Rhonda Franz, MA. Ed

Basketball star and entrepreneur Allyson Twiggs Dyer naturally exudes excitement about her idea-turned-movement, "Reject the Hustle" that is resonating with people, especially women, who have heard her speak and joined her Facebook group. She wants all of us to refuse the notion that the only way to live a good life is by hustling all day long.

My two youngest children eagerly stepped off their Springdale, Arkansas school bus on a Friday last month with a little extra weight in their backpacks. Mixed in with the usual dirt, library books, folders and a few snack crumbs of unknown origin was a packet containing ten days of Arkansas’s Alternative Methods of Instruction assignments, pencils and notebook paper.
My unsuspecting boys had no idea how their lives would change in just a couple of days. None of us did.
The “AMI” acronym has q...

Gov. Asa Hutchinson has called it for Arkansas students: no more on-site school instruction for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year. But academics in Arkansas are still in session. The hope is that students statewide will work through alternative instruction prepared by schools and districts and, as much as possible, maintain communication and connection with their teachers.
In the current state of seemingly unending bad news, the good news is that learning isn’t bound to paper-and-pen...

In the first few minutes of speaking with Ryan Freeman-Burchfield and Kati Wells at their therapy practice, I knew it would be a challenge to adequately communicate in one article their enthusiasm for helping others. Both women love their work. As a result of intensive training and extensive travel, they have received and continue to pursue highly respected certifications in their field. And both are absolutely committed to helping eliminate the stigma that often comes with the idea of seekin...

Everyone should have a bike.
This is the philosophy behind Pedal It Forward in Northwest Arkansas, an organization with a mission of serving the community by providing bicycles to children and adults in need. This summer, in cooperation with First Security Bank, they are hosting a bike drive to make it especially easy for people to donate during the summer with drop-off locations. Since my family had a couple of extra bicycles residing in our backyard shed, my boys and I crammed them into our...

This Halloween, Arkansas folks are here to help you step up the costume game in your household or at your job. Ready or not, Oct. 31 creeps around the corner. With these smart dress-up ideas for the night and all the fanfare that comes before, you’re sure to be the envy of neighbors on your dark street or your co-workers at your spooky office. Take a little inspiration and a whole lot of fun with these family and group-themed Halloween costume ideas.
Royal: The Princess and the Horseman
Photo...

Mother’s Day is coming up, and though we can’t control many of the busy and bustling circumstances of our lives, we should try to do something for ourselves to celebrate. Perhaps we can remove any expectations of what others should give us and take care of what we’d really like by deciding our gifts and engaging in important self-care.
Fortunately, Arkansas has no shortage of ways we can do just that. In case you’re short on thoughts, I’ve rounded up ideas from several sources for all of us.
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Humorous essay on how an American mom thinks the minivan's alert systems could be improved.

p. 39: 15 Ideas for Unique Birthday Gifts for Kids

My friend and Arkansas author Kimberly Mitchell shared some table space and afternoon time at a coffee shop to talk about her soon-to-be-released middle-grade fiction book, “Pen & Quin: International Agents of Intrigue Series: The Mystery of the Painted Book.” Writing the children’s mystery under the name “KS Mitchell,” she brought fascinating tidbits from her life and education to the story of young sibling sleuths eager to solve a mystery.
“The Mystery of the Painted Book”
“When 12-year-old...

My family did the work so yours can get the safety information on planning a fire escape while living in a two-story house.

Eat easy. Eat good. Veggie breakfast burritos for making fresh, freezing, and eating for any meal.

Fun and fruity drinks the children can help make and drink all summer long.

Make a game night fun for family members of any age (even when it's not planned in advance).