Stephanie Shipman
Stephanie and her husband moved to the DC area from St. Pete, Florida (but hail from the Midwest) with their French Bulldog Reggie in 2018 for her husband's job. A few weeks after arriving, she discovered she was pregnant. Carson was born later that year, and with no family around, had to create her own village of mom friends. The family of four live in Mclean, Virginia. A former journalist, she recently rejoined the client success industry after being laid off at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. She enjoys activities with both Carson and Reggie, including walks around the neighborhood and visiting dog-friendly parks and monuments in the DMV area.
A Trip to Charlottesville with Kids
Charlottesville is often thought of as a getaway for adults. The wineries! The breweries! The restaurants! The cute boutiques! But it's also surprisingly family-friendly and can be a great destination for a family vacation....
Northern Virginia Bucket List: 50 Must-Do Activities for Kids
There are so many year-round and seasonal fun things to do in NoVA, we created a Northern Virginia bucket list: 50 must-dos activities for kids and families! Make it a goal to check all...
24 Year-Round Farmer’s Markets
Farmers' Markets are plentiful in the spring, summer, and fall, but did you know there are several Virginia, DC, and Maryland year-round farmer's markets where you could be getting yummy bread, vegetables, and jams?
Here...
Everything You Need to Know About the White House Easter Egg Roll
Valentine's Day is behind us – next up, Easter! And one of the benefits of living in the DMV is the proximity to one of the nation's biggest Easter celebrations: the White House Easter...
6 Indoor Experiences for Kids to Beat the Heat (or Air Quality)
Air quality issues now can keep kids inside, not just the heat, in the summer. If either get you down for the remainder of the summer, there are several seasonal pop-up indoor experiences for...
9 Waterfalls in Maryland & Virginia – Plus A Few DC “Waterfalls”
Want to see some waterfalls, but don't want to travel to Hawaii to see them (even if you do, that's a long airplane ride for littles!)? You don't need to travel all that far...
7 Fun Mom’s Night Out Ideas
Ready for a fun Mom's Night Out? If there's anyone who could use a break from real life every now and again, it's us, Moms! We need a night off every now and then...
Outfit Ideas for School Drop Off That Aren’t Your Pajamas
Spring is finally here! I don't know about you, but when the weather is nicer out, it makes me want to dress a bit nicer – sometimes, anyways. Plus, the end of the school...
How to Cope with a Suicide in the Family
Losing a family member is one thing, but when it happens by suicide, it's very different. Someone made a choice to end their life. It causes confusion. There are loose ends everywhere. Here are some...
11 Things To Do On Maternity Leave with a Baby in DC
When I was on maternity leave, I barely did anything – I was a first time mom and definitely needed to get my bearings. But there are so many great things to do on...
10 New Restaurants to Try This Valentine’s Day
It's so easy to frequent tried and true restaurants we know and love, especially for date nights. But quite a few new restaurants have opened in the DMV area since last fall, and what...
How to Take Halloween Candy off the Pedestal
Trigger warning: candy.
I'm only half joking – kids eating candy is a hot topic. I understand – the sugar levels, the hyperactivity, the teeth concerns, etc. Plus, the incessant begging for candy once they...
A Momcation Series: Part 2 – Staycation Near the DMV
This is the second article in a three-part series highlighting three different types of staycation or vacation destinations for "momcations." Co-authored by Caroline Quat and Stephanie Shipman.
If you want to venture a bit further...
A Momcation Series: Part 1 – Local Staycation
This is the first article in a three-part series highlighting three different types of momcation staycation or vacation destinations for moms. Co-authored by Caroline Quat and Stephanie Shipman.
Being a mom is a tough job...