Tragedy Talkwith kids
By Linda Ligon, Family & Kids
Talking to kids about a tragedy is something that can be difficult. It may feel like it would be better to just shield your child from the information about a tragic event, However, if your child interacts socially with others outside your home, it is likely he will hear about the event. Kids hear about events from peers at school and at activities and older kids who have access to the internet may come across detailed information on their own. Here are some tips on having difficult conversations with your child about tragic events that touch your community and your family.
Reach out to other parents
When a tragedy touches your community and your family, reach out to the other parents in your community for support as you process what has happened and then decide how to talk about it with your kids. This is especially important if the tragic event touched your family directly and you are in the process of grieving for a lost family member or friend. Ask your friends for help walking this difficult path. They may be able to give you tips on parenting strategies that worked when they faced a similar situation.
Limit access to media
Kids do not need repeated exposure to graphic details and images. As much as possible, you want to be able to filter out details that are too graphic and verify the information your child sees. Also, young kids may not understand the coverage is for the same event and feel as if the same tragedy is occurring over and over again.
Model how to manage emotion and collect your thoughts
It is okay to let your child see you cry or hear you say that you are feeling sad or angry about the tragedy or a death in your family. Avoid reacting strongly to feelings of anger and frustration and instead model how to manage those emotions properly. Go for a run, take a few moments to practice a calming technique, whatever you find works to stay calm. During
this time, you could focus on planning how you will approach your conversation with your child. You know your child best and are the best person to decide what information you will share with him.
Ask your child what he knows
Ideally, you would be the person your child hears the information about the tragic event from. However, he may hear it from someone else when he is at school. You could say, ‘While you were at school, this is what happened. What have you heard about it?’ Ask your child if he has any questions about what happened. It is okay to give a generalized answer to difficult questions like ‘Why would someone do that?’ You could say something like, 'Sometimes people make a bad decision and do not do the right thing.’ Reassure your child that he is safe and that there are first responders working on the situation to help the people affected by the event.
Filter your responses to only include what you think your child will understand and what will not scare him, but be honest with him. For example, when discussing a family member that has passed away, avoid saying things like ‘Your aunt has gone away for awhile’ in an attempt to shield your child from the finality of death when he asks if his aunt will ever come back.
Try to get your child’s routine back to normal as quickly as possible. However, continue to check in with him to see if he has any more questions and concerns.
Toddlers Benefit from MUSIC
Enjoying music with your baby is something you can do at home and does not have to be expensive. Making music a part of your baby’s routine can be beneficial in many ways. Even if music is not one of your strengths, your child does not care if you can stay in tune. She just wants to hear your voice and enjoy singing with you.
Music helps babies with speech development
Music and speech share three important characteristics – pitch, rhythm and tone. This means that the pathways in the brain that are used to process music are similar to those used to process speech. Research shows that babies who are good at recognizing patterns in rhythm, pitch and tone while listening to music can apply the same skills to recognize the patterns that make up words and language. Songs that introduce new words can also help build your baby’s vocabulary, and song lyrics can help your baby learn grammar and the syntax of spoken language.
Music can help resolve meltdowns and improve mood
Transitioning toddlers from one activity to the next can sometimes be a trigger for meltdowns. To help with some of the more difficult transitions, make a song with an enjoyable tune part of your routine. For example, you could create a fun ‘clean up’ song that you and your toddler can dance to as you clean up or a calming ‘time to go’ song that helps soothe your toddler as she leaves the playground.
Even if you don’t think you are the best singer, sing to your baby instead of playing recorded music. Hold her and move with her to the rhythm of the song. Singing to your baby helps form an emotional connection with her. She recognizes your voice and feels safe, and a gen-
tle melody helps reduce stress. Research shows that singing to babies can help improve their overall mood and is more effective in helping babies calm down than just talking to them.
You can use music to help your toddler understand her emotions and help her learn emotional self-regulation. Make up your own ‘happy’ and ‘sad’ songs that help her label how she is feeling. If you are not feeling creative, you could take a familiar tune and substitute words about being sad or being happy. A song about an emotion helps your baby connect how she feels with the name of the emotion, an important step in emotional regulation. Singing to your baby also helps you focus on your baby and her feelings, strengthening the emotional bond with her.
Combine singing with dancing or playing a musical instrument
Playing a musical instrument when singing a song helps your toddler improve her motor skills and helps her interact with the different musical elements, such as tempo and rhythm, in the song. Provide a variety of toddler-sized musical instruments for her to explore. Dancing and moving to the music can both help improve motor skills and help strengthen your child’s understanding of rhythm.
Even if your baby does not have a strong aptitude for music, she will benefit developmentally from interactive music play sessions, where she moves, sings and plays instruments. Make music an integral part of your baby’s routine and help her lay a foundation for strong language and communication skills later in life. Remember to focus on your baby during these sessions and interact with her. You are using the music to help her learn communication and emotional self-regulation, not just as something to listen to in the background while attending to other tasks.
HOO’s Healthy
newborn INTERVENTIONS
The CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics strongly recommend two interventions within the first few hours of life to help prevent complications in newborns. Here is why these interventions are important to keep your newborn safe.
Vitamin K Injection: Vitamin K is necessary for the blood to clot normally, and a newborn has only a very small amount stored in his body. The body gets vitamin K from food, and some is also made by the ‘good’ bacteria in the intestine. The intestine of the newborn does not have many bacteria, thus, a newborn cannot make vitamin K on his own. Also, neither formula nor breast milk provides enough vitamin K during the first few months of life. Research shows that a mother taking vitamin K supplements does not increase the amount of vitamin K in breast milk. The newborn starts making his own vitamin K at about 6 months of age, when he starts eating solid food.
When a newborn is deficient in vitamin K, bleeding may occur anywhere in the body, which is a condition called vitamin K deficiency bleeding (VKDB). Bleeding from a bruise may continue for a very long
By Linda Ligon, Family & Kids
time. This means that serious bleeding in the intestines and into the brain may occur, and bleeding into the brain can cause brain damage or even death.
The CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that newborns receive a vitamin K injection shortly after birth to prevent VKDB. Research studies have shown that there is no association between vitamin K injections and childhood cancer.
Erythromycin Eye Ointment: This medication is applied to the eyes of the newborn shortly after birth to prevent serious eye infections that may be caused by bacteria, such as Gonococcal ophthalmia neonatorum (GON). GON can cause scarring of the cornea, blindness and ocular perforation, and these complications can occur in as little as 24 hours after birth. Thus, the application of erythromycin ointment after birth is the standard of care for newborns in the United States and is recommended by the CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Dining Deals for Kids
With deals this good, save the mess and dine out!
MONDAY
Sapo’s
5pm until close: free kid's meal with adult entrée, dine in only
tuesday
Denny’s
4-10pm: Up to two free kids entrées with adult entrée for kids 10 and under
The Food Mill
Make it a family night! Buy a family meal, get 2 kids meals for free!
Ruby Tuesday
5-10pm: Kids 12 and under eat free with adult entrée
wednesday
Your Pie
Kid's meals half off with adult entrée
Crumbl
Free mini cookie with purchase of regular cookie
Thursday
Tuesday's Street Tacos & Burritos
Free kids meal with adult purchase; dine-in only
All locations are Columbus, GA unless noted. Specials are subject to change without notice, so please verify them directly before dining. Send kids deals to Tammy@ FamilyAndKidsGA.com.
friday
Denny’s
4-10pm: Up to two free kids entrées with adult entrée for kids 10 and under
Ruby Tuesday
5-10pm: Kids 12 and under eat free with adult entrée
SUNDAY
Vallarta Mexican Restaurant
Free kids' meal with the purchase of adult entrée
everyday
Bruster’s Ice Cream
Kids under 40” get free baby cone
McAlister’s
Kid’s meals are $2.79 with dine-in order
Smokey Bones
Free kid's meal off kid's menu with adult entrée
Does your restaurant have a special offer for kids?!
Let us know and we can promote it here for free to 20K local parents monthly. Email it to us at: Tammy@familyandkidsga.com
PICKS
Hosting a birthday party can feel overwhelming, but Columbus offers plenty of kid-friendly venues that do the work for you. From high-energy adventures to creative celebrations, these party spots make birthdays fun for kids and stress-free for parents. Here are some top birthday party destinations around Columbus. When booking a party at one of these popular venues, be sure to reserve your date early and ask what’s included, along with any guest limits. For more local party ideas and links to all of these places, visit: familyandkidsga.com/birthday-party-venues.
Bare Ware Pottery
Creative kids will love a paint party. Choose from canvases, glass art, tiles, or collectibles. Outside food is welcome, or pizza can be added for convenience. Tea parties are also available.
Bowlero
Bowlero puts a modern twist on classic bowling with kid-friendly lanes, arcade games, and a lively atmosphere. Birthday party packages include bowling, shoe rentals, and food options - perfect for an easy, fun-filled celebration for all ages.
Burger King
For a budget-friendly option, Burger King allows parties in their play areas with the purchase of party food. Kids love the play place, and parents love the savings.
Chick-fil-A (Bradley Park & Columbus Park Crossing)
Select locations offer party hosting with gifts, activities, and everyone’s favorite nuggets—all in a clean, family-friendly environment.
Clutch Indoor Golf
Perfect for older kids and teens, Clutch Indoor Golf offers a modern party experience with interactive golf games and a fun atmosphere.
Columbus Ice Rink
Celebrate on the ice with skating, skate rentals, and a private party space for cake and gifts. A fun, active birthday option for kids of all skating levels.
Coca-Cola Space & Science Center
Blast off into an unforgettable birthday at the Coca-Cola Space & Science Center. Parties include access to exhibits and a show in the Omnisphere, making it a stellar choice for space-loving kids.
Columbus Aquatic Center
Available year-round, this venue offers poolside parties with private party space—perfect for water-loving kids.
Golden Donut
A sweet and simple party option where kids can enjoy treats and celebrate in a relaxed setting.
Hollywood Connection
Choose your private party room, then pick the fun—roller skating, mini golf, laser tag, or arcade games. Themes like princesses or dinosaurs add an extra layer of excitement.
Just Breathe for Kids
A calming and mindful party experience featuring kids’ yoga, movement, and relaxation activities—great for a low-key celebration.
Kids Empire
Designed especially for younger children, Kids Empire offers a colorful indoor playground with soft play structures, slides, and a private party area.
Launch Trampoline Park
Launch Trampoline Park delivers high-flying birthday fun with wall-to-wall trampolines, dodgeball, and foam pits. Party packages include jump time and a private party area, making it an easy, energetic option for kids who love to move.
Oxbow Meadows
This environmental education center hosts unique parties featuring animal encounters, science experiments, and nature crafts. Themes include Mad Scientist, Walking with Dinosaurs, and Slithering Snakes, plus special night adventures.
Stars & Strikes
With bowling, laser tag, bumper carts, and a massive arcade, Stars & Strikes delivers non-stop entertainment for kids and adults alike.
SkyZone Trampoline Park
SkyZone offers all-inclusive party packages with jump time, pizza, and drinks. For something extra exciting, book a glow party where the lights go down and the music turns up.
The Little Village (13th Street)
A charming, imaginative play space where kids can explore and it is ideal for younger children who love pretend play. They have an assortment of themes to choose from while planning your party and can offer refreshments and snacks as well.
Treadstone Climbing Gym
This colorful indoor climbing gym provides guided climbing adventures for party guests. All equipment is included, and parties end in a dedicated space for cake and presents.
Urban Air Adventure Park
An action-packed option with climbing walls, trampolines, obstacle courses, and more. Urban Air’s party packages keep high-energy kids entertained from start to finish.
Get Busy, Big Ideas When Little Hands Take Shape at the Library
March is a season of growth—longer days, blooming flowers, and the perfect time for curiosity to flourish too.
At Chattahoochee Valley Libraries, children don’t just read—they explore, experiment, and make discoveries that bring big ideas to life. While the library still houses thousands of books, it’s so much more: a place where imagination takes center stage and learning happens in hands-on, playful ways.
STEAM kits, Wonderbooks, and musical instruments provide endless opportunities for exploration. Kids can experiment with sound, test simple machines, and discover how things move, connect, and work together. These activities spark problem-solving, creativity, and curiosity, turning each small experiment into a big learning moment. Take-home origami kits and Kawaii Club projects let children fold, decorate, and create in ways that reinforce patience, confidence, and imaginative thinking.
The Ruth Brooks Yancy Children’s Garden at the Columbus Public Library serves as a dedicated space for sensory exploration and
HOO’s learning
By Tiffany Wilson, Community Engagement Coordinator
early literacy development. Children can identify primary colors in the flowers, notice different textures, and experiment with outdoor instruments to hear how sounds and rhythms change. These experiences help develop listening skills, pattern recognition, and observation—early skills that form the foundation of literacy and learning. The garden encourages children to wonder, ask questions, and make connections between what they see, hear, and understand.
For parents, the magic is simple. No elaborate planning. No Pinterest-perfect crafts. Just a welcoming space where children can explore, make a mess, and try again. The Library is where creativity is safe, curiosity is encouraged, and ideas—big or small—can flourish.
This March, as the season nudges us toward fresh beginnings, Chattahoochee Valley Libraries offers a simple promise: a place where children’s ideas take root, imagination blooms, and big things start in small hands. Every visit reminds families that learning can be playful, hands-on, and full of joy. Visit us today! Learn more at cvlga.org.
HOO’s HEALTHY
Measles is a respiratory illness that is caused by a virus that is highly contagious. A measles infection can have serious complications. The symptoms of measles at first often include a high fever, cough, red watery eyes and a runny nose, with a rash that looks like flat red spots appearing three to five days later. The rash often begins on the face at the hairline and then moves downward. Small raised bumps may also appear on top of the flat red spots. When the rash appears, the fever may spike to around 104 degrees F. After someone recovers from a measles infection, one serious complication that may occur is called ‘immune amnesia.’
Immune amnesia occurs when the measles virus destroys part of the immune system’s memory. The immune system has what are called memory cells, which are white blood cells that recognize pathogens that have attacked the body previously and were fought off. The memory cells, when they make contact with a
By Linda, Ligon, Family & Kids
What is: MEASLES
pathogen that has been previously encountered, attack the pathogen with the specific antibodies necessary to destroy that particular pathogen. When the measles virus attacks the cells of the immune system and destroys the memory cells, the immune system no longer has a record of previously encountered pathogens.
This suppression of the immune system may last anywhere from a couple of months to two years after someone recovers from the measles virus. The immune system has no memory of every cold, instance of flu, stomach virus or other illness that the body had previously fought off, and it takes time to rebuild the memory. A child with immune amnesia due to a measles infection is thus more likely to become ill during the time the body is rebuilding the memory of the immune system by encountering pathogens and then fighting them off.
1A Bad Case of the Stripes. Sun 2pm. $20$25. Springer Opera House; 706-327-3688
2 Teen Takeover: Movie Mondays. 4pm. South Columbus Library; 706-683-8805
2 Teen Takeover: First Monday Fieri-Fest. 4:30pm. Columbus Library; 706-243-2811
3 Little Sprouts. 10am & 2:30pm. $5-$7. Ages 3-5. Columbus Botanical Garden; 706327-8400
3 Kid’s Art Studio. Ages 5-12. 4pm. Columbus Library; 706-243-2813
3 Legends: Music Under the Dome Series. 5pm. $10. Coca-Cola Space Science Center; 706-649-1477
4 Resilient Parenting Series. Families. 11am. Columbus Library; 706-243-2813
5 Simple Steps: What A Colorful World. Ages 2-5. 10am. South Columbus Library; 706-683-8805
5 Fox in a Box Exhibit Program: Musical Theatre Karaoke. 3pm. North Columbus Library; 706-748-2855
6-7 River Dragons Hockey Game. Times vary. Columbus Civic Center; 706-653-4460
7 Artful Babies. 10:30am. Ages 6-24mo. The Columbus Museum; 706-748-2562 ext 6520
9 Teen Takeover: Crack the Case. 4:30pm. Columbus Library; 706-243-2811
10 Artful Babies. 10:30am. Ages 6-24mo. The Columbus Museum; 706-7482562 ext 6520
10 The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales. 10:30am. Ages 5-10. $18. RiverCenter; 706-256-3612
10 After School Art Break. 2:30-4:30pm. Ages 5-10. The Columbus Museum; 706748-2562 ext 6520
10 Pony Bead Party. Ages 5-12. 4pm. Columbus Library. 3000 Macon Rd. 706243-2813
10 Teen Crafternoon: Stitch & Chill –Crochet. 4:30pm. Columbus Library; 706243-2811
11 Real Voices. Real You: Healthy Self-Expression in Social Media. Teen. 4:30pm. Columbus Library; 706-243-2811
11MomCo of First Baptist Church. 6-7:30pm. First Baptist Church, Columbus; odonawhiddon@gmail.com
11-29 J4K Consignments Sale. Times vary. Landing Shopping Ctr, 2521-1 Airport Thruway; 706-587-1819
12 Fox in a Box Exhibit Program: Costume Creations. 3pm. North Columbus Library; 706-748-2855
12 Squidward Games. Teen. 6pm. North Columbus Library; 706-748-2855
14 Mini Makers. 10:30am. Ages 2-4. The Columbus Museum; 706-748-2562 ext 6520
14 Second Saturday Tours. 11am. Historic Westville; 706-221-9330
14 Protect Your Peeps! Ages 6-11. 11am. Mildred L. Terry Library; 706-243-2782
14 Mardi Gras 5K, Parade & Festival. 9am 5K/Fun Run; 10am Food trucks; Noon Parade. Uptown Columbus; @FCMardiGras
14 CSO Open Rehearsal. 2:30pm. Free. All ages. RiverCenter; 706-323-5059
15 Birds, Bugs and Blooms BioBlitz Kids Day! 1-4pm. $8-$12. Columbus Botanical Garden; 706-327-8400
15 Youth Volleyball Skills Clinic. 2pm. Ages 9-14. Northside Rec Center; 706-6420491 or visitcolumbusga.com
17 Mini Makers. 10:30am. Ages 2-4. The Columbus Museum; 706-748-2562 ext 6520
17 Crafty Kids: Lucky Backpack Charms. Ages 6-11. 3pm. South Columbus Library; 706-683-8805
17 Kid’s Art Studio. Ages 5-12. 4pm. Columbus Library; 706-243-2813
17 Teen Takeover: Save the Drama… Improv Games. 4:30pm. Columbus Library; 706-243-2811
17 Shen Yun. 7:30pm. $102--$212. RiverCenter; 706-256-3612
7 K-Pop Trivia for Teens. 3pm. North Columbus Library; 706-748-2855
7 A Bad Case of the Stripes. 11am & 2pm. $20-$25. Springer Opera House; 706-3273688
8 A Bad Case of the Stripes. 2pm. $20-$25. Springer Opera House; 706-327-3688
9 Family Fun Night: Puff Paint Desserts. 4pm. Columbus Library; 706-243-2813
13-15 Tulip Fest. Fri 3-7pm, Sat & Sun 11am-5pm. $9.95-$14.95. Ashmore Rd, Shiloh; fieldsofgraceflowerfarm.com
14 Spring Fling Craft Market. 9am-2pm. Midland Commons; 706-987-3723 or midlandmarket.org
14 Cookies with the Easter Bunny. 10am-Noon. $5-$10. Columbus Convention & Trade Ctr; eventbright.com
20-21 Friends of Libraries Annual Spring Book Sale. 10am-5pm. Columbus Library; 706-243-2705
20 Dragon Racing Obstacle Course. Ages 5-12. 4pm. Columbus Library; 706243-2813
20-22 Hairspray: The Broadway Musical. Times vary. $30-$65. Springer Opera House; 706-327-3688
Events
21 Spring Kickoff Outdoor Market. 11am-4pm. Bluebelle Local Mercantile; 706-327-1181
21 Uno, Dos, Tres Crafts! Ages 4-8. 3pm. Mildred L. Terry Library; 706-243-2782
21 Fox in a Box Exhibit Program: Orchestra Up Close with the Columbus Symphony Orchestra. 3pm. North Columbus Library; 706-748-2855
22 Friends of Libraries Annual Spring Book Sale. 1:30-5pm. Columbus Library; 24 Pony Bead Party. Ages 5-12. 4pm. Columbus Library; 706-243-2813
24 Teen Crafternoon: Book Beautification. 4:30pm. Columbus Library; 706-2432811
24 Teen Takeover: Anime & Manga Club. 4:30pm. South Columbus Library; 706-6838805
25 Seedling Storytime. 10-11am. $7. Columbus Botanical Garden; 706-327-8400
25 MomCo of First Baptist Church. 6-7:30pm. First Baptist Church, Columbus; odonawhiddon@gmail.com
27 My Teen & Me: Food for the Soul: Dips & DIY. 6pm. North Columbus Library; 706748-2855
27-28 River Dragons Hockey Game. Times vary. Columbus Civic Center; 706653-4460
28 Junior League of Columbus Character Breakfast. 10am-1pm. Tickets required, Columbus Convention & Trade Center; columbusga.jl.org
28 Family Saturday. 10am-Noon. The Columbus Museum; 706-748-2562 ext 6520
28 Mercer School of Medicine Teddy Bear Clinic. 10:30am. South Columbus Library; 706-683-8805
30 Staycation Spring Break Cinema: Lilo & Stitch (PG). Families. 2pm. Columbus Library; 706-243-2813
31 Staycation Spring Break Cinema: The Parent Trap (PG). Families. 2pm. Columbus Library; 706-243-2813
31 Kid’s Art Studio. Ages 5-12. 4pm. Columbus Library; 706-243-2813
31 Open Studio. 10am-Noon. Columbus Museum; 706-748-2562
Weekly
MONDAY
Simple Steps Storytime: Babies & Toddlers. Ages 0-36 mo. 10am. Columbus Library; 706-243-2813
TUESDAY
Story Time with Grammy Trish. 11am. Columbus Bound Bookshop; 706243-1034
THURSDAY
Simple Steps Storytime: Families. Ages 0-5. 10am. Columbus Library; 706-243-2813
Simple Steps Storytime: Families. Ages 0-5. 10am. South Columbus Library; 706683-8805
Toddler Tales. 10am. Barnes & Noble; 706653-7880
Sight Word Support. K-3. 3-5pm. Mildred L. Terry Library; 706-243-2782
LEGOS® in the Library. Families. 3pm. Columbus Library; 706-243-2813
FRIDAY
Simple Steps Storytime: Rhythm & Rhyme. Ages 0-5. 10am. Columbus Library; 706243-2813
27-29 Hairspray: The Broadway Musical. Times vary. $30-$65. Springer Opera House; 706-327-3688
28 Ladonia Spring Festival. 9am-3pm. 24 Woodland Dr, Phenix City; facebook.com
28 Spectacular Science Saturdays. 9am4pm. $5/program. Oxbow Meadows; 706507-8550
Simple Steps Storytime. Babies & Toddlers. Ages 0-24 mo. 10am; Preschoolers. Ages 3-5. 11am. North Columbus Library; 706748-2855
Get On Board With Board Games: Chess & More. Families. 4:30pm. Mildred L. Terry Library; 706-243-2782
WEDNESDAY
Simple Steps Storytime. Ages 0-5. 11am. Mildred L. Terry Library; 706-243-2782
Discovery Hub. Ages 3-5. 11am. Columbus Library; 706-243-2813
Fun Fridays: Storybook Characters. Ages 6-11. 2pm. North Columbus Library; 706748-2855
Please call ahead to confirm event dates, times and age appropriateness, in case changes were made after the info was obtained.
24 Summer Camps & Activities Guide
Summer Camps & Activities Guide
Summer Camps & Activities Guide
A Book Nook
REVIEW: BOY MOM
by Monica Swanson
Ilooked at my son recently - really looked at him - and felt this weight settle in my chest that I've been trying to ignore for years. He's not a little boy anymore. He's becoming a man. And somehow, without me noticing the exact moment it shifted, I stopped being the center of his universe and started being the woman whose voice he'll hear in his head for the rest of his life. When he's choosing how to treat his future wife. When he's deciding what kind of father to be. When he's navigating what it means to be a good man in a world that's confused about what that even looks like. And I realized with terrifying clarity: I have maybe a handful of years left to shape that voice. To give him what he'll need when I'm not there to guide him anymore.
Monica Swanson's "Boy Mom" found me in that realization. She's a mother of four sons; boys who are now men - and she narrates this audiobook with the voice of someone who's been where I am and came out the other side. Not perfectly. Not without mistakes. But with sons who became the kind of men she'd want her daughters to marry, the kind of men the world desperately needs more of. And she's honest about what that took: intentionality, sacrifice, and the willingness to prioritize what her sons needed over what was easy or what everyone else was doing.
Lessons to Learn
1. Your son needs you to teach him what healthy masculinity looks like.
We're raising boys in a culture that's either telling them masculinity is toxic or offering them broken versions of manhood built on dominance, emotional suppression, and violence. Swanson says our sons need us to show them there's a third way: strong but gentle, confident but humble, capable of both protecting and nurturing. They need to see that being a man isn't about never being vulnerable; it's about being strong enough to be vulnerable when it matters.
2. He needs you to let him fail while you're still there to catch him.
Every instinct wants to protect our sons from pain, from failure, from the consequences of their choices. But Swanson is clear: if we rescue them from every hard thing now, we're sending them into adulthood with no resilience, no problem-solving skills, no understanding that failure isn't fatal. Let them fail the test. Let them lose the friendship. Let them face consequences while the stakes are still manageable. Because if they don't learn to fail at twelve, they'll be learning at twenty-five or thirty-five, and the costs will be catastrophic.
3. He's watching how you treat his father. If you're married or co-parenting, your son is absorbing every interaction. How you speak to his dad. Whether you show respect even in disagreement. How you handle conflict. That's his blueprint for how women and men relate to each other. Swanson doesn't sugarcoat this: if we want our sons to treat women with respect, we have to model what respectful partnership looks like. Not perfect. Just real, committed, and honoring even when it's hard.
4. He needs you to stay connected, even when he pulls away.
Somewhere around middle school, boys start withdrawing. They stop talking as much. Stop seeking affection. Start needing space and independence. And our instinct is to give them that space, to back off, to assume they don't need us anymore. But Swanson insists: they still need us desperately. They just need us differently. We have to find new ways to connect through shared activities, through being present without forcing conversation, and through showing up consistently even when they act like they don't care.
5. The world needs good men, and you're raising one.
You see, this isn't only about your son's individual happiness. It's about what kind of husband, father, leader, and human he becomes. The world is desperate for men who are emotionally intelligent, morally grounded, and capable of both strength and tenderness. Men who respect women, who take responsibility, who lead with integrity. That man doesn't just happen. He's raised. By mothers who were intentional about what they were building, even when it was exhausting, even when it meant going against cultural norms, and even when it would have been easier to just let him figure it out on his own.
By Christa Melnyk Hines, Family & Kids
Teens by nature crave independence and privacy. As parents, how far should we go to respect their privacy while still ensuring that they’re making sound decisions? “The goal is for teens to gradually assume more responsibility for their own judgment about things,” says Dr. Rochelle Harris, a clinical psychologist.
Determining how much oversight a tween or teen requires depends on their level of maturity, their friends and their personality. Maturity can vary greatly in the middle school years. Where one tween might not have completely put away her dolls, another might be more keyed into social issues and sexual experimentation —which means you’ll need to have a stronger handle on what’s happening in their social circle.
“Who our kids hang out with will determine who they become,” says Tom Kersting, psychotherapist and author of Disconnected: How to Reconnect Our Digitally Distracted Kids.
As our kids get older, we may be less likely to know their friends’ parents and how much wiggle room they give their kids. While your teen will try to make you feel as if you’re the lone drill sergeant compared to their friends’ parents, stand firm about what you feel is appropriate for your child.
No mysteries.
As soon as your child has access to any digital device, create a “digital citizenship contract” to make your expectations for online behavior and your house rules crystal clear. Establish sensible consequences to help your kids learn from their mistakes. For example, rather than taking away their phone for two months, set tighter limits like less daily phone time and increased oversight from you until they prove they’re responsible enough to handle it.
Besides sleep deprivation, research suggests that the more time a teen spends online, the more likely she’ll experience cyberbullying. A study presented to the American Public Health Association, also found that teens who spend three or more hours a day on social networking sites, were 84 percent more likely to have used illicit drugs and three and a half times more likely to have had sex.
Inquiring Minds Want To Know.
Teens are likely to shut you out if you get too nosy. Instead ask “naive” questions to get them thinking critically about issues they may encounter. For example: “If someone says something nasty and you push ‘like’ on it, does that mean you’re part of that bullying or are you saying you like that person? What does that mean?”
“Use that as an opportunity to talk about the fundamentals of communication,” Dr. Harris says, “such as, don’t text a friend when you’re upset and don’t spread gossip.” And ask if they’d be comfortable with someone they love and respect, like Grandma, seeing what they’ve posted on their Snapchat account.
When to pry.
Tell your kids that you’ll be checking their social media content and text messages. “If kids know that a parent may be looking through their stuff, they’re less likely to get themselves in a pickle somewhere with inappropriate content or private sites,” Kersting says.
Before snooping through their room, talk to your teen to see if you can figure out why he seems troubled. Consult with your child’s physician if you notice changes in behavior, school avoidance, changes in diet or sleep, or withdrawing from favorite activities, family and friends.
Set aside time together.
Carve out 15 to 20 minutes each evening for “mandatory family talk time” that is device-free. Then, at least once a month, let your teen pick an activity to spend one-on-one time with you. If done without device distractions, siblings present, homework to be done, or an activity to rush to, the conversation will flow easier.
“Kids that actually enjoy hanging out with their parents are the ones that all of the research shows are overall better human beings as they progress in terms of their happiness, well-being, self-esteem, achievements and so forth,” said Kersting.
St Francis Emory Healthcare is proud to be the Heart Hospital for Columbus and the Chattahoochee Valley, delivering nationally recognized cardiac care close to home
Our cardiology program earned multiple Heal thgrades® 2026 awards, based on Medicare data evaluating clinical outcomes among more than 4,500 hospitals nationwide placing St. Francis among the top 10% in the nation for coronary interventional procedures
Heal thgrades 2026 Cardiac Care Recognitions include:
Coronary Intervention Excellence Award™
Five-Star Recipient for Coronary Interventional Procedures
Top 10% in the Nation for Coronary Interventional Procedures
We’re also proud to welcome two new cardiothoracic surgeons in 2026 Dr. Patrick Murrah and Dr. Curtis Bryan further strengthening heart care for our community.
Comprehensive heart care Nationally recognized Right here in The Valley
