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s I write this column, we just hosted Jill’s side of the family for our annual Christmas hayride. We couldn’t get everyone together before the actual holiday, so this mid-January weekend was the best we could do. The weather was perfect for making memories. Blue skies, crisp temperatures and our all daylong and into the night bonfire gave us another place to gather, to enjoy each other’s company and laugh. We had a houseful. All the beds and some of the sofas were full of family. The kids made up a little gaggle of cousins—from baby Clara to 10-year-old Noey—who played with wild abandon. Running in and out of the house playing games and climbing all over the rustic wooden swing set between the house and the lake. No electronic devices, they played the kind of play that makes you that good tired and creates mental images of the times in your life that make you happy enough to hug a tree. These energetic, well-mannered, joyful children gave me hope for the future. They were a pleasure to have in our home. They added in a significant way to this kind of crazy Christmas tradition. We all chose costumes, wacky hats and props from Jill’s prop box and I, dressed like a 160-pound sock monkey drove the entire 20-plus person entourage on a hay-filled trailer behind my big orange Kubota tractor on a Christmas carol singing ride through Seale. On Sunday morning, the load out had our loved ones rolling out suitcases and the other items that had been brought from home. The kids gave us hugs and kisses and asked how long it would be until they could come again. Please use our publication to find ideas for creating events that entertain and make indelible, happy impressions on children’s minds and hearts. Those kinds of special memories seem to come from the simplest of times. I can still feel the gentle, cold massage on my backside from my late father’s rhythmic turning of the handle of our wooden ice cream freezer. My weight, perched on a folded bath towel held the freezer in place while the ice, salt and dasher did their delicious work. Please send us pictures and some ideas for your very best family traditions. We’ll share them with our readers and put smiles on lots of faces for the joy these traditions will bring. We also appreciate your support of our local advertisers. Shop local every chance you get.
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Graphic Design SIXTY TWO GRAPHIC STUDIO
Contributing Writers KIMBERLY BLAKER TRISTAN COX SARAH LYONS JOHN ROSEMOND
Photography RITCHIE WHITE PHOTOGRAPHY __________________________ P. O. Box 229 Columbus, GA 31902 706-324-6214 • fax 706-324-6216 www.valleyparent.com __________________________ VALLEY PARENT MAGAZINE is published monthly by Chicken Dinner News, Inc., dba COLUMBUS AND THE VALLEY MAG A ZINE, P. O. Box 229, Columbus, GA 31902. The cov er and contents are fully protected and may not be re pro duced in whole or in part without the written consent of COLUMBUS AND THE VALLEY MAGAZINE. We are not responsible for loss of unsolicited inquiries, manuscripts, photographs or other materials. They will not be returned unless accompanied by return postage. Editorial contributions and letters should be addressed to VALLEY PARENT MAGAZINE, Post Office Box 229, Columbus, GA 31902. Copyright © 2023 by Chicken Dinner News, Inc. trad ing as COLUMBUS AND THE VALLEY MAGAZINE. Subscriptions are available by mail for $25 per year. Call 706-324-6214 to subscribe. Postmaster: Please send address corrections to: Post Office Box 229, Columbus, GA 31902.
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A F F I R M AT I V E PA R E N T I N G
Living with Children Q: I’m a single mom who works from home. At noon, I pick up my 5-year-old from half-day kindergarten. Because I’m unable to pay attention to her while I’m working, she wants to watch television for the rest of the afternoon. We have a no-TV rule on school days, but I find myself unable to enforce it. If she isn’t watching TV, she’s at my door, complaining of boredom. Help! A: My mother was single for most of the first seven years of my life, during which she worked and attended college. When she was home, studying or writing, she made it clear that her work was more important than my whims. Did I want more of her attention? Absolutely! Did I suffer because she created and enforced a boundary between us? Absolutely not! In relationships of any sort, boundaries are essential to respect. No relationship boundary translates to exploitation on one side of the relationship and enabling on the other. Too many modern moms seem to think that enforcing firm boundaries between themselves and their kids will cause the latter to hemorrhage self-esteem all over the floor. Cowed by psychobabble into checking their authority at the door when they come home from work (or, in your case, when you bring your daughter home from school), the moms in question make one compromise after another with their kids. COMPROMISE: Toss the no-TV rule because your daughter complains—with great drama, no doubt—of being bored after school. NO COMPROMISE: Stick to your guns. Your daughter’s subsequent unhappiness will be short-lived, I assure you. 1. Make a doorknob hanger of the sort one finds in hotel rooms. Color one side red and the other side green. Hang it on the outside knob of the door that leads to your home office. 2. When the red side of the doorknob hanger faces out, the message is, “Do not disturb me for anything other than a dire emergency.” Every so often, when you can (but no more than twice a day), flip the hanger to green and call out, “Green light!” That means you are available to her for 10 minutes or so. 3. If she disturbs you when the “red light” is on, and she is not having an emergency, put her in her room, with her playthings, for the rest of the afternoon. 4. Regardless, the two of you will do something creative together for 30 minutes (plenty of time) every evening—draw, color, read a book—after which it will be time for her to begin getting ready for bed. In short, you make your daughter a very simple offer: She can either leave you alone through the afternoon and enjoy freedom, or she can bother you and be confined to her
by John Rosemond, PhD
room. Three experiences with the latter option (the so-called “charm”) should solve your problem. In the meantime, your daughter will learn how to occupy herself, which is one of the most valuable of all life skills. vp Family psychologist John Rosemond: johnrosemond.com, parentguru.com. Copyright 2022, John K. Rosemond
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Feb./Mar. ‘23
VOLUME 18 NO. 1
D E PA R T M E N T S John Rosemond Lessons Learned Birthday Party Guide Family Fun Calendar VP Locations Valley Smiles
1 6 10 12 12 13
F E AT U R E S Private School FAQs
3
What you need to know when considering private school.
Valentine’s Day Parties
7
Fun activities for school or home
Embrace Life
9
Pass on this priority to your children.
ON THE COVER
On th
e Go?
Read every Valley Pa rent wher mobi e on your le de vices . Cohen Clayton, 2, is ready for a Valentine’s Day party. He is the son of Candler Brackin and Lane Clayton of Phenix City. photos by Ritchie White Photography
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Valley Parent | MARCH 2023
W ABOUT
hen the time comes for your children to begin their education, it can be stressful making sure that they are getting the best education available to them. Many parents are confident in their local school systems and opt to send their children to public school. However, some parents choose to enroll their children in private education. Many parents believe the environment of a private school will allow their child to grow to be a well-rounded academic. Columbus meets this need by offering many top institutions. While sending your child off to any school can be stressful for a parent, there may be extra stress when it comes to deciding how to enroll your child in a private school. We reached out to private schools in the area to get their advice to parents based on frequently asked questions parents have about enrolling their child in a private education institution. We also asked the schools to give us some tips for a successful interview.
Where do you start? by Tristan Cox
All of the private schools in the area begin with Pre-K programs such as K3 or K4. The admissions process usually starts by visiting the school or its website and filling out an admissions application. This application will determine a match between the student’s needs and the curriculum and resources that the school offers. All prospective students must complete an application for any of the area’s private institutions. It is important to know that most institutions can admit a limited number of applicants, and some applicants may be wait-listed until an opening is available at the school. Most schools begin
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processing admissions applications for new students on the waitlist, as they know of openings. After the application has been processed, some private schools require a meeting between parents and administrators and all of the area’s private institutions require some form of admittance testing.
Are there academic entrance requirements? Admissions requirements vary by grade and division at each institution. Pre-K programs usually assess prospective students with an in-person assessment between an administrator and the child such as at St. Luke, or with a meeting between parents,
administrators and child are required such as at Brookstone. There is some form of assessment given to prospective students for first grade and up. It usually involves math, reading and writing at the appropriate levels. Each institution may test different areas of academic readiness and even request past transcripts of grades if that is applicable. Once your child has been accepted into the private school that you choose, you’ll start to think of the financial aspect. The thought of the cost of education at a private institution can be daunting; however, sending your child to a private school does not have to take a toll on your wallet as many school offer ways to ease the cost of tuition.
Does tuition cover everything? At St. Anne-Pacelli, tuition only covers a portion of the actual cost to educate a student. The rest is funded through local Catholic churches, The P Fund and private donations. Most schools try to include everything they can in tuition to make it easier for families. Some schools like St. Luke and Brookstone include the cost of testing, lab fees and lunches. However, sometimes tuition doesn’t cover every cost you may encounter with private education. Additional fees may come up when it comes to AP testing and school uniforms, but even then there are ways to defray the cost. When it comes to interviewing at a private school, all of the schools we spoke with stressed that they just want students to
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be themselves. They strive to create an environment where children can be who they are and the school will encourage them to reach their full potential.
Are there ways to defray some of the costs? Most private schools make every effort to keep tuition affordable and provide financial assistance to families desiring
an education at their institution. Tuition assistance is available for families who demonstrate financial need. At most schools applicants can usually request some form of tuition assistance application after submitting their application for enrollment. Brookstone, St. Anne-Pacelli and St. Luke offer needs-based tuition to prospective students to make attending private school possible.
Just like admissions, scholarships and financial aid may be competitive. These types of financial aid are only awarded to those with a demonstrated need and there is a limited amount of aid that can be awarded. St. Luke suggests that you apply early for financial aid, just as you would for admissions. vp ————————————————————— Julie Jernigan contributed to this article.
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AREA Private School GUIDE BROOKSTONE SCHOOL 440 Bradley Park Drive Columbus Enrollment: 800+ Grades: PK-12 Accreditation: SAIS-SACS 706.324.1392 BrookstoneSchool.org
ST. LUKE SCHOOL 318 11th Street Columbus Enrollment: 500+ Grades: K-8 Accreditation: SAIS-SACS 706.256.1301 School.stlukeum.com
ST. ANNE-PACELLI CATHOLIC SCHOOL
OTHER AREA PRIVATE SCHOOLS INCLUDE:
2020 Kay Circle Columbus Enrollment: 700+ Grades: PK-12 Accreditation: SACS 706.561.8232 Beaviking.com
Calvary Christian School
COLUMBUS ADVENTIST SCHOOL 7880 Schomburg Rd Columbus Enrollment: 20+ Grades: K-8 706.561.7601 ColumbusAdventistSchool.org
Community Christian Academy Emanuel Preparatory School of Math and Science Glenwood School Grace Christian School Hallie Turner Private School Lighthouse Christian Academy Phenix Christian School Pinehurst Christian The Campus Academy Truth Springs Academy Wynnbrook Christian School
Lessons Learned To have your business featured here contact one of our sales reps: Kathleen Mitchell
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Valley Parent | MARCH 2023
Fun
VALENTINE’S DAY PARTIES for Kids by Kimberly Blaker
W
Whether you’re helping with your child’s Valentine’s Day party at school or planning one at home, there are so many fun, creative ways to keep kids busy and make their party a blast. Try some of these ideas kids are sure to love.
CRAFTS
Heart Suncatcher
Lay a sheet of wax paper in front of each child. Then have the kids cut red, pink and white tissue paper into squares or other shapes. Next, lay a tissue square on the wax paper and brush it with liquid starch. Continue by overlapping the pieces of tissue to create an 8” x 8” collage. When the collage is dry, carefully peel the tissue away from the wax paper. Cut the collage into a big heart. Then put a single hole punch
in the heart and thread a piece of yarn or ribbon through it to hang it.
Valentine Candle Holder
Give each child a glass jar. Have them start by cutting red, white and pink tissue paper into small hearts or other shapes. Using a mixture of one part flour to two parts water and a paintbrush, paste the tissue shapes onto the jar overlapping each other until the jar is completely covered.
Fingerpaint Valentine
Fold a piece of paper in half, and cut out a large heart. Next, place the paper with the big heart-shaped hole on top of another piece of paper. Dip a thumb or finger into the paint, and make a finger impression within the heart-shaped area. Alternate
colors and fingers until the whole area is filled with colorful fingerprints. When done, remove the top sheet, and you’ll have a colorful heart image underneath.
Heart Structures
Provide each child a supply of gummy hearts and toothpicks, and let their creativity take over. They can build a house, sphere, rocket, airplane or whatever their imagination desires.
GAMES
Musical Hearts
This game is played similar to musical chairs. Cut out enough hearts for the number of players. On each heart, write an action such as “rub your belly,” “dance” MARCH 2023 | Valley Parent
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and “pretend you’re an elephant.” When the music stops, everyone must act out the heart they landed on.
can make from it. Offer prizes for the most words, longest word and the most rhyming words.
Pin the Heart on the Tin Man
BOOKS
Draw the Tin Man on a large sheet of poster board, then cut it out. Have each kid cut out a heart from construction paper. Then blindfold and spin each child around, and have them try to place the heart on the Tin Man’s chest.
What would Valentine’s Day be without a special Valentine’s story or two? Read aloud to younger kids. If they’re readers, have each kid take a turn reading a page. Happy Valentine’s Day, Charlie Brown by Charles M. Schulz (Ages 5-7)
Thomas in Town: Valentine’s Day in Vicarstown by Rev. W. Awdry (Ages 3-7)
Candy Heart Bingo
Amelia Bedelia’s First Valentine by Herman Parish and Lynne Avril (Ages 4-8)
Dumpy’s Valentine by Julie Andrews Edwards and Emma Walton Hamilton (Ages 4-7)
Junie B. Jones and the Mushy Gushy Valentine by Barbara Park and Denise Brunkas (Ages 6-9)
Happy Valentine’s Day, Mouse by Laura Numeroff and Felicia Bond (Ages 4-8)
Buy a Valentine’s Day bingo game available through many online retailers. Then use candy hearts for the markers.
Valentine’s Day Word Find
Have each kid write “Valentine’s Day Cupid” on a sheet of paper. Then have them write down as many words as they
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Valley Parent | MARCH 2023
Valentine Hearts: Holiday Poetry by Lee Bennett Hopkins (Ages 4-8)
Happy Love Day, Daniel Tiger! by Becky Friedman and Jason Fruchter (Ages 3-7)
Ruby Valentine and the Sweet Surprise by Laurie B. Friedman and Lynne Avril (Ages 5-9) vp
by Sarah Lyons
Teach Kids to
EMBRACE W
hat comes to mind when you hear the phrase “Live life to the fullest”? My first thought was something daring and adventurous like rock climbing, skydiving, running a marathon or traveling the world. For some, these things might sound fun and exciting but others may go to extreme measures to avoid these activities altogether. While these activities may be fun on occasion and a great way to live life to the fullest, most of our lives are lived in day-to-day activities, not the high that comes after an exciting adventure. How can we as parents embrace life during the routine of daily life and pass that priority on to our children?
LIFE Laugh
Laughter is truly the best medicine and can turn your entire day around. If you are mad, sad or just feeling bored, finding something to laugh about can change your attitude for the better. After laughing so hard that tears are streaming down my face or until my face hurts from smiling, my heart feels fuller and the worries seem
lighter. Laughter can’t wipe away all your troubles, but it can turn your day around and help you appreciate and bond with the other people in your life. Laugh with your kids and allow them to be silly and laugh. Life passes too quickly not to find some humor along the way. Enjoying moments of fun and laughter with people you love is a great way to embrace life. MARCH 2023 | Valley Parent
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Slow Down
Talk to Strangers
Go for It
Today’s society encourages us to rush from one thing to the next and fill up every waking moment. Try to pause and appreciate the beauty around you. Take time to notice the sunrise in the morning, appreciate the fresh snow on the ground, watch squirrels chase each other and point these things out to your kids. Show your kids how to taste their food, take deep breaths of fresh air and snuggle a little longer before bed. You don’t have to stop participating in activities you and your kids enjoy, but when you have a free moment, pause to enjoy it.
Encourage your kids to meet new people and the joy of making a new friend. One of life’s joys is connecting with other people and the experience of being part of a community. If you are at a park playing, encourage your child to say hello to another kid their age. If your child has a new classmate, suggest they go out of their way to include them at recess. Welcome a new neighbor by taking a plate of cookies to their door and introducing yourselves. This may be out of your comfort zone, but it is worth it to make a new friend. A great way to embrace life is through relationships with people in our community.
Offer support when your child expresses interest in trying something new or if they want to set a goal for themselves. Finding new hobbies and activities they love can help kids understand their place in life and feel part of a group or team. This is a great way to embrace and love the life they are living. Trying new things can be overwhelming but the reward can far outweigh the risk and sense of accomplishment your child will feel when they reach their goal.
P
The Perfect
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A R
T Y
A Servant’s Heart One way to appreciate the blessings you have in life, is to give back to those in
E D G U I
IDEAS to
Help Embrace Daily Life Give someone a hug or a high five. Read a book. Have a playdate with a friend. Bake a cake for no reason. Try a new restaurant. Have a campout in the living room. Take the kids to the dollar store and pick out one item. Eat your dessert first. Go to a movie. Eat dinner together. Play a game. Have a dance party. Tell silly jokes. Share a blessing from today.
need. Consider serving your community as a family. Ideas could include collecting non-perishable foods for a local food pantry, doing yard work for a neighbor, taking a meal to a friend in need, hosting a playdate for a mom who needs a break, writing thank you cards to teachers, or lending a hand when you see someone who needs help in the grocery store. Your kids will follow your lead and will begin to not only notice what they have to be thankful for but to pass that joy along to others as well.
Look Forward As I have watched each of my kids grow and mature, the temptation is to feel sad that time is passing so quickly. I have also found myself looking forward to events and milestones in the future with anticipation or worry. When I am stuck in either of these mindsets, I miss what is going on today and forget to appreciate the joys and challenges my
kids are experiencing. The best balance is to live in the here and now and teach your kids to do the same. When you are spending time together, enjoy that moment rather than worrying about yesterday or tomorrow. ____________________________________ As I reflect on these tips, I see a theme. The things that matter in life are people and time. How you spend your time and who you spend it with are what makes for a happy and fulfilled life. Adventures like ziplining, vacations and skiing are fun and exciting and certainly produce joy in our lives, but that doesn’t mean we can’t embrace the wonderful moments in our daily lives as well. Laugh hard, love fiercely, try new things, talk (and listen) to people in your life, slow down to see the beauty in the world around you. Your child is watching you and learning how to live life to the fullest from your example. Embrace the life you are living right now before the moment passes by. vp
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Calendar FEBRUARY 11 Hearts and History Mini Camp at the National Infantry Museum
From 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., come by the NIM for a fun day filled with games, hands-on activities, fun facts, guided tours, refreshments and more. Reservations required. Cost: $10 More info: Nationalinfantrymuseum.org/nim-kids
17 The CSO presents The Thrill of the Orchestra
Looking for a place to take the kids while they are home from school on this teacher in-service day? Experience the “thrill” of the orchestra featuring music from The Lion King, Frozen and Stars Wars. Russell Peck’s educational piece, The Thrill of the Orchestra, colorfully illustrates the instruments of the orchestra and how they are played. This fun, family matinee performance is entertaining for all ages. Cost: $7.50 Adults, $5 Child (0-17) More info: CSOGA.org
20 Presidents’ Day Grilling Workshop
Join Russell County 4-H for a Grilling Workshop. The workshop is open to all youth ages 12 to 18. The workshop will take place from 1 pm to 4 pm E.S.T. at the Russell County Extension Office, 508 14th Street, Phenix City. Registration is limited to the first 10 to sign up and pay. To register: Visit the Russell County Extension Office
26 The Columbus Toy and Comic Book Show Visit the Coca-Cola Space Science Center and check out local vendors selling collectible merchandise, play-in card tournaments, watch a planetarium show narrated by Ewan McGregor and much more. Cost: $6 each or $20 for a family-of-four pack More info: CCSSC.org
MARCH 3-19 The Springer Opera House presents The Cat in the Hat
It’s fun to have fun; you just have to know how! From the moment his tall, red-and-white-striped hat appears around the door, Sally and her brother know that The Cat in the Hat is the funniest, most mischievous cat that they have ever met. With the trickiest of tricks and the craziest of ideas, he is certainly loads of fun. He turns a rainy afternoon into an amazing adventure ... but what will mom find when she gets home? Based on the timeless book by Dr. Seuss, this imaginative adventure will delight audiences of all ages. Cost: $15 Child, $18 Adults More info: SpringerOperaHouse.org
10 RiverCenter presents The Peking Acrobats with the Shanghai Circus
This show offers more than a glimpse into the fascinating traditions of the Orient. It consists of sensational Chinese acrobatics, comedy, balancing feats and much more. A spectacular show for all ages, the grace and precision of the acrobats are the triumph of years of dedicated training and discipline. Cost: $39 More info: RiverCenter.org
APRIL 2 Strut the Hooch Parade
Calling all weird and wacky friends to gather on Broadway. The ninth annual Strut the Hooch parade is back and bigger than ever. This is an annual parade of silliness and joy when people of every description come together to celebrate our differences, talents and creativity. Kick-off starts at 10:30 a.m. Cost: Free More info: Facebook.com/strutthehooch
See more local events at ValleyParent.com 12
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Pick up your copy of the latest Valley Parent at one of these convenient locations:
VALENTINE’S DAY PARTIES ENTER OUR
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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 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. 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. 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.
Valley Smiles Send your photos and captions to ContactUs@ValleyParent.com. Six-month-old Tony Richard Perez Jr. likes wearing his Baby Yoda shirt.
Weston Suragh and Nehemiah ManningWoods competed in Rumble on the Rails with their Columbus Ranger team and went undefeated, becoming 10U Alabama State Champions. Adriti Shrivastava celebrated her 4th birthday wih a Frozen-themed party.
Finn Venable, 6 months, was excited for his first visit with Santa.
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Valley
t n e r a P
S E C A F H S FRE test n o C r Cove
Want to be sure the judges take notice of your child’s photo? Here are a few helpful hints:
1. The cover of Valley Parent always prominently features a child’s
face, so 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 strange facial expressions, no profile shots, etc.
2. The photos that readers send 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. None of those aspects will be considered. The judges look for a winning child, not a winning photo.
3. Send in a photo file large enough for print. File should be close to or over 1 MB (300 dpi for you techy types out there). Small photos are hard for the judges to see and impossible to print.
4. The judges know that the children chosen will need to do a photo shoot, so avoid shots that make your child seem brooding or shy.
5. Professional photographs are accepted, but not preferred.
In summary, send us a snapshot that allows the judges to see your child’s bright, cheerful face. It is the Fresh Faces Cover Contest, after all! Good luck and thank you for entering!
OFFICIAL RULES
Send in y snapshot fo our child’s cover shot. r a chance at a We will cho ose six winners to a covers of V ppear on future alle online at V y Parent. Enter a or mail a p lleyParent.com hoto and th e form below. We can’t wait to see all you r cuties!
To enter Valley Parent’s Fresh Faces Cover Contest, complete this form and send it along with ONE recent photo OR e-mail the following information along with a digital photo. Sorry, photos will NOT be returned. __YES! My son or daughter wants to be a Valley Parent Fresh Face! Child’s Name _____________________________________________ Child’s Birthday _______________________________ Age _________ Parent/Guardian Name _______________________________________ Address _________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ Phone______________ e-mail address_________________________ Parent/Guardian Signature ___________________________________ Children attend (circle one) public school private school homeschool # of adults in household___ Mother works: full time part time at home Family psychologist John Rosemond: johnrosemond.com, Father works: full time part time at home # of children in household___
• 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. • Prints or digital photos will be accepted but must be accompanied by completed entry form. Photos should be 1 MB or larger. • Entries must be postmarked or received by e-mail by April 28, 2023.
Enter online at: ValleyParent.com
OR MAIL ENTRY & PHOTOS TO:
Fresh Faces Cover Contest • Valley Parent Magazine PO Box 229 • Columbus, GA 31902
parentguru.com. Copyright 2022, John K. Rosemond