JULY 2018
Wise Choices for Moms & Families
CHATTAHOOCHEE VALLEY
Cover Sponsor Pg. 7
We buy and sell gently used clothes, toys & more
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Wise Choices for You & Your Family
NOW OFFERING IMPLANTS!
Dr. Cathy Cook
Gentle Dentistry for the Entire Family! ACCEPTING ALL MAJOR INSURANCES, CARE CREDIT AND OFFERING FINANCIAL OPTIONS
Valid at the following locations only:
3722 S. Railroad St. • Phenix City 3908 U.S. Hwy. 80 W. Phenix City
FREE
Zax Kidz Meal ®
with any adult meal purchase.
7626 Schomburg Rd. Columbus 1915 Auburn Ave. • Columbus 6190 Bradley Park Dr. Columbus 7033 Ruffie Way • Columbus
Participating locations only.
Mondays
5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M.
Offer only valid Monday 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Kids 10 and under only. Limit one Zax Kidz Meal per adult meal purchase. Adult meals include any Zalad®, Sandwich Meal or Most Popular Meal. Dine-in only. Not valid at any other locations. © 2018 Zaxby’s Franchising LLC “Zaxby’s,” “Zax Kidz” and “Zalad” are registered trademarks of Zaxby’s Franchising LLC. Each Zaxby’s restaurant is independently owned and operated under a license agreement with Zaxby’s Franchising LLC.
www.FamilyAndKidsGA.com
Hoo’s Tips
Keeping kids active
in the Summer
With the school year complete, kids are excited to relax after a year of hard work, learning and extracurricular activities. However, this may lead to the temptation of sitting on the couch watching TV or playing on a computer or mobile device.
In fact, a recent survey conducted by the Let’s Play initiative found that only 33 percent of children participate in daily active play, and for 30 minutes less than the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends. It’s important for kids to get daily active play because it contributes to their physical, emotional and social development, and helps them maintain a healthy lifestyle. To ensure kids get the active play they need this summer, try boosting their play time with these tips: Make play time family time. According to the Let’s Play survey, in general, yearover-year younger children’s active play time is more likely to be impacted by busy family schedules. To make sure your family is getting the physical activity they need, find windows within your busy schedule to fit in some play, even if it’s just a brief break. For example, rather than asking about your children’s days at the dinner table, take a pre-dinner family walk to hear more while getting in some steps. Create summer structure. Without structured school days, kids may get too comfortable sitting inside playing video games. An American Academy of Pediatrics study shows that rather than playing outside, kids are spending an average of seven hours per day on entertainment media and other electronic devices. It’s important to let your children have downtime during the summer but setting up weekly family playdates will give them something to look forward to while keeping them active. This could be a weekly family bike
ride around the neighborhood, a game of catch or capture-the-flag. Creativity is key. Summer means longer days, more hours of sunlight and more opportunities to be outside. Get creative when motivating your kids to be active. For example, take a daily activity like walking the dog and turn it into a scavenger hunt by drawing up a treasure map of things your children should find on their walk, such as a pine cone, flower, blue car and other items around the neighborhood. Host backyard playdates. Playing is always more fun with friends. According to the Let’s Play study, longer stretches of active play are more likely to occur with friends
or siblings. Round up kids from your neighborhood to get together for a different activity each week, such as an obstacle course or hide and seek. This allows your children to socialize and be active for an extended period of time. For more information about ways to keep kids active and playing this summer, check out LetsPlay.com for hundreds of play ideas that are searchable by season, age range and group size.
For a list of local options that will keep them active, visit: familyandkidsga.com/keeping-kids-active
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SHOPPING GUIDE healthcare
activities Academy Dance............................................22 Chattahoochee Valley Libraries.............. 18 Columbus Parks & Recreation................. 21 CSU Dance Conservatory...........................24 Elite Dance.....................................................23 Highland Kids Academy............................20 Hollywood Connection...............................27 Lakewood Child Development ................23 Mathnasium..................................................24 Performance Dance Centre.......................25 Prodigy Dance...............................................20 Schwob Music Prep..................................... 10 St. Luke Summer Camp..............................24 The Columbus Museum............................. 10
Childcare/ education TELL THEM Brookstone School....................................... 31 Calvary Christian.........................................30 First Presbyterian Day School.................30 Grace Christian School..............................30 Growing Room.............................................. 31 Kumon.............................................................30 Sylvan Learning Center.............................28
APT Counseling Services............................ 5 Columbus Counseling..................................9 Comprehensive Women’s Care................ 10 Cook Dental Care............................................2 Dr. Alberto Lugo, DMD..................................9 Pediatric Dentistry of Columbus............. 18 Pediatrics at Brookstone Centre............. 13 Rivertown Pediatrics.................................. 14 Smile Doctors................................................26 The Psychology Clinic................................ 15
Home/ Handy Turfscapes...................................................... 12 Warehouse World......................................... 12
Shopping/ Retail
SENT YOU!
Food & Beverage
AutoNation Honda.......................................32 Burst Oral Care.............................................. 12 Candlewood Suites......................................28 Lula and Mae...................................................9 Magnolia Heart Nanny Service............... 12 Mickayla’s Place - Resale............................9 Once Upon A Child - Resale.......................7 Walls of Books............................................... 10
Chick-fil-A........................................................6 Zaxby’s...............................................................2
Where to Find HOO? BULK LOCATIONS: Area Chick-fil-A Locations PLUS: Check your local kid-friendly doctors, dentists, attractions, retail shops & restaurants.
TO SUBMIT AD OR EVENT: Tammy Usie, Publisher tammy@familyandkidsga.com 253-212-7270 FamilyAndKidsGA
www.Familyandkidsga.com
www.FamilyAndKidsGA.com
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HOO’s CRAFTY
HOMEMADE
PLAYDOUGH
Keep the kiddos busy with this easy craft all while saving money on playdough! Courtesy of livingwellmom.com
DIRECTIONS Mix together all the ingredients, except the food coloring, in a 2 quart saucepan.
SUPPLIES 1 cup flour 1 cup water
Cook over low/medium heat, stirring. Once it begins to thicken, add the food coloring.
2 tsp cream of tartar
Continue stirring until the mixture is much thicker and begins to gather around the spoon.
1 tbsp vegetable oil
Remove the dough onto wax paper or a plate to cool. Store in a ziploc bag or sealed container.
cup salt food coloring
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Wise Choices for You & Your Family
www.FamilyAndKidsGA.com
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SEEK GREAT PRICES & DISCOVER CASH FOR YOUR KIDS’ STUFF.
Located in The Landings at exit 8 off I-185 | 2521 Airport Thruway, Columbus, GA 31904 706.507.3737 | onceuponachildcolumbusga.com |
HOO’s FIT
/onceuponachildcolumbusga
Kids &
Manufacturers of energy drinks market their beverages as a way to help increase energy and improve performance. However, research studies have brought to light possible health risks associated with energy drinks, while at the same time, finding no nutritional benefit from consuming them. Here are some reasons to use caution when consuming energy drinks and why kids should not be allowed to drink them.
Many energy drinks contain high levels of caffeine, well over the limit of 100 mg a day that is deemed safe for kids and adolescents. For this reason, the American Association of Pediatrics states that kids and adolescents should not consume energy drinks. For adults, the recommended amount of caffeine per day is 400 mg and drinking multiple energy drinks can put adults over the recommended limit. In addition, research studies show that the herbal ingredients in energy drinks, like guarana, taurine, and ginseng, may interact with the caffeine in the drink in a way that increases the overall impact of the caffeine on the body. The combination of the caffeine and the herbal supplements can impact the heart by causing a rise in blood pressure, increased heart rate, and heart arrhythmias, especially when
S
multiple energy drinks are consumed. Even someone with a healthy heart can experience serious heart issues like cardiac arrest when multiple energy drinks have been consumed. Another negative for energy drinks is the high level of sugar they contain. Consuming energy drinks may interfere with weight loss when consumed on a regular basis. Many energy drinks contain more sugar than what is recommended for total daily consumption. This can put someone who drinks them on a regular basis at risk for insulin resistance and Type 2 diabetes. Energy drinks are highly acidic and can damage tooth enamel which cannot be repaired. Some energy drinks are as corrosive as stomach acid. This is yet another reason kids and teens should avoid them.
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Dining Deals
Wise Choices for You & Your Family
With deals this good, save the mess and dine out! MONDAY
wednesDAY
Barberitoes
Applebee’s
Free kid’s meal with adult entrée after 4pm
Cafe La Rue
Kids’ meals are half off with the purchase of an adult entrée. Limit: 4 kids per adult
5-9p: Free kid’s meal with adult entrée
Your Pie
Chick-fil-A, Phenix City
Kids’ meal $1.99 (pizza, drink & gelato) w/ adult meal
5-7:30p: Free kid’s meal with regular priced combo
Chill Yogurt Cafe & Pizzeria 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.
Zaxby’s
thursday MOE’s Southwest Grill 5-9pm: Free kid’s meal per $5 minimum adult entrée
Captain D’s
5-8pm: Free kid’s meal with adult entrée
Kids’ meals .99 cents all day
Tuesday
sunday
Chill Yogurt Cafe & Pizzeria
Pita Pit
Buy one regular 11” pizza, get one of equal or less value at 50% off with valid school ID. Limit 1.
Free kids pita, cookie & juice box with a purchase of regular size pita combo
Denny’s
Texas Roadhouse
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
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 kids’ deal not listed here, email: Tammy@FamilyAndKidsGA.com.
Sundays: Kids 12 & under get Jr. Kids Meal for $1.99 with adult entrée (certain holidays are excluded)
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
www.FamilyAndKidsGA.com
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Wise Choices for You & Your Family
We are expecting
Y ou! Maria V. Gonzaga, MD OB/GYN
1900 10th Ave. Suite 300 Columbus, GA (706) 341-3311 | comprehensivewomenscare.com
www.FamilyAndKidsGA.com
Hoo’s helpful
FOSTER CARE CRISIS At the present time, there are approximately 14,000 kids in foster care in Georgia and around 5,000 in Alabama. The number of kids in foster care in Georgia has doubled since 2010, triggering a foster care crisis in many counties around the state as more kids need placement in foster care than there are spots available. Siblings are sometimes separated and placed in different foster homes around the state because there are not enough spots in their own county. Alabama has also seen an increase in the need for foster care, with the number jumping 38% from 2015 to 2016. What is behind THE crisis? Many experts feel that the opioid abuse epidemic is contributing to the increase in the number of children being placed in foster care. While there is not specific data for our region, data for the US gathered by the Department of Health and Human Services shows that, of the total population of kids placed in foster care for the year, the percentage placed due to parental drug abuse increased from 32% in 2015 to 34% in 2016. How does IT WORK? Children are removed from their birth parents by the state and placed with a foster family when they have been neglected or abused. This is often done on short notice, on an emergency basis. The goal of the foster care process is to eventually reunite the child with his biological family. While a child is in foster care, the state works with the parents on a reunification plan. If the reunification plan is not successful in the time period allotted by law, the state can ask the court to terminate the parental rights of the parents, and the child becomes eligible for adoption.
What is needed? In Alabama and Georgia, more foster families are needed to meet the needs of the increased number of children being placed in foster care. The combined number of kids in foster care in Muscogee and Harris counties is about 500. The FaithBridge Foster Care Agency website reports that currently there are 92 new foster homes needed in Harris County and about 284 new homes needed in Muscogee County. The rewards of being a foster parent are great. It is an opportunity to provide a loving, supportive home for a child while his birth parents receive the help they need to turn their lives around and to hopefully reunify their family. Those interested in foster parenting receive support from foster care agencies, such as local agency Benchmark Foster Care. These agencies walk prospective foster parents through the application process, help them register for required training and assign a partner from the agency to help resolve any issues that may arise once a child has been matched with their family and placed in their home. What can I do to help? We contacted Beth Greene, director of the Hope Foster Care Agency, one of the private agencies that works with Georgia DFACS to place children in foster homes. She says, “Pray for our foster families, the children they serve, and the birth families of these kids. Volunteer to cook dinner for a foster family, provide babysitting or tutoring services to a foster family, collect school supplies and toiletries for foster kids…offer to do yard or house work for a foster family… Share with your church family or in your workplace about the need for foster parents.”
FOR MORE INFO: benchmarkfamilyservices.org, themethodisthome.org/hope-foster-care, faithbridgefostercare.org
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Wise Choices for You & Your Family
moms’ marketplace Reach 15,000 Moms Here! Call 253-212-7270.
LOVE ON YOUR LAWN
Turfscapes
LAWN MAINTENANCE & LANDSCAPING COMPANY
COMMERCIAL . RESIDENTIAL . LICENSED . INSURED
DWTURFSCAPES@BELLSOUTH.NET
706-587-4666
1/2 OFF
1ST MONTH WITH NEW ANNUAL CONTRACT
www.FamilyAndKidsGA.com
4th of July Word Scramble
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Wise Choices for You & Your Family
HOO’s PICKS
APPS to LOVE Itsy Bitsy Spider An award-winning original tribute to a childhood classic, Itsy Bitsy Spider offers children a fun, interactive and educational experience. Follow the spider to learn about the environment and animals. Plus! Use the record feature to sing along. For ages 2-5.
Peanut Peanut is the app for mothers. They make it easy to connect and learn from like-minded women because let’s face it, the more women in your life, the better it becomes. Ever share a smile with another mama on the street? It’s kind of like that.
stop Stop is a fun and clever turn-based game you play with friends. Randomly select a letter to start and type a word for each of the 5 different categories that starts with that letter. The player that gets the most correct words wins!
LactMed LactMed is a database of drugs and dietary supplements that may affect breastfeeding. It includes information on the levels of such substances in breast milk and infant blood, and possible adverse effects in the nursing infant.
www.FamilyAndKidsGA.com
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HOO’s HUNGRY
DOLE WHIP
POPSICLES Bring this Disney World favorite to your kitchen with this fast and easy summer treat!
DIRECTIONS In a mixing bowl, add 1/2 can of crushed pineapple, heavy cream, lime juice, orange juice and sugar. Blend together with an emulsion hand mixer for one minute. Stir in remaining pineapple. Fill popsicle molds 3/4 full. Place lid on and insert popsicle sticks. Freeze for 8 hours or overnight. To remove popsicles, run warm water over the mold.
INGREDIENTS
1 can Dole® Crushed Pineapple (undrained) 10 ounces heavy cream
2 tablespoons lime juice 1/4 cup orange juice 1/3 cup sugar
Courtesy of thefarmgirlgabs.com
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
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July E Wise Choices for You & Your Family
1 James and the Giant Peach. 2pm. Georgia Repertory Theatre, 6 West 10th St, Columbus; theatre.columbusstate.edu 3 July 4th Celebration. 1-2pm. Mildred L.
Terry Library; 706-243-2782
3 STEAM Punks. 3:30-4:30pm. S. Columbus
Library; 706-683-8805
3 North Columbus Farmers Market. 4-6pm. MercyMed Parking Lot, 3702 2nd Ave, Columbus; 706-507-9209 3 Fiddle & Futz: STEAM Club (ages 8-11). 4:30-5:30pm. Columbus Library; 706-2432669 4 4th of July Celebration. 10am-3pm. $4-$5. Florence Marina State Park; gastateparks.org/FlorenceMarina
10 Cow Appreciation Day at Chick-fil-A; chick-fil-a.com/Cow-Appreciation-Day
14 NIM Kids Summer Free Film Fest. 11am & 1pm. nationalinfantrymuseum.org
10 Mic Drop: Kids’Open Mic. 4:30-5:30pm. Columbus Library; 706-243-2669
16 Let’s Rock It with American Sign Lan-
10 Beach Party! 3:30-4:30pm. S. Columbus Library; 706-683-8805
10-12 NIM Kids Summer Free Film Fest. 11am & 1pm. nationalinfantrymuseum.org
11 La Leche League meeting. 10:3011:30am. Columbus Library; lllofga.org/ columbus.html 11 Mini Makers: Mini Mathematicians. 10:30-11:30am. Columbus Library; 706-2432669
6-8 The Jungle Book. Fri & Sat: 7pm; Sun:
2pm. Georgia Repertory Theatre, 6 West 10th St, Columbus; theatre.columbusstate.edu
7 Home Depot Kids Workshop. 9am-Noon. Free. Ages 5-12. Columbus store; 706-3229240 Phenix City store; 334-297-2045 7 Puppy Tales. 10:30-11:30 am. N. Columbus Library; 706-748-2855
18-20 Fun in Summer Time. 10am-
12 Rock & Roll Storytime. 4-5pm. N. Co-
18 N. Columbus Farmers Market. 4-6pm. MercyMed Parking Lot, 3702 2nd Ave, Columbus; 706-507-9209
lumbus Library; 706-748-2855
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19 Bluebirds and Butterflies. 9:3010:30am. $5 parking. FD Roosevelt State Park; 706-663-4858
13 TriColumbusGA Chattahoochee Chal-
19 Kindness Rocks: Rock Painting Party. 4-5pm. N. Columbus Library; 706-748-2855
13-15 The Jungle Book. Fri & Sat:
19 Ohana Nights: Family Craft Hour. 6:30pm. Columbus Library; 706-243-2669
Late Nights @ the Library. 6:307:30pm. Columbus Library; 706-243-2669 lenge Kids Fun Run. 7pm. $20. Woodruff Park; active.com 7pm; Sun: 2pm. Georgia Repertory Theatre, 6 West 10th St, Columbus; theatre.columbusstate.edu
7 Rock Painting Party. 10:30-11:30am. Mil-
14 Fore Kids Junior Golf Tournament. 10am. $10-$20. Ages 8-15. Godwin Creek; forekidscolumbus.com
7 Columbus Lions Game. 7pm. Columbus Civic Center; columbusciviccenter.org
14 18th Annual Insectival. 10am-3pm. $5. Oxbow Meadows; oxbow.columbusstate. edu/insectival
dred L. Terry Library; 706-243-2782
17 Face 2 Face Teen Support Group. 6pm. Free. Ages 13-18. Columbus Counseling Associates; 706-327-1222
18 Family Sign Language. 4-5pm. Mildred L. Terry Library; 706-243-2782
4pm. $13. The Rock Ranch, 5020 Barnesville Hwy, The Rock; therockranch.com
Chick-fil-A Bradley Park Drive; cfarestaurant. com/bradleyparkdrive/events
17 Baroque with No Monet Youth Art Class. 4:30pm. Ages 8-11. Columbus Library; 706-243-2669
11-14 Fun in Summer Time. 10am-
5 Ohana Nights: Family Craft Hour. 6:30pm. 5 Cow Craft Night. 5-7pm. RSVP required.
11am & 1pm. nationalinfantrymuseum.org
4pm. $13. The Rock Ranch, 5020 Barnesville Hwy, The Rock; therockranch.com
L. Terry Library; 706-243-2782
Columbus Library; 706-243-2669
17-19 NIM Kids Summer Free Film Fest.
11 Family Sign Language. 4-5pm. Mildred
5 Musical Instrument Petting Zoo. 4-5pm.
N. Columbus Library; 706-748-2855
guage (ASL). 1-2pm. Mildred L. Terry Library; 706-243-2782
20 Animal Tales: Born to be Wild. 10:30am. Columbus Library; 706-243-2669 20-22 The Jungle Book. Fri & Sat:
7pm; Sun: 2pm. Georgia Repertory Theatre, 6 West 10th St, Columbus; theatre.columbusstate.edu
Events www.FamilyAndKidsGA.com
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PROVIDED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH:
4:30pm. Free. Academy Dance Center; academydancecenter.com
28 Storytime and fun with free Marco’s
Pizza. 11am-1pm. Ages 2-8. Wall of Books, 4508 Armour Rd, Columbus; 706-993-2400
THURSDAY Kids Cooking Class. 6pm. $20 Cash. Ages 3-10. My Boulange; 706-940-0112
21 NIM Kids Summer Free Film Fest. 11am & 1pm. nationalinfantrymuseum.org
28 Saturday Movies. 2:30PM. Columbus Library; 706-243-2669
Get Your Game ON! 3:30-4:30pm. S. Columbus Library; 706-683-8805
24 Picture Book Club. 3:30-4:30pm. S. Co-
28 Columbus Lions Game. 7pm. Tickets
FRIDAY Fantastic Fridays: Many Ways We Count. 10:30am. Columbus Museum; columbusmuseum.com (Not on 7/6)
21 Dance Day & Open House. 11am-
lumbus Library; 706-683-8805
24 Mic Drop: Kids’ Open Mic. 4:30-5:30pm. Columbus Library; 706-243-2669
$10-$50. Columbus Civic Center; columbusciviccenter.org
24 Family Fun Night. 6:30-7:30pm. Mil-
31 Wii Just Dance Rocking End of Summer Party. 1-2pm. Mildred L. Terry Library; 706243-2782
25 Mini Makers: Food Science. 10:3011:30am. Columbus Library; 706-243-2669
Weekly Events
dred L. Terry Library; 706-243-2782
25 Craft Your Family Tree: Genealogy
Basics for Preteens. 4-5pm. N. Columbus Library; 706-748-2855
25 Family Sign Language. 4-5pm. Mildred L. Terry Library; 706-243-2782 25 End of Summer Splash Bash. 6-7pm. S. Columbus Library; 706-683-8805 26 A Story for You, Un Cueno Para Mi:
Bilingual Storytime. 11:15am-noon. North Columbus Library; 706-748-2855
MONDAY-FRIDAY Oxbow Presents! 10am. $5. Oxbow Meadows; oxbow.columbusstate.edu Nature Detectives. 11:30am. $5. Oxbow Meadows; oxbow.columbusstate.edu Wildlife Explorations. 2:30pm. $5. Oxbow Meadows; oxbow.columbusstate.edu MONDAYS Read & Play Storytime. 10:15-11:15am. S. Columbus Library; 706-683-8805
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TUESDAYS Discovery Hub. 10:30-11:30am. Columbus Library; 706-243-2669 (Not on 7/31)
26 La Leche League evening meeting. 6:30pm. N. Columbus Library, 5689 Armour Rd; lllofga.org/columbus.html
WEDNESDAYS AMC Summer Movie Camp. 10am-Noon. $4. AMC CLASSIC Ritz 13, Columbus; amctheatres.com/summer-movie-camp
27 Splash Party in the Garden. 11amnoon. Columbus Library; 706-243-2669
Summer Cinema for Kids. 2:30pm. Free. Columbus Library; 706-243-2669
Summer Reading Wrap-Up Party: Libraries Rock. 4-5pm. N. Columbus Library; 706-243-2669
28 Young Eagles Day at Flightways Colum-
bus. 8:30-11:30am. Free. Ages 8-17. Columbus Airport; 706-323-6565 or youngeagles. com/flightplan/flight.asp
Wild Wednesdays! 11am-2pm. Free. Calvary Chapel, 6200 Macon Road, Columbus; calvaryofcolumbus.com/wild.html
Kids Night Out. $10. 6pm practice. 7pm competition. Ages 5-18. Bows not provided. Archery Connection; 334-480-9997 or archeryconnection.net Summer Movies on the Beach. 8:30pm. $5$10 admission after 5pm. Robin Lake Beach at Callaway Gardens; callawaygardens.com SATURDAY Market Days on Broadway. 9am-Noon. Uptown Columbus; uptowncolumbusga.com Michael’s Kids Club Meeting. 10am-Noon. Ages 3+. See store for details Saturday Storytimes at Barnes & Noble. 11am. 5555 Whittlesey Blvd; 706-653-7880 Treetop Canopy Trail. 11am, 2pm & 5pm. $5. Pre-registration required. Oxbow Meadows; oxbow.columbusstate.edu SUNDAY Family Night at Xanadu Skate Center. 6-9pm. $3 admission, $3 skate rental. Hollywood Connections; hollywoodconnectionga.com/ Please call ahead to confirm event dates, times and age appropriateness, in case changes were made after the info was obtained. For more events, visit our website at: familyandkidsga.com
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Wise Choices for You & Your Family
POW
ERE
D BY
2018 SUmmER READING CHALLENGE
READ! LOG! WIN! NOW THRU JULY 31
cvlga.org
www.FamilyAndKidsGA.com
Hoo’s Tips
Choosing A daycare
If you have decided to return to work after the birth of your baby, you will need to do some careful homework in choosing a caregiver for your infant. Many quality daycare centers may have a waiting list. If possible, start looking several months before your baby is due. Here is some info to consider; There are three types of daycare centers – group, commercial daycares and in-home private daycares. Here are some tips on selecting the right one for your baby. If your employer has a daycare for children of employees where the tuition is supplemented, the cost may be lower than that of other daycare centers. While you don’t want cost to be the main concern when choosing a daycare, the monthly cost of the daycare you choose needs to fit into your budget. Also, if your baby will be attending daycare full time, consider the convenience of the location in relation to where you work, especially if you plan on visiting your baby during lunch. After setting criteria for budget and location, it is time to start researching the daycares that fit your requirements. One way to start your search is by looking for those with a higher accreditation, like that of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) or the National Association of Family Child Care (NAFCC). The websites of both the NAEYC and the NAFCC provide a list of accredited daycare centers in your area. Also, gather recommendations from other parents who are already using the daycares in your area. Once you have narrowed the list of daycares you are interested in down to five or six, set up appointments to tour the daycares and interview the staff. During the tour, check to see if the daycare is clean and well
equipped, with the proper childproofing measures in place. Also, note the overall environment of the daycare. Is there a positive feel? Do both the infants and the staff seem happy? During your visit, interview the director of the daycare center. Ask questions about the licensing of the daycare center, their qualifications and qualifications of the staff. The director of a daycare center should at least have a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education. Also ask the director questions about her parenting philosophy, especially around feeding, discipline, and sleep, to ensure it matches yours. As part of your visit, ask to have time to observe the staff in action. Note the ratio of staff to infants. It is recommended by the AAP that there are no more than three infants assigned to one caregiver. Watch how the staff interacts with the infants. Infants need warm, caring interaction with their caregivers. An in-home daycare should not have more than 6 kids, including the kids of the caregiver, and should not have more than 2 children under the age of 2. Babies thrive on consistency and need to bond with their caregiver. Ask about the turnover rate at the daycare center you are considering to ensure it is not excessive. For an in-home daycare, ask the caregiver if she can commit to at least a year. After your baby has started daycare, keep your relationship with your baby’s caregiver strong by communicating with her in a professional, respectful manner on a daily basis. Working together as a team, you will be able to find the solution to issues that may arise and ensure your baby is having a positive experience at the daycare.
For a list of area daycares to begin your search, visit familyandkidsga.com/cat/daycare.
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ACTIVITY GUIDE Wise Choices for You & Your Family
WE HAVE after school care too!
Follow us
@FamilyAndKidsGA
Win cool prizes, socialize & stay in the know!
ACTIVITY GUIDE www.FamilyAndKidsGA.com
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Wise Choices for You & Your Family
ACTIVITY GUIDE www.FamilyAndKidsGA.com
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ACTIVITY GUIDE Wise Choices for You & Your Family
INTRODUCING
2018
Join the FUN and EXPERIENCE the
St. Luke Difference. Register now before your favorite camp is full!
www.cornerkidz.com or email: summer@stlukeum.com
Presented by: St. Luke Church CORNER KIDZ
Children’s Ministry and St. Luke School
www.FamilyAndKidsGA.com
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Wise Choices for You & Your Family
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*Just bring this coupon or show us a photo! New patients only. Monthly payment depends on initial investment made. May not be combined with other offers. Some restrictions may apply.
(706) 323-7217
SmileDoctors.com/columbusga
W. Blake Lane, DDS, MSD | Adam Reynolds, DMD | Dana Fender, DMD
Owned and operated by Dana Fender, DMD | Dana Fender PC.
HOO’s PARENTING
UNDERWEAR TRAINING Transitioning into underwear is a big deal for every toddler. However, while the end result is rewarding, the road to get there can be challenging for parents and kids alike. Here are a few tips to follow as you begin the journey.
PATIENCE IS KEY
KNOW THE UNDERWEAR 123’S
Potty training is a developmental milestone and should never be rushed with any child. It is usually somewhere between two to three years of age when a toddler is ready to begin.
When underwear training, little ones need to be able to know a few things to ensure success: when they need to go, how to get to the bathroom and how to get themselves onto the potty chair. Sometimes your child will learn a bit later than their peers, that is OK.
BUILD EXCITEMENT
The journey to potty training is two-fold. First your child LEAD BY EXAMPLE has to get used to the potty and then get used to no longer As a parent, you are the best role model for your child. wearing diapers and wearing underwear. Therefore, many Modeling good bathroom habits and giving examples can may call the transition ‘underwear training.’ help speed up success. It’s a big deal for children to transition to big-kid underwear, so parents should build excitement to celebrate this important accomplishment. For example, shop together for training underpants and fun underwear and place them in your child’s dresser drawer. This will help make the connection that they’re graduating from diapers.
Allow children into the bathroom with you so they can see how easy it is. It is also important for parents to teach their children to wash their hands immediately after so that good hygiene practices are instilled from an early age.
LOOK FOR SIGNS
Always remember that positive reinforcement is key with children and never discipline them for not going. Small immediate rewards are the best way to make underwear training a breeze.
You will typically start to notice cues that your child is ready for underwear training. Some of these signs include signaling you before they go in their diaper, interest in what goes on in the bathroom, the desire to start using the potty, the ability to pull underwear off and on and the desire to wear big kid underwear.
BE POSITIVE
Try creating a fun little dance that you do right after they successfully go, or find other creative ways to reward them, like stickers or hand stamps. It is important to make children feel rewarded for accomplishing this major milestone.
Read a funny potty training account from a local mom at: familyandkidsga.com/diary-of-a-potty-training-mom
www.FamilyAndKidsGA.com
Skate for miracles at Hollywood Connection
6:00PM - 8:00 AM | JULY 20-21ST 2018 All funds raised benefits our local Children's Miracle Network hospital - The Children's Hospital at Piedmont Columbus Regional.
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An Inside Look Jason Gibson Columbus Lions Indoor Football Coach
Football, faith and family. If you need to sum up Columbus Lions coach Jason Gibson, those three words can do it. Going on his 12th year of coaching the Lions, it’s more than just a job to this father of three. He’s created a community. In the beginning, he did it all; from washing uniforms to balancing check books. Now he has a larger supporting staff. And with this growth, came a lot of bragging rights too. Fifty-five players have left for the NFL. Winning over 100 games in the last ten years, the Columbus Lions are one of the top 3 arena football teams in the country. Needless to say, the Lions are well respected in the football community, and so is their coach. When asked why he hasn’t left for the NFL himself, Jason admits he’s turned down some offers: “We’ve built a pretty good product here in Columbus and I am not handing the keys over to anyone else. It’s a great community and great place to be.” The Columbus Lions also hold an important role in Jason’s family history. He met his wife after a fan (now his mother-in-law) set him up on a blind date with her daughter. His father-in-law is actually one of the Lions’ biggest fans, traveling with Jason and the team to most of the away games. Jason credits a lot of his success to his strong family unit, they’re at every home game. Not only is he at the office sunup to
sundown or traveling with the team, but his phone is constantly ringing at home. His wife manages their three kids, ages 7, 5 and 2 while he’s away and his in-laws live right across the street for even more family support. When Jason’s not coaching the Columbus Lions, he’s coaching…at Phenix City’s Glenwood Christian School. Sound exhausting? When asked why he took on the role, he felt it was his turn to give back: “To be honest with you, there was a coach of mine, 30 years ago in high school, he didn’t owe anyone anything, but he got in a car, drove me 4 hours to West Virginia, and got me a scholarship and into college. I figured it was my turn. By going to the high school, I can use my connections with the Lions and give them a better opportunity.” And he has. On a small team with 17 seniors, 9 of them signed football scholarships last year to renowned schools. He admits, the second coaching job is a little stressful, “Yesterday I get a call from a scout. ‘Hey I’m at Glenwood to look at one of your players.’ I Jump in my car, drive to north Phenix City, meet the coach, get him the info he needs and go back to the Lions office. Last year it happened 3 times in one day. I never say no. It’s for the kids.” Jason and the Lions try to give back to the community in other ways too. “Every home game we write a check back to someone, that’s the goal,” according to Jason. So far this season they’ve donated to AFLAC Childhood Cancer, Wounded Warriors and Smith Station Elementary School. Jason reminds readers, “A Columbus Lions football game is not the typical 18-27 year-old males drinking and partying experience. It’s moms and families enjoying something to do that does not break their pocket and brings together the community” He continues, “After all, It’s the south! Football, family and faith. Live and breathe.” The Lions have two more games left in July and then will be hosting youth flag football. For info:
familyandkidsga.com/coach-jason-gibson
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