Family & Kids of Chattahoochee Valley July 2023

Wise Choices for Moms & Families

CHATTAHOOCHEE VALLEY

Are You Ready? ...for the new school year?

By Kimberly Blaker for Family & Kids Magazine

ieties by adequately preparing for and setting the tone for the new school year.

Establish rules and routines

A new school year means a fresh start and transition from your schedule over the break. Even from one school year to the next, it’s smart to sit down and discuss the new school year routines and rules to help things go more smoothly. Here are some things you’ll want to determine:

a Each person’s responsibilities

a A daily schedule

a A family calendar for the year, months, and weeks.

a Different expectations between weekdays and weekends

a Screen time restrictions

a Rules around playdates or spending time with friends

a Homework routines and expectations

a Timeline for when kids need to be awake, eating breakfast, and ready to leave

a How kids will get to and from school and related expectations

Take safety precautions

Your child’s safety is a significant concern when heading back to school and away from your watchful eye. Establish a reliable way to communicate with your child whether that is through a school representative, or with them directly if your child is old enough. Phones are available that are appropriate for kids of all different ages now, but just be aware of your school’s policy regarding devices first.

if they are old enough to have a cell phone. There are many apps for sharing their GPS location using their phones, including geofencing, where you define a certain perimeter for your child and get notified if your child leaves that area.

Be sure to set expectations that your kids check in at certain times and before leaving or arriving at a new destination. Also, designate trusted emergency contacts and plans for unexpected events and make sure your child knows who you’ve chosen.

Schedule routine check-ups

Get your child up-to-date on immunizations and health screenings, especially vision and hearing tests. If your child has problems with hearing or vision, it can severely impact their education. Discovering and addressing any issues ahead of time will prevent unnecessary struggles and reduce their need for additional support. Young kids often don’t realize they have a fixable problem or are unable to articulate their difficulties, so regular screenings are essential.

Prepare for special needs or accommodations

If your child has special needs related to learning, review any plans that are in place like a 504 or IEP, so you can refresh yourself on your child’s needs to better advocate their behalf. Teachers should already have this information, but double-checking doesn’t hurt. Plan ahead for special accommodations to help your student at home, too. This may include hiring a tutor or setting a regular homework schedule.

Don’t forget to build excitement!

Even kids who are excited about getting back to school and seeing their classmates often feel some amount of trepidation about a new school year. It should be a time of celebration and new beginnings. So treat it like a holiday and start a back-to-school family tradition! Have your child choose a special outfit for the first day of school. Talk with your kids about what everyone is excited about and looking forward to in the new school year. Also, make school-year-resolutions and help your kids set realistic goals. Involve your kids in the process of preparing for the new school year, and find ways to make it fun, to ensure a smooth transition.

Hoo’s Tips

With summer in full swing, it can be tricky for parents and caregivers to balance the busyness of their schedule with their child’s safety needs. Here are a few tips to remember this summer and throughout the year.

Arrange for supervision: Understand local child supervision guidelines or laws to guide your decisions. To ensure your child is safe when you cannot be around, consider private sitters, summer camps, or share playdates with other families. For children on Fort Moore, the guidelines for supervision of children are outlined in MCoE Regulation 210-5.

Eliminate home hazards: Childproofing your home is important at all ages. Secure medications, vitamins, personal care products, household cleaners, and firearms to keep them out of reach. Young children can drown in just a few inches of water. Never leave a young child alone near a bathtub, pool, or other sources of water.

By The Fort Moore Family Advocacy Program

TIPS

Secure furniture such as bookcases, dressers and TVs with brackets or straps to prevent them from falling if children attempt to climb them.

Power down your electronic devices: Technology has made it easier for parents to multitask, but it has also made it easier to lose focus on your children. Remember that too much attention to the cellphone or TV can be a distraction from the supervision of your child. Children know when they have your full attention, and it will make them feel important and loved.

Reach out to others: Connect with neighbors, coworkers, or others in your community to share and seek recommendations. With any recommendation, be sure it makes sense for you and your child.

Stay up-to-date with activities happening at Fort Moore and in the surrounding area. The Fort Moore Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation website (moore. armymwr.com) and Fort Moore Garrison social media page (facebook. com/mcoefortmoore) are great places to stay connected. Contact 706544-SAFE (7233) for more on the Fort Moore Family Advocacy Program. Military OneSource (militaryonesource.mil) has articles and resources about a variety of family life topics, including parenting, relationships, and military transitions to help support your family all year round.

Telling versusTeaching

By Linda Ligon, Family & Kids

When correcting misbehaviors, parents often feel frustrated. The kids were told just yesterday not to leave their toys all over the floor, yet this afternoon you are having to make your way through a toy obstacle course, and later, when you take them to the store, your preschooler tries to take off without you despite you telling her to stay with you. When kids seem to stop listening, the first step is to take a closer look at the methods you use to communicate expectations.

Your expectation may not be understood

If the explanation behind a household rule is simply ‘Because I am the parent and that is my rule and if do not follow it you are in trouble’, you may be inviting a power struggle. Your child may start to feel that you are creating rules because you want to exercise your authority. To increase compliance with household rules and boundaries, try teaching your child why you have put the boundary in place. For example, you could teach your child that picking up his favorite toys keeps them from getting broken or lost and keeps his play area safe and tidy. Your child will then understand that you are putting your rule in place because you care about his safety and are trying to teach him how to properly care for his play area and its contents. Ask questions like ‘How would you feel if I stepped on your toy and broke it or if you left your toy on the floor and someone hurt their foot on it?’

Provide gentle reminders of your expectations

If you know you are entering a situation where you are likely to encounter misbehavior, it is a good idea to provide a gentle reminder of your expectations ahead of time. For example, if you are about to enter the library for story time, you might want to discuss with your child why he should not run around in the library (he might get hurt or hurt someone or might be asked to leave because he is disturbing others). Ask him how he would feel if someone was yelling and running when he was trying to listen to the story and he could not enjoy it.

By engaging your child in a discussion, you are helping to teach him to understand the reason behind the expectation. When you see your child use what you have taught to make a good decision, praise him for it. This positive reinforcement will hopefully keep him moving in the right direction. Your child will not always have you there to guide him and you want to get him in the habit of making good decisions on his own.

Give your child encouragement while he learns

It takes time for kids to learn what is expected of them in various situations. Remember, their brains are not fully developed. Teaching the ‘why’ behind your expectations is likely to be much more effective than just saying ‘No running allowed!’ and then following up with a comment like ‘I told you not to run!’ When you thought your child was headed in the right direction but goes back to the same misbehavior, it can be hard to avoid reacting this way out of frustration. However, nagging is likely to result in resentment and your child ignoring you. Instead, take a moment to calm your emotions and then discuss the expectation again. Use gentle guidance, like ‘You did such a good job last week, what do you think went wrong this time?’ to help your child move forward towards correcting the misbehavior.

preschooler

Helping your child transition from home to preschool is a milestone that you can start preparing your child for a few weeks before school starts. For a smooth transition, your child needs to learn about the new routine he will follow during his day at preschool and what will be expected of him.

Familiarize his new environment

Tour his classroom if possible and meet his teacher. Ask for a classroom schedule. While at the school, walk through his class-

HOO’s tips

room and the school together and step through his new routine. You could take pictures of his classroom and other parts of the school he will visit as part of his routine and print them out at home for your child to look at. At home, start adjusting your child’s daily schedule, including the time he wakes in the morning and nap time, to match his daily preschool schedule. Also, it is a good idea to arrange a time to speak with the teacher privately so you can provide her with any useful information about your child and any special needs.

Role-play with your child

Help your child prepare for the social interactions that will be expected of him at preschool. One fun way is to role-play. Ask your child to pretend that you are a classmate and to introduce himself. Role-play different social situations, such as asking a classmate to play with him or sharing a toy. Pretend you are the teacher and play ‘school’ with your child. Have your child practice following instructions such as, ‘Sit down for story time’ or ‘Get out your pencil pouch and draw a picture.’

Practice self-care skills

Preschoolers are expected to have perfected self-care skills, such as toileting, dressing and eating a meal without help. While playing ‘school,’ have ‘lunch time’ and ‘snack time’ and ask him to open his lunch bag himself and unwrap his food. When selecting a backpack for preschool, ask him to help pick one. At home, practice zipping and unzipping it and putting it on. Involve your child in selecting his clothes and shoes for the first day.

HOO’s HUNGRY

POPTARTS Homemade

Your kids will love this knockoff to their favorite breakfast treat. With just three ingredients, they are easy to make and easy to grab and go!

INSTRUCTIONS

• Preheat the oven to 425°F. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.

• Unroll the pie crust and square the edges. Cut each crust into four or six rectangles.

• Place 1 teaspoon of jam in the center of the rectangle and top with a second crust.

• Crimp the edges to seal – I use a fork to do this.

• Bake the pop tarts for about 10 minutes or until they are slightly browned.

• After they have cooled, frost the top and add the sprin-

INGREDIENTS

• 1 box Pillsbury refrigerated pie crust, softened as directed

• 1 small jar strawberry preserves

• 1 container of vanilla frosting

• Sprinkles

HOO’s learning

By Jeannine Scott, Branch Manager, North Columbus Library

See It! Read It!

Connecting with beloved characters is a great way to inspire reluctant readers to pick up a book. Besides allowing children to spend more time with the characters and worlds from TV and movies, books usually provide more details to reveal more about the story.

Chattahoochee Valley Public Libraries have many titles based on familiar TV and movie characters that your kiddos already love. You’ll find Bluey, Octonauts, Paw Patrol, Teen Titans, Minecraft Steve, Disney Princesses and many more characters on the libraries’ shelves.

It’s always exciting to see a classic childhood book remade into a movie, like this summer’s Harold and the Purple Crayon. If you haven’t read it yet, treat yourself and your family to this sweet little read! It’s sure to spark imagination and fun.

Make summer reading even more fun with other screen-inspired reads like these: All About Bingo • Bluey: For Real Life: A Story Collection • The Loud House graphic novels series

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Totally Turtles! • Teen Titans Go! To Camp!

The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Robots • Encanto: Mystery in the Rain Forest

Chattahoochee Valley Libraries strive to make reading exciting and accessible for busy families. Visit our branches for free, fun, in-person activities. Call ahead to request a book-bundle customized to your child’s favorites. These can be based on specific characters, interests or other themes. Enjoy 24-hour pickup or curbside options; even access material digitally.

Stream PBS and other kid-friendly content free from our brand-new library website at cvlga.org! Click on the ‘Download and Stream’ quick-link. Look for favorites like Access Video on Demand Just for Kids, e-Read Kids, and Tumblebook Library. You can also put e-reading apps Libby and Hoopla on ‘kids mode’ to easily filter what they can browse.

We look forward to seeing you at your favorite branch location this summer or online at cvlga.

HOO’s CRAFTY

KIDS' ARTWORK GALLERY WALL

Here's a practical and beautiful solution for showcasing all that artwork your kids create, making it easier to store and admire.

DIRECTIONS

Source your frames - use old ones, buy cheap ones or thrift finds. Then prep them with two coats of primer and then paint the color of your choice. Figure out your layout of the frames and prepare their spacing on your chosen wall. Using Command hooks makes it easy. Measure and mark the place on each side of the frame where you want to place the eye hooks. Tap the hook into place with a hammer and then screw them in with the help of a small skewer or screwdriver. Then thread two clothespins onto your monofilament, through the spring hole, and attach the monofilament to one of the eye hooks. Then stretch it across the frame to the other eye hook and attach, keeping the line tight. Hang your frames on the wall in your desired layout. Insert your child's favorite artwork, step back and enjoy!

SUPPLIES

• Frames

• Spray paint & primer

• 5/8 eye hooks

• Monofilament

• Clothes pins

• Command Hooks

• Tools

- utility knife

- flathead screwdriver

- hammer

- wooden chopstick

- scissors

COURTESY OF: thecaterpillaryears.com

Hoo’s Tips

By Jade Lewis, Autism Relationship Manager, Invo Behavior & Therapy Services

Potty Training pro Tips

ARE YOU READY?

Before beginning the often-challenging task of toilet training, ask yourself a couple of questions, the first one being, “Are they ready?”There are many signs that your child is ready to get started, but the following can make the job much easier: they recognize when they are wet, can follow one-step instructions, show interest in sitting on the toilet or potty chair, and have toys or activities that can be used as motivators. The next question is, “Are you ready?” Being organized and having the ability to plan are helpful. Make sure you have all the supplies you need before you get started. Most importantly, make sure you have the time to commit 100%. Don’t start if you have any upcoming events, trips, or big life moves.

FILL YOUR TOOLBOX!

Having the right tools for the job will make toilet training easier and more fun! Using a schedule and timers will help you and your child stay on task. Take a few days before you get started to track how often your child is wet by doing hourly diaper checks. Once you know how long they can hold it, set your potty trips to slightly shorter intervals. Have their favorite videos, toys, and treats on hand. Setting aside a special treat just for successful potty trips is a must...mini M&Ms, yogurt raisins, and chocolate chips are a few favorites. A potty chair or toilet seat and step stool will help your child independently access the toilet. Finally, be sure you have lots of underwear…and lots of patience!

BE SUCCESSFUL!

Be encouraging and have realistic expectations. Some children get it right away and others need some time. Start with small goals like sitting on the potty for a few minutes. Take frequent and consistent potty trips. If your child is whining or crying on the way, try again a few minutes later. Deliver the reward as soon as they go potty. Waiting even a minute reduces the effectiveness as they may not make the connection. Finally, good luck and have fun!

1 Madagascar the Musical. 6:30pm. RiverCenter; 706-256-3612

1 Plains, Trains and Fireworks. 6pm. SAM Shortline, Cordele; 1-877-GA-RAILS

1-4 July 4th Star Spangled Beach Party. 9am-11pm. Callaway Gardens; 885-885-3841

2-4 Summer Concert Series. 4pm. Robin Lake Beach; Callaway Gardens; 855-894-0420

3 Summer Cinema: Movies & Munchies. 10am. N. Columbus Library; 706-748-2855

3 Kid’s Art Studio: Acrylic Painting. 5-12yrs. 4pm. Columbus Library; 706-243-2813

3 Columbus Chatt-a-Hoots Baseball Game. 7pm. Golden Park; 706-507-4625

3 Freedom Celebration & Fireworks. 6:30pm. Opelika High School; opelika-al. gov/749/freedom-celebration

3 Astronomy Night. 9pm. Gardens Overlook, Callaway Gardens; 855-894-0420

4 FreedomFest. 10am-4pm. National Infantry Museum; 706-685-5800

4 Independence Day Celebration. 9pm. Behind Duck Samford Stadium, Auburn; auburnalabama.org/4th-of-july

5 Write! Learn Cursive and Penmanship. Ages 5-12yrs. 3pm. Columbus Library; 706243-2813

6 I Forget! Ages 5-12. 4pm. Columbus Library; 706-243-2813

6 Interactive Movies. 5pm. North Columbus Library; 706-748-2855

7 Family Night. 4-7pm. Bare Ware Pottery Studio; 706-571-0507

7-8 Columbus Chatt-a-Hoots Baseball Game. 7pm. Golden Park; 706-507-4625

8 Murder Mystery Dinner Train. 6pm. SAM Shortline, Cordele; 1-877-GA-RAILS

8 Smells Like Teen Science-LEGO® Destruction Derby. 3pm. North Columbus Library; 706-748-2855

9 Sunday Fundays. 2-4pm. Columbus Botanical Garden; 706-327-8400

10 Astronomy Night. 9pm. Gardens Overlook, Callaway Gardens; 855-894-0420

10 Art Studio: Watercolor Painting. 5-12yrs. 4pm. Columbus Library; 706-243-2813

10-14 Summer Musical Drama Camp. 10am-4pm. Ages 6-12. $160. Family Theatre; 706-431-3752

11 Kids Explore! Ages 0-12. 3pm. South Columbus Library; 706-683-8805

11 Teen Takeover: Summer Sleuthing. 3:30pm. Columbus Library; 706-243-2813

11 Teen Takeover: Let’s Get ‘Together’ For Gaming. 6pm. Mildred L. Terry Library; 706243-2782

12 Lunch in the Library. Families. 11am. North Columbus Library; 706-748-2855

12 All Together Now in the Afternoon: Bilingual Storytime. Ages 0-5. 5pm. Mildred L. Terry Library; 706-243-2782

12 Story Time & Art Making. 10am. Columbus Museum; 706-748-2562

12 MAMA B.E.A.R.S.(Part 2) Breastfeeding Support meeting. 12:30pm. Columbus Pediatric Assoc; 706-221-4602

13 Let’s Get Together: Cardboard Box Robots. Families. 3pm. North Columbus Library; 706-748-2855

13 Teen Takeover: Recess Games. 3:30pm. Columbus Library; 706-243-2813

13 LEGOS® in the Library. Families. 4pm. Columbus Library; 706-243-2813

13 Teen Takeover-Retro Game Night. 6pm. North Columbus Library; 706-748-2855

14 Fingerpaint Friday. Ages 3-11. 3pm. North Columbus Library; 706-748-2855

14-15 Columbus Chatt-a-Hoots Baseball Game. 7pm. Golden Park; 706-507-4625

14-16 Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! Fri 7pm, Sat 11am, Sun 2:30pm. McClure Theatre, Springer Opera House; 706-327-3688

15 West Point Lake Dragon Boat Race. 8am. Pyne Road Park, LaGrange; wpldragonboatrace.com

15 “All About Family Fitness.” 10:30am. Mildred L. Terry Library; 706-243-2782

15 Columbus Lions Indoor Football Game. 7pm. Columbus Civic Center; 706-322-3336

17 Astronomy Night. 9pm. Gardens Overlook, Callaway Gardens; 855-894-0420

17 Summer Cinema: Movies & Munchies. 10am. N. Columbus Library; 706-748-2855

17

Art Studio: Oil Pastels. Ages 5-12yrs. 4pm. Columbus Library; 706-243-2813

18

Kids Explore! (Ages 0-12). 3pm. South Columbus Library; 706-683-8805

18

Teen Takeover: Zines 101-Americans and the Holocaust Program. 3:30pm. Columbus Library; 706-243-2813

19

Lunch in the Library. Families. 11:00am. North Columbus Library; 706-748-2855

19 Write! Learn Cursive and Penmanship. Ages 5-12yrs. 3pm. Columbus Library; 706243-2813

19 MAMA B.E.A.R.S. (Part 1) Breastfeeding Support meeting. 5:30-7pm. Columbus Pediatric Assoc; 706-221-4602

20

Let’s Get Together: Forts. Families. 3pm. North Columbus Library; 706-748-2855

20

Family Fun Night. 4pm. Columbus Library; 706-243-2813

20

Teen Takeover-Double Dare. 6pm. North Columbus Library; 706-748-2855

20 Columbus Chatt-a-Hoots Baseball Game. 7pm. Golden Park; 706-507-4625

21-23 Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! Fri 7pm, Sat 11am, Sun 2:30pm. McClure Theatre, Springer Opera House; 706-327-3688

22 Uno, Dos, Tres Craft! Ages 4-8yrs. 3pm. Mildred L. Terry Library; 706-243-2782

22 Slimy Saturdays. Ages 5-12. 3pm. North Columbus Library; 706-748-2855

22 Paint Me a Story. 10:30am. RSVP. Bare Ware Pottery Studio; 706-571-0507

23 Sunday Fundays. 2-4pm. Columbus Botanical Garden; 706-327-8400

24

Ukulele 101. Ages 5-12. 3pm. North Columbus Library; 706-748-2855

24 Art Studio: Picture Collage. Ages 5-12yrs. 4pm. Columbus Library; 706-243-2813

25

Teen Takeover: Bad Art Night. 3:30pm. Columbus Library; 706-243-2813

26

Lunch in the Library. Families. 11am. North Columbus Library; 706-748-2855

26

Teen Takeover: You Decide. 3:30pm. Columbus Library; 706-243-2813

26

End of Summer Splash Bash. Ages 0-18. 6pm. S. Columbus Library; 706-683-8805

WeeklyEvents

TUESDAY

Summer of Fun! 10am-2:30pm. $5. Oxbow Meadows; 706-507-8550

WEDNESDAY

Summer of Fun! 10am-2:30pm. $5. Oxbow Meadows; 706-507-8550

THURSDAY

Summer of Fun! 10am-2:30pm. $5. Oxbow Meadows; 706-507-8550

FRIDAY Mini Camp. 9am-noon. Ages 5-8. $20-$25. Registration required. Columbus Museum; 706-7482562 (Not 7/28)

Farmstand Friday. 9-Noon. MercyMed Parking Lot, 3702 2nd Ave, Columbus; 706-507-9209

L. Terry Library; 706-243-2782

28

Mini Golf Par-Tee: End of Summer Tournament. Families. 11am. Columbus Library; 706-243-2813

28 My Mad Science Lab: The Nervous System. Ages 5-12yrs. 4pm. Columbus Library; 706-243-2813

28 Date Night. 4-10pm. All ages. Bare Ware Pottery Studio; 706-571-0507

28-30 Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! Fri 7pm, Sat 11am, Sun 2:30pm. McClure Theatre, Springer Opera House; 706327-3688

29 Hogwarts After-Hours Escape Room. Ages 12-18. 6:30pm. North Columbus Library; 706-748-2855

Summer of Fun! 10am-2:30pm. $5. Oxbow Meadows; 706-507-8550

Family Fun Day Friday. 11am. General admission. National Civil War Museum; 706-327-9798

Summer Concert Series. 4pm. Robin Lake Beach; Callaway Gardens; 855-894-0420

SATURDAY

Market Days on Broadway. 9am-Noon. 900, 1000 & 1100 blocks of Broadway; uptowncolumbusga.com

Eye Spy Scavenger Hunt. 9am-4pm. $5. F.D. Roosevelt State Park; 706-663-4858

Please call ahead to confirm dates, times and age-appropriateness, in case changes were made after the info was obtained.

Extracurricular Activity Guide

Summer

Boredom Busters! Boredom Busters!

It’s the last month of summer and you may be running out of ideas to keep your kids entertained.  Here is a list of summer activities to keep your kids having fun all summer long. Write down your favorites on a piece of paper, put them in a jar and pick from the jar when you are ready to have a good time! Out of these fantastic ideas, pick a few to do a week and make the most of your summer days with your kiddos. Have the best time!

• Create a bonfire and roast s’mores.

• Find a nature trail to go hiking.

• Cook a new recipe with your kids.

• Have a family movie night with popcorn.

• Join a community service project/ volunteer.

• Set up a stand to sell lemonade and cookies.

• Have kids create a story or start a summer journal.

• Set up an obstacle course in your backyard.

• Pack a picnic and take it to the park.

• Play in the sprinkler or set up a slip and slide.

• Write a letter to a friend or family member.

• Visit Callaway Gardens or Robin Lake Beach.

• Volunteer at PAWS animal shelter.

• Go roller skating at Xanadu Skate Center.

• Bike the Riverwalk.

• Take a road trip to the beach and go shelling.

• Take a nature walk and have a scavenger hunt.

• Have a yard sale.

• Organize a playdate for friends at the park.

• Purge belongings and drop off the donations.

• Visit Oxbow Meadows.

• Plant a seed & watch it sprout.

• Participate in summer reading at the Library.

• Visit a farm or U-Pick garden.

• Make a pillow fort.

• Play dress up and have a tea party with friends.

• Go ice skating at the Columbus Civic Center Ice Rink

HOO’s Fun

By Amanda Merrill Family & Kids

• Create a kid’s version of a charcuterie board.

• Teach your dog how to do a new trick.

• Attend an event for kids at the Columbus Botanical Garden.

• Have a ‘spa day’ and do nails and facials together.

• Create crafts as home décor for an upcoming holiday.

• Go bowling or play arcade games at Stars & Strikes.

• Visit the Coca-Cola Space Science Center.

HOO’s HEALTHY

A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury that results from a blow to the head or when the head and upper body are violently shaken, stretching and damaging brain tissue. This damage can lead to a change in brain chemistry, causing issues with brain function. Symptoms of a concussion may not appear immediately after the injury but may appear days or even weeks later.

Unlike more severe brain injuries, such as bleeding inside the brain, a concussion cannot be seen in MRIs and CAT scans. Concussion symptoms may include temporary loss of consciousness (though there is not always one), headache, loss of balance, feeling drowsy, a ‘stunned’ feeling, nausea, vomiting and ringing in the ears. Infants and toddlers are unable to communicate that they do not feel quite right, so also be on the lookout for changes in appearance and behavior, such as a dazed look, irritability, listlessness and excessive crying.

Someone with a concussion should be evaluated by a doctor as soon as possible. Emergency care should be sought if symptoms seem to be worsening or if any of the following is noticed:

RESOURCES: http://bit.ly/3Vo66eV

What is: A CONCUSSION

Loss of consciousness of more than 30 seconds; Headache that increases in intensity and will not go away; Weakness; Slurred speech; Loss of coordination; Numbness; Seizures; Agitation or unusual behavior; Nausea and vomiting that will not stop; Pupils that are of unequal size; Children with a large bump or bruise on the head in an area other than the forehead.

Concussions may result from falls, motor vehicle accidents and from participating in contact sports such as football and soccer. A second concussion that occurs before the first one has healed can cause a serious condition called second impact syndrome, which may cause fatal swelling of the brain. Do not immediately return to play after suffering a concussion while playing a sport. After a concussion is diagnosed, the doctor will provide instructions for a period of rest to allow the brain to heal, with a gradual return to activities.

Help prevent concussions by using the proper safety equipment for sports and activities, and always use age-appropriate car seats and seat belts in a motor vehicle.

Dining Deals for Kids

With deals this good, save the mess and dine out!

MONDAY

Barberitos

Free kid’s meal with adult entrée after 4pm Sapo’s

5-8pm: Free kid’s meal with adult entrée

The Office

4-9pm: Kids 12 and under get a free kid’s meal with each adult entrée. Dine in only.

Tuesday

Chicken Salad Chick

Free Little Chick Meal with purchase of adult meal

Denny’s

4-10pm: Up to two free kids entrées with adult entrée for kids 10 and under

Jason’s Deli

5-9pm: Free kid’s meal for kids 12 and under with each adult entrée; dine-in only

Ruby Tuesday

5-10pm: Kids 12 and under eat free with adult entrée

Wednesday Your Pie

Kid’s meal $1.99 (pizza, drink & gelato) w/ adult meal

Red Robin

Kid’s meal $1.99 w/ adult meal for kids 11 and under

THURSday

Tuesday's Street Tacos & Burritos

Free kids meal with adult purchase; dine-in only

Saturday

Denny’s 4-10pm: Up to two free kids entrées with adult entrée for kids 10 and under

sunday

The Simple Greek

Kids 12 & under get half-off kids bowl with purchase of regular size bowl. Not to be combined

Multiple days

219 On The Lake

5-9pm: Kids eat for $2.19 on kids menu (M-TH)

Bruster’s Ice Cream

Kids under 40” get free baby cone

McAlister’s Kid’s meals are $1.99 with dine-in order

The Food Mill

Kids receive half off a breakfast egg and cheese biscuit with the purchase of one full price breakfast item (M-F, 9-11am)

All locations are Columbus, GA unless noted. Specials are subject to change without notice, so please verify them directly before dining. Send kids deals to Tammy@FamilyAndKidsGA.com.

Buying Used Baby Gear Smart or Safety Hazard?

By Linda Ligon, Family & Kids

Shopping online and at yard sales for gently used baby gear can be a good way to save money when preparing for your new arrival. However, there are some items that infant safety experts strongly recommend buying new.

Always buy car seats new. There is the risk that the car seat has been in an accident at some time, which may make it structurally unsafe and unable to properly protect your baby. It is not always possible to tell that a car seat has been involved in an accident. Also, the construction of a car seat may have started to deteriorate due to the time it has spent exposed to temperature extremes in a car. Never use an expired, recalled or damaged car seat.

The safety standards for cribs, bassinets and cradles have changed over the years to protect babies from being trapped between the slats, falling out or choking. Using a secondhand crib, bassinet or cradle could put your baby at risk of severe injury or a fatal incident. Never use a crib, bassinet, or cradle that has been recalled, does not meet current safety standards or has a defect. Avoid drop-side cribs, as they have been illegal since 2011.

Used infant swings and playpens should be purchased using extreme caution. These types of items are sometimes recalled due to serious safety risks, such as falls. The standards for playpens were updated in 2013. Check carefully for recalls and inspect the used swing or playpen for defects. Never use a recalled or damaged swing or playpen or one not up to current safety standards. Playpens that are damaged or not up to standards could pose risks such as suffocation, entrapment or choking.

Breast pumps, unless they are designated as hospital-grade or multi-user pumps, are one-user items. Do not buy a secondhand one-user pump since droplets of milk can contaminate the inner parts, which cannot be completely sanitized, posing a health risk to your baby. Check the documentation to verify a secondhand pump is for multi-users and buy a new collection kit for it.

To check recalls and to view standards, visit the Consumer Product Safety Commission website.

Felicia Heard,

Everett, 7 years Midland

David, 3 years Phenix City

Khloe, 2 years Columbus

FDR State Park, located in Pine Mountain, Georgia, is a favorite location for residents of the Chattahoochee Valley to enjoy the outdoors. This park is the largest of the Georgia State Parks and is full of history and opportunities for recreational activities for the entire family.

THE HISTORY

FDR State Park is named for President Franklin D. Roosevelt. FDR would visit nearby Warm Springs, GA to seek relief from the symptoms of polio in the therapeutic warm springs and while he was in the area, he would spend time enjoying the beautiful views in the park. FDR had a favorite picnic spot on the top of Dowdell’s Knob, the highest point in the park, and the stone grill he used is still at the same spot today. A beautiful statue of FDR has been placed at the top of Dowdell’s Knob and is a field-trip must-see.

While FDR was in office, the Works Progress Administration initiated a project to create a state park in Pine Mountain. As part of the project, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) built stone cottages, bridges, roads and campgrounds in the 1930s. The stonework of the CCC can still be seen today, especially at Liberty Bell Pool, which was constructed of local stones and built in the shape of a bell. Visiting the park and viewing the work of the CCC feels like taking a step back in time into the era of the 1930s.

WHAT TO SEE

The state park has about 40 miles of trails, the longest of which is the 23-mile Pine Mountain Trail. Historical markers are located throughout the park. FDR State Park has a unique geology and biodiversity since it is on the Fall Line, which is the division between the Piedmont and the Coastal Plains. When walking the trails, it is possible to spot examples of Piedmont and Coastal Plains wildlife and plant life on the same trail. Pine Mountain is mostly made up of Hollis quartzite, a type of very hard metamorphic rock, and formations of Hollis quartzite can be seen along the trails in the park.

spotlight on AreA pArks

FDR STATE PARK

By Linda Ligon, Family & Kids

WHAT TO DO

HIKING: There is a $5 per vehicle daily parking fee. Bikes are not allowed on the trails. On the new Carl’s Cove easy hiking trail, you may be able to push a three-wheeled jogging stroller over the terrain of the trail, which is unpaved. However, this is the only trail in the park where strollers are allowed.

Use a Pine Mountain trail map to plan your hike so that you are off the trails well before dark. Hiking after dark is not allowed. Carry the map with you. Hiking apps may not be up-to-date and may be inaccurate.

Take snacks, plenty of water, your phone and basic survival items such as a first aid kit.

Wear sturdy closed-toed shoes and clothing appropriate for the weather. Teach kids basic hiking safety rules, such as what to do if lost.

Visit pinemountaintrail.org for more tips on hiking this area with kids.

FISHING: Anyone age 16 or older will need a fishing license to fish in the lakes in the park

RANGER-LED PROGRAMS & EVENTS: Visit gastateparks.org/FDRoosevelt for a list of special events, programs and guided hikes offered by the park each month and for field trip information. Programs for homeschool groups start in August.

Overnight accommodation include campsites and cottages. Visit the park website for reservation information. A permit is required for backcountry camping and the backcountry campsites must be reserved ahead of time.

P A R E N T S ,

W E N E E D Y O U R H E L P !

O b t a i n i n g l o c a l d a t a i s v i t a l t o u n d e r s t a n d i n g b e h a v i o r a l

h e a l t h t r e n d s a n d n e e d s a c r o s s t h e s t a t e . T h i s d a t a c a n

s u p p o r t p r e v e n t i o n p l a n n i n g a n d t a r g e t s t r a t e g i e s m o r e

e f f e c t i v e l y . T h e s u r v e y e n g a g e s y o u t h r e s p o n d e n t s t o

a n o n y m o u s l y s h a r e t h e i r b e h a v i o r s a n d

o p i n i o n s a b o u t s u b s t a n c e u s e .

A L A B A M A Y O U T H S U R V E Y

Delivering joy to ColumbUS.

Welcoming a new baby is one of life’s most joyous events. We know that compassionate quality care for you and your baby is one of the most important parts of your family’s journey. We’re here for your first step and all the possibilities after.

To learn more about our childbirth services or to schedule a tour call us at 706-320-8001 or visit online at MyStFrancis.com