ChattValley_May26_WEB

MAY 2026

Wise Choices for Moms & Families

2026

See Cover Sponsor Page 7

Unearth A Story! The Summer Reading Challenge begins May 26th!

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Wise Choices for You & Your Family

HOO’s INSPIRED

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A spin on

FamilY Traditions

By Linda Ligon, Family & Kids

W

hen life progresses in a predictable pattern, filled with daily routines and family traditions, it provides kids with a sense of security and belonging. Setting aside time out of your busy schedule for favorite traditions that your kids enjoy is a small way of letting them know you love them. Here are some new traditions that Facebook influencer Arsalan Moin (@psychtreatment) recommends adding to your family’s routine.

Help kids focus on Gratitude The Complaint Jar

Every time someone in your house complains, they put a quarter in the ‘Complaint Jar.’ At the end of the month, use the money for something fun together. Negativity becomes visible, and gratitude becomes profitable. The brain learns ‘What you focus on, you feed.’

Introduce new foods with The One Bite Rule

Start introducing new foods with a ‘one bite with no pressure’ policy. Tell your child that she can spit it out and make a face if she does not like it, but she has to try one bite. Research shows that repeated exposure to new foods without force reduces food anxiety and increases willingness to try new foods. Adventurous eating does not result from forcing your child to try new foods, it comes from low-stakes practice.

Take away the shame from mistakes – The Mistake Celebration

When someone messes up, announce it with fanfare.

“We have a mistake to celebrate!” Then talk about what was learned from the mistake. Standford research shows that reframing failure into a learning experience and evidence of trying reduces shame and increases resilience.

Create a sense of belonging with Cultural Dinner Night

Select a country, try its music, food or words from its language. Newness fires curiosity, and curiosity is one of the brain's safest learning states. Thus, when families explore together, difference feels like connection and the world gets smaller.

Practice generosity with “Trade A Toy” Tradition

Before every birthday or holiday, choose one toy to donate to another child. Making space for something new requires letting go of something old. Research shows that when you practice generosity, it eventually becomes part of who you are and no longer feels like a sacrifice.

Teach Kids to Repair Things – Fix it Friday

One night a week, tackle one broken thing together. It could be a wobbly chair, a door that does not lock properly, anything around the house that needs fixing. Teach kids that broken things do not automatically need to be replaced. They are fixable.

Role Reversal - Freaky Friday

Once a season, swap roles for one evening. The kids set the bedtime, parents ask for snacks. Role reversal builds empathy quickly, faster than any parent lecture on empathy ever could. Kids see how difficult it is to be in charge, and they will understand why they need to respect you and the house rules you have created.

Build momentum with visible success - The Weekly Win Wall

Dedicate a wall or poster board to weekly wins. Everyone writes or draws one thing they are proud of. Visible success creates momentum, and then your child’s brain starts scanning for more wins to add. As a result, achievement stops being random. It becomes a pattern your kids build on purpose.

Teach kids how to entertain themselves with The Boredom Rule

Every time your child says she is bored, enforce twenty minutes of doing absolutely nothing. This means a screen-free time during which she has to sit and figure out how to entertain herself. This teaches your child that under-stimulation is not punishment. Rather, it is the birthplace of great ideas.

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Wise Choices for You & Your Family

Where to Find HOO? Check your local kid-friendly doctors, dentists, attractions, retail shops & restaurants; or see our interactive distro map at: familyandkidsga.com/get-a-copy

TO SUBMIT AD OR EVENT: Tammy Usie, Publisher tammy@familyandkidsga.com 253-212-7270 FamilyAndKidsGA

www.FamilyAndKidsGA.com

www.FamilyAndKidsGA.com

HOO’s PICKS

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Take a Mom’s

‘Time Out’ In collaboration with @ColGaWithKids

E

very mom deserves time to relax, connect with friends, and recharge.

Whether you have a free morning or a full evening, here are some fun ways to enjoy a well-earned break.

stickers, stamps, and other artistic projects. It’s a welcoming environment for beginners and seasoned crafters alike, with a focus on fun, connection, and making something meaningful.

Mahjong Meetups (columbus.bamgoodtime.com) Join Mahjong with BAM Good Time for a fun, social experience. You can also play Midweek Mahjong on Wednesdays at Parker’s Pantry (9:30–11:30 AM, $5) or “Monday at the Garden” at the Columbus Botanical Gardens (9:30– 11:30 AM, $5 members / $10 nonmembers).

Outings & Entertainment Plan a night out at RiverCenter (rivercenter.org) for concerts and events or enjoy a live performance at the Springer Opera House (springeroperahouse. org). It’s a great way to share a memorable experience with friends.

Paint & Create Get creative with a visit to Let’s Paint (letspainttoday2.com), where you can enjoy canvas painting, pottery painting, or pottery throwing classes. For a more casual experience, Bareware Pottery (bareware-pottery-craft-studiollc.square.site) offers a relaxed, drop-in setting for pottery painting, along with select pottery throwing classes—perfect for crafting and chatting with friends.

Stickers & Stamp Crafting (stickerandstampcolumbus.com) Spend a cozy, creative outing at Sticker & Stamp, a Midtown craft shop that focuses on creativity and community. This unique space offers hands-on crafting classes and workshops where you can experiment with journaling,

Dinner with Friends Revisit your favorite date-night restaurants (familyandkidsga.com/just-4parents/date-night-in-columbus-ga) with your mom crew. Dress up, slow down, and enjoy uninterrupted conversation over a great meal.

Spa & Relaxation Unwind with a spa visit at Callaway Resort and Gardens (callawaygardens. com), the Spa at Grand National in Opelika (rtjspatrail.com/spa/the-spaat-grand-national), or Caravails Day Spa (caravailsdayspa.com). A massage, facial, or manicure is the perfect way to recharge.

No matter what you choose, taking time for yourself helps you return refreshed and ready for the week ahead.

find your MOM VILLAGE In collaboration with @ColGaWithKids

HOO’s PICKS

M

otherhood can sometimes feel isolating, but finding your “village” can make all the difference. Whether you’re looking for friendship, support, fitness, or educational resources, the Columbus area offers a variety of mom groups to help you connect, grow, and thrive alongside other families.

Whether you’re a new mom, a seasoned parent, or somewhere in between, there’s a group below that’s ready to welcome you. So pack up the diaper bag, grab the stroller, or just come as you are—your community is waiting.

The MomCo: Connection, Encouragement & Community

The MomCo (formerly MOPS) brings moms together in a welcoming, supportive environment. Each group offers a mix of meaningful conversations, encouragement, and time to recharge. With multiple meeting locations and times, there’s an option for nearly every schedule. (themom.co) • CityScape MomCo • 1st & 3rd Fridays | 9-11am /// MomCo of First Baptist Church Columbus • 2nd & 4th Wednesdays (Sept–May) | 5:45–7:15pm • MomCo at St. Luke Church • 1st & 3rd Thursdays | 10-12pm /// Fort Benning MomCo • 2nd & 4th Tuesdays (mornings) or Wednesdays (evenings) 9-11am or 6–7:30pm

Fitness + Friendship: Moving Together

These groups combine exercise with community. iStroll Ft Benning (istroll.co/fort-benning): A 60-minute, high-energy stroller workout designed by athletes for parents. Expect a mix of running, strength training, and fun, while your little one comes along for the ride.

S.L.A.M. Sweat Like a Mother (sweatlikeamother.com/columbus): More than just a workout, it’s a global community of moms lifting each other up, literally and figuratively. It offers playgroups for kids, moms’ night-out, fun challenges and races, plus social events and outings.

Support for Homeschool Families LIGHT Homeschool Support Group (homeschoollight.com): LIGHT provides a strong network rooted in encouragement and shared resources. This Christian-based group offers curriculum guidance, group activities and field trips, legislative updates, plus prayer and community support.

Care for New Moms St. Francis Emory Healthcare’s Breastfeeding Support Group (addevent.com/ event/KO26008669): Open to all moms, no matter where your baby was born.

This welcoming group provides a safe space to ask questions, share experiences, and receive guidance. Babies are always welcome, and support is always judgment-free. Every Thursday | 9:30–11am

NEw KIDS

Wise Choices for You & Your Family

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HOO’s NEWS

By Linda Ligon, Family & Kids

Opens L

ast month, the Columbus Parks and Recreation Department held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Kids Bike Park at Dinglewood Park, located at the intersection of 13th Street and Warren Williams Rd in Columbus.

The park is designed to help kids develop cycling skills in a safe, fun environment. Once kids have built their cycling skills, there are many cycling opportunities in the Columbus area, including the Dragonfly Trail and the Standing Boy Trails, where kids can enjoy using what they have learned.

Cycling is a fun family activity that gets kids outdoors and away from screens and is great exercise for everyone in the family. It is a low impact activity that helps build lower body and core strength and helps maintain bone health without placing a large amount of stress on joints.

At the Dinglewood Kids Bike Park, young children learning to ride can try out their bikes on the toddler track, which is a kid-oriented loop trail that is designed to feel like a fun playground. A skills

track allows kids of all experience levels to work on their biking skills and has features such as skinnies (narrow features you balance on while riding down them), rolling ramps, a trail and ladder bridges.

The bike park also includes a pump track. A pump track is a type of bike path that allows the rider to gain speed and momentum through body movements rather than from pedaling. It consists of a series of rollers and berms. A roller is a series of smooth, rounded small hills built into the straight sections of the track. Rollers are used to generate speed by a ‘pumping’ technique, where the rider unweights their bike over the top and pushes down on the bike in the troughs. A berm is a banked, curved corner that has a high outer wall. Berms provide support and traction for the rider and allow the rider to maintain high speed. The Dinglewood Kids Bike Park has both a modular pump track that is a looped sequence of 2 to 4 foot rollers and berms, as well as a liner pump track.

For more info, visit parks.columbusga.gov

www.FamilyAndKidsGA.com

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Wise Choices for You & Your Family

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Summer Reading

HOO’s learning

By Sal Woessner Chattahoochee Valley Libraries

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he Chattahoochee Valley Libraries’ 2026 Summer Reading Challenge, “Unearth a Story,” invites readers of all ages to dive into books and log their reading—on their own or together with family—to help the community reach an exciting goal of 2.6 million minutes read. Along the way, participants can earn fun prizes just by keeping track of their reading.

is back!

and earn prizes—all in one convenient place. Paper reading logs are also available at any Library branch.

To kick things off, area Libraries are hosting Beanstack Bonanza, a special early registration event throughout the month of May. Sign up during Beanstack Bonanza and enjoy a sweet reward—a packet of jellybeans! Packets are available only while supplies last, limited to Summer reading is more than just a fun way to pass the time; it’s a cru- one per registered family member, and must be picked up in person at a cial way for kids to keep their minds active during the months away library branch—so be sure to stop by early! from school. Research shows that reading over the summer helps children maintain and even improve their vocabulary, critical thinking, and How It Works: reading comprehension skills. Most importantly, cultivating a habit of • Download the Beanstack app. reading during the summer nurtures a lifelong love of learning, helping • Register for the 2026 Summer Reading Challenge! children see books not just as schoolwork, but as a source of excitement • Stop by any Chattahoochee Valley Libraries branch. and adventure!

• Pick up your jellybeans!

To make tracking reading simple, participants can use Beanstack, a digital reading platform accessible from most smartphones and tablets via For more information about all the exciting programs and events hapthe mobile app, or from any computer or laptop with an internet connec- pening this summer, participants can visit their local Library or go online tion. Beanstack makes it easy to log reading minutes, monitor progress, at cvlga.org

HOO’s HEALTHY

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (or IBD) is a group of diseases that cause chronic inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract and includes disorders such as Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative colitis (UC). IBD occurs when healthy tissue in the gastrointestinal tract is mistakenly attacked by the immune system. It is not known why this occurs, but researchers have found evidence that may suggest a connection between IBD and certain gene mutations.

When someone has Crohn’s disease, ulcers can appear in any part of the GI tract, anywhere from the mouth to the rectum.

However, it typically involves sores appearing in the upper part of the large intestine and in the small intestine. A patient with UC will typically have sores that start in the rectum and spread to the colon.

Symptoms of IBD generally include intense stomach pain and cramps, fatigue, diarrhea, blood in the stool and unintended weight loss. While IBD symptoms usually first appear between the ages of 18-35, the first symptoms can appear at any age.

When IBD affects children, it is sometimes called very early onset IBD.

By Linda, Ligon, Family & Kids

WhaIBDt is: The symptoms of IBD often follow a ‘flare up and remission’ pattern, where the symptoms last for weeks or months but then disappear or become less severe, only to flare up some time later. A combination of tests is used to diagnose IBD. • Colonoscopy is the primary test used to view the entire colon and can also be used to view parts of the small intestine. During the procedure, a sample of tissue may be taken to send for biopsy. Other types of endoscopy tests may also be ordered.

• Blood tests look for signs of infection, anemia or signs of inflammation. IBD causes anemia through intestinal blood loss.

• Stool tests are used to differentiate between IBD and other conditions such as IBS. • Imaging studies may also be ordered.

IBD is a chronic lifelong disease that can sometimes lead to serious complications, such as colon cancer. Treatment for IBD includes medications, dietary changes and sometimes surgery, with the goal being to put IBD in remission.

RESOURCE: https://bit.ly/46qmUZi

www.FamilyAndKidsGA.com EDUCATION/CARE GUIDE

To feature your school option, call Tammy 253-212-7270 or email tammy@ familyandkidsga.com.

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Wise Choices for You & Your Family

www.FamilyAndKidsGA.com

HOO’s PARENTING11 11

Superpowers

That Build Resilience

By Susie Olive-Allison, LPC, Pastoral Institute

F

rom pandemics to protests to getting into middle school with their besties, monsters aren’t confined to the space under the bed anymore.

Worries are part of normal child development. Persistent, overwhelming worries can turn into monsters threatening academic, social, and emotional well-being. Identifying worries is fairly easy, but keeping these worries from becoming anxiety monsters can prove challenging.

Practicing deep breathing, relaxation techniques, and flexible thinking with children helps them prepare for inevitable worries. When problems arise, help them challenge negative thought patterns (e.g., “I can’t” or “it’s too hard”) by teaching them to question whether their thoughts are true or helpful. Equip them with tools to face fears rather than offering a way out. Successfully managing challenges reinforces confidence and resilience.

Research consistently shows that protective factors reduce the likelihood of children developing chronic anxiety by helping them effectively manage their worries. Think of protective factors as superpowers helping build resilience and healthy emotional development. So, what are these superpowers? And how do we get them?

While they’re trying new things, predictable, structured environments provide a safe framework for working within expectations and boundaries.

Consistent routines for sleep, meals, school, and family time help children feel secure and reduce uncertainty.

Children are less likely to perceive ordinary situations as threatening or overwhelming when daily life feels stable and predictable.

The most powerful protective factor is having secure, supportive relationships with caregivers.

Feeling safe, understood, and valued by a trusted adult equips children to manage stress. Consistent, emotionally available caregivers help children learn to tolerate and work through difficult feelings. Even when experiencing challenges away from home, knowing a trusted adult will listen and offer guidance can decrease anxiety.

Relationships also provide opportunities for emotion-focused guidance. Children learn by watching and mimicking others. Caregivers who help children identify, label, and talk about their feelings provide tools for understanding emotions. Rather than dismissing a child or telling them to “stop worrying,” validate their concern and offer suggestions on ways they can cope. When adults model problem-solving and healthy emotional expression, children learn how to manage big emotions.

Encourage autonomy and mastery. Provide opportunities for children to try new things, solve problems independently, and take age-appropriate risks. Participation in sports, arts, academic teams, and hobbies fosters a sense of self-efficacy. This sense of capability can reduce feelings of helplessness that often accompany anxiety.

Problem-solving and coping skills are behaviors and strategies that prepare us for challenges.

Positive social connections outside the family also strengthen resilience. Supportive social, academic, spiritual, and cultural environments offer a sense of belonging and acceptance. Cultivating safe relationships provides opportunities for emotional support, cooperation, and the practice of social skills. Communicate with teachers, coaches, mentors, and other parents about your child’s challenges and strengths to build a team that responds to your child’s emotional needs, reinforcing a sense of safety and competence.

Healthy lifestyle habits like adequate sleep, physical activity, and nutrition, and reasonable limits on screen time, support both physical and emotional regulation. Children can better handle stress and emotional challenges when their bodies are well-regulated.

Finally, as they develop new superpowers, teach them the magic of “yet.” If they express frustration with skills and strategies by saying “I don’t know how,” answer with “yet.” Remind them that honing superpowers takes time and practice.

Helping children with worries is less about vanquishing monsters and more about creating safe spaces where they can build resilience, develop coping skills, and experience supportive relationships. When these protective factors are present, children are better equipped to navigate life’s uncertainties and grow into emotionally healthy adults.

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HOO’s Fun

Wise Choices for You & Your Family

www.FamilyAndKidsGA.com

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Kids receive FREE ENTRY into CBG

May 22nd - August 31st

CHILDREN’S BIRTHDAY PARTIES at Columbus Botanical Garden

Book your birthday party today! columbusbotanicalgarden.org

3 hours of reserved space 20-minute staff-led activity Multiple party packages available

FUN & INTERACTIVE PARTY THEMES! BUG BONANZA

POLLINATOR PARTY ENCHANTED GARDEN AMPHIBIAN SUMMER SPLASH DIY PARTY!

May 30th, 2026 9:00am - 4:00pm Daylily Show: 1:30pm Daylily Class | Daylily & Garden Vendors | Arts & Craft Vendors | Food Truck Presented by: The Chattahoochee Valley Daylily Society Adults: $10 CBG Members: $5 Kids: FREE

3603 Weems Road, Columbus, GA 31909 | ColumbusBotanicalGarden.org

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Wise Choices for You & Your Family

www.FamilyAndKidsGA.com

Dining Deals for Kids

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

MONDAY

Thursday

Sapo’s

Tuesday's Street Tacos & Burritos

5pm until close: free kid's meal with adult entrée, dine in only

tuesday

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 Kid's meals half off with adult entrée

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

Bruster’s Ice Cream

Crumbl Free mini cookie with purchase of regular cookie

Tammy@familyandkidsga.com

4-10pm: Up to two free kids entrées with adult entrée for kids 10 and under

everyday

Your Pie

Let us know and we can promote it here for free to 20K local parents monthly.

Email it to us at:

friday Denny’s

Denny’s

Does your restaurant have a special offer for kids?!

Free kids meal with adult purchase; dine-in only

Kids under 40” get free baby cone

McAlister’s Kid’s meals are $2.79 with dine-in order

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.

May

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2 Peachy Spring Fling. 11am. The 6 5th Annual Mother’s Day Tea Party. 12 Simple Steps: Play. Ages 0-5.

Peach Shoppe & Co; Facebook.com 6-8pm. $45. RSVP. Hudson’s at Main; 706- 10am. North Columbus Library; 706-7482855 2 Columbus PorchFest & After-Party. 507-5384 Noon-9pm. Historic District & Chatta- 7 Sight Word Support. Grades K-3. 12 After School Art Break. 2:30hoochee Promenade; columbusporchfest.com

3-5pm. RSVP. Mildred L. Terry Library; 706-243-2782

4:30pm. Columbus Museum; 706-7482562

0-5. $5/family. Columbus Botanical Garden, 706-327-8400

& Sun 2pm. RiverCenter; 706-649-7243

5pm. Free. National Civil War Naval Museum; 706-527-7365

Columbus Library; 706-243-2813

327-3688

10am. Columbus Library; 706-243-2813

2 8 Midland Commons Concert Series, 12 Kid’s Art Studio. Ages 5-12. 4pm.

"The Active Ingredients." 6-10pm. 6835 Columbus Library; 706-243-2813 2 Symphony on the Sand. 5pm. Calla- Midland Commons Blvd; 706-987-3723 14 Sight Word Support. Grades K-3. way Gardens; 800-CALLAWAY 9Mother's Day Needle Felting Work- 3-5pm. RSVP. Mildred L. Terry Library; 10am-3pm. $5 + museum admis- 706-243-2782 2 Astronomy Night. 8pm. Coca-Cola shop. sion; Historic Westville; 706-221-9330 Space Science Ctr; facebook.com 15 Family Saturday at the Museum.

9 Second Saturday Tour. 11am. Historic 10am-Noon. Columbus Museum; 7062-3 X-Marks the Spot. 11- Westville; 706-221-9330 748-2562 ext 6520 11:30am. Springer Opera House; 706327-3688 9 CROSSROADS Folk Art Festival 2026. 17 Columbus Lions Indoor Football 10am-6pm. Rose Hill Heights Park; co- Game. 7-10pm. Columbus Civic Center; 2-3 Annual Spring Cotton Fair. lumbuscollectivemuseums.com ticketmaster.com 8am-5pm. Gay; thecottonfair.com 9 Columbus Children’s Book Festival. 19 Pony Bead Party. Ages 5-12. 4pm.

3 Annual Uptown Columbus Strut 10-3pm.

Columbus Library; 706-243-2689 Columbus Library; 706-243-2813 the Hooch Parade. 11am-1:30pm . 1100 Block of Broadway; visitcolumbusga.com 9 19th Annual Picnic in the Garden. 19 Teen Takeover: Anime & Manga Hills & Dales Estate, La- Club. 4:30pm. South Columbus Library; 4 Teen Takeover: Movie Mondays. 2pm. 11am-2pm.

Grange; 706-882-3242 706-683-8805 South Columbus Library; 706-683-8805 9 Midland Mix Market. 11am. Midland 22-24 Masters Water Ski & 5 Simple Steps: Play. Ages 0-5. 10am. Commons; facebook.com Wakeboard Tournament. Callaway GarNorth Columbus Library; 706-748-2855 dens; 800-CALLAWAY Voices of the Valley Chil5 Little Sprouts. 10am & 2:30pm. Ages 9-10 dren’s Chorus “Peace Seekers.” Sat 7pm 23 Bugs on the Hooch 2026. 8amSimple Step: Play. Ages 0-5. 10am.

Columbus Library; 706-243-2813

9-10 X-Marks the Spot. 115 Pony Bead Party. Ages 5-12. 4pm. 11:30am.

Springer Opera House; 706- 23 Simple Step: Play. Ages 0-5.

Events

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Midland Commons Concert Series, "Relative Sound." 6-10pm. 6835 Midland Commons Blvd; 706-987-3723

Time with Grammy Trish. 11am. Co30 Barks & Blues Music Festival. Story 26 Teen Crafternoon Cinema. 2pm. 3-10pm. $10. Woodruff Riverfront Park; lumbus Bound Bookshop; 706-243-1034 Columbus Library; 706-243-2811 706-565-0035 26 Crafty Kids: Dinosaur Masks.

THURSDAY

Ages 6-11. 2pm. South Columbus Library; 706-683-8805

26 Kid’s Art Studio. Ages 5-12. 4pm.

Columbus Library; 706-243-2813 28 Seedling Storytime. 10am. $5-

$7. Ages 0-2. Columbus Botanical Garden; 706-327-8400

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Teen Crafternoon: You Had To Be There. 2pm. Columbus Library; 706-2432811

Weekly Events MONDAY

Simple Steps Storytime: Babies & Toddlers.

Ages 0-36 mo. 10am. Columbus Public Library; 706-243-2813 (Not 5/25)

28 Rock ‘N’Roar! A Summer Discov- TUESDAY Simple Steps Storytime. Babies & Toddlers. ery Series. Ages 6-11. 3pm. North Columbus Library; 706-748-2855

Simple Steps Storytime: Families. Ages 0-5.

10am. Columbus Public Library; 706-2432813 Simple Steps Storytime: Families. Ages 0-5.

11am. South Columbus Library; 706-6838805 LEGOS® in the Library. Families. 4pm. Columbus Public Library; 706-243-2813

FRIDAY

Simple Steps Storytime: Rhythm & Rhyme.

Ages 0-5. 10am. Columbus Public Library; 706-243-2813

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Ages 0-24 mo. 10am; Preschoolers. Ages 3-5. 11am. North Columbus Library; 706748-2855. (Not 5/5th, 5/12th )

Friday Night Concert Series. 6-9pm. HIgh Side Market; alwaysuptown.com

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Get On Board With Board Games: Chess & More. Families. 4:30pm. Mildred L. Terry Library; 706-243-2782

Market Days. 9am-Noon. 900, 1000 & 1100 blocks of Broadway; uptowncolumbusga. com

Uno, Dos, Tres Crafts! Ages 4-8.

3pm. Mildred L. Terry Library; 706-2432782 Grannycore Summer: Puzzles & Games. Families. 4pm. Columbus Library; 706-243-2813

WEDNESDAY

Simple Steps Storytime. Ages 0-5. 11am.

Mildred L. Terry Library; 706-243-2782

30 Hub. Ages 3-5. 11am. Columbus 30 Spring Closet Cleanout. Discovery Public Library; 706-243-2813

Simple Step: Play. Ages 0-5.

10am. Columbus Library; 706-243-2813 11am-3pm. Columbus Trade Center; 706.327.4522

SATURDAY

Please call ahead to confirm event dates, times and age appropriateness, in case changes were made after the info was obtained.

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2026

Make History With Us at Camp NIM!

www.FamilyAndKidsGA.com

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REGISTER ONLINE FOR SUMMER ‘25 26 Choose from 1 & 2-week sessions and Mother-Daughter Weekends!

BEST OF PARENTING 2024 NASHVILLE

WINNER

EMPOWERING GIRLS TO BECOME LEADERS We invite her to reconnect with nature, while enjoying a supportive team atmosphere that nurtures leadership, encouragement, and friendships that will last a lifetime!

• Riding - English, Western, & Jumping • Swimming • Heated Pool • Ropes Course • Climbing Tower • Nature Exploration • Sports • Soccer • Basketball • Gymnastics • Beach Volleyball • Tennis • Canoeing • Archery • Knitting • Voice & Music • Cheerleading • Dance • Chorus • Drama • Arts & Crafts • CIT Program • Campfires every night • Riverview Refinement & More! www.riverviewcamp.com 256-634-4043

Susan & Larry Hooks, Owners & Directors Donna Bares, Assistant Director

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Summer Camps & Activities

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Wise Choices for You & Your Family

www.FamilyAndKidsGA.com

PRESCHOOL

& SPECIAL NEEDS

June 15-19 9AM - 12PM

KINDERGARTEN -FIFTH GRADE

June 22-26 9AM - 12PM

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Summer Camps & Activities

BEST SUMMER CAMP Summer camp is more than just fun, it’s where kids build lasting friendships, celebrate achievements, and discover a place they can truly belong. Guided by trusted staff, campers can look forward to:

SWIMMING

SPORTS OUTDOOR PLAY

SIGNUP TODAY

ARTS & CRAFTS

JOHN P. THAYER: MAY 26TH - JULY 31ST $75 REGISTRATION FEE MEMBER: $110 NON-MEMBER $135

FIELD TRIPS & MORE!

D.A TURNER MAY 26TH - JULY 31ST $75 REGISTRATION FEE MEMBERS $110 NON-MEMBERS $135

A.J MCCLUNG: MAY 26TH - JULY 31ST $50 REGISTRATION FEE $90 WEEKLY FEE THIS LOCATION ONLY

Summer Camp Series! camps are designed for ages 3-8 years old. Visit our website to learn more!

Enroll Now for a summer of fun & dance! prodigydancecentrega.com

706.221.5566

Summer Camps & Activities

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Summer Camps & Activities

BROOKSTONE SUMMER 2026 REGISTRATION OPENS SOON! SAVE THE DATE! WEEK 1 JUNE 1 - 4 WEEK 2 JUNE 8 - 11 WEEK 3 JUNE 15 - 18 WEEK 4 JUNE 22 - 25

COUGAR CUBS AGES 3-5 9:00AM -12:00PM | $140/WEEK EARLY DROP OFF AVAILABLE AT 8:30AM

CAMP B

RISING 2ND GRADERS - RISING 5TH GRADERS 8:30AM -12:30PM | $160/WEEK

CAMP B EXTENDED 12:30 - 3:00PM | $180/WEEK

MUST BRING OWN LUNCH FOR EXTENDED CAMPS

COUGAR KIDS RISING KINDERGARTEN - RISING 1ST GRADERS 9:00AM -12:00PM | $160/WEEK EARLY DROP OFF AVAILABLE AT 8:30AM

CAMP B MIDDLE SCHOOL

RISING 6TH GRADERS - RISING 8TH GRADERS 1:00PM -3:30PM | $200/WEEK

SCAN QR CODE TO LEARN MORE!

Summer Camps & Activities

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Summer Camps & Activities Wise Choices for You & Your Family

Summer Camps & Activities www.FamilyAndKidsGA.com

YOUTH ORCHESTRA OF GREATER COLUMBUS PRESENTS

SUMMER STRING CAMP

ENRICHING SUMMER EXPERIENCE FOR LOCAL STRING PLAYERS AGES 8-18

ACTIVITIES

Daily fiddling sessions w/ guest artist

Free final concert in RiverCenter’s Legacy Hall Daily sectionals w/ music educators Practice performing from memory

Daily orchestra & chamber rehearsals Improvisation instruction

CAMP INFO: Camp Days: June 1-5 Final Concert: June 6

900 Broadway, Columbus

$300 per student (Scholarships available)

706-256-3614 | info@yogc.org www.yogc.org/summercamp

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HOO’s PARENTING

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By Linda Ligon, Family & Kids

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How to teach your teen to repair friendships

Why it is hard for teens to repair friendships

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Model this behavior yourself. It is hard to have to go through the uncomfortable process of admitting to someone you made a mistake. When your kids see you do this skillfully, they will understand that it is not a sign of weakness but rather a sign of strong character to admit a mistake and apologize. When you apologize, make sure you use wording that helps the apology sound sincere and meaningful.

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Emphasize that apologizing to a friend does not mean you are ‘giving up and letting them win.’ When you are trying to repair a friendship, you are not trying to assign blame and determine who ‘won’ and who ‘lost’ the dispute. Instead, the apology is an opportunity to say you are sorry for your action, discuss feelings and then move forward with repairing the friendship.

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Healing a relationship takes time. Help your kids understand that just because they apologize to a friend, it does not mean the relationship will immediately return to normal. When trust has been betrayed and feelings hurt, it is going to take time to gain the friend’s trust back. It takes work from everyone involved to repair a relationship, and it requires empathy and a willingness to listen to others to heal the hurt feelings.

hen teens have a falling out with friends or a disagreement with a family member, they need to know how to take the necessary steps to repair the relationship and move forward. Unlike small kids, who will quickly apologize for infractions such as taking a toy away from a friend but then resume playing as if nothing had happened, teens are very self-conscious and worry about what others think of them. This can make repairing friendships difficult.

Parents and teachers start trying to teach kids to resolve conflicts from an early age by forcing an apology. For small kids, saying something like ‘Taking that toy was not nice, how would that make you feel?' Tell him you are sorry works quite nicely. Small kids do not have the fear of feeling judged by their peers like teens do. To teens, admitting a mistake will make their peers think less of them, and it seems better to just walk away from a damaged friendship rather than risking embarrassment by apologizing and admitting their mistakes.

Also, when a conflict with a friend arises, teens tend to get highly emotional and reactive, making it difficult to think clearly about what is going on. A teen may easily misunderstand something a friend said and overreact to it, escalating the situation and leading to words being said on both sides that were inappropriate. The conversation may turn into an angry exchange, where the teens argue and try to assign blame instead of trying to repair the relationship and moving forward.

Unfortunately, apologizing is often seen even by adults as a sign of weakness or as conceding to the other person and telling them that they have ‘won’ the dispute.

However, apologizing is actually a way for your child to show that he has integrity and is willing to take responsibility for his own actions.

As parents, we hope our teen will grow to be an adult who has integrity and can successfully maintain relationships with others by apologizing for mistakes and then working to repair the relationship. Here are some ways to help your child take responsibility for his own behavior and take the first step towards mending a damaged relationship by apologizing.

www.FamilyAndKidsGA.com

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