CONTENTS
OCTOBER 2020
The unexpected journey of an accidental home-schooler. Pg. 18
FEATURES 12

HALLOWEEN 2020 ISN’T
CANCELED D.C. mom Jamie Davis Smith shares new ways
to have fun on Oct. 31
NEW BEGINNINGS
Back-to-school looked different across the DMV
15
18
WHEN “MOM” BECOMES
“TEACHER”
Choosing home-schooling over virtual learning
29

WHAT TO ASK
Questions to ask when searching for a school or
camp for a child with disabilities
30
YOUR AUTISTIC TEEN
WANTS A JOB
Helping your teenager navigate the job-hunt
process On the cover: Dominque Dawes
Cover photo: David Stuck
DEPARTMENTS 6
EDITOR’S PICKS
This month’s must-haves and must-know-abouts
... for the bath!
8 DIY
Make a hamburger pumpkin for Halloween
10 RECIPES
34
New ways to bake with apples
HEALTHY FAMILY
Staying healthy during flu season
36 BOOKMARKED
Spooky stories for kids of all ages
39

MOM LIFE
Gymnastics is a family affair for Olympic gold
medalist Dominique Dawes
DIRECTORIES READERS’ RESPONSES
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2 Washington FAMILY OCTOBER 2020
HEATHER O’STEEN PHOTOGRAPHY; DOMINIQUE DAWES: DAVID STUCK
21 PRIVATE SCHOOL
26 SPECIALIZED LEARNING