Family & Kids Chatt Valley Jan 2019

JANUARY 2019

Wise Choices for Moms & Families

© Timeless Memories by Jessica

CHATTAHOOCHEE VALLEY

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Wise Choices for You & Your Family

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HOO’s learning

Set something else to look forward to. Now that3 the holidays are over, it may feel that the good times have passed, but this is just a matter of perspective.

Look for activities to do with the family or in the community and sign up for them. That way you can be assured that the warm, fuzzy feelings the holidays bring will last throughout the year.

RESOLUTION ANXIETY

Dreading the thought of making a lofty “to-do” list for the year? For many of us, resolutions feel more like punishment for holiday reverie than inspiration for living our best life. This year, why not skip the resolutions and try a less stressful option?

BY JENEE DAY

For many of us, the arrival of a New Year brings the promise of new beginnings. January represents a fresh start, a clean slate, and the chance to seek out new opportunities. For others, the New Year can usher in a time of stress and uncertainty. Even for people who don’t normally suffer from anxiety, staring down the prospect of twelve months of reaching new heights - personally and professionally - can be daunting. A few common issues people may experience in January include:

POST-HOLIDAY BLUES

These days the build-up to Christmas starts early, with holiday sales beginning the day after Halloween and radio stations blasting festive tunes long before we’ve cut the Thanksgiving turkey. We fret over what gifts to buy for whom and wearing the perfect outfit, but the day passes quickly, and once it’s over we are left with a sense that there’s nothing else to look forward to. Post-holiday blues are a very real phenomenon but can be overcome by taking some practical steps.

Practice gratitude. Before going over a list of new things you want to have or happen in your life, be sure to look around and take inventory of everything you already have. Be thankful for the people, the pets, the home and the blessings that are already a part of your existence.

Take fewer pictures. Studies have shown that people who spend their time taking photographs of memorable moments are less likely to form memories of those moments. Put the smart phone down and practice being in the moment and making memories with your kids.

Try goal setting. If making resolutions feels like too much pressure, try setting attainable goals instead.

Losing 75 pounds might seem like an impossible feat but aiming to lose 15 is more realistic. As each goal is reached, set a new one, and you will gain a new sense of confidence.

Make a review of last year, and use it to develop a New Year Prospectus. Writing out all the achievements and goals achieved in the last year is empowering, and it also helps to set the course for the year to come.

Go easy on yourself. Life can be hard. Sometimes it’s enough to know that you are giving your best effort. Remember to celebrate the fact that you are working on yourself and moving forward.

STRUGGLING WITH ROUTINE

The kids have been out of school for weeks, and the pantry is full of junk food. It’s time to get back into a regular healthy routine, but how do we start?

Make lists. This is one of the simplest ways to stay focused and organized. Grocery lists, chore reminders for the kids and lists of extracurricular activities are helpful.

Set alarms. If you find it difficult to be on time, try setting alarms for the larger tasks or appointments throughout the day.

Connect with an accountability partner. Most of us are much less likely to stand someone up at the gym, even on mornings we’d rather sleep in.

Jenee Day is a mom of 3 and an author. Her book, Fear Itself: How Battling Anxiety Brought Me Inner Peace, is available now on Amazon.com.

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Wise Choices for You & Your Family

HOO’s INSPIRED Your K id’s

Role Model If you have already begun considering your goals for the next year, there is one that should be included near the top of your list – being a good role model for your kids. One of the most effective ways to teach your kids the traits you wish them to embrace is to model them yourself. Here are some traits that will help your child in both his endeavors throughout childhood and as an adult.

- Navigating difficult situations with grace and

- Living a healthy lifestyle and taking care of yourself. In the past year, have you made an effort to eat

a healthy diet and get enough sleep? If not, make that a focus in the coming year. If your child watches you eat too many sweets and never sees you exercise, getting her to eat healthy and get moving will be a hard sell.

treating others with kindness and respect, no matter what. It can be easy to lose your cool when you are forced to interact often with the same rude neighbor or to have to deal with a frustrating situation that just seems to drag on even though you are doing your best to resolve it. Stand up to rudeness without showing disrespect and approach a difficult situation with compassion and empathy for the others involved. Most of all, model perseverance and do not back down from your morals. It will be hard to encourage your kids to persevere if they see you walk away from a challenging situation instead of taking it on.

- A willingness to learn and grow. It is never too late to learn something new or grow a skill you already have. Let your kids see you take the time to invest in yourself and build your skill set, and they will be more likely to want to do the same.

- A strong work ethic, balanced with keeping commitments to family and friends. Get your work done, without procrastination and to the best of your ability, but stick to your word when you promise to spend time with your kids.

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Color & Match 2 Alike

Answer 4 & 6

COLUMBUS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Concert for Young Audiences

DEPARTMENT OF THEATRE THEATRE.COLUMBUSSTATE.EDU

Riverside Theatre, 10th St. and Bay Ave. Next to Woodruff Park AND NDERIBLE, A X E L R A E TER NO TH RIBLE, HOR OD, VERY GO D DAY BA

Jan. 24-26 at 10 a.m.

Jan. 25-26 at 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 27 at 2 p.m.

LAS GUITARRAS Sat. Jan. 26 | RiverCenter 10:30 AM | Build Your Own Instrument 12:30 PM | Open Dress Rehearsal

FREE Kid’s Activity & Open Rehearsal

Box office: 706-507-8444 Riverside Theatre; 10th St. and Bay Ave columbusstate.edu/theatre

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Wise Choices for You & Your Family

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Last month we discussed how hearing kids cry makes us uncomfor table, some reasons why kids cry, and why saying “stop crying!” is probably not the best. But what should you say?

Well, the next time you’re faced with a crying toddler, try to take a moment to make sure you are calm. If you’re angry, stressed or frustrated, the things that you say will just add to your toddler’s distress. Take a breath or two, acknowledge how you’re feeling, focus on what’s going on inside your body (your heart may be beating a little faster; your jaw may be clenched; you may be feeling tense) and, when you’re ready, use a low voice, and try these 10 alternatives:

1.

“We’re on the same team. I will help you.” Even if your child says they do not want your help, they do want to feel as though you will back them up when they need you.

2.“I can see this is hard for you.” This simple phrase acknowledges that you hear and see them.

3. “I understand you’re sad/disappointed/scared/ anxious/happy and that’s OK.” Reinforce the notion that feeling an emotion is what makes us human.

4.

“That was really sad/frustrating/disappointing.”

Acknowledging the event that triggered your child’s crying helps them also see what triggered their emotion and figure out what to do next.

5.“Let’s

take a break.” Removing you both from the situation helps your toddler understand that sometimes you need to walk away in order to compose yourself. Your child may truly be tired or over-stimulated and simply need to have time in a quiet, soothing place before rejoining the activity.

HOO’s parenting

ALTERNATIVES TO

“Stop Crying”

by Renee Jain, GOZEN.COM

6.“I love you. You are safe.” This invites

connection with your child rather than separation. They may need a hug, a snuggle or to hold your hand in order to feel that you are indeed there to help them.

7.“Would you like help/a break/to try again?”

Many times when your child cries out of frustration, they need one of three things: help performing the task, a break from the emotional situation, or to try to do the task again, possibly with assistance.

Asking them, not telling them, what they would like empowers your child, helping them to feel important and significant.

8. “I can hear you are crying, but I don’t know

what you need. Can you help me understand?” Even if your child cannot verbalize why they are crying at first, this can give them a chance to practice.

9. “I remember when you…” While it may seem

like a distraction technique, helping them recall a time when they felt happy and peaceful helps prepare their brain for rational thought. Trying to reason with a toddler who is in a highly emotional state is kind of like negotiating with a tiny dictator.

They are not prepared to listen to reason when they are in the midst of feeling helpless or angry or sad or exhausted.

10.

“Let’s come up with a solution together.”

Ultimately, we want to help our children to develop problem-solving skills. Coming up with a solution that will help process their emotions teaches them how to look at the situation objectively and come up with possible solutions.

11. Maintain silence and hold loving space for

your crying child. Be a pillar of empathy and strength for them.

www.FamilyAndKidsGA.com

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Wise Choices for You & Your Family

HOO’s HUNGRY PEANUT BUTTER

ENERGY BITES

A healthful, protein-packed breakfast or snack!

DIRECTIONS Combine all 5 ingredients in a medium bowl. Stir to combine.

Place in the refrigerator for 15-30 minutes so they are easier to roll.

Roll into 12 bites and store in the fridge for up to a week.

INGREDIENTS 2/3 cup creamy peanut butter 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips 1 cup old fashioned oats 1/2 cup ground flax seeds 2 tablespoons honey Courtesy of chefsavvy.com

www.FamilyAndKidsGA.com

Hoo’s helpful Crockpot

LOVE

for

served by ronald mcdonald house

Newly renovated, the family room is equipped with a fullsized fridge, La-Z-Boys, a television, bathroom, activities for kids, snacks and coffee. It provides a quiet space for families with babies in the NICU or children in the pediatric unit. RMH’s Crock-Pot Compassionate Meals Program strives to serve hot meals to these families every evening, but they’re in need of volunteers to cook.

Sometimes they even find themselves short on volunteers for the house dinners, and now they are adding a second meal every evening.

After a long day, have you ever wished you could come home to a hot, homemade meal ready to eat? Now add to your long day the stress of having a critically ill or injured child in the hospital. During these trying times, feeding yourself is often forgotten at your child’s bedside.

You don’t have to be a world class chef. Simply make a meal in the slow cooker and deliver it to the RMH family room. You can also bring a precooked crockpot meal for 10-15 people in a Ziploc bag and they will take care of the rest. Having a reliable source for a hot meal makes a tremendous difference for the families of these ill children.

The Ronald McDonald House of West Georgia’s mission is to serve families of critically ill children with love, toiletries, shelter, a warm bed and food. Their volunteers cook and serve meals to 15-20 people every day in their Hamilton Road home. For 2019, they’re stepping up their dinner game, serving crock pot meals daily in their family room at Piedmont Columbus Regional.

How to Volunteer: Contact volunteer coordinator, Morwen Bush at 706-321-0033 or Morwen.Bush@rmhcwga. org. She will give you a list of open dates to bring a crock pot meal to the family room or a dinner, 2 sides and salad for the RMH. Meals can be cooked at home or in the large kitchen at RMH. Volunteers will receive red RMH aprons.

Home-cooked, frozen meals are much appreciated.

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Wise Choices for You & Your Family

HOO’s learningwww.FamilyAndKidsGA.com

Music

MATTERS Researchers at the University of Southern California Brain and Creativity Institute recently published results of a five-year study that links music appreciation and instruction to accelerated brain development in young children, especially in the auditory system of the brain that is also key in language and reading skills development.

This finding builds upon previous studies that discovered differences in brain structure between musicians and non-musicians, and it adds yet another developmental benefit to the ones that have been identified by childhood development experts. Let’s explore further how including music instruction in your child’s list of activities can benefit their academic, physical, social, and emotional development.

helps develop motor skills and coordination

Playing a musical instrument involves moving your arms, hands and with some instruments, your feet, so it is a good way to develop coordination and motor skills. This is especially true with string instruments like the violin and keyboard, which require the right and left hands to make different motions. Also, playing pieces of music involves being able to keep time, a skill that helps in areas like dance and sports.

Helps build understanding of math concepts

Music and math are inseparable. Math concepts like patterns and fractions are important in music theory.

Belonging teaches social skills

When your child participates in a band or chorus, she learns about waiting patiently for her turn to practice or perform. The members of the band or chorus have to work together to learn the proper timing and notes of the pieces they are working on. As your child becomes experienced, she may be offered leadership opportunities in the band or chorus.

teaches kids how to work towards Goals

Learning how to properly hold an instrument, read music, and play notes and scales has to come first

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before learning your favorite song, and it can take weeks, even months, of daily practice before your child reaches this goal. Hard work will be needed to reach her next goal and take her skills to the next level.

Music instruction builds confidence

Overcoming that initial steep learning curve and seeing progress in her skills as a musician provides a big boost to your child’s self-confidence. This confidence will become even stronger as time goes on and she takes on increasingly difficult challenges, like playing a solo or trying out for honors chorus.

introducing music skills & appreciation

Babies and very young children can start participating in music appreciation at home. Play some music and sing and dance with your kids. Find some musical toys, such as tambourines and maracas, designed for young kids and have them play along with the music.

There are also introductory music classes for young kids and beginning musicians offered locally like at CSU’s Schwob School of Music and local music store, Everything Musical.

When selecting a first instrument and a music instruction program for your child, definitely take into account your child’s personality. Does she have the maturity to handle the challenge and the hard work involved with learning a new instrument? A group piano lesson may be a good introduction for a young child before she selects an instrument and starts private lessons.

MUSIC RESOURCES FOR LESSONS AND EXPERIENCES: Schwob School of Music: musicprep.columbusstate.edu Everything Musical: everything-musical.com Columbus Symphony Youth Orchestra: yogc.org/us Columbus Symphony Orchestra: csoga.org/education RiverCenter of Performing Arts: rivercenter.org

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Wise Choices for You & Your Family

’

Talking!

All Done

You start with palms facing in, then turn the hands so that they are facing out.

You can use it at the end of every meal, and then allow your baby to signal when they are done with their food.

www.FamilyAndKidsGA.com

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HOO’s CRAFTY

UNICORN SLIME Slime is trendy for all ages, so why not shimmer it up with some vibrant colors and, of course, a little glitz.

Courtesy of hellogiggles.com

DIRECTIONS

SUPPLIES

In a small pitcher, add the 1/2 cup of hot water and 1/2 tsp. of borax.

Stir and allow the borax to dissolve.

1/2 cup hot water

Pour out the bottle of glitter glue into a bowl, and add 1 cup of water.

Stir until fully combined.

1 bottle of glitter glue

Slowly add the borax solution, mixing vigorously. Be sure not to add too much or the slime will become like a putty and not stretchy.

Glitter (optional)

Start using your hands to mix the slime, to gauge how sticky it is.

Once the desired slime consistency is reached, add glitter.

1/2 tsp. borax

1 cup water

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Wise Choices for You & Your Family

www.FamilyAndKidsGA.com

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Spark the

of Reading

Want your kids to fall in love with reading? Then make sure they have lots of joyful reading experiences. Many parents find that easier when children are young - snuggling up with a bedtime story, visiting library story times, looking at picture books during playtime, and rereading favorites are important early literacy activities.

But when kids get older and start reading on their own it can become a bit trickier. In the midst of all the attention on reading instruction, Lexile levels, and AR tests, the joy of reading is sometimes lost and reading becomes a chore. You can’t force your kids to like to read, but you can create a home where pleasure reading is a fun part of your family’s life.

I don’t know any adults that stick to certain reading levels or hope for a quiz when they’re choosing books. But I know lots of people that pick up reading materials simply because it interests them. They often like to talk about it when they’re done. That’s what readers do! An emotional and intellectual spark ignites when you’re reading things that interest you. It usually leads to more reading.

Reading for pleasure is the same for children. There is an amazing variety of terrific material for kids of all ages! Visit

By Greta Browder of Chattahoochee Valley Libraries

your local library and spend time book surfing for some interesting books. Ask the librarian for help. Visit websites like International Literacy Association’s site with lists of favorite books chosen by children: www.literacyworldwide.org/ get-resources/reading-lists/childrens-choices-reading-list.

Once you have books in hand, read just for the fun of it! Short or long, easy or challenging, fiction or non-fiction, EBooks, audiobooks, graphic novels - follow your interests. If your child isn’t enjoying one too much, find another! Reading for pleasure isn’t about having to finish the whole book or being preoccupied by reading levels and quizzes. It’s about finding that spark, talking about ideas and letting that joy lead to even more reading.

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January

1-3 Ice Skating. 2-3pm. $5-$7 ad-

7-8 Ice Skating. 12-3pm. $5-$7 ad-

1-5 Fantasy in Lights. 6pm. Callaway

8 Mini Makers: Motion Commotion.

2-5 NIM Kids Winter Film Fest. 10am

8 STEAM Punks. 3:30pm. South Co-

mission, $3 skate rental. Columbus Ice Rink; 706-225-4500

Gardens, Pine Mountain; 855-9237299

& 2pm. Free. National Infantry Museum; 706-685-5800

3 VIP Night for Kids with Special

Needs. 6pm. Launch Trampoline Park; Launchcolumbus.com

3-6 Ice Skating. 4-8pm. $5-$7 admission, $3 skate rental. Columbus Ice Rink; 706-225-4500

4 MOPS

and MOMSnext meeting.

9:15-11:30am. Wynnbrook Baptist, 500 River Knoll Way, Columbus; 706323-4374

5 Home Depot Kids Workshop. 9amNoon. Free. Ages 5-12. Columbus store; 706-322-9240. Phenix City store; 334-297-2045 5 Puppy Tales. 10:30am. North Columbus Library; 706-748-2855

5 Pre-K Class with Ceramic Artist Ed-

die Dominguez. 10:30am. Ages 4-5.

Columbus Museum; RSVP 706-7482562, ex 2124

mission, $3 skate rental. Columbus Ice Rink; 706-225-4500

10:30am. Columbus Library; 706-2432679

lumbus Library; 706-683-8805

10 I Saw the Sign: ASL Storytime.

4pm. North Columbus Library; 706748-2855

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Parent & Child Class: Paper Quilling. 10am-Noon. Columbus Museum; RSVP 706-748-2562, ex 2124

17 Brain Games. 4pm. North Co-

lumbus Library; 706-748-285518 MOPS and MOMSnext meeting. 9:1511:30am. Wynnbrook Baptist, 500 River Knoll Way, Columbus; 706-3234374

18 Kids’ Yoga Storytime. 11:30am.

Columbus Library; 706-243-2679

18 Family Board Games. 4pm. North Columbus Library; 706-748-2855

18 Harlem Globetrotters. 7pm. $21-

$70. Columbus Civic Center; 706-6534460

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12 Puppy Tales. 2pm. Columbus Li-

Artful Babies - Color, Animals, Mini Makers. 10:30am. Ages 6-24mths. Columbus Museum; 706748-2562, ex 2124

13 Pop-up Art. 1pm. Columbus Mu-

19 Board Book Club (BBC). 10:30am.

Mildred L. Terry Library; 706-243-2782

15 Discovery Hub: Culinary Chef.

10:30am. Columbus Library; 706-2432679

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15 Blockheads LEGO Challenge.

3:30pm. South Columbus Library; 706683-8805

22 Black History Trivia Challenge.

15 Trivia Night: Harry Potter Trivia.

4:30pm. Columbus Library; 706-2432679

24 Alexander and the Terrible, Horri-

16 Impromptu, What Will We Do. 10:30am. North Columbus Library; 706-748-2855

24 Bilingual Storytime. 11:15am.

North Columbus Library; 706-7482855

brary; 706-243-2679

seum; 706-748-2562, ex 2124

Mini Makers: Library Forts.

10:30am. Columbus Library; 706-2432679 3:30pm. South Columbus Library; 706683-8805

ble, No Good, Very Bad Day. 10am. $5$10. Riverside Theater; 706-507-8444

Events

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PROVIDED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH:

24-25 The Little Engine that Could.

26 The Mic Drop: Kids’ Open Mic. 4:30pm. Columbus Library; 706-2432679

WEDNESDAY

25 Finger-Paint Fridays. 2-2:30pm (ages 2-3); 2:45-3:15pm (ages 4-6).

North Columbus Library; 706-7482855

27 The Little Engine that Could.

2pm. $4-$10. Springer Opera House; 706-327-3688

THURSDAY

25-26 Alexander and the Terrible,

ble, No Good, Very Bad Day. 2pm. $5$10. Riverside Theater; 706-507-8444

9:30am & 11AM. $4-$10. Springer Opera House; 706-327-3688

Family Storytime. 10:30am. Columbus Library; 706-243-2679 (not 1/2 or 1/30) Get Your Game ON! 3:30pm. South Columbus Library; 706-683-8805

27 Alexander and the Terrible, Horri-

FRIDAY

27 Rosie Revere, Engineer. 2:30pm. $13. RiverCenter; 706-256-3612

Sensory Storytime. 2pm. Columbus Library; 706-243-2679 (not 1/18)

29 Discovery Hub: Uniform Services.

SATURDAY

10:30am. Columbus Library; 706-2432679

Michael’s Kids Club Meeting. 10amNoon. Ages 3+. See store for details.

29 Picture Book Club. 3:30pm. South

Toddler Time. 10am-Noon. Launch Trampoline Park; launchcolumbus. com

26 CSO’s Youth Performance of Las

29 Storytime. 11am-1pm. Ages 2-8.

Click, Clack, Type! 10am. Mildred L. Terry Library; 706-243-2782 (not 1/12 & 19)

26 Puppy Tales. 2pm. Columbus Li-

Weekly Events

Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day. 7:30pm. $5-$10. Riverside Theater; 706-507-8444

26 Young Eagles Day at Flightways Columbus. 8:30-11:30am. Free. Ages 8-17. Columbus Airport; 706-323-6565 26 Mini Makers - 3 Part Series.

10:30am. Ages 2-4 years. Pre-registration required. Columbus Museum; 706-748-2562, ex 2124 Guitarras. 10:30am: build your own instrument (bring a shoe or tissue box), 12:30pm: open dress rehearsal, RiverCenter; 706-256-3645 brary; 706-243-2679

26 Uno, Dos, Tres Craft. 3pm. Mildred L. Terry Library; 706-243-2782 26 Sensory Play. 4pm. North Columbus Library; 706-748-2855

Columbus Public Library. 706-6838805 Wall of Books, 4508 Armour Rd; 706993-2400

MONDAY

Family Storytime. 10:30am. South Columbus Library; 706-683-8805 (not 1/21)

Music ‘n Motion. 10:30am. Columbus Library; 706-243-2679

Saturday Storytime. 11am. Barnes & Noble, 5555 Whittlesey Blvd; 706653-7880 See Y’all There Saturdays. 2pm. Columbus Library; 706-243-2782 Please call ahead to confirm event dates, times and age appropriateness, in case changes were made after the info was obtained.

HOO’s Fun

Wise Choices for You & Your Family

Cool Places

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TO ST AY

WARM

With the colder weather in The Valley, our kids are spending less time outdoors and more time inside. Let’s be honest here—we’re all tired of being cooped up in the house. You may be more over it than the kids! Trying to be their number one source of entertainment day after day gets old; we can only make so many crafts and bake so much before we are all over it. So we’ve compiled a list of cool places to keep warm (and entertain the kiddos). You may have forgotten these places exist!

CHATTAHOOCHEE VALLEY LIBRARIES: Our local libraries are a great place to keep the kids busy for free!

Each library has a book full of engaging STEAM kit rentals, plus events, activities and movies! Check their website for a full listing of happenings.

CHICK-FIL-A: All local Chick-fil-As are equipped with a play place for little kids to climb, free!

BURGER KING: Bradley Park Drive & Manchester Expressway locations have large indoor play places for your child to climb, crawl and slide the day away, free!

COLUMBUS MUSEUM: This free museum has an interactive space for children and educational exhibits for all ages.

NATIONAL INFANTRY MUSEUM: Voted the best free museum in the country, the NIM offers immersive exhibits, a giant theater showing documentaries and often holiday kids camps.

LAUNCH TRAMPOLINE PARK: Launch recently added a Ninja course and battle pit. They also offer an arcade, play place and of course a massive trampoline playground. Check out their Facebook for events with discounted jump passes!

TREADSTONE CLIMBING: Go on a climbing adventure at Columbus’s only indoor climbing gym.

CHUCK-E-CHEESE: Tons of games for toddlers to big kids! Though you may think an hour at Chuck-e-Cheese will empty your wallet, there are tons of coupons on their website to save on playtime and meals.

COCA-COLA SPACE & SCIENCE CENTER: Equipped with interactive exhibits and an Omnisphere theater, CCSSC is an educational and fun experience for all ages.

COLUMBUS AQUATIC CENTER: Indoor swimming in January! Need we say more?!

BARE WARE POTTERY: This pottery studio has no studio fees! Paint a small piece for as low as $10!

COLUMBUS ICE RINK: While not exactly the best place to “keep warm,” the ice rink offers numerous public skating events. Ice skating is a strenuous activity to burn energy!

HOLLYWOOD CONNECTION: Stop by this indoor activity center for roller skating, laser tag, an arcade and mini golf.

AMC MOVIE THEATRES: Save at the show! Our local theatres offer $5 tickets on Tuesdays, plus afternoon movies are at a discounted rate.

STARS & STRIKES BOWLING ALLEY: A large bowling alley, laser tag, arcade and more! Visit their website for a full list of specials, including .99 Wednesdays and Sunday mornings.

For links to these attractions and other things to do in the Chattahoochee Valley, visit our website: FamilyandKidsGA.com

www.FamilyAndKidsGA.com

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COME & enjoy the Stories you'll hear

NOWHERE

else!

You could reach over 15,000 moms in this space for only $72.

Call 253-212-7270

1002 VICTORY DRIVE • COLUMBUS, GA 31901 WWW.PORTCOLUMBUS.ORG

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Wise Choices for You & Your Family

Dining Deals

for Kids

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

MONDAY

thursday

Barberitos

MOE’s Southwest Grill

Free kid’s meal with adult entrée after 4pm

5-9pm: Free kid’s meal per $5 minimum adult entrée

Cafe La Rue

Captain D’s

5-9p: Free kid’s meal with adult entrée

Kids’ meals .99 cents all day

Chick-fil-A, Phenix City 5-7:30p: Free kid’s meal with regular priced combo

Chill Yogurt Cafe & Pizzeria

sunday

Kids 12 & under eat free (1 topping 8” pizza & drink) with adult entrée (11” pizza and a drink). Limit 1 per adult. Dine in only.

Pita Pit

Zaxby’s

Texas Roadhouse

Free kid’s pita, cookie & juice box with a purchase of regular size pita combo

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

Kids 12 & under get Jr. Kids Meal for $1.99 with adult entrée (certain holidays are excluded)

Tuesday

The Simple Greek

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

Ruby Tuesday 5-10pm: 2 kids under 13 eat free with adult entrée

TGI Friday’s 3-10pm: Kids under 13 eat free with adult entrée

wednesDAY Applebee’s Kids’ meals are half off with the purchase of an adult entrée. Limit: 4 kids per adult

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

Kids 12 & under get free kids bowl with purchase of regular bowl or pita

Monday-Friday Steak & Shake Happy Hour, 1/2 price shakes or drinks from 2-5pm

every day Golden Corral Kids 3 & under eat free with adult meal purchase

All locations are Columbus, GA unless noted.

Specials are subject to change without notice, so please verify them directly before dining. If you know of a kid’s deal not listed here, email: Tammy@FamilyAndKidsGA.com.

www.FamilyAndKidsGA.com

STORY

TIME 11-1p/Last Saturday/Ages 2-8

4508 Armour Rd, Columbus/706-993-2400

STRENGTH SPEED AGILITY POWER CONFIDENCE The Only After School Program for Athletes Ages 7- Adult Go to www.ImpactPerformanceRX.com and schedule a FREE class today!

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Wise Choices for You & Your Family

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WHAT IS: ACUTE FLACCID MYELITIS (AFM)

Acute flaccid myelitis, often referred to as AFM, is a serious but rare medical disorder that affects the nervous systems in the body, specifically the gray matter in the spinal cord.

This condition leads to weakness in the muscles and the reflexes of the body, especially in the arms and legs. Most cases of AFM that have been reported to the CDC have occurred in kids under the age of 20. Other symptoms that appear in some cases include difficulty speaking or swallowing and facial weakness. In very rare cases, the muscles that control breathing are affected and the patient has difficulty breathing.

According to the CDC, AFM is extremely rare and less than one in a million people will get it each year. The symptoms of AFM can resemble those of other neurological disorders, but doctors are able to diagnose AFM through an analysis

HOO’s Healthy of the nervous system that may include lab tests of the spinal fluid and taking an MRI of the spinal cord and the brain. There is no specific treatment for AFM but occupational and physical theory is often prescribed to help the patient recover from the arm and leg weakness caused by AFM. The CDC is researching AFM to find out more about what causes it and what the long-term effects are. AFM remains somewhat of a mystery since in most cases reported to the CDC, lab tests were not able to pinpoint what caused AFM. In some cases, a viral infection or exposure to an environmental toxin has been identified as the cause.

Receiving a polio vaccine can help prevent the AFM that may result from a poliovirus infection, but this vaccine will not protect your child against other viruses, such as non-polio enteroviruses and West Nile virus, that may also cause AFM. The best means of protection against those viral infections is good hand washing in addition to avoiding mosquito bites, since some mosquitos carry the West Nile virus.

Odell Vining, Ph.D.

Child & Adolescent Psychologist

Psychological testing and behavioral therapy for children/teens Ages 3-19 years

• • • • • •

ADHD Anxiety Depression Self-injury Autism Bipolar diso disorder

• Adjustment problems • Anger management • Oppositional defiant disorder • Learning disability

233 12th St. Suite 334 I Columbus, GA I 706-225-0322 I thepsychologyclinic.net

www.FamilyAndKidsGA.com

HOO’s PICKS

APPS to LOVE Sleep cycle Alarm Sleep Cycle is an intelligent alarm clock that tracks your sleep patterns and wakes you up in light sleep - the natural way to wake up, feeling rested and energized. No need to place your device in bed - Sleep Cycles uses sound analysis sleep tracking.

Calm Calm is the perfect mindfulness app for beginners, intermediate and advanced meditators. You can expect a new Daily Calm meditation every day, new music and Sleep Stories weekly, and new Meditation programs and Calm Masterclasses monthly.

Grateful Grateful was created to make expressing gratitude in your life both easy and fun, as well as to remind you, during those down moments, of the many blessings in your life (that you’ve documented in Grateful).

Castbox Castbox is an easy to use podcast player for podcast lovers, offering a super clean layout and easy to navigate interface. With a wide category of podcasts to choose from, you can stream or download your favorite podcasts anywhere, anytime for free.

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Wise Choices for You & Your Family EDUCATION/CARE GUIDE

WHAT CALVARY HAS TO OFFER:

Biblical Instruction l Challenging Academics l Dual Enrollment l Fine Arts l AP & Honor Classes Weekly Chapel l Summer Camp l Full Athletic Program l Extra-Curricular Activities Before & After School Care l Family Environment l AdvancedED & ACSI Certified Faculty with a love for Christ and teaching l Full-time Onsite Nurse l Servant Leadership

Open House Thursdays!

Anytime between 9A and 1P with guided tours at 9:30A and 11A, or email saraketcham@calvaryknights.com to schedule a tour

CALVARY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL l 7556 OLD MOON RD, COLUMBUS l CALVARYKNIGHTS.COM

Preparing Minds • Living for Christ

Jr-K & Kindergarten Sign-Up Begins Monday, January 7 stlukelions.com

www.FamilyAndKidsGA.com EDUCATION/CARE GUIDE

OPEN HOUSE:

Thursday, January 17, 2019

All Open Houses will start in the Turner Center Gallery.

Drop in anytime from 11:30 am-1:00 pm.

Light lunch refreshments will be available.

BE THE ONE

IT ALL STARTS AT BROOKSTONE.

HOO’s learning

MEMORIZE THIS! Once kids reach elementary school age, the ability to process and retain information becomes an important skill. Your child’s school day is full of math fact tables, spelling words, science and social studies facts and grammar rules. Here are some techniques to help your child absorb all the information and recall it when needed.

Put the information in context and explain why it is important. This helps your child create a ‘mind map’ of related facts. For example, explain how the vocabulary words for social studies help describe a point in history or location and discuss the interesting facts about it with your child. Having a deeper understanding of a topic and of the ideas around the topic can improve how well the information is committed to memory.

Break large spelling and vocabulary words or math facts down into smaller pieces. Sound out and spell long words a few syllables at a time. If your child has to learn the whole ‘9s’ multiplication table, for example, focus on a few facts from the table each day.

Use a multi-sensory approach. Don’t just have your child read the information. Quiz him and ask him to recite it back

to you. If he is preparing for a book test or an essay test, ask him practice essay questions and have him answer in his own words what he has learned about the topic. Use visual aids, like flash cards that include pictures along with the associated words or math facts. Help your child make up a song he can use to remember the information he is studying.

Use mnemonics to help your child recall facts in the right order. There are some you are probably already familiar with, like the acrostic ‘Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally’ (Parentheses, Exponents, Multiply, Divide, Add, Subtract). It can be fun to help your child make up his own acrostic or acronym to remember the order of words or to even memorize the order of letters in a word that is difficult to spell.

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Wise Choices for You & Your Family EDUCATION/CARE GUIDE

www.FamilyAndKidsGA.com EDUCATION/CARE GUIDE

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Wise Choices for You & Your Family EDUCATION/CARE GUIDE

GIVE YOUR CH

ILD AN

GE ADVANTA ACADEMOICL AN D BEYOND! IN SCHO

Start giving your kids all the advantages of Kumon today!

Kumon Math and Reading Center of COLUMBUS - NORTH 1290 Double Churches Rd, Suite K, Columbus, GA 31904

706.257.6963

kumon.com/columbus-north

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©2018 Kumon North America, Inc. All rights reserved.

www.FamilyAndKidsGA.comGUIDE EDUCATION/CARE

Wise Choices for You & Your Family

32

HOO’s CUTE

CONTEST VISIT OUR WEBSITE TO ENTER YOUR CUTIE: www.FamilyAndKidsGA.com

Everett, 2 years Midland

Xavier, 3 years Phenix City

Cruz, 8 months Hamilton

www.FamilyAndKidsGA.com

HOO’s PARENTING HElp Your

SET

Child

goals

Setting goals each year is not just for adults. Goal setting is a life skill that kids can learn and use to bring their dreams and aspirations closer to reality. Here are some tips that can be used to help even young kids set goals.

• Introduce goal setting by asking your child to come up with one or two simple but specific things he would like to complete in the short term, like finishing up an extra credit school project. These short-term goals provide a way to practice goal setting and prepare him to work towards more complex, long term goals. The goals should be specific enough that you can assign criteria for completion and set a completion date. Once he feels the great sense of satisfaction that comes with successfully completing this short-term goal, he will be all fired up and ready to take on a more complex one.

• Let your child decide on what his long-term goals will be.

You can ask him questions about what he wishes he could accomplish and inquire about the purpose of his

goal to ensure it is not too vague, but do not select the goals for him. Your role is to teach him the process of selecting goals, prioritizing goals, and working to achieve them.

• Once your child has selected a goal, help him analyze it and break it down into smaller steps. Help your child assign dates for completing these smaller pieces and on those dates, help him review his progress. If your child does not complete the step by the date he assigned to it, review the steps he had laid out to reach his goal to ensure the steps were clearly defined and the dates were not too ambitious. However, do not criticize him for not meeting the goal.

• As your child progresses through the steps to reach his goal, praise him when you see him putting a lot of effort towards reaching it and especially praise him for using his problemsolving skills to overcome obstacles. The journey towards the goal is just as important as the goal itself.

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Wise Choices for You & Your Family

HOO’s FUN Jokin’ Around about SNOW

What kind of ball doesn’t bounce?

A snow ball!

What do snowmen eat for breakfast?

Ice Krispies!

What falls a lot in the winter, but never hurts itself?

Snow!

www.FamilyAndKidsGA.com

G L O B A L S T A R S 35 .

CLOSE TO HOME.

JAN. 27 AT 2:30PM Ms. Greer’s classroom includes three inquisitive, out-of-the-box thinkers: Rosie Revere, Iggy Peck and Ada Twist. Join us for a fun new musical based on the books Rosie Revere, Engineer, Iggy Peck, Architect and Ada Twist, Scientist by Andrea Beaty. These stories spotlight the STEM curriculum, focusing on science, technology, engineering and math.

RIVERCENTER’S ARTSREACH, OUR EDUCATION AND OUTREACH PROGRAM, IS SUPPORTED BY

MEDIA SPONSOR

PROUD SEASON SPONSOR 900 BROADWAY | COLUMBUS, GA | 706.256.3612 | RIVERCENTER.ORG

SHIFT YOUR NEW YEAR UP TO A NEW GEAR.

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