April/May Valley Parent 2025

April/May 2025

12 EARTH DAY

Ways to Celebrate

What Mom’s Really Want this Mother’s Day

FREE ENTER O

FRESH FACES UR

Co Convteer st

Tips for

First Time Campers

Finding Light in the Dark

2

VALLEY PARENT | April-May 2025

What’s INSIDE

April-May 2025 Volume 20 • No. 2

Who’s On the Cover?

Meet Olivia Vander, age 11.

Olivia met us at Columbus Bound Bookshop to pick out a good book. She is the daughter of Tim and Wendy Vander of Fortson. photos by Ritchie White Photography

Features

Light in 6 The the Dark Fund

May is Mental Health Awareness Month; One Local Teen Shares Her Story

11

Off to Camp

Preparing Your Young Camper for a Great First Time Experience

14 Celebrating Earth Day

12 Easy Ways to Give Back

17

What Mom Really Wants

Brainstorm Ways to Make a Great Mother’s Day

Departments In Every Issue 4 Parent to Parent 5 Family Fun Calendar 7 Party Guide 12 Lessons Learned 19 School Board 20 Fun Page 22 VP Pickup Locations Columns 9 Book Nook 13 Mental Health Minute 23 In the Thick of It

Q&A with Olivia What do you want to be when you grow up?

Kindergarten Teacher You practice karate.

What belt are you on?

I just got my black belt!

What do you like to do in your free time? I love to shop and hangout with friends.

PARENT to Parent

A

refresh feels so good, and we’re delighted with our new look of Valley Parent. Our magazine, available in print and online, has been a staple publication in the region for over 20 years and is the go-to resource for families in the Chattahoochee Valley area. We pride ourselves on being able to offer our magazine for free to the community thanks to the valued relationship that we have with our advertisers.

On the cover, and inside, you’ll find a mix of locally-focused features and informative articles that cover this season’s celebrations of Earth Day and Mother’s Day. With summer in our sights, you can also read all about preparing your child for their first camp experience.

Our columnists and feature writers live and work in the heart of our region. Introducing In the Thick of It by Natalie Downey, Book Nook

by Khristina Gallagher and our expert in the medical field, Dr. Britney Farmer with Mental Health Minute. With all the fun events that we love to promote, we are equally aware that parents need information that will help them along their journey of raising children.

Mental Health Awareness is a focus during May, and we tell the inspiring story of Clara Tebeau who emerged from her own struggles to help her doctors with suggestions for future treatment options as well as visits to uplift patients in the hospital. Concerned about your own child? Dr. Britney Farmer offers her expert insight on spotting signs of depression in children in Mental Health Minute.

Our front cover features our new Valley Parent masthead and Olivia Vander. We had a fun time at Columbus Bound Bookshop for our cover shoot. The independent bookstore is locally owned by Khristina Gallagher who will be a regular feature with her Book Nook column.

We’re ready to get the Clingstones baseball season underway, and you could be heading to a game with our family of 4 Great Day Giveaway—enter today! We’re all about promoting family fun, and we’d love for you to join us as we team up with Parker’s Pantry for a Picnic in the Park. Enjoy your picnic while spending the afternoon at the Arts in the Park festivities at Lakebottom on April 27th.

__________________________ P. O. Box 229 Columbus, GA 31902 706-324-6214 • fax 706-324-6216 __________________________ EDITOR/PUBLISHER

Jodi Saunders

jodi@columbusandthevalley.com

ADVERTISING & MARKETING

Becky Kenimer

becky@columbusandthevalley.com

Margie Richardson

margie@columbusandthevalley.com

Julie Lauzon

salesassistant@columbusandthevalley.com

LAYOUT & DESIGN

62 Graphic Studio

62GraphicStudio.com

WRITERS

Natalie Downey Dr. Britney Farmer Khristina Gallagher CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Cherie Gough Rebecca Hastings PHOTOGRAPHY

Ritchie White Photography __________________________

A Publication of Columbus and the Valley SUBSCRIBE OR READ ONLINE

Jodi Saunders

Picnic in the Park

Join us for a picnic at this year’s Arts in the Park.

Details on page 9.

Find us Online!

4

Fresh Faces Cover Contest

Don’t miss out! Enter for a chance to be on our cover.

Details on page 16.

Valley Parent Magazine

VALLEY PARENT | April-May 2025

Great Day Giveaway

Enter to win tickets to see the Clingstones play.

Details on page 19.

@ValleyParentMag

ValleyParent.com

Valley Parent is published bimonthly by Valley Life Ventures, LLC, dba Columbus and the Valley Magazine, P. O. Box 229, Columbus, GA 31902.

The cover and contents are fully protected and may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the written consent of the publisher. We are not responsible for loss of unsolicited inquiries, manuscripts, photographs or other materials. Opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher or staff. Copyright ©2025 by Valley Life Ventures, LLC trading as Columbus and the Valley Magazine. Subscriptions for Valley Parent are available by mail for $25 per year with payment accepted by check, money order or credit card. Call 706-324-6214 to subscribe. Postmaster, please send address corrections to Post Office Box 229, Columbus, GA 31902.

Family Fun CALENDAR April 4-13

Spring Fling

Columbus Civic Center CivicCenter.ColumbusGa.gov

FRIDAYS IN APRIL

Uptown Spring Concert Series

Uptown Columbus AlwaysUptown.com

11-12

Columbus Cup Freestyle Kayak Competition

Waveshaper Island AlwaysUptown.com

15

Columbus Clingstones Opening Day Synovus Park

16

Storytime with Grammy Trish

Columbus Bound Bookshop ColumbusBound.com/calendar-events

19

Nature Play

Oxbow Meadows

Oxbow.ColumbusState.edu

23

Dot Dot Dot: A New Musical RiverCenter Rivercenter.org

Planes, Trains, and Things that go Zoom!

Springer

27

SpringerOperaHouse.org

13

Arts in the Park Lakebottom Park

TheColumbusite.net/artsfest

After School Art Break COMU

ColumbusMuseum.com

29

Youth Orchestra of Greater Columbus Spring Concert

17

YOGC.org/events

17

RiverCenter

Family Saturday COMU

ColumbusMuseum.com

Cool Pool Summer Splash Celebration

May

F.D.R. State Park

2&3

RiverFest

Explore.GaStateParks.org/ info.267429?c=31287355

AlwaysUptown.com/Riverfest

23-25

Uptown Columbus

26-MAY 4

Send your events to

info@columbusandthevalley.com.

3

Strut the Hooch Parade

Memorial Day Weekend Events Callaway Gardens CallawayGardens.org

Down Broadway StrutTheHooch.com

MILB.com/columbus-clingstones

Only 4 Spots Left – Register Now!

Local Day School Specifically Designed to Prepare Little Learners for Kindergarten

Email: Director@StThomasColga.com April-May 2025 | VALLEY PARENT

5

The Light in the Dark Fund Local Teen Helps Other Teens Find Resources for Their Mental Health

6

VALLEY PARENT | April-May 2025

A

dolescence is a time of major change that leads one into the transformation from child to adult.

This time in a person’s life often can feel unsettling, a bit scary and unpredictable.

While all teens need caring support during their adolescent years, in some cases, the mental and physical changes they experience can lead to serious mental challenges necessitating a deeper level of supportive care.

When Columbus resident Clara Tebeau was in eighth grade she was diagnosed with some mental health disorders that led to her hospitalization and treatment at the St. Francis Hospital Bradley Center.

For both Clara and her family, it was a

MAY IS MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH

by Natalie Downey

scary and uncertain time as they navigated a world that was new to them. “You have these thoughts in your brain where you’re not sure what they are and they make you feel scared, afraid and lonely, and you’re not sure what’s going on,” Tebeau explains as she recalls the days leading to her diagnosis. “The more I pushed it away and bottled it up, the worse it got.”

Concerned for their daughter’s wellbeing, Clara’s parents sought treatment for her at The St. Francis Bradley Center, which included therapy and learning skills for coping with the intrusive thoughts that had been casting shadows over her world.

Clara’s experience brought healing and led to a deeper understanding, for her and her family, of how they could support her mental health on an ongoing basis.

But, along with the transformation of her own personal mental healing, another transformation began for her during this time of mental health challenges. Inside the walls of The Bradley Center, Clara found her calling as she recognized the major gaps in the current system of mental health care for adolescents and identified some mental health needs within our own community that she felt compelled to meet.

A recent statistic from the World Health Organization states that one in seven 10to 19-year-olds will experience a mental disorder, with depression, anxiety and behavioral issues. Depending on location, the disparities of care can widen, leading to a growing number of untreated challenges.

Additionally, suicide is the third leading cause of death among 15- to 29-year-olds.

Unfortunately, across the country, there is a shortage of child and adolescent mental health providers, while the number of people needing treatment has increased since the pandemic.

The mental health of our adolescents matters, and when issues aren’t addressed during teen years, they can persist into adulthood and severely impact that individual’s quality of life.

One of the biggest mental health needs our region faces is access to more providers, a need Clara and her family witnessed firsthand during her treatment.

In our state, the only adolescent mental health crisis stabilization units are in Columbus, Atlanta, Carrollton and Macon, and, Clara points out—“They’re at capacity.” So, teens facing mental health emergencies have to travel to one of these treatment centers and hope there is space for them, and often while experiencing a situation that needs immediate attention.

After her experience, Clara felt drawn to find ways to support Columbus’ teens and mental health providers. “I told my parents that I wanted to make it better, to give back and to support other kids.” Having experienced the system firsthand, she felt that she had some good insight into what could be improved to make other kids and teens feel more supported throughout the process.

With her parents’ support, Clara formed a nonprofit designed to meet these needs. The mission of Clara’s organization titled The Light in the Dark Fund (LITD) is “To provide awareness,

Clara with her parents, Dee Dee and Tom Tebeau at St. Francis Hospital.

PARTY GUIDE

April-May 2025 | VALLEY PARENT

7

access and resources to adolescents and their families navigating mental health as well as furthering the research for depression, anxiety and OCD.” Starting out, LITD began raising money to provide much needed supplies, toys, games and snacks to adolescent patients at The Bradley Center facility. With a personal understanding of how scary an inpatient stay at the center can be, Clara started with practical ways she could help make patients feel more comfortable and supported.

Working with Betsy Covington and the Community Foundation of the Chattahoochee Valley, Clara was able to raise over $18,000 in her first year of operating her nonprofit. And, working directly with her contacts and doctors at the Bradley Center, she was able to receive feedback to identify specific needs and set goals to meet them.

For example, Clara explains that when child and adolescent patients leave a crisis stabilization center, they have to wait, sometimes weeks, to begin working with a therapist. Clara is working to establish an outpatient center that would provide support to these patients in the form of after-school therapy, coping skills and structure during the in-between time in their treatment as they transition out of the crisis stabilization unit.

In addition, she envisions helping The Bradley Center expand resources and the number of therapists so that people in our area have more access to mental health treatment. And, as her organization’s impact grows, Clara wants to expand her mission to the other facilities in Atlanta, Carrollton and Macon.

As Clara has worked to grow her organization, she’s been able to brainstorm with more mental health professionals including the Pastoral Institute and her pediatrician to identify needs in our area and build a plan for addressing them through The Light in the Dark Fund.

While access to treatment is crucial, Clara recognizes the importance of taking it a step further and focusing on prevention. She is working to create an awareness program to empower 8

VALLEY PARENT | April-May 2025

Clara talking to the board at St. Francis-Emory Healthcare about how to make mental health facilities and treatment better within their facilities.

Clara and her sister, Kate, delivered food and presents to children at The Bradley Center on Christmas Day.

adolescents to speak up about mental health challenges they’re facing, and to work to remove the stigma surrounding those challenges. She plans to introduce this program to local schools and encourage her peers to take action to support their own mental health as well as provide camaraderie and support.

For Clara, starting The Light in the Dark Fund has given her a sense of purpose as she takes what she has learned from her personal struggles and offers hope to other teens in our area. When former patients who have received support from her fund reach out to thank her and share their stories, it encourages her to keep going, and, Clara says, it helps her feel less alone.

“I felt a lot of darkness,” Clara says, recalling the onset of her mental health struggles. “And now I feel encouraged to share the light with everyone else going through it. I’ve learned a lot about who I am, my purpose—and the brain and how it works. I wouldn’t trade it.”

Currently a junior in high school, Clara

continues to work on her mental health with a therapist and has found great improvement with cognitive behavioral therapy, playing sports, doing service projects and working with animals. She has a new service dog whom she’s looking forward to taking with her on visits to patients in the treatment centers.

“I just want to give back to The Bradley Center for all they’ve done for me and to reach and impact as many people as possible,” Clara says, “By giving them hope, encouraging them to not give up and providing resources to help them.” VP

How to support Clara’s work Donate to The Light in the Dark Fund @thelightinthedark.fund

Book NOOK

by Khristina Gallagher

Books to boost your kids’ moods as sunny weather becomes the norm!

AGES 4-8

AGES 4-8

AGES 6-9

AGES 8-12

by Anna Humphrey

by Candace Fleming

by Deborah Marcero

Escargot and the Search for Spring

Fluffle Bunnies #1 Buns Gone Bad

A charming story of a trio of rabbit friends that share their hopes and dreams and place them in jars in the forest. One day, a storm comes through and displaces all their hard work.

Through the power of friendship and optimism, they create new aspirations.

When things feel like they are falling apart, we still have each other and can dream of a better future!

A snail suffering from ennui (winter blues) ventures outside to boost his mood only to encounter a fluffy white rabbit. Not happy at all about this cuddly creature, Escargot challenges the bunny to a hopping contest. This funny story shows how kindness and a good snack can really turn your mood around.

For fans of the popular Bad Guys series, here’s a new graphic novel in the same vein. Three bunnies are left without their mother when she goes off to Brazil to learn jiu-jitsu. With quick thinking, ingenuity and maybe a little bit of raccoon manipulation, these three buns will take on all comers to be the rulers of the park.

Hope in a Jar

by Dashka Slater

Is It Real? The Loch Ness Monster Fans of mythical creatures may be intrigued by this non-fiction book that shares how real-life detectives and scientists explore phenomena.

Readers, faced with the evidence, can decide on their own if they think the Loch Ness monster is real…or not.

These reviews are provided by Columbus Bound Bookshop owner Khristina Gallagher. Locally owned, located in Midtown, Columbus Bound Bookshop carries new books for children and adults. You can find them online at Columbus Bound Bookshop, Facebook and Instagram.

April-May 2025 | VALLEY PARENT

9

THE BREASTFEEDING CONNECTION Supporting You Through Every Step of Your Breastfeeding Journey

Free Services Include: • Breastfeeding Consultations & Assessments • Educational Classes • Support Groups & Guidance

Scan to connect with our breastfeeding support staff

5601 Veterans Parkway • 706-321-6216

Welcome Dr. Freeman!

With over 25 years of pediatric experience, Michelle Freeman, MD, FAAP is passionate about children’s health and looks forward to serving families in Columbus and the surrounding area.

500 Brookstone Centre Pkwy, Bldg 100 | 706-221-4602 | ColumbusGaPeds.com 10

VALLEY PARENT | April-May 2025

HA P P Y CAMP E R S Tips to Help Kids with Their First Camp Experience

by Cherie Gough

School’s almost out.

You found the perfect day camp for your little artist, swimmer or scientist, but you’re worried because camp is unfamiliar territory.

Help prepare your child for what’s ahead with these tips to make his first camp experience a positive one.

One, Two Buckle My Shoe: THE BASICS

Children should memorize full name, address and a parent’s cell phone number before camp begins.

Many day camps require closed-toe shoes and many activities need kids to get shoes on and off quickly. Practice tying shoelaces; if your little one hasn’t mastered this skill before camp starts, consider a pair of Velcro shoes. Even then, do trial runs until he masters getting shoes on and off in a timely manner. Practice makes perfect!

Children should be able to zip their own jackets and pants (or wear ones that pull on). Teach them to tie a jacket around their waist, if necessary.

For half-day camp, apply sunscreen before leaving; children who attend full-day camp should know how and when to reapply.

C is for Cookie:

MAKE LUNCH STRESS-FREE Packaging often poses a problem for little fingers. Practice opening wrappers and containers at home.

Don’t assume camp staff will have time to assist everyone at lunchtime.

One in 13 children has a food allergy; it’s likely that someone at camp will, too. Swapping snacks sounds like fun, but it’s not safe for many kids. Crosscontamination can pose a big problem for kids allergic to nuts or gluten.

Teach children not to share food and to respect other people’s space by not touching their lunchbox and food.

Stop yourself the next time you start to clean up after your kids. Teach children how to sort trash from recyclables, throw items in proper bins and most importantly, not to expect adults to clean up after them. Part of being a successful, happy camper is to help out and do his part.

April-May 2025 | VALLEY PARENT

11

You’ve Got a Friend in Me:

SOCIAL SKILL ESSENTIALS For many first-time campers, enrolling with a buddy helps ease jitters. But it’s important to gain the confidence and skills to make new friends. Review and role-play skills that show openness to making friends: Practice how to greet someone new.

Make eye contact and smile.

When someone says “hi”, teach your child to reply, even if he feels shy. Not responding may be misconstrued that he doesn’t want to be friends.

Remind children to take turns.

Discuss the idea that not everyone has to be friend—especially if your child is a people pleaser.

Almost There: BE ASSERTIVE

Children should know how (and be willing) to ask for help when needed.

If he has a special need, let camp know ahead of time. Kids and staff can even agree on a signal to get a staff member’s attention.

Have kids practice asking for what they want (politely). Manners go a long way. You’ve taught your child “please” and “thank you” since he was knee high—be sure he says these allimportant phrases without your cue.

Practice simple, direct responses to communicate dissatisfaction when necessary, such as “I don’t like that.

Don’t do it again.” If an annoying behavior continues from another child, ask a camp counselor for help.

Camp is a place to try new things. Let your child know he’s expected to participate in all activities, and that it’s OK if he doesn’t do everything just right. A child who pouts until he gets his way or is unwilling to try new things may not be ready for camp. Kids who follow directions and are willing to venture into “new territory” have an opportunity to learn many skills that build confidence and independence. VP

Lessons Learned

To have your business featured here contact one of our sales reps: Becky Kenimer

706.289.8338

Margie Richardson

706.575.7825

MAGAZINE

12

VALLEY PARENT | April-May 2025

Mental Health MINUTE

by Dr. Britney Farmer

iSPY Depression

S

pring has sprung, and while we are happy to feel the warmth of the sunshine and see our gardens in full bloom, this time of year is most difficult for a subset of people. May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and in recognition of this, I was moved to write an article on the most diagnosed and most costly of all mental health conditions—depression.

The formal name, Major Depressive Disorder, is the number one mental health condition that is diagnosed in the United States. According to the National Institute of Mental Health in 2020, Major Depressive Disorder costs $326.2 billion annually in disability, medical management and coexisting conditions. Right now, 21 million people experience depression while only 61.2% seek treatment. The reasons for not seeking treatment are multifaceted, varied and cannot be covered in the span of this article. However, there is something we can do in the fight against this epidemic and that is to educate ourselves. The first step in any illness script is identification.

We must know what depression looks like before we can start introducing treatment and finding solutions.

Know the Signs

To spot depression you don’t have to be a detective, but it does help to take an investigatory approach. Your doctor may diagnose depression based on certain pieces of evidence that you are disclosing during your appointment. Depression is defined as five or more of the following symptoms that present in one’s life for two weeks or greater. The five symptoms are usually present simultaneously, but this is not a requirement. The symptoms are low mood, irritability, decreased interests in prior hobbies, increased guilt, decreased energy, decreased concentration, eating too much or eating too little, too much

or too little sleep, moving or speaking slowly and increased suicidal thoughts.

These symptoms must cause disability in home life, work or school. The diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder cannot be better explained by a medical illness, loss of a loved one or a traumatic event.

If someone is experiencing symptoms because of one of these reasons that will lead your doctor to concluding a different diagnosis.

Depressive Behaviors

Now that we are on the case of depression, let’s look closer at the evidence.

The requirement of two weeks or longer is to establish that this is a sustained changed in mood and not a transient one. We are all human beings that get sad on occasion and situationally irritable because of life’s challenges. These ups and downs are a part of the natural human experience and make us the complex beings that we are.

From the above symptoms that were listed—a low mood can be defined as feeling sadness, crying spells or emotional disconnectedness. Some people with depression experience a drop in enjoyment from activities (ex: sports, hanging with friends, artwork, exercise) that they typically enjoyed in the past. Due to the symptoms of depression, people may withdraw from their lives which can lead to increased guilt for the persons missing out on life or guilt for not doing anything to help themselves. Individuals with depression may also experience a physical loss of energy. It can be difficult for them to get out of bed, to make it through an entire day without rest or to perform personal hygiene. Depression causes trouble at school and home usually due to the change in concentration. It can be difficult to keep up with deadlines, turn in work and even comprehend new material.

The stereotype of a depressed person is that of sleeping all day and refusing meals because of their condition. There is a phenomenon called atypical depression where the person has insomnia and/or overeats as a symptom of their condition.

The symptom of moving and speaking slowly is clinically called psychomotor retardation. This is a severe symptom of depression and can signal that the condition has advanced. Lastly and most worrisome because it can have life long consequences is suicidal thoughts. This can include the spectrum of wanting to go to sleep and not waking up to intentional harming oneself.

If someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, you can escort them to the nearest emergency department, call or text 988 or call the Suicide Hotline at 1-800-985-5590. It is better for you to “overreact” rather than under react when it comes to life and death.

How to Get Treatment

With our detective skills fully refined we can now know what to look for when we or a loved one are suffering from depression.

Primary care doctors can be the first stop when seeking advice on options for treatment. Treatment options can include psychotherapy, medication management or a combination of both. Selection of treatment will depend on one’s symptoms and disease severity. There are protective measures that we can take to prevent depression such as maintaining healthy social connections, setting a regular sleep/wake cycle and engaging in regular activities to let off stress. Depression may not be 100% preventable but it can be managed. VP

Dr. Britney Farmer is a Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist originally from California currently living in Columbus and practicing for St. Francis Hospital Partners at The Bradley Center Campus. Dr. Farmer has a passion for children with mental health disorders, learning disabilities and autism.

April-May 2025 | VALLEY PARENT

13

EARTH DAY IS APRIL 22

Easy Ways 12 to Celebrate

EARTH DAY

We all know taking care of the Earth is important, but it’s easy to let the busyness of daily life push thoughts of being eco-friendly to the back burner. Being aware of the planet and making small changes is easier than you think.

Earth Day is the perfect opportunity to remind kids how to appreciate and take care of our planet. Raising earthconscious kids has never been more important than it is today.

The earth provides us with a place to call home, food, water, clothing, shelter and even medicine. Fostering a love for our planet helps all of us live longer and healthier lives. And it doesn’t have to be overwhelming.

Start small by trying one activity a month or go all in and try all of these fun activities with your kids today.

14

VALLEY PARENT | April-May 2025

Plant Something It doesn’t matter if it’s a tree, a flower or a seed. When we grow new things, it helps the earth. Trees help replenish oxygen and keep the planet cool, flowers can help endangered species like bees and growing your food helps reduce the amount of food transport needed.

Plus, it can be a lot of fun to plant and grow something together as a family.

Find a Local Farmers Market Supporting local farms and growers is a great way to keep the earth healthy. The farmers that offer goods at farmer’s markets often minimize waste compared to conventional grocery stores. Many of them also use fewer harmful chemicals in their growing practices which helps keep the soil and water clean. Plus, you can find tasty new foods for your family to try.

Get Inspired Watch the video of young poet Amanda Gorman reciting her poem, Earthwise. Kids and adults will be inspired to treat our planet well.

Visit a National Park

Did you know the U.S. has 62 national parks and almost all have virtual tours? Whether you make a trip to visit or go virtual, helping your kids fall in love with these awe-inspiring treasures will grow their appreciation for the planet.

Recycling Challenge Teach kids to look for recycling symbols on packages to recycle as much as possible. At the end of a week see how much you recycle compared to how much you throw away. Try to get your recycling output to beat your trash output each week.

Give It Away Instead of tossing things you no longer want or need in the trash, have a household collection day. Once your family gathers a group of items, make a family trip to the local donation center or give things to another family that could use them. You can even think about younger kids who would enjoy playing with toys your kids have outgrown. It can be fun for kids to see their favorite playthings being used by another child who will enjoy them.

Make a Recycled Craft Kids love to get creative. Instead of grabbing the usual art supplies, use some of those recycled items to create something. You can have a theme or let everyone create whatever they want. This is a great, earth-friendly rainy-day craft!

Make a Birdfeeder Gather pinecones or large sticks to use for the feeder. Cover them with a layer of peanut butter and roll in birdseed. Hang outdoors for birds to enjoy.

Leave No Trace This is an effort to leave the planet in its most natural state. Do a little research about Leave No Trace and then have a fun family challenge.

On your next outing see if you can cover your tracks and leave no trace that you were even there.

Get Outside The best way to help kids take care of the earth is to fall in love with it. Spending time outside, enjoying the beautiful creatures and landscapes is great for fresh air and exercise as well as learning to love this great big beautiful planet we call home.

Just One Thing Swap out one plastic item for a more sustainable option from your household per month. Try reusable water bottles, travel mugs, straws, shopping bags or sandwich bags to reduce plastic waste.

Take 52 Commit to taking one hike, walk or bike ride each week this year. Try making a chart to keep on the fridge to see your progress throughout the year. VP

When we are intentional about taking care of the planet, everyone wins!

Manners Matter!

Columbus Junior Cotillion and Pre-Cotillion teaches manners and etiquette classes for students in grades 2nd-12th.

SCAN BELOW TO REGISTER NOW Pre-Cotillion of East Alabama and Greater Columbus

current 2nd-4th graders

Columbus Junior Cotillion and High School Cotillion

current 5th-12th graders

April-May 2025 | VALLEY PARENT

15

FRESH FACES Cover Contest!

Valley

Parent

7 TrVaadleitintonines FAMILY CULTURE Flip It

or Foster It?

10 Black Innovato of Sciencrs e How to Ha nd

le Your

Parent-T cher Conferenea ces

FREE

August/September ‘24

YOUR LOCAL PARENTIN G RESOURCE

Overcoming

BACK to SCHOOL NERVES

Meet MCSD Teacher of the Year

WORRIED OR NOT?

y PaVarllee nt

Send in your child’s photo for a chance at a cover shoot. Four winners will be chosen to appear on future covers of Valley Parent.

C hristie Akers

OFFICIAL RULES

FU PAGN Challe E!

Your

• Send only ONE recent photo per child, age 13 and under. Additional photos will not be considered.

• Only one child per photo unless multiples. Twins, triplets, etc. should appear together.

• Photos and completed web form must be completed.

• Entries must be received by April 30th.

nge Brain

GOOD LUCK AND THANK YOU FOR ENTERING!

16

VALLEY PARENT | April-May 2025

FREE February/M arch ‘25

YOU R LOC PAR ENT AL RES OUR ING CE

E FRE nter ou S C H FA r CO OVE CES

NT R EST

Enter Here!

ValleyParent.com/contests

Here are some helpful hints to get the judges attention: • Be sure your child’s face is clearly visible in the photo you choose, i.e. no icing covered faces, no hats or masks that obscure the face, no silly faces, no side profile shots, etc.

• Photos sent in are used for judging purposes only. The photos themselves will not be used on the cover, so do NOT choose a photo based on the interesting background, funny pose or artsy flair. The judges look for a winning child, not a winning photo.

• Send a high res photo file large enough for print. File should be over 1 MB (300 dpi for you techy types out there). Small photos are hard for the judges to see and hard to print.

• Children chosen will need to do a photoshoot, so avoid shots that make your child seem brooding or shy.

• Professional photographs are accepted, but not preferred.

Make Mother’s Day Special from Start to Finish!

by Rebecca Hastings

S

ome people love celebrating the mom in their life for Mother’s Day, but others find it overwhelming.

Where do you start? Should you get a gift?

What is her favorite flower? There are so many things to consider. A lot of people get so overwhelmed, they go one of two directions: they do the same thing every year, or they do nothing. Both options can leave Mom feeling a bit disappointed.

You don’t have to get stuck. With a bit of thought and planning, you can make Mother’s Day special from start to finish. This works in three parts. First, you’ll answer some questions. Next, some quick brainstorming. Finally, you’ll put it all together to create a plan for a great Mother’s Day. You can do it all in about 15 minutes. Ready?

What will you eat?

Mother’s Day usually involves at least one meal. Think about how you want to handle that. Will you cook or eat out? If you plan to eat out, making a reservation Let’s Start with in advance saves a lot of hassle as it’s a the Questions popular day at many restaurants. If you There are some things you should know are going to cook, make a list and shop for as you get started. This will help you know what you need BEFORE Mother’s Day so what you’re doing and why. As you read the you don’t need to go to the store on the questions, jot down your answers. day of. Most moms have no desire to visit a grocery store on Mother’s Day.

Who are you celebrating?

Knowing this is essential. Is there one mom you’re celebrating or more than one?

Are you celebrating grandmas? Who will be part of your Mother’s Day plans?

Does she want rest?

This is one of the most overlooked things on Mother’s Day, but many moms long for rest. Would she like to sleep in?

Would she enjoy a quiet afternoon nap?

Are you buying gifts?

Does she need to go to bed early and get a Some families purchase gifts for Mother’s full night’s sleep? Think about how you can Day while others opt for experiences or make these things happen. homemade gifts. What does the mom in your life want?

Is there anything the mom

How much time do you plan to spend together?

Some moms love having a break with some time to themselves on Mother’s Day while others want to spend the whole day with their family. If you’re not sure what the mom in your life wants, ask her.

MOTHER’S DAY IS MAY 11

in your life asked for or hinted at?

This is very important. If she asked for something and you can make that happen, that makes things even easier. If she doesn’t ask for anything, don’t pressure her. Instead, think about her and what she would enjoy.

Don’t rush through these questions. It may be tempting to skim them and say you’ll figure it out later but don’t do that.

Knowing the answers to these questions will save a lot of last-minute headaches.

It’s Time to Brainstorm Now that you have some questions answered, it’s time to brainstorm ideas about what the mom in your life would enjoy. And that’s the key: what would SHE enjoy? If this day is about her (and it is) you want to make sure the things you do are things she enjoys that make her feel loved and valued.

Try brainstorming 3-5 ideas for each of the following: • Foods: List foods/drinks she might enjoy. This could be a meal like brunch, a favorite treat or her favorite fancy coffee drink.

• Places: Write down some of her favorite local places. Think about parks, stores, beaches, museums or other places she enjoys.

• Gifts: List anything special you’d like to give her as a gift. Think about things that would make her happy and she would enjoy receiving. (Avoid household related gifts.)

April-May 2025 | VALLEY PARENT

17

Global Stars.

Close to Home.

• Helpful Activities: Think of some things the family can do that would be helpful. Household chores or small projects like gardening are great places to start.

Write down these quick brainstorms and see what you have.

Do any of them fit together well? Is her favorite coffee shop next to the bookstore she loves? Could you go to the garden center and then plant her new flowers? Be mindful of how a few of these things can work together to create a special day.

Put It All Together Now that you have more information about what would make the day special for the mom in your life, you can create a plan.

You don’t have to have a schedule for the whole day, but you can think about what you want to do and when.

A good strategy is to break the day into three parts: morning, midday, and evening. Each one of these can be part of one big plan or they can each have a different purpose. This works especially well if you are trying to spend time with grandma or other moms in your life, too.

Write down your plan for the day and then check to make sure it aligns with the answers to the questions at the beginning. Don’t plan a hike if mom wants to spend the day relaxing in bed. Be mindful of how each part of the day shows her that she is special.

Ideas to Help You Plan a Great Mother’s Day

April 23

9:30 & 11:30 AM VISIT OUR BOX OFFICE! Mon.-Fri. 10 am-5:30 pm and Sat. 10am-2pm 900 Broadway, Columbus, GA | 706.256.3612 rivercenter.org @rivercenterga 18

VALLEY PARENT | April-May 2025

As you consider the three steps above, here are some ideas for meaningful ways to spend Mother’s Day. • Day Trip: Plan a day out of town. Head somewhere special as a family for the day. Include places she enjoys and food she likes. Don’t wait and decide as you go. Make a plan. You can always change course if you need to along the way.

• A Day for Her: If she craves some alone time, give her a day to herself. Take the kids out and leave her with a quiet house or stay home with the kids and send her off to spend the day doing things she loves. You can make appointments for her at a spa if that is something she enjoys.

• Family Time: If you’re celebrating other moms in your life on Mother’s Day, don’t leave all the work to her. Instead, plan out a meal and invite people over or make a reservation for the whole group. Also, talk to her about any gifts you should purchase for the other moms in your life.

• Make It a Mix: Start the day by letting her sleep in and making or ordering her favorite breakfast. Enjoy the morning to relax at home. At lunch, head out for a picnic or to a favorite restaurant and visit someplace she enjoys. This could be a place like a park, a museum or a store. Enjoy an early dinner by inviting the other moms in your life over. Be sure to do all the cleanup so the kitchen is spotless for Mom the next morning!

There are so many ways you can spend Mother’s Day. With a little planning ahead and considering what Mom would enjoy, she’s sure to have a great day! VP

(L-R) Harris County High School Class of 2025 Valedictorian Connor Archilla, STAR Teacher Katie Sizemore, Salutatorian and STAR Student Tate Williams pictured with Harris County School District Superintendent Justin Finney.

Harris County High School’s Teacher Cadet Instructor and Junior Riley Markert won first place in CSU’s Go2Teach “Excellence in Teaching Competition.”

School BOARD

Kendrick High School recently earned recognition as an industry-certified Marketing Program of Excellence.

Richards Middle School student Isaiah Julien claimed first place in the Georgia Association of Educators (GAE) Regional Spelling Bee. This impressive win marks his second consecutive year qualifying for the state spelling bee championship. Isaiah is now set to represent MCSD at the GAE State Spelling Bee.

The Hardaway High school Lady Hawks’ varsity basketball team celebrated their historic first state championship on March 6.

April-May 2025 | VALLEY PARENT

19

Fun Fact

Fun Page

Butterfly wings are actually clear! The colors and patterns that we see are made up by the reflection of the tiny scales covering them.

Ant Farm Maze

So Funny!

What is the butterfly's favorite school subject?

MOTHemathics!

What do you call a rabbit with fleas?

Bugs Bunny!

Why did the snail cross the road?

I'll tell you when he gets here!

Insect Word Search

Creepy Crawly Word Scramble Can you unscramble these words?

NAISL ————— CTINSE —————— GBSU ———— TDIR ———— 20

VALLEY PARENT | April-May 2025

Find these words:

WORM LADYBUG ANTS GRASS BUTTERFLY ANTENNA MOTH HONEYBEE BEETLE SLUG

S J I A W O R M P R H O N E Y B E E B U T T E R F L Y A B E E T L E A H K S L N O A S D C M L H N C T K Y I O U M N N E O B M T G R A S S P U A H K O I M M C G E

2025 SUMMER CAMPS Scan to Sign Up

Scouts BSA Summer Camp on West Point Lake WEEK #1

June 12-21 WEEK #2

June 22-28 WEEK #3

June 29-July 5

• KAYAKS & CANOES • BOATS & JET SKIS • SHOOTING RANGE • ARCHERY RANGE • FELLOWSHIP • CLIMBING & RAPPELING • SO MUCH MORE!

SPARTAN CAMP Overnight Camp at Camp Frank G. Lumpkin in LaGrange, GA

June 5-8 THIS SPECIAL CAMP IS DESIGNED FOR SCOUTS ENTERING 4TH & 5TH GRADE TO PROVIDE AN INTRODUCTION TO THE WORLD OF SCOUTS BSA.

CAMP COW PIE

Mythical Sea Creature Adventure

DAY CAMP

at Evans Farm in LaGrange, GA

June 9-13

Daily 9:00 am-3:15 pm • Nature Fun • Legendary Sea Creature Hunts • BB/Archery

• Marine Games & Challenges • Underwaterthemed Crafts

INVENTION CONVENTION

DAY CAMP

at Oxbow Meadows Environmental Learning Center

July 7-11

Daily 8:30 am-3:30 pm • Science • Experiments • Solar Ovens

• Charcoal Crystals • 3D Printing • Robot Derby

April-May 2025 | VALLEY PARENT

21

SPECIALIZING IN HEALTHY TOMORROWS Susan E. McWhirter, MD, FAAP Mark C. Oliver, MD, FAAP Erik A. Heiss, MD, FAAP Megan Tinnin, MD, FAAP Kathleen T. Roberts, MD, FAAP Jennifer R. Evangelista, MD, FAAP

2416 CAPSTONE COURT COLUMBUS • 706-327-1281 RIVERTOWNPEDIATRICS.COM

Pick up our latest issue at one of these convenient locations

April/May 2025

12 EARTH DAY

Ways to Celebrate

What Mom’s Really Want this Mother’s Day

FREE ENTER OU

FRES FACESH R

Co r Contve est

Tips for

First Time Campers

Finding Light in the Dark

Or scan to read online 22

VALLEY PARENT | April-May 2025

Academy Dance Center Acute Care Express All About Kids Learning Center Devica Alappan, MD Angel Academy Aranas & Stitt, OBGYN Bareware Pottery Basilio Pediatrics Behavioral Health Partners Bluebelle Artist Market The Blushing Brunette Boutique Carver Heights Presbyterian Child Development Ctr. Central Pharmacy Central Christian Church Central OBGYN Chambers OBGYN Ritu Chandra, MD Childcare Network (Hamilton Rd) Clement Arts Columbus Bound Bookshop Columbus Children’s Dentistry Columbus Clinic Columbus Museum Columbus Pediatrics Columbus Public Library Columbus Regional Midtown Columbus Roberts Center CSU Elizabeth Bradley Turner Ctr. Dinglewood Pharmacy Divine Childcare Learning Ctr. Columbus Specialty Hospital James Dorchak, MD

Easter Seals Miranda Y. Edwards, MD Fairview Baptist Preschool The Family Center Family Physicians of Columbus First Baptist Church Child Dev./PC Foot & Ankle of West Ga. Fort Moore Housing Services Fountain City Coffee Generations Knowledge & Care Ctr. Great Beginnings Child Care Greystone Falls Greystone of Columbus Park Greystone Inverness Growing Room Growing Room Too Hollywood Connection Imagination Station Imagination Station Too International Friendship Ministries Joyful Journeys Childcare Just for Kids Kool Smiles Mark Lawrence, DDS Little Angels Child Development Ctr. Little Paws Preschool Thomas Malone, MD Mathnasium Mickayla’s Place Midtown OBGYN Mildred L. Terry Library My Gym Necco Foster Care

North Columbus Library Northside Recreation Center OBGYN Associates Lirio E. Palmos, MD Panvelkar & Panvelkar, MD Pastoral Institute Pediatrics at Brookstone Ctr. Phenix City-Russell County Library Pierce Chapel Methodist Preschool Polka-Dots Early Childhood Development. Ctr. Preppy Pets Puddle Jumpers Child Enrichment Ctr. Rivertown Pediatrics Russell County DHR Second Avenue Animal Hospital Jeffrey Serff, DMD Smile Doctors Smith Station Baptist Church Smith Station Pharmacy St. John AME Church St. Luke Early Learning Ctr. St. Mark UMC Child Dev. Ctr. Lisa Alexander Strickland, DMD Summerville Baptist Church Sylvan Learning Center Nora Tan-Ngo, MD Toni’s Dancing Studio TSYS Childcare Center Uptown Pediatrics Richard A. Valentine, MD Wynnton Methodist Preschool ZÖe Pediatrics Distribution sites committed at press time.

In the THICK OF IT

Winning—Even While Losing

I

t had become our Saturday morning routine—slowly filtering into the church gymnasium and finding a spot on the bleachers alongside the other parents. I scanned the crowd of antsy children on the basketball court, my eyes settling on the blonde head of my son, biting away at his fingernails even though I’d told him a million times to stop.

I wore his team’s colors proudly (orange and blue) and nodded to other parents adorned in the same color scheme. Most likely I sighed. I might have even uttered a simple prayer. I definitely crossed my fingers. But I was resigned to support my child no matter what, and we all knew, most likely, what.

You see, my son’s church league basketball team full of energetic nine-yearolds was, in fact, terrible. They had not only lost every game of the season, but they also had not scored a single point all season and had been cruelly dominated by every other team in the league. It almost began to feel like some kind of vicious experiment, judging by how his team seemed so severely not in league with the others.

But my son smiled and waved to me excitedly as he stepped on an unraveling shoelace. He took his place on the court, listening for the whistle.

And I cheered. Knowing they didn’t stand a chance, I cheered. When they passed the ball—again, to the wrong team, I cheered, “Good try!” When my son took a shot that didn’t even come close to the goal, I cheered, “Good shot!” And when his team lost again, zero points, I cheered, “Way to hustle, guys!”

It never once occurred to me not to cheer. It never occurred to me not to wear orange and blue. I never once entered that gymnasium, even after weeks of watching

by Natalie Downey

his team lose, wondering which team I’d cheer for that week. It was always his.

Whatever team my son was on throughout the years, I already knew it was his team I’d cheer for. Even in the freezing cold beside a soccer field when my toes were so numb that I wasn’t sure if they were still attached. In the sweaty summer sun with a weekend tournament’s worth of sunburn making my skin feel ablaze. In losses, in wins. In near misses and in flawlessly executed goals (he did, in fact, go on to discover that he was pretty amazing at soccer), I cheered.

Because, for me, it was never about the points or goals or wins, and even though he didn’t know it at the time, I don’t think it was really about any of those things for my son either. Maybe for him, it was about being cheered for. Making me proud.

Knowing he had my support no matter what.

And for me, it was about showing up for him. Proudly letting the world know that the child who indeed just blocked his own teammate’s goal is my good, kind, smart and funny son. Even though he was really terrible at basketball, he was irreplaceably mine.

Today, my son is grown, and we laugh about his basketball days. He even asks, “Why did you let me keep playing as terrible as I was?” I just smile. Because to me? He was the star of the game, and why should a boy be anything less to his mama.

I was just grateful for the chance to show up for my son. And to show him that no matter what, I’d be wearing his team’s colors and proudly cheering across the gym or field. Because I can’t imagine a greater privilege than to be my son’s biggest fan.

To me, there couldn’t possibly be a bigger win. VP

As a mother of six, Natalie Downey navigates the world of parenthood with a balance of humor and nostalgic sentiment. She lives in East Alabama and enjoys spending time in nature when she finds a free moment to recharge.

April-May 2025 | VALLEY PARENT

23