Even if you try to keep tabs on your child’s grades, a missing assignment or a couple of bad test grades in a row can bring down your child’s grades suddenly and lead to a progress report or report card that is below what you and your child expected. Here are some tips on helping your child create a strategy to get her back on track.
Check to see how many absences your child had during the reporting period for the progress report or report card. If your child was out sick for several days, your child may have lost track of all the work she needed to make up and turn in. If she has just returned, she may be missing a test grade. If your child’s school has an online parent portal, check it often to see if your child still has missing assignments. If you do not have access or if the assignment details are unclear on the parent portal, ask the teachers to email you a list of missed assignments with instructions on how to complete them and the due dates. Encourage your child to make some progress each day on completing makeup work.
If your child has not been absent but has missing assignments, talk to your child about them. When discussing grades with your child, remember to let her know that you love her and that you are there to support her. Don't scold or shame your child.
Ask your child if she needs help with the assignments or is having trouble remembering when to turn them in. Some kids may be hesitant to turn in an assignment out of fear that they did not do a good job and feel embarrassed to have it graded by the teacher. For other kids, organizational skills are a challenge, and they forget to take the assignment out of their backpack and turn it in the next day. You may need to step in and help your child create a homework routine that includes visual reminders of when to turn assignments in and a quiet ‘homework area’ to work on assignments. Draw up a ‘homework contract’ that spells out your part in helping her with her homework as well as her responsibilities, such as turning assignments in and asking for extra help from the teacher when she does not understand an assignment. If you try to help your child with homework but feel she is still struggling, reach out to your child’s school for tutoring resources.
If in-class assignments, homework and tests are being completed on time but your child’s grades have fallen, request an appointment to speak to your child’s teachers. Ask if your child has suddenly developed behavioral issues, such as difficulty getting along with a classmate, or if your child is having difficulty focusing on her work. Also, ask the teachers if your child seems to be having difficulty mastering a particular new skill or concept. If you have noticed that your child is struggling with the same topics or skills when doing homework, let the teacher know, especially if extra tutoring does not seem to be helping.
Your child’s teachers and school staff can help your child get the resources she needs to improve her grades. If all the easy-to-fix underlying issues, such as lack of sleep or problems staying organized, are ruled out, your child may need further evaluation for learning disorders or a medical issue such as hearing loss or vision problems.
Melatonin is a hormone that helps with the timing of the body’s circadian rhythm and with sleep. The brain produces melatonin as a response to darkness. (That is why looking at a computer screen can keep kids awake). Melatonin is classified as a dietary supplement, not a drug, and is not as strictly regulated by the FDA as drugs are.
You may have heard other parents mention that they give melatonin if their child has difficulty falling asleep on a regular basis. However, melatonin should not be given to children without consulting a physician first. Melatonin can have side effects and taking too much melatonin can result in an overdose. The FDA has not approved melatonin for use in kids who have sleep issues. When a physician recommends giving a child melatonin, the melatonin is being given ‘off-label.’
More research is needed to determine the possible effects of melatonin on children. Side effects that researchers have identified so far include drowsiness, increased bedwetting, headaches and agitation. The long-term effects of melatonin on kids have not yet been studied. Some experts have concerns about melatonin supplements affecting
other hormones in a child’s developing body. The limited number of studies performed so far suggests that melatonin can help kids with ADHD and autism who have sleep issues fall asleep faster. However, kids who are healthy and do not have a sleep disorder should not be given melatonin as a sleep aid.
The circadian rhythm of children under the age of 5 is still developing, and giving melatonin to children this age is not recommended. Instead, try to improve your child’s sleep routine to help her fall asleep. Addressing issues such as teething pain and exposure to electronics before bedtime may be all that is needed to improve your young child’s quality and quantity of sleep.
If you have tried to establish a sleep routine for a child over the age of 5 but she still has trouble sleeping, talk to her pediatrician first to eliminate any underlying causes. If the pediatrician does recommend melatonin for a child with sleep issues, follow the dosage and timing instructions that are provided by the pediatrician.
RESOURCES: https://www.sleepfoundation.org/melatonin/melatonin-for-children
As a parent, you may feel a sense of magic in your household as items just seem to appear! The kids bring home small trinkets they receive from friends, worksheets that they worked hard on in school and their favorite gifts start to accumulate over special occasions like birthdays and holidays. It is a challenge to part ways with items that have special meaning. However, as we limit the items in our household, we often feel more fulfilled and less overwhelmed. It ends up being a positive trade-off!
Teach your children that experiences are more fulfilling than material items.
Share fun outdoor experiences with your children weekly. Ex: Play in the
pool or go to a playground with friends. Plan a trip to the beach. Go on a hike with the family or go fishing.
More friendships may be developed as you encourage your kids to play with friends outside.
Communicate with family purchasing gifts to give experiences as a gift. Ex: Zoo memberships, aquarium memberships, museum and bounce-house memberships.
Encourage your kids to pick out items to play with that can be recycled like science experiments and art materials. Having less toys may increase more creativity as children develop ways to play with the items that they have in new ways.
Teach your children to share their items with ‘friends’ at a local children’s organization. Ex: During the spring, have your children find items that they no longer use or wear and donate them to a local shelter. Then, around the holidays, go through your items to see what you can make room for as your kids get new gifts.
Join a minimalist Facebook group that will encourage you to live minimally every day.
Living minimally is a challenge as a parent, but teaching our kids about living with less is the first step. Less mess can bring about better moods, more time outside playing and a heart to share what we have with others. As a result, life will be
Right from the Start is a local non-profit organization founded in response to concerns about the high divorce rate, the high rate of single-parent homes, and the high poverty rate in the Columbus area. This month, Right from the Start is hosting the Amazing Marriage Chase, an event that challenges married and engaged couples to complete scavenger-hunt style activities together and compete for prizes. The goal of the event is for the couples to have fun as they exercise their communication and teamwork skills. “Healthy marriages and families are grounded in healthy, loving relationships,” said Claude Scarbrough, Chairman of the Board of Right from the Start. “We want to do everything we can to help couples strengthen their marriages. The Amazing Marriage Chase gives couples a great opportunity to focus on one another and their relationship.”
Right from the Start Director Debbie Caballero says “The Amazing Marriage Chase is an annual event that couples throughout the region eagerly anticipate. Some have participated seven years in a row! Couples relax and enjoy a morning of pure fun while they strengthen their relationship.” The event is scheduled for October 21st, from 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. The event will begin at the Columbus Amphitheater, 601 Front Avenue. Registration is $40 per couple and is open at https://rightfromthestart.org/events.
When it was founded, Right from the Start used research data to develop a mission to strengthen marriages, decrease the number of pregnancies outside of marriage, and strengthen the relationship between fathers and their children. The research data reflects a striking correlation between family disintegration and poverty. More than a decade after being founded, evaluations and demographic studies reflect the organization’s positive impact.
“Studies show that 97% of the people who finish school, get a job, and marry before starting a family will avoid or escape poverty by the time they reach age 30,” said Scarbrough. “We want Columbus families and our community to be healthy and vibrant. One of the most important things we can do is to prepare young people to make wise decisions
and build positive, lifelong relationships right from the start.”
Right from the Start provides its mission through seven keystone programs:
REAL Essentials: An evidence-based curriculum presented to middle school and ninth-grade students throughout Muscogee County. Students learn skills to help them make and maintain positive relationships, avoid negative behaviors, and make wise decisions.
All Pro Dad: A monthly gathering that gives dads and their children special time to focus on one another, build communication skills, and strengthen their relationships.
Family FIRST: A weekly, four-session class that helps families build communication skills and develop strategies for successfully navigating the challenges of everyday life.
Raising Highly Capable Kids™ : A fun and practical 13-week discovery of the 40 assets that will help your children grow into healthy, caring, and responsible members of society. The materials for this course are provided through Rezilient Kidz™ and Truth Spring Academy.
RESOURCES: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6659987/
Task Force to Decrease Fatherlessness: A community-wide effort to educate the community about the importance of a father’s role and to equip and inspire fathers to become lovingly engaged.
Couples Coaching: An online assessment and one-hour coaching session helps couples explore their expectations of marriage and learn more about one another. This process helps “Save Your Marriage Before it Starts” or helps you successfully navigate obstacles in your marriage.
The TALK: A workshop that helps parents and their pre-teens navigate the potentially awkward first conversation about puberty, reproduction and God’s plan for healthy living.
To learn more about the Right from the Start programs and how to get involved, visit rightfromthestart.org, or call 706256-1019.
Fluffy homemade waffles are the perfect breakfast treat for fall.
Heat air fryer to 390F. In a large bowl, combine the dry ingredients—the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon—and whisk together. In a smaller bowl, combine the wet ingredients—the pumpkin puree, milk, egg, vanilla extract, coconut oil and maple syrup—and stir vigorously until smooth. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and slowly mix together, stirring until just combined. Do not over mix the batter. Preheat the waffle iron, spraying lightly with cooking spray. Pour 1/4 cup of the batter into the warmed waffle iron, spreading with a rubber spatula until at the edges. Cook per the manufacturer's instructions. (I like mine crispy on the outside, so I cook them on a higher setting. To each their own.) While the waffles are cooking, heat the maple syrup and cinnamon sticks over medium heat. Simmer until time to eat. When the waffles are cooked to your liking, serve warm with your syrup of choice. Enjoy!
• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp kosher salt
• 1 ½ tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 ½ cups pumpkin puree
• 1 cup unsweetened choice of milk
• 2 eggs
• 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 2 tbsp coconut oil, melted
• 2 tbsp pure maple syrup Courtesy of
1 Itsy Bitsy Spider. 2pm. $16-$21. Springer Opera House; 706-327-3688
1 Lightwire Theatre: The Adventures of Tortoise and Hare: The Next Generation. 2:30pm. $12$19. RiverCenter; 706-256-3612
3 Little Sprouts. 10am. $5. Columbus Botanical Garden; 706-327-8400
3 Kids’ Art Studio. Ages 5-12yrs. 4pm. Columbus Library; 706-243-2813
3 Get Your Game On! Unplugged: Stranger Things: Attack of the Mindflayer. 4:30pm. Columbus Library; 706-243-2813
5 LEGOS®. Families. 4pm. Columbus Library; 706-243-2813
7 Artful Babies. 10:30am. Ages 6-24m. Mildred L Terry Library; 706-748-2562
7 Itsy Bitsy Spider. 11am. $16-$21. Springer Opera House; 706-327-3688
7 JDRF It Takes a Village: A Fundraising Fair. Noon-3pm. Golden Park; eventbright.com
7 CSO Open Rehearsal. 12:30pm. Free. All ages. RiverCenter; 706-323-5059
7 CSO presents From Atlanta to London. 7:3010pm. $12-$42. RiverCenter; 706-323-5059
7 Crafts 4 A Cause. Families. 3pm. North Columbus Library; 706-748-2855
8 Itsy Bitsy Spider. 2pm. $16-$21. Springer Opera House; 706-327-3688
9 Indigenous Peoples’ Day Celebration. 3pm. North Columbus Library; 706-748-2855
10 Theatre Games: Halloween Edition. 6pm. Mildred L. Terry Library; 706-243-2782
10 Artful Babies. 10:30am. Ages 6-24m. Mildred L Terry Library; 706-748-2562
11 MAMA B.E.A.R.S. Breastfeeding Support Part 2. 12:30pm. Columbus Pediatric Assoc; 706221-4602
11 MOPS/MomsNext. First Baptist Church of Columbus; 706-322-4468
11 Simple Steps Storytime: Fire Prevention. 10am. Mildred L. Terry Library; 706-243-2782
12 Game On! Teen Dungeons & Dragons.
4:30pm. Columbus Library; 706-243-2813
12 Family Fun Night. 4pm. Columbus Library; 706-243-2813
12 Budding Naturalist. 10am. $7. Columbus Botanical Garden; 706-327-8400
14 Street Food Saturday. 11am-3pm. Bluebelle Local Mercantile; 706-327-1181
14 Fall Festival. 11am-2pm. Old Town Columbus; oldtowncolumbus.com
14 2nd Annual Fall Festival. Noon-5pm. The Oaks Farm, LaFayette, AL; theoaksfarm.net
14 Mini Makers. 3pm. Ages 2-4y. Columbus Museum at 1327 Wynnton Road; 706-748-2562
14 Astronomy Night. 7:30pm. Providence Canyon State Park; 706-649-1477
14-15 RushSouth Music Fest & Outdoor Games 2023. Noon-11:45pm. Woodruff Park; rushsouth.com
14-15 Harvest Hoedown. 10am-5pm. Historic Warm Springs; 706-655-3322
15 Stories in the Garden. 2-4pm. Hills & Dales Estate, LaGrange; 706-882-3242
17Mini Makers. 3pm. Ages 2-4y. Columbus Museum at 1327 Wynnton Road; 706-748-2562
17 Game On! Unplugged: There’s Been a Murder! 4:30pm. Columbus Library; 706-243-2813
17 Dungeons & Dragons. Families. 6pm. Mildred L. Terry Library; 706-243-2782
18
MAMA B.E.A.R.S. Breastfeeding Support Part 1. 5:30-7pm. Columbus Pediatric Assoc; 706221-4602
19 The Linwood Ramble. 4:30-6:20pm. $15$65. Linwood Cemetery; linwoodcemetery.org
19 LEGOS®. Families. 4pm. Columbus Library; 706-243-2813
19 Edible Engineering for Kids. (RSVP). 4pm & 6pm. N. Columbus Library; 706-748-2855
20 Paint the Town Pink 5K Walk & Glow Run. 6pm. $25-$40. Woodruff Park; runsignup.com
20-22 Oktoberfest. Uchee Creek Campground, Fort Moore. Free admission. Fri. 4-10pm, Sat. 10-10pm, Sun. 10am-6pm. Moore. armymwr.com.
21 The Amazing Marriage Chase. 8:30amNoon. $40. Columbus Amphitheatre; www. rightfromthestart.org
21 Grand Opening of the Walk & Frank Chambers Birding Trail. 9-11am. Oxbow Meadows; 706-507-8558
21 Family Day. Columbus Museum. 10amNoon. 1327 Wynnton Road; 706-748-2562
21 Mercer School of Medicine Teddy Bear Clinic. Families. 10:30am. Columbus Library; 706-243-2813
21 A Pinkalicious Parade: National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Families. 10:30am. Mildred L. Terry Library; 706-243-2782
21 Pokéthon. 3pm. North Columbus Library; 706-748-2855
21Spooktacular. 11am-1pm. Lakebottom Park; 706-225-4658
21 Trunk or Treat. 5-7:30pm. Momentum TaeKwonDo Plus; 706-251-8808
21 Fall Festival. 6pm. The Park at Cascade Hills; 334-640-5292
21-22 The Fall Market. Sat 9am-5pm; Sun Noon-4pm. $5-$8 Cash. The Farm House Restaurant, Ellerslie; 706-561-3435
21-22 Hummingbird Festival. All day. Hogansville; hummingbirdfestival.com
24 Zombie Barbies. Ages 5-12yrs. 4pm. Columbus Library; 706-243-2813
25 MOPS/MomsNext. First Baptist Church of Columbus; 706-322-4468
25 MAMA B.E.A.R.S. Breastfeeding Support meeting Part 2. 12:30pm. Columbus Pediatric Assoc; 706-221-4602
27 Groovetanical. 6-8:30pm. Concert in the garden with lawn games, food trucks and craft beer. Free admission with drink purchase. 3603 Weems Rd, Columbus. 706-327-8400.
27 The Campus Academy’s Fall Festival. Spooky house, games, raffles, candy and costumes. $5 kids. Adults free. 2236 Warm Springs Rd, Columbus. 706-325-8195.
27-28 The Importance of Being Earnest. 7:30pm. Family Theatre; 706-431-3752
27-28 Christmas Made in the South. 10am-7pm. Columbus Trade Center; 706-3274522
28 Uno, Dos, Tres Craft! Ages 4-8yrs. 3pm. Mildred L. Terry Library; 706-243-2782
28 Fall Festival at The Fort. 9am-3pm. Historical Fort Mitchell; 334-855-1406
28Trick or Treat. Columbus Museum. 11am1pm. 1327 Wynnton Road; 706-748-2562
28 Fall Food Truck Festival. 11am-5pm. $5. Woodruff Riverfront Park; 706-322-0522
28 Nightmare Before Halloween Trunk or Treat. Noon-4pm. Bluebelle Local Mercantile; 706-327-1181
28 Astronomy Night. 7pm. Coca-Cola Space Science Center; 706-649-1477
29 Fall Festival on the Square. 4:30-7pm. Downtown Opelika; 334-745-5715
29 The Importance of Being Earnest. 2:30pm. Family Theatre; 706-431-3752
29 Columbus BOOtanical Garden. 1-6pm. Crafts, activities, BAT education and candy in the garden. $10/$8 members, $5 kids 4-17. 3603 Weems Rd, Columbus. 706-327-8400.
31 Trick or Treat at the Callaway Home. 5:30-7:30pm. Hills & Dales Estate, LaGrange; 706-882-3242
31 Trick-or-Treat. Ages 12 & under. 3pm. South Columbus Library; 706-683-8805
31 Haunted Library Trick-or-Treat. 4pm. Columbus Library; 706-243-2813
31 Trick-or-Treat. Ages 12 & under. 4pm. North Columbus Library; 706-748-2855
31 Book Character Day. Families. 4:30pm. Mildred L. Terry Library; 706-243-2782
31 Game On! Unplugged: Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza: On the Flip Side. 4:30pm. Columbus Library; 706-243-2813
MONDAY
Simple Steps Storytime: Babies & Toddlers (Ages 0-36mo.) 10am. Columbus Library; 706-2432813
TUESDAY
Simple Steps Storytime. Babies & Toddlers (Ages 0-24 mo.) 10am; Preschoolers (Ages 2-5 yrs.) 11am. North Columbus Library; 706-748-2855
Simple Steps Storytime. 10:30am. South Columbus Library; 706-683-8805
Unplug…For Chess’ Sake! Families. 4:30pm. Mildred L. Terry Library; 706-243-2782
Kids Explore! 3pm. South Columbus Library; 706683-8805
WEDNESDAY
Simple Steps Storytime. Preschoolers (Ages 3-5 yrs.) 10am; Babies & Toddlers (Ages 0-36 mo.) 11:15am. Mildred L. Terry Library; 706-243-2782
Discovery Hub. Ages 3-5yrs. 11am. Columbus Library; 706-243-2813
Kids’ Corner. 4pm. Columbus Library; 706-2432813
Simple Steps Storytime: Family. Ages 0-5yrs. 10am. Columbus Library; 706-243-2813
Sight Words Support. Families. 3-5pm. 30min. 1-on-1. Mildred L. Terry Library; 706-243-2782
Get Your Game ON! (Ages 0-12). 3pm. South Columbus Library; 706-683-8805
Pumpkins at Callaway. 4-10pm. Robin Lake Beach; 800-CALLAWAY
FRIDAY
Simple Steps Storytime: Rhythm & Rhyme. Ages 0-5yrs. 10am. Columbus Library; 706-243-2813
Fun Fridays. Families. 2pm. North Columbus Library; 706-748-2855
Pumpkins at Callaway. 4-11pm. Robin Lake Beach; 800-CALLAWAY
SATURDAY
Market Days on Broadway. 9am-Noon. Uptown Columbus; 706-322-0522
Eye Spy Scavenger Hunt. 9am-4pm. $5 parking. F. D. Roosevelt State Park; 706-663-4858
Board Games for All Ages. 10am-6pm. North Columbus Library; 706-748-2855
Spectacular Science Saturdays. 10am-4pm. $5$8. Oxbow Meadows; 706-507-8550
Pumpkins at Callaway Gardens. 2-11pm. Robin Lake Beach; 800-CALLAWAY
SUNDAY
Pumpkins at Callaway Gardens. 1-10pm. Robin Lake Beach; 800-CALLAWAY
Please call ahead to confirm dates, times and age-appropriateness, in case changes were made after the info was obtained.
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
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.
Europeans, most likely the Scottish and Irish, brought the traditions of disguising and souling to North America as early as the late 19th Century. By this time, All Souls Day had gone through a name change, becoming All-Hallow’s Eve, and finally, Halloween.
At first, the traditions of souling and guising in the United States were problematic. Youngsters used Halloween as an opportunity to prank people, and those pranks often caused expensive property damage. It was around the Great Depression that these activities became known as trick-or-treating. While Halloween was known as a time when pranksters were rampant, it was also a time for kids to collect treats. Kids would ask, “trick-or-treat?” when they called on homes, giving homeowners a choice. Since no one wanted to be pranked, candy and other sweet treats were handed out. Treats ranged from homemade goodies like popcorn balls and baked goods to peppermints and lemon drops.
From that time onwards, trick-or-treating spread all over the United States. During World War II, trickor-treating suffered a downturn due to sugar rationing, but after the War, the tradition came roaring back, and now it’s impossible to imagine a Halloween without flocks of costumed kids going door-todoor looking for candy.
Resource: Farmer's Almanac
Get more creative and free up your time using ChatGPT’s powerful language capabilities to automate your writing, answer questions, write code and more. The chatbot responds to the tasks requested and parameters provided. You can ask it to draft a contract, proposal, email response, video scripts, stories and much more.
Use these premade cards for positive reinforcement to help with behavior, listening, attitude, and responsibility around the house. Set a goal...such as being nice to a sibling, cleaning your room...whatever behavior you are looking to improve, and then set an appropriate reward. When all are punched, issue the reward...such as additional screen time or other benefit of choice.
Leading psychotherapist Philippa Perry reveals the vital do's and don'ts of relationships. Whether you are interested in understanding how your upbringing has shaped you, looking to handle your child's feelings or wishing to support your partner, you will find indispensable information and realistic tips in these pages to have the best possible relationships with the people who matter to you most.
A comedy podcast about motherhood and how unnatural it sometimes is. We aren't all magical vessels! Join us every week as we deal with the thrills and embarrassments of motherhood and strive for less judging, and more laughing.
Avegan diet is a strict vegetarian diet that does not include any animal-based food sources. Unlike some less strict vegetarians, vegans do not consume dairy products or eggs. Vegan diets can be safe for kids as long as they are getting enough essential nutrients.
If your child requests to try a vegan diet or if you decide to try a vegan diet for your family, first consult your child’s pediatrician to ensure there are no medical concerns about your child’s nutrient levels. The doctor may order a blood test at well-child visits to check your child’s levels of essential nutrients.
During the transition to a vegan diet, try to
At first, serve one or two vegan recipes a week. Use recipes for vegan meals that are nutritionally balanced, instead of turning a recipe into a vegan meal by leaving out all animal-based foods from the recipe. Here are some items to consider when planning vegan meals for your child.
Ensure that your child understands that being a vegan means eating a healthy balance of fresh fruits, vegetables, legumes and whole grains, not just filling up on a lot of fruit or pasta. If your child is a picky eater, remember that it can take time for your child to adjust to new foods.
Protein is an essential nutrient that is needed
proteins are not absorbed as easily as proteins from animal-based sources. Legumes such as lentils and chickpeas, tofu, and nut butters (if no food allergies to them) are good sources of protein. Proteins in food contain amino acids that the body needs but cannot make. If you have any questions about how to ensure your child gets the appropriate amount of protein for her age, consult her pediatrician for advice.
It can be harder for vegan kids to get enough iron. The iron from plant-based foods is not absorbed by the body as well as the iron from animal sources. Good sources of plant-based iron include fortified grains, nuts, seeds, black-eyed peas, beans, and dark green leafy vegetables such as arugula and spinach.
Your child wakes you up and says, ‘Mom, my tummy hurts!” Abdominal pain in children is a very common complaint and is one of the top reasons children see the doctor. The abdominal area of the body is defined as the area underneath the lower rib cage to the top of the groin. This area of the body includes the stomach, intestines, appendix, pancreas, liver, spleen, kidneys, bladder and reproductive organs. The stomach is not always the source of the abdominal pain. When troubleshooting abdominal pain, ask your child to point to where it hurts and to describe the pain.
There is an extensive number of conditions that can cause abdominal pain. Some serious, less common causes of abdominal pain include appendicitis, intestinal obstruction, anaphylaxis or a hernia. Seek emergency care for your child if you see any of the following symptoms:
´Severe pain
´Blood in the stool or vomit
´Signs of infection, such as fever
´Green-colored vomit
´Jaundice
´Your child draws his knees to his chest and cannot get comfortable
´Signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as hives
´Persistent vomiting, signs of dehydration
Many of the common, less serious causes of abdominal pain may require a call or scheduling an appointment with the doctor but can be treated at home. Some of the most common are:
Constipation: Intense lower abdominal pain, a decreased appetite, nausea or reflux and the absence of a bowel movement in several days may mean your child is constipated. Children who hold back bowel movements due to painful, hard stools or are afraid to use the public restroom at school often become constipated.
Indigestion: Bloating, burping, heartburn and nausea are common symptoms. Eating too much or too fast can cause indigestion. However, if your child experiences indigestion frequently even when eating a healthy diet, consult his doctor.
Food poisoning or gastroenteritis (stomach virus): Watch out for signs of dehydration and try to ensure your child is taking in fluids.
Emotional upset can cause abdominal pain in some children. Help your child identify the source of the stress and ways to cope with it.
One of the questions librarians get frequently from parents is: Which books do we pick for a child who is transitioning from picture books to chapter books? The library offers a lot of options for young readers with a variety of subjects. Most of the transitional/early chapter books have multiple books in a series, so that kids can get hooked on reading once they find a favorite series. Here at the Chattahoochee Valley Libraries, we have curated books we know your kids will love! The best thing about getting a library book is that if one or two don’t work, you can simply return and try again.
When looking for books for children, we suggest asking them about different types of subjects to see what sounds appealing. If they love stories that are more realistic with kids as the main characters, they might like to try out Ivy + Bean by Annie Barrows, Nikki & Deja by Karen English, or J.D. and the Great Barber Battle by J. Dillard. For the child who wants a book series with magical creatures, we suggest the Zoey
HOO’s learning
By April Butler Chattahoochee Valley Libraries
and Sassafras (also a STEM story) by Asia Citro or Dragon Masters by Tracey West. For our animal lovers, they might like to try Owl Diaries by Rebecca Elliott, The Adventures of Sophie Mouse by Poppy Green, or Mercy Watson by Kate DiCamillo. For the reader who likes a little bit of a mystery or adventure, try either A to Z Mysteries by Ron Roy or The Kingdom of Wrenly by Jordan Quinn.
PRO TIP: Beyond regular physical books, there are Wonder Books (a physical book with an audiobook built into it), eBooks and eAudiobooks, and LaunchPads to help with the transition! These can be a great tool to help readers build their confidence.
There are many great early chapter books for you and your child to choose from. However, the first step is finding something that interests them and that they can feel confident reading. Visit our website at cvlga.org or your favorite branch location soon to get started!
Having twins is a true blessing and a unique life experience for any family. Are you a parent of twins? If so, then you are in the top 3% of all the births in the United States. Are you a twin yourself? You are the top 3%!
There are two different types of twins, fraternal and identical. About two in every 100 births are fraternal twins. Fraternal twins start as two different fertilized embryos. Though they will share a birthday, they will have individual facial and body type characteristics and can be different genders. A much rarer occurrence is having identical twins. Only about 4 in every 1000 births result in identical twins. Identical twins are ‘identical’ because they start as one embryo that divides into two embryos with the same genes.
So what’s your chances of having twins? Studies have shown that genetics, age and fertility treatments can all play a role in being a parent to twins. Based on twin scientific studies, the genetic history on the mother’s side of the family has been shown to impact the chance of having fraternal twins since they develop from two fertilized eggs. However, once a mom has a set of fraternal twins, her chances of having another set is much higher. Research is still being done on how genetics influences having identical twins.
•• Even identical twins have different fingerprints.
•• About 40% of twins invent their own languages to communicate with each other.
•• Twins can be born on different days…and even have a very rare chance of being born in different years if they are born on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day!
•• Studies have shown that if you are a mom of twins, you may live longer!
•• Read parenting twin books to learn all there is to know about being a parent to twins.
•• As a parent to twin babies, sometimes you may need an extra set of hands. Welcome the kind gestures of friends and family to help raise your little ones.
•• Regularly spend one-on-one time with each child. Read their favorite books, do their favorite art projects and spend time doing activities with each of them.
•• Ask friends and family to find ways to tell your identical twins apart. Try dressing them in certain colors, having twin girls wear a specific color of nail polish, or having friends learn to recognize them by their personalities.
•• Learning to tell the twins apart enhances their individual personalities and makes them feel special.
•• When your twins have parent conferences at school, schedule them at different times. This will encourage even their teachers to think about them and their behaviors separately.
•• Encourage twins to develop their own personalities and interests. Many twins enjoy being around each other and doing activities together, but they should be encouraged to participate in sports and activities that are of interest to them.
•• When people buy gifts for your children, encourage them to buy unique gifts for each child.
•• Recognize that your twins may have a special relationship with each other and often all other relationships come next. Encourage this and know that it is natural for twins to be each other’s biggest fan.
•• Talk to other parents with twins and join a ‘twin mom group’ in your local area or online to gain tips and tricks. Here are a few Facebook Twins groups: facebook.com/groups/twinmumsSG • facebook.com/Twiniversity facebook.com/groups/1527955790853126
