April/May 2024

Spring is here! Designated to last March through June, but we all know that from May onwards the full-on summer heat arrives in the South. This year, April is already looking to fly by with spring break, end of year exams, and before we know it, school will be out for the summer.

With summer camp season just around the corner, it’s time to start planning. If overnight camp is not on your agenda, then there’s plenty of opportunities to investigate other options. The 10 Fun Alternatives article featured on page eight gives you a starting point to begin researching the many choices in the Chattahoochee Valley for daytime camps.

Our Family Fun Calendar on page 12 is popping with events to fill your weekends and weeknights. Amidst all the busyness, take a moment to stop and celebrate Mother’s Day on May 12. While mom’s are adept at juggling all their children’s activities, we hope the apps listed on page seven go a little way to make the life of a mom a little easier.

I love to laud the merits of all that the Chattahoochee Valley has to offer, so the highly anticipated, reopening of The Columbus Museum (COMU) is a red-letter day on my calendar. Our sneak peek of what’s to come with our Reader’s Choice Award winner and cover girl, Sydney Judkins, really added to the excitement. Our feature on page three gives you a teaser of what’s to come.

With so much going on, the level of distraction can be high with children. Take a moment to read Dr. Britney Farmer’s column on Effective Commands Boot Camp—a positive game-changer for you and your family.

The deadline for our Fresh Faces Cover Contest is April 29. See page six for all the details on how to enter. We’ve had fun over the past five issues with photoshoots at different locations around town, and now we’re looking for our next cover stars.

A special thank you goes out to our advertisers. They allow us to bring Valley Parent magazine to you for FREE. Pick one up for a friend. Let us know if you would like to feature your business in the magazine or if you would like to be a Valley Parent pickup location. You can always find us online at valleyparent.com.

Looking forward to seeing you out and about!

Effective Commands BOOT CAMP

Being an Army soldier has taught me a few things about giving and receiving effective commands…Get Down, Move, Aim, Fire! Unfortunately when it comes to parenting, I observe drawn out, negative and vague commands given to our non-attentive children to adhere and follow. Well Private Parent, this article can help. The following elements should be considered when giving effective commands: 1. Gain their attention 2. Tell them what TO do.

3. Be specific 4. Keep it short.

Giving effective commands starts with gaining the child’s attention. Children can be engrossed in play and therefore do not hear your command the first time. This can lead to increased frustration, when in actuality you didn’t have their full attention. When giving a command, enter the same room as your child, get on their level and separate them from the current task with eye contact. Once you have their full attention, they are more likely to comply with the command that you are about to issue.

If you think about it, a lot of our commands are telling our children what NOT to do. “Don’t jump on the couch.” “Don’t put your feet on the table.” “Stop yelling.” Children respond to negative commands by doing the behavior more often. This is a natural element of defiance that happens with most children. Why not flip the script on them and tell them what TO do rather than telling them what NOT to do. “Don’t jump on the couch” becomes “You can jump on the floor.” “Don’t put your feet on the table” becomes “Please put both feet under the table.” “Stop

yelling” becomes “Lower your voice inside, please.” Humans respond much better to positive commands rather than a negative command, telling them what to avoid.

Next, commands should be as specific as possible. We all remember the days when we would be dropped at daycare and told to be good. What are the standards our parents are measuring that amount to being good and how would you meet them? In our workplace, our boss doesn’t tell us to “Do work” because that would be confusing. If a pay raise was hanging in the balance, we would want to know exactly what our employer wants. This concept is the same for children. Instead of saying “Behave,” “Don’t act up” or “Clean up” say “Please be quiet when you enter the church,” “Please keep your hands to yourself while we’re in the store” or “Put all your blocks back in the red bin.” These commands describe exactly what you want and are specific about where the behavior should be performed.

Lastly our commands should be age-appropriate and limited in word count! Children’s brains are not designed to handle a lot of information at once—especially children that have disorders characterized by lack of attention or focus, such as ADHD. Some parents give multi-step commands with justification “Put your pajamas on, brush your teeth, brush your hair, put your clothes away then select a book for bed.” With this example, putting your pajamas on and brushing, your teeth can be lumped together, but verification of these items before moving to the next is crucial. In certain age groups, justification for a command is not necessary.

Atten-hut! Time to practice…make ineffective commands into effective ones. INEFFECTIVE COMMAND ERROR EFFECTIVE COMMAND

“Stop drawing on the walls.” Negative command

“Don’t talk back.” Negative command

“Behave.” Nonspecific command

“We are going to cook chili tonight. Don't make a mess in the kitchen or it will delay us eating dinner.”

Too lengthy

by Dr. Britney Farmer

As a child ages, the amount of commands that they can handle at a time will increase. Preschool aged children can only handle one command at a time. School age children should be limited to two commands at a time. After age 13, you can judge your child’s comprehension to be able to raise the bar.

If you do have a routine nightly checklist, consider listing it on a poster. Then the command at night would be simple “Perform your checklist.”

I know that at first giving effective commands will not be second nature, but the more you practice the better that you will be. Start with giving three effective commands. As you get more comfortable, you can try making it to lunchtime! I guarantee that your child’s compliance will increase, your frustration will decrease and you will seek opportunities to communicate more effectively to maintain these gains. vp

Dr. Britney Farmer is a Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist originally from California currently living in Columbus. Practicing at Martin Army Community Hospital, she takes care of Department of Defense soldiers and their beneficiaries. Dr. Farmer has a passion for children with mental health disorders, learning disabilities and autism.

FEATURES

ON THE COVER

What are your favorite after school activities?

Do you like to create art with paint or markers?

Markers because they help outline the details

What is your favorite color? Gold

The All-New COLUMBUS MUSEUM

Where Imagination Soars

by Jodi Saunders & Kristen Hudson

There’s a new generation of children who are about to have the opportunity to create memories of visiting what will be now known to them as the re-branded COMU. At press time, we’re about a month away from the grand reopening of the redesigned Columbus Museum. We were delighted to get a sneak peek of the Children’s Gallery and Garden and had the opportunity to have a photoshoot featuring our Readers’ Choice Award Winner, Sydney Judkins.

The Columbus Museum is a community gem that houses art from local to globally recognized artists with the opportunity for visitors to be exposed to culture and history that inspires and expands the mind. With the doors opening to the public the first weekend of May, those that cross the threshold will find a newly re-imagined interior and exterior. The timing couldn’t be better—just as school gets out, COMU will be in.

Our cover girl, Sydney Judkins, got a sneak peek of the renovated museum.

The new open and light lobby area

The reimagined Children's Gallery features lots of activity space for kids to express their creativity.

The Columbus Museum of before is now a fond memory. As a young mother in the early 2000’s, a visit to the children’s “Transformations” area was often the highlight of the week giving a chance to catch up with other parents and playgroups. It was a given that you would run, jump and hop down the corridor as you hit the light beams and musical notes, my girls following close behind me up to their own antics. The child-sized mock Chihuly boat, dress up theater and hands-on exhibits wiled away many a happy hour.

The new and expansive Children’s Gallery with adjoining Children’s Garden will be where new memories are formed. The relocated space will be convenient for visitors as it is featured front and center in a more prominent location. The lighter and brighter gallery will feature many new interactive activities for children of all ages to spark their senses and provide opportunities for physical play. The transformed space is designed to engage

children of all ages in immersive experiences. Visitors can climb to new heights in the treehouse, where a thrilling slide awaits. An interactive exhibit will allow guests to project themselves into masterpieces and explore art in a whole new dimension. For budding curators, a mini museum offers the chance to create and curate exhibitions, fostering a love for art and storytelling.

Beyond the Children’s Gallery and Gardens, the rest of the museum introduces open sight lines, increased natural light and accessibility to the historic Bradley Olmsted Garden. Galleries have been rearranged thematically to allow for new exhibitions to be introduced. Initial exhibitions to fill your senses will be Our Own Work, Our Own Way, showcasing 20th-century women artists who defied social conventions and Crossroads, which celebrates the chance to experience the rich musical heritage of the Chattahoochee

The atrium area exposes the museum's three levels and features the Chihuly boat.

Valley. Here’s your chance to experience Andy Warhol: Silver Clouds & Cow Wallpaper, a mesmerizing interactive installation on loan from the Andy Warhol Museum.

Make it a family day out. Gather for lunch at the new grab and go café with seating options inside or outside on the terraced courtyard located outside by the newly designated front entrance. Alongside the café will be the museum shop with a wide variety of gifts for young and old alike. The front lawn has been graded with Hermit the horse reinstated proudly on the newly laid grass.

Allow nature to fuel the mind of your child by taking a wander through the Bradley Olmsted Garden and explore the original grotto and beautiful landscaping. A newly installed terrace at the back of the museum ensures that visitors have full access to the historic gardens designed by the firm of landscape architect, Frederick Law Olmsted. Known for his creation of major urban parks, we have the privilege of enjoying firsthand his naturalistic style as it is being restored to its full glory. Let it not pass your attention that Olmsted was also one of the main architects of New York’s Central Park which is considered a masterpiece of landscape architecture.

Are you ready to visit? We cannot wait! Make a date to visit COMU. The public grand reopening will be the weekend of May 4 and admission is FREE—as always. For more information, visit columbusmuseum.com. vp

The Perfect

Sydney poses with the freshly bloomed pink azaleas in the museum's Bradley Olmsted Garden.

FRESH FACES Cover Contest Parent Valley Enter Here

Send in your child’s photo for a chance at a cover shoot. Four winners will be chosen to appear on future covers of Valley Parent.

OFFICIAL RULES

• Send only ONE recent photo per child, age 13 and under. Additional photos will not be considered.

• Only one child per photo unless multiples. Twins, triplets, etc. should appear together.

• Photos and completed web form must be completed.

• Entries must be received by April 29th.

ENTER BY APRIL 29 th !

Here are some helpful hints to get the judges attention:

Be sure your child’s face is clearly visible in the photo you choose, i.e. no icing covered faces, no hats or masks that obscure the face, no silly faces, no side profile shots, etc.

• Photos sent in are used for judging purposes only. The photos themselves will not be used on the cover, so do NOT choose a photo based on the interesting background, funny pose or artsy flair. The judges look for a winning child, not a winning photo.

• Send a high res photo file large enough for print. File should be over 1 MB (300 dpi for you techy types out there). Small photos are hard for the judges to see and hard to print.

• Children chosen will need to do a photoshoot, so avoid shots that make your child seem brooding or shy.

• Professional photographs are accepted, but not preferred.

GREAT MOM APPS That Can Make Life a Little Easier

by Tanni Haas, Ph.D.

MMother’s Day is on May 12, and it’s the perfect opportunity to take care of all the moms out there. There are a lot of apps out there dedicated to making a mom’s life a little bit easier, whether you’re looking for ideas on what to serve for dinner or kid-friendly travel advice. Here’s a list of some of the very best mom apps. They’re all free so download all you want!

Allrecipes Dinner Spinner

Amazon Appstore; Apple Appstore; Google Play

We’ve all been in this situation many times: It’s almost dinner time. You’ve got to make a meal for the family, but all that comes to mind is the same things you always make. How about trying Allrecipes Dinner Spinner, the world’s largest and most popular social app for food? You can find user-generated—and reviewed recipes from 30 million other home cooks like yourself. You can search by keyword, key ingredients that you want to include or exclude, special dietary needs and cooking time. You can also see which ingredients are on sale in local stores, and watch more than 1000 step-by-step cooking videos with easy-to-follow instructions.

Cozi Family Organizer

Amazon Appstore; Apple Appstore; Google Play

As the name implies, Cozi Family Organizer is an organizer. It has a shared calendar where you can track everyone’s schedules both individually and as a group, and a shared shopping list where you can see when items are added to the list or purchased by other family members in real-time. You can also use the app to send automated daily or weekly agenda emails to other family members, create specialized to-do lists, such as emergency supplies or vacation packaging and organize receipts in one place that’s accessible to everybody.

Scholly

Amazon Appstore; Apple Appstore; Google Play

The time may be around the corner or far off into the future but when it does arrive we’re all going to need it: money for college. Wouldn’t it be nice if at least some of that money is scholarships that you won’t have to pay back? Developed by a former Drexel University student by the name of Christopher Gray who amassed $1.3 million in scholarship funds, Scholly is a database with more than 20,000 scholarship opportunities across the U.S that is continuously expanded and updated. You can look at each scholarship to learn more about eligibility requirements, the application process, important deadlines and the amount of money offered.

Trekaroo Family Travel

Apple Appstore

I can’t count how many times on vacation with my 15-year-old son he shouted in frustration: “Another museum?!” It doesn’t have to be that way. Trekaroo Family Travel, known informally as the TripAdvisor for kid-friendly travel, is an app that includes user-generated reviews of activities, hotels and restaurants that kids will enjoy throughout the U.S. and Canada. The app includes a price slider that makes it easy to find things to do that are either low-cost or free, and offers suggestions for kid-friendly day trips. vp

10 Fun Alternatives to Overnight Camp

by Pam Molnar

My kids never went to an overnight camp. They were happier sleeping in their own bed and with a flexible work schedule, I didn’t have to worry about daycare most days. With some creativity, I found there are dozens of local opportunities to keep the kids busy this summer without breaking the bank.

1

Spend the week at Grandma’s.

Every year my sister and I would spend a week with our grandparents. Twice we went on vacation with them, but most years we just hung out at their house. We played with our cousins, went shopping, played games and went to local events. It was nice to experience life with my grandparents in charge, and it allowed my parents to go to work, worry free.

2

Find a Vacation Bible School (VBS).

This is an activity that your kids can participate in from preschool to high school and beyond at many churches. It is usually presented as a half day camp where kids do crafts, sing songs, watch skits and play games around a bible theme. Many camps include a snack or lunch, too. The best part is that when the kids outgrow the activities, they can volunteer as a leader.

3

Make time to volunteer. If your kids are middle school age, they can volunteer some of their time by helping younger kids have fun. Libraries are looking for kids to help with summer reading program tables. Churches look for VBS helpers. Animal shelters look for dog walkers and people to entertain the cats. Food pantries are looking for stockers and nursing homes are always happy to see younger faces.

4

5

Parks and Rec camps have something for everyone.

Attend a local high school camp.

Most local high schools offer sports, music or science weeklong, half day camps. The camps are usually run by older students and/or the coaches and teachers at the school. Camp is usually available to kids from third grade through high school. It is fun for kids to participate in camps at the high school they will attend one day as they usually get a cool t-shirt as part of the camp.

In addition to sports, they may have cooking camps, STEM camps, first aid camps and art camps. Many YMCAs also offer an all day, day camp where campers go on local field trips to movies, pools, museums and zoos. The drop off and pick up is close to home. Choose one or more camps to suit your needs over the summer.

6

Take advantage of university summer camps.

They offer both academic and sports camps over several weeks. Like the high school camps, they have activities for a large range of age groups and most camps run for a week or two.

7

Have an unscheduled week.

This is the week you can catch up on projects at home, shop for school supplies and clothes or create your own fun. This is also the week to schedule dentist appointments, school physicals and all those other things that need to be done over the summer.

8

Create your own summer camp.

Work with your neighbors and friends to arrange activities like those offered in park district day camps. Save a few vacation days to take your kids (and theirs) to local water parks, nature trails, etc. It is a great way to fill in the holes in your summer day care plans.

9

Go on vacation.

Most families take some type of vacation—even if it is a staycation. Many people allow their kids to have a friend come along on the trip so they have someone their age. If you are lucky, that same friend will invite your child to go on vacation with their family.

10

Take it day-by-day.

When planning your summer calendar, turn to social media like Facebook Events or our calendar on page 12 to find local entertainment. Valley Parent advertisers are great source to find new activities in town. Follow your favorite ones on social media for discount days and coupons. vp

Hire a Summer Nanny

Nannies are more than a toddler’s caregiver. Parents hire a summer nanny to help with driving to activities, preparing lunch, breaking up sibling squabbles and for someone to supervise at the pool. Care.com is a great place to look for summer day care, even if it is just part-time.

My daughter picked up several babysitting jobs on Care.com in addition to her part-time job. She often searches for part-time jobs that fit in with her free time. Over winter break, she found a job attending a cooking class with a special needs teenager who wanted some independence from mom and dad.

Another great source is your local Facebook page. Many teens and college students who live right in your neighborhood often look for summer positions early in the spring. Nannies don’t have to be girls. Although they are the traditional summer caregiver, there are plenty of boys who enjoy mentoring and hanging out with the next generation.

Parent Valley FUN PAGE

What could these words be?

There are about 2,000 thunderstorms happening on Earth at all times!

Where do flowers sleep at night? In a flower bed

What do you call a clumsy flower? A Whoopsy-Daisy

What does a cloud wear under its raincoat?

Thunderwear

What goes up when the rain comes down?

An umbrella

Manners Matter!

Columbus Junior Cotillion and Pre-Cotillion teaches manners and etiquette classes for students in grades 2nd-12th.

SCAN BELOW TO REGISTER NOW

Pre-Cotillion of East Alabama and Greater Columbus current 1st-3rd graders

Columbus Junior Cotillion and High School Cotillion current 4th-11th graders

Academy Dance Center

Acute Care Express

All About Kids Learning Center

Devica Alappan, MD

Angel Academy

Aranas & Stitt, OB/GYN

Bare Ware Pottery

Basilio Pediatrics

Behavioral Health Partners

Bluebelle Artist Market

The Blushing Brunette Boutique

Julie Braddy-Roberts, MD

Regina Carpenter, MD

Center Pharmacy

Central Christian Church

Central OBGYN

Chambers OB/GYN

Ritu Chandra, MD

Chick-fil-a Bradley Park

Calendar

APRIL

6 Spring Fling at Columbus Civic Center

Info: CivicCenter.ColumbusGA.gov

8 Coca-Cola Space Science

Center Solar Eclipse Event

Info: CCSSC.org

11 Disney Princess: The Concert at RiverCenter

Info: Aces.edu

13 Junior Beekeeper Spring Workshop at Oxbow Meadows

Info: Oxbow.ColumbusState.edu

20 Arts Fest Block Party

Info: TheColumbusite.net/ArtsFest

20 Open Rehearsals with the Columbus Symphony Orchestra

Info: CSOGA.org

28 Reopening Member Family Day

30 YOGC Spring Concert

Info: YOGC.org

Pick up your copy of the latest Valley Parent at one of these convenient locations:

Childcare Network (Hamilton Rd)

Clement Arts

Columbus Children’s Dentistry

Columbus Clinic

Columbus Museum

Columbus Pediatrics

Columbus Public Library

Columbus Regional Family Practice

Columbus Roberts Center

CSU Elizabeth Bradley Turner Ctr.

Curves for Women (Phenix City)

Curves for Women (Veterans)

Dinglewood Pharmacy

Divine Childcare Learning Ctr.

James Dorchak, MD

Easter Seals

Miranda Y. Edwards, MD

Fairview Baptist Preschool

The Family Center

Family Physicians of Columbus

First Baptist Church Child Dev./PC

Foot & Ankle of West Ga.

Fort Benning Housing Services

Fountain City Coffee

Generations Knowledge & Care Ctr.

MAY

3-4 Uptown's Riverfest: Home of the Freestyle Kayaking Columbus Cup

Info: AlwaysUptown.com

4 Public Grand Opening of the Columbus Museum

Info: ColumbusMuseum.com

4-5 The Springer presents Deep Blue Sea

Info: SpringerOperaHouse.com

11 Columbus Public Library's Children's Book Festival

Info: CVLGA.org

25 Cool Pool Summer Splash Celebration at FDR State Park

Info: GaStateParks.org/FDRoosevelt

29 Seedling Storytime at Columbus Botanical Garden

Info: ColumbusBotanicalGarden.org

29 Memorial Day Mini Camp at the NIM

Info: NationalInfantryMuseum.org/NIM-kids

See more local events at ValleyParent.com

Goo Goo Car Wash (Manchester Exp)

Great Beginnings Child Care

Greystone Falls

Greystone at Columbus Park

Greystone Inverness

Growing Room

Growing Room Too

Hollywood Connection

Imagination Station

Imagination Station Too

International Friendship Ministries

Joyful Journeys Childcare

Just for Kids

Kool Smiles

Mark Lawrence, DDS

La Bella Party and Tea

Lil’ Rascals Resale & Boutique

Little Angels Child Dev. Ctr.

Little Paws Preschool

James Lopez, DMD

Thomas Malone, MD

Mathnasium

Mica’s Child Development Ctr.

Mickayla’s Place

Midtown Medical Center

Midtown OBGYN

Mildred L. Terry Library

My Gym

Necco Foster Care

North Columbus Library

Northside Recreation Center

OBGYN Associates

Lirio E. Palmos, MD

Panvelkar & Panvelkar, MD

Pastoral Institute

Pediatric Rehab

Pediatrics at Brookstone Ctr.

Phenix City-Russell County Library

Pierce Chapel Methodist Preschool

Polka-Dots Early Childhood Dev. Ctr.

Preppy Pets

Project Launch

Puddle Jumpers Child Enrichment Ctr.

Rising Star Child Development Ctr.

Rivertown Pediatrics

Russell County DHR

Second Avenue Animal Hospital

Jeffrey Serff, DMD

Smile Doctors

Smiths Station Baptist Church

Smiths Station Pharmacy

St. Francis Gift Shop

St. John AME Church

St. Luke Early Learning Ctr.

St. Mark UMC Child Dev. Ctr.

Lisa Alexander Strickland, DMD

Summerville Baptist Preschool

Sylvan Learning Center

Nora Tan-Ngo, MD

Toni’s Dancing Studio

TSYS Childcare Center

Uptown Pediatrics

West Georgia Pediatrics

Wynnton UMC Pre-school ZÖe Pediatrics

Distribution sites committed at press time.

Congratulations to Harris County High School Academic Bowl Team for being State Champs.

Luna Hudson, age 2, loves swinging in the park on a nice day.

Adriti Shrivastava went on her first ever cruise to the Bahamas.

Amelia Regan and her daddy enjoyed he Harris County Father/ Daughter Dance.