for what it really is: the wildest mash-up
of endings, beginnings, and utter chaos this side of December. It's the month
when your kid's backpack becomes a black hole of crumpled permission slips,
and you're suddenly expected to supply cupcakes, sunscreen, and a heartfelt
graduation gift—all on a Tuesday.
Here at Fredericksburg Parent & Family, we see you, parents. You're juggling
field days, teacher gifts, and last-minute sign-ups for summer camp. (Speaking
of which, flip to our Complete Summer Camp List before your only option is
"Camp Living Room with Counselor Netflix.") We've done the research so you
can avoid panic-Googling phrases like "overnight camp + doesn't involve ticks."
This month's issue is packed tighter than a snack bag on a school bus. Need
an affordable egg substitute because grocery prices now resemble airfare?
We've got you covered (spoiler: flaxseed is having a moment). Looking for top
spring toys to get your kids outside and off screens? Our team found the best
ones that don't require batteries—or a second mortgage.
May also means graduation season, and we've rounded up some seriously
good gifts for those high schoolers launching into the big world (or at least
into your basement with a diploma and a gaming headset). Our Exceptional
Mothersfeature will leave you inspired, teary-eyed, and wondering if your chil-
dren will ever notice you've been doing five people's jobs since 2020.
And don't forget—Teacher Appreciation Week is May 6–10 and Mother's
Day is May 12. This is your friendly reminder to thank the ones who hold it all
together (yes, that includes you). A homemade card, a coffee shop gift card, or
even five minutes of uninterrupted silence can go a long way.
Finally, check out our Things to Do Calendar, packed with family-friendly out-
ings that might just save your sanity this spring.
You've got this. And if you don't? That's what we're here for.
Warmly,
