Erica Jackson Curran

Ten percent of all known pregnancies end in miscarriage. So why does the subject still feel so taboo? For women dealing with the complicated grief of miscarriage, it’s not the stat that’s comforting—it’s the knowledge that they’re not alone, that there is a space to share their story. To help end the culture of silence that surrounds pregnancy and infant loss, Glamour presents The 10 Percent, a place to dismantle the stereotypes and share real, raw, stigma-free stories.
After suffering three ...

Garden cemeteries were among the first public parks in the United States. Long before today’s sprawling, grid-like “memorial parks” were the norm, burial grounds were carefully designed green spaces as welcoming to the living as they were to the dead. Consistent with their purpose of encouraging meditative moments, these parks are defined by manicured landscapes, elaborate sculptures, and winding walkways.
This scenic style emerged in the early 19th century, when overcrowding in small urban b...

Virginia’s cape may not have the widespread name recognition of Cod, May or Hatteras, but the tide is turning for Cape Charles. The Eastern Shore town, situated about 10 miles north of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, spent a few decades in quiet decline after the bridge made the town’s ferry service obsolete and stole most of its traffic in the 1960s. Today, however, that same bridge is bringing visitors from across the bay as well as from up north. (It’s just under a four-hour dr...

The United States may lay claim to the world’s first national park, but it’s far from the only country whose most prized lands are officially protected by the government.
After the establishment of Yellowstone in 1872, the national park concept took hold across America and beyond.

For traveling families with a full itinerary, a stop at the playground can feel like more work than fun. Sometimes the swing sets and twisty slides begin to blend together whether they’re in Buffalo or Budapest. Unless you’ve happened to stumble upon one of the world’s greatest playgrounds.

This travel piece is a weekend guide to Virginia Beach, Virginia. The photos are also mine.

Taking trips with kids can be stressful, but these family travel experts know how to make those vacations equally enjoyable for parents and children alike.
Compared to the freedom and relaxation of pre-kid travels, family vacations may seem far from fun for parents. There's no sugar-coating it: Traveling with kids is stressful, unpredictable, and occasionally frustrating. Yet despite the extra effort involved, family trips really can be just as enjoyable for parents as they are for kids.
To p...

America’s state parks may keep a lower profile than the renowned national parks, but that doesn’t mean they’re any less of a worthwhile destination. With 8,565 designated areas spanning well over 18 million acres of land, there’s an incredible range of outdoor experiences to explore—including some real standouts that deserve to be on your radar. (Stunning photos of all 59 U.S. national parks.)
Freelance writer Erica Jackson Curran is based in Richmond. Follow her travels on Twitter @calendar_...

No matter how many times you’ve saddled up to your OB-GYN’s exam table for a routine visit, your first prenatal appointment can make you feel like an anxious, inexperienced newbie. Typically scheduled about eight weeks after your last missed period, this important visit will cover a lot of ground, setting you up with the knowledge you need to navigate the rest of your pregnancy.
I arrived to my own first prenatal appointment so full of questions about my new pregnancy that I forgot most of th...

Practicing self-care routines at a young age can reduce the risk of developing mental health conditions like anxiety and depression. The earlier your child learns self-care, the more likely they are to maintain those good habits into adulthood.
"Self-care" is such a popular buzzword it almost feels like a trend, but setting aside time to care for your body and mind has always been a key ingredient for a healthy, happy life. Good self-care habits are just as important for kids as they are for ...

Visiting Miami Beach with a toddler can make even the coolest parents feel like uncouth outsiders. Many of the city’s lavish hotels, trendy restaurants and high-end boutiques aren’t exactly welcoming to unpredictable 2-year-olds — but that doesn’t mean families can’t enjoy this rowdy resort town, as I discovered on a recent visit with my own little wrecking ball.
As it turns out, Miami Beach’s famously festive vibe is a perfect fit for younger kids, and its flair for excess is just the thing ...

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Eating meals together just might be the ultimate parenting hack. What else can you do in an hour that will improve your kids' academic performance, increase their self-esteem, and reduce their risk of substance abuse, depression, teen pregnancy, and obesity?
Over the last two decades, study after study has shown that simply taking a few minutes each day to turn off screens and genuinely connect with each other over food can improve the physical and mental health of all family member...

With its progressive arts scene, red-hot restaurants and one of the most multicultural populations in the United States, the Miami metro area has a lot more to offer than pretty beaches and wild nightlife. South Beach’s sandy shores and see-and-be-seen clubs remain a big part of the area’s appeal, but savvy visitors will find there’s a lot more to Miami — if you can drag yourself away from your beach chair.
Thanks to budget airlines Spirit and JetBlue, Richmond residents can often fly directl...

The capital of Virginia effortlessly blends the old and the new, as proven by our list of best things to do in Richmond
Richmond isn’t just a pit stop on the Civil War history tour anymore. The antebellum architecture and monuments to Confederate generals are still standing, but Virginia’s capital city also boasts a red-hot restaurant scene, over 30 craft breweries and distilleries, and a progressive design community. The mighty James River lies at the city’s heart, with an expansive park sys...

That picture of a young woman in high-waisted jeans toting a baby on her hip isn’t just a stereotype. Most new moms today are millennials — at least 82 percent of them, according to Pew. And while more than a million millennials are joining the baby brigade each year, it’s hard to predict what their families will ultimately look like compared to previous generations. Many millennials would like bigger families… but say they cannot afford them.
Here’s what we do know: Women are spending more t...