Columnist, and health and parenting expert, I’ve uncovered the truth about managing children’s coughs and colds, made friends with environmentally-friendly cleaning products, survived a brush with RSV, investigated which health snacks are cost-effective and virtually toddler-proof, and what to do in case of pregnancy, labor or (deep breath!) delivery. I produce a column about Green Living, and my food column, The Unassuming Foodie, has been featured in a celebrity charitable cookbook (finalist in the cookbook category of the 2009 National Best Books Awards sponsored by USA Book News) and is evidence of my great passion for elegant, nutritious food for every diet and age-group. Freelance writing and editing services available.
Member of Journalism Center on Children and Families, American Society of Journalists and Authors (ASJA), Orange County Writers, Blogger Black Book, Christian Writers Fellowship International, and The Mom Blog Network.
Ethical Journalist: An avid researcher, I leave no stone unturned to produce high-quality, professional articles that meet editors’ needs, on time, for a variety of audiences.
Professional speaker: An up-to-date health and family advocate, I’m available to speak to civic groups, women’s organizations, and on television.
TV and Film Appearances:
- KABC Channel 7 Morning show discussing how technology helps families stay connected.
- The Doctors show, on CBS. Joining Dr. James Sears and Dr. Travis Stork to discuss infant potty training. Click to See me on The Doctors!
- Return to the Bismarck; Documentary (2006).
Editors and Producers: For story assignments or personal appearances, click here or contact me at rebeccal@email.com.
Need writing samples fast? Click here, or choose the category Freelance Writing on my homepage.
My blog, columns, short stories, and magazine features have appeared in:
Chicago Sun Times
Reuters
Chef.com
Examiner.com
JLOCC Celebrity Cookbook
NewsGator
KABC Morning Show (Channel 7 in LA)
The Doctors (CBS)
NewsBreak
Bookrags.com
Local Cuisine
Family Blog
Answers.com
Taiwan Panorama
ActivitiesWithChildren.com
Health Center Blog
Nutrition.HolisticMeds.info
San Diego Family Magazine
DIRTSports
Off-Road Business
Automotive Body Repair News
Motor Age
Aftermarket Business
Southern California Senior Life
Ecology Newspaper
Diabetes.Medtrials.info
Burrelles Luce
San Diego Union-Tribune
SanJuan.edu/Mariposa
Blue Box
About Families Magazine
Mothers-Everything.com
Connecticut County Kids
MetroKids Magazine
Portland Family Magazine
PaniniSandwich.info
KeepingTheCastle.com
Metro Family Magazine
PetSecure.net
AClearFuture.net
Piedmont Parent
Kids Vermont
Parenting New Hampshire
Parenting New England
Tidewater Parent
Northwest Family News
MonaVie South Florida Network
Carolina Parenting
The Virginian-Pilot
Genesee Valley Parent
Skyline Art & Literary Magazine
FaithWriters.com
Faithreaders.com
avilesliejoly.blogspot.com
ChemicalEngineeringConsulting.com
The Good Word
One of the great joys of writing is connecting with people I would not otherwise meet, hearing and reporting on their personal stories, discoveries and triumphs. A good story depends on a writer’s ability to engage an interviewee with provocative, open-ended questions, peeling back layers until the heart of the story is revealed. Then, report it with integrity.
Here are a few recent comments that both motivate me and warm my heart!
“I enjoyed reading blogger Rebecca Lacko’s account of using the Baby Signs program with her 13-month-old. I know that when I followed my daughter’s lead on readiness—and she wasn’t seriously interested in the potty at all until age 3—there were days when I was convinced she’d be wearing diapers to kindergarten.”
Senior Editor Diane Debrovner
(Health and Psychology)
Parents, America’s #1 family magazine since 1926
“You hit the mark on pretty much everything I look for: localization, hyperlinks, photos (and you even used a slide show! Very few new Examiner are brave enough to try one, so bravo, it came out great!), clean writing (nice sense of humor, too!), a good headline. Keep up the great work! This is really top notch work; I look forward to seeing what else you have to write.”
Michelle Trela
Family & Parenting Channel Manager
Examiner.com
“I read blogs about potty training all the time and I have to say that your entry today is one of the best-written reflections on the subject I’ve come across in a long time. I like your falling in love metaphor! Kudos to you for your gentle and positive handling of the matter and congratulations to your son on reaching this important milestone in his life!”
Linda Easton
Director of Product Development,
Baby Signs, Inc.
www.PottyTrainWithBabySigns.com
Press for Motherhood, Marriage & Other Wild Rides
“Parenting is important stuff, and if anyone can speak to the joy and fulfillment that comes from doing the “world’s toughest job,” it’s Ms. Lacko. I’ve always been impressed with the quality of her parenting essays. She manages to personalize what she writes, balancing research, conviction and humor without appearing dull, preachy or contrived.
So much of what you read in parenting magazines nowadays seems fired by the narcissistic drive to prove oneself a good mommy or daddy. By contrast, Rebecca’s family-oriented pieces celebrate the child and the “little things in life” that make their world truly wonderful, happy and empowering. It was only a matter of time before the media discovered her.”
Michael Imlay
Writer, Historian
www.mimlay.com
Profitable Partnership: How MIT Srivetrain Literally Tracked Its Way to Success
Off-Road Business, October 2007
Story by Rebecca Jane Lacko
Photos by Joseph Lacko
“I would again like to thank you and your husband. You were both a pleasure to work with. I just received the article and we are so happy. The pictures look fabulous, the article is beyond our expectations. We cannot thank you enough.”
Karen Sugg, partner, MIT
Lobbying for the Open Road: New England Off-Road Outfitters Rewrite the Rules
Off-Road Business, November 2007
Story by Rebecca Jane Lacko
Photos by Joseph Lacko
“We think the article is great. We had a great time working with you, and just want to thank you both for making the trip out to Maine. Come back to Maine any time.”
Chris Mellin, partner, N.E. Off-Road Outfitters
“Thanks for an excellent piece on New England Outfitters! It really broke the mold in covering a business from a whole different angle. I like the way they carved a niche for themselves and fought for their customer base as opposed to simply going with the flow. I think our readers will find your piece not only relevant, but inspiring in facing their own obstacles.”
Editor-in-Chief
Off-Road Business
Off-Road Business, September 2007
Story by Rebecca Jane Lacko
“Awesome! Great article! Keep up the good work.”
Steve Adams, owner, 316 Design
Wow, Rebecca! You’re a busy woman and I’m impressed with your blogs, too
I was just thinking alot about you the other day, too. you must have received my vibs!
I’m a grandma again (5 month old granddaughter!) and I’m babysitting both of my grand children everyday now! It’s a lot of work, but I’m so glad I get to share time with them. I’m still catching babies and homeschooling, too – so needless to say I don’t get out much ;-(
Please send photos of your little guys!
Love Karen
I love your site. Keep it up !
The best information i have found exactly here. Keep going Thank you
[...] was recently featured in an article by the amazing Rebecca Jane Lacko, LA Parenting [...]