Columbus Junior Cotillion and Pre-Cotillion teaches manners and etiquette classes for students in grades 2nd-12th.
Pre-Cotillion of East Alabama and Greater Columbus current 2nd-4th graders
Columbus Junior Cotillion and High School Cotillion current 5th-12th graders
Felix Brackin
of Lucas and Kayla Brackin Phenix City
Son
Noah Manning-Hunter, age 10, is looking studious for the first day of school. He is the son of Tifany Manning-Hunter and Mark Hunter of Columbus.
by
What
photos
Ker-Fox Photography
IPARENT to Parent
have self-diagnosed myself with white rabbit anxiety. That impending feeling that ‘I’m late, I’m late!’ As the new school year looms on the horizon, I’ve graduated from backpack and school supply shopping to the logistics of college dorm room and apartment outfitting. Is this how Alice felt falling down the rabbit hole?
The story of Alice in Wonderland is one for the ages. Watching The Springer’s wonderful adaptation of the story under the fabulous direction of Ben Redding, I find myself curiouser and curiouser that the story continues to morph and adapt as a play that still has appeal for the youth of today. I hope you went to watch and joined in on the fun! The classic story is one close to my heart. As a child in England, I was fascinated that it’s author, Lewis Carroll (whose real name was Charles Lutwidge Dodgson), was born in a small church close to my hometown in Cheshire. During later renovations, the stained glass windows were replaced to depict scenes from his stories, and an annual fair was held in the grounds of the church where an ‘Alice’ was chosen and crowned with a blue headband. The only direct reference to his time spent as a young boy at the church where his father was the Reverend is the idiom, ‘to smile like a Cheshire cat.’
We’re delighted to feature this year’s Muscogee County School District’s Teacher of the Year, Amanda Zarate. With a passion for the arts and an adaptable classroom and flexible curriculum, Amanda truly meets her students where they are, boosting confidence and engagement in the classroom. Read all about her journey from army tank mechanic to being selected as the 2025 Teacher of the Year.
Whichever stage of school you’re preparing your children for, I’m sending my wishes for a fun-filled, more of a Cheshire cat experience. We’ve featured articles to help you plan—from breakfast suggestions to sorting out your child’s stuff to make the transition to the school year routine easier.
Wishing all of our readers and families a wonderful school year and enjoy the remains of your summer holidays!
Send your events to info@columbusandthevalley.com.
Book NOOK
by Khristina Gallagher
A new school year can be exciting and intimidating. No matter if your kid needs a reminder you’ll be there at the end of the day or a laugh to keep them going—there’s a book for that.
AGES 3-7
Llama Llama Misses Momma by
Anna Dewdney
Everyone’s favorite rhyming llama is back to help young readers identify the feelings of being scared and soothe them with a reminder that momma will be back to pick them up at the end of the day.
AGES 3-7
Zebra and Yak the Backwards Alphabet Book by Paul
Friedrich
This unconventional ABC book introduces readers to outspoken Zebra and Yak who are just as surprised as we are to find themselves at the beginning of a book about the alphabet. These two narrators take us from Z to A –apple thinking he was needed next week. This one is sure to make YOU and your little one giggle.
AGES 7-10
Supa Nova by Chanté
Timothy
Get excited about science with this full color graphic novel where young Nova has a secret underground lab! Ready to take on the world’s plastic consumption problems, Nova creates a plastic-eating monster only for things to get a little out of hand when it stops eating and growing. Will Supa Nova be able to save the day—and the planet?
AGES 8-12
Return to Sender by Vera
Brosgol
10-year-old Oliver moves into a new apartment and new start. He starts a fancy new private school where Oliver is the odd kid out because he’s not rich like the other students. Wishing his life was easier, he writes a letter and slips it into a mysterious mail slot and suddenly things change. All his wildest wishes come true. But is it too good to be true?
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.
BUILDING COMMUNITY One Lesson at a Time
by Frank Etheridge
A mom and former Army tank mechanic, Amanda Zarate is the 2025 Muscogee County School District Teacher of the Year
Amanda Zarate has a good explanation as to why she didn’t come up with a special plan for her classroom after she learned a Muscogee Educational Excellence Foundation (MEEF) committee was coming to observe her as one of three finalists for its Teacher of the Year (TOTY) award for 2025.
“My first few years of teaching, I put so much pressure on myself to do what everybody else thought I should do,” the Wynnton Arts Academy drama teacher said from her classroom—quiet on a Monday afternoon during summer break and empty of students except for her son, Liam, a rising middle schooler accepted into Rainey-McCullers School of the Arts.“There’s a lot of pressure to do all the right things as far as what’s the latest, greatest thing out there. And it changes every few months, that latest, greatest thing you should be doing as a teacher.”
A former Army tank mechanic now entering her ninth year as an educator, Zarate was asked over and over what she planned to do when representatives from MEEF—the nonprofit that facilitates the prestigious annual award, one of many programs serving its core belief that “there’s nothing more important to our community’s future than strengthening our public schools”—came to watch her in action. “I told them, ‘I’m going to do what I always
do. I’m going to be there with the kids, and we’re going to have fun.’”
Having earned both a bachelor and masters degree in education from Columbus State University—and projected to complete her doctorate in curriculum instruction in spring 2026—Zarate has learned that what works best for teaching her K-5 students, and in particular her “kinder-babies,” the group the MEEF committee observed, is to focus on the root element of theater—the story.
“We’re setting them up to learn lengthier stories, but to set the foundation and make it simple, digestible for the kids in kindergarten, you have to use what vocabulary is appropriate for
them,” Zarate explains. “We were doing a lesson on sequencing—beginning, middle, end. And what does every good story have?
A beginning, middle and end. And what’s a cool, simple story to teach that lesson?
The Itsy Bitsy Spider.”
But as every teacher knows, Zarate says with a knowing smile, things rarely go as planned.
“We start with a drama activity to get everybody’s energy up and moving,” she recalls of the morning MEEF observed her kindergarten class, “and we’re talking about what sequencing means and I had a YouTube video of Itsy Bitsy Spider with awesome graphics ready to go, but as soon as I tell them what the story is, they’re all like, ‘Oh, we already know that one’”
“They wanted to start singing right away,” she continues. “So instead of showing the story, we sang it. That’s not what I was hoping for, but we acted it out and identified what happens in the beginning, the middle and the end. We all take turns telling the story, so we’re building community as we’re learning that lesson.”
Zarate says she didn’t look at the MEEF reps who came to her classroom because she was afraid that, if she did, she would start performing. “I didn’t want to
perform,” she remembers. “I wanted to be with the kids, so I avoided all eye contact with the judges. And I’m looking at all the kids, and we’re having fun. It’s not going according to plan, but they’re still engaged. They’re with me.”
Educational Excellence in Muscogee County
To date, MEEF has distributed more than $3.3 million to Muscogee County School District teachers to reward and recognize innovative, effective approaches through financial incentives in the TOTY program, the MEEF Grant program, the MEEF Endowment Fund, the STEM T3 program, the Harvard Fellows program and the Buntin Scholars Program. The MCSD TOTY is given a framed certificate at the awards gala at the Convention & Trade Center in May along with placement on an OUTFRONT Media digital billboard and $5,000 honorarium.
Tasha Morman, a fifth-grade teacher at St. Mary’s Road Magnet Academy, was TOTY in 2023 and part of the MEEF selection committee that observed Zarate’s classroom. This year’s winner “is the type of teacher who creates a classroom where
every student feels safe to be themselves, express their emotions, and grow—not just as performers, but as people,” Mormon says of Zarate. “As a theater teacher, Amanda goes far beyond the stage—using theater as a vessel to teach her students everything from communication and collaboration, to confidence and critical thinking.”
Zarate has several signs she created posted in her classroom including one for drama class.
Expectations:
Demonstrate body control
Respect the space and environment
Always show theatre etiquette
Make good choices
Always raise your hand
“When we take our students out to assemblies and performances in the community, we always hear compliments on them,” says Jackie Mumpower, principal of Wynnton Arts Academy. “They ask, ‘How are they so well behaved?’ It’s because they’re taught to sit still, to be quiet, to clap and laugh when it’s appropriate.”
Mumpower calls it the ‘Wynnton Way’ and credits Zarate for teaching such life skills to her students. “Amanda does such a fantastic job of teaching the whole
“As a theatre teacher, Amanda goes far beyond the stage—using theater as a vessel to teach her students everything from communication and collaboration, to confidence and critical thinking.”
-Tasha Morman
child,” Mumpower says. “Not just teaching them drama, but teaching them social skills—how to get along with others, how to use your facial expressions, how to use your body when you’re communicating, personal space, all that kind of stuff. She’s really, really good at getting them to follow along, to learn how to get along and be a part of life.”
In student productions such as Annie and The Wizard of Oz, Zarate involves special-needs students in various roles such as behind-the-scenes lighting and audio. “She teaches them in small groups to build confidence,” Mumpower explains. “She really pumps them up so that they have a spotlight as well; so they can shine.”
Zarate’s example “gives everybody a path and a journey to follow,” the school principal says. “It’s important because they collaborate all the time and the kids are watching. She’s a great role model for kids to show them how it should be done.”
Answering the Call
Zarate credits her exercise routine for the vast amount of energy needed to teach, parent and study for her Ph.D. She says her calling to teach is the same calling that inspired her to enlist in the Army at age 20.
“It was something bigger than me,” says the Illinois native, who dropped out after two years of college because that life course “didn’t feel right.”
“I use drama in a way so we’re talking about stories and we’re storytelling,” Zarate says. “Storytelling is the building block of communication and communication is the building block for empathy.”
Having written state curriculum standards for theater, Zarate hopes her Ph.D. will allow her to one day move beyond the classroom for an even larger impact. Formulating such standards for the Georgia Department of Education provided the opportunity to develop “formative assessments, ways that you can gauge your students’ learning and level of engagement,” she says, “and it’s going to produce actual things, actual data for you that something is working or something is not.”
Zarate says one of the best lessons the Army instilled in her is, ‘Don’t talk about it. Be about it.’
“It’s common that teachers feel like people who are not teachers are making rules and regulations for us that don’t understand us,” she says, pointing toward her goal of the curriculum-instruction doctorate. “So I can’t keep complaining. I can’t keep voicing opinions if I’m not doing something about it.
“Don’t talk about it, be about it. So that’s what I’m going to do,” Zarate explains. “I’m going to be about it. I’m going to be about finding ways to help our students succeed. Finding ways for the fine arts, especially theater and dance, to be considered one of those essential components of a student’s educational journey, a journey that leads to better lives, better community, for everyone.” VP
Lessons Learned
Healthy Breakfast Ideas to Start the Day Strong 3
by Rebecca Hastings
Blueberry Blast Smoothie
(Recipe makes 2.5 8oz servings)
INGREDIENTS:
1 cup Silk Unsweetened almond milk
1/2 cup Silk plain soymilk Dairy-free yogurt alternative
1/2 cup frozen blueberries
1 frozen banana
2 Tbsp rolled oats
1 Tbsp chia seeds
1-2 Tbsp Blue Butterfly pea powder (optional)
Garnish: Sliced kiwi and coconut flakes (optional)
DIRECTIONS:
It’s no secret that mornings can be busy! Whether you’re juggling a family, work or household tasks, the day has a way of forcing us to hit the ground running. It’s no surprise people often run out of time for a healthy breakfast.
Registered dietitian and child nutrition expert, Chacha Miller, offers simple tips to make healthy eating a reality. Even though mornings can feel overwhelming, you don’t have to sacrifice good nutrition or great taste.
Try Batch Prepping
Batch-prepping food doesn’t have to mean a whole day in the kitchen. You can choose one or two things and prepare
Super Strawberries & Cream Cereal Bars
(Recipe makes 12 bars)
INGREDIENTS:
For the bar:
3/4 cup nut butter
1/3 cup honey
31/2 cup whole grain cereal
1/2 cup shelled, unsalted sunflower seeds
1 cup freeze-dried or fresh strawberries
For the topping:
1/4 cup Silk unsweetened vanilla almond milk
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/2 cup plain yogurt
them ahead to make mornings easier. This advance planning reduces the mental load of deciding what the kids should eat in the morning when you’re in a hurry. By preparing ahead, you can have nutritious meals at the ready.
Make Things Portable
Some days feel too busy to sit and eat a meal, even if you prepared it ahead. That’s where grab-and-go options save the day. With breakfast being an important part of starting the day strong, having foods you can eat on the go is helpful. By preparing foods like smoothies and cereal bars, you can get a nutritious breakfast even on the busiest days.
DIRECTIONS:
• In a large bowl, mix together the whole grain cereal, sunflower seeds and freeze-dried strawberries until evenly dispersed and set aside.
• In a smaller bowl, mix together the nut butter and honey until well combined.
• Add the nut butter and honey mixture to the larger bowl, making sure that your dry mixture is coated evenly with the nut butter/honey mixture.
• Press the mixture into a square baking pan until it is packed tight and set aside.
• To make the topping, combine yogurt and almond milk in a small bowl.
• Slowly mix in the powdered sugar until well combined.
• Top the cereal bar with the mixture and freeze for about 1-2 hours or until the bars have fully set, slice into squares, serve and enjoy!
Add all ingredients to a high-powered blender, blend until smooth. Serve and enjoy immediately or store in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Amazing Apple Overnight Oats
(Recipe makes 1 serving)
INGREDIENTS:
For the oats:
1/2 cup old-fashioned oats
1/2 cup Silk protein almond milk or soymilk
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp maple syrup
1 tsp ground flaxseed
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1 tbsp Silk plain soymilk dairy-free yogurt alternative
For the apples:
1/2 of a medium apple, chopped 1 tbsp lemon juice apple pie spice: combine 1 tbsp ground cinnamon, 11/2 tsp ground nutmeg, 3/4 tsp ground allspice and 3/4 tsp ground cardamom
DIRECTIONS:
• In a small bowl, combine the chopped apples, lemon juice and apple pie spice.
• Pour the apple mixture into a pan and cook until soft (about 5-6 minutes) over medium-low heat then set aside.
• Add the oats, Silk protein almond milk, vanilla extract, maple syrup, flaxseed, cinnamon and yogurt to an 8-oz mason jar or container of your choice and mix thoroughly.
• Add the apples to the mason jar with the oats and mix until everything is well combined.
• Cover the mason jars with lids and refrigerate overnight (or a minimum of 4 hrs).
• Remove, top with additional apples or other toppings of choice, serve and enjoy! VP
Mental Health MINUTE
by Dr. Britney Farmer
A School Leader’s Perspective
As summer winds down and we prepare for the upcoming school year, I hope everyone is enjoying these final, cherished moments of the season. Recently, I had the opportunity to sit down with a respected local school administrator—and a dear friend—to discuss the current state of mental health among our children. Our conversation, which I’ve shared here, is part of an ongoing dialogue about the critical intersection of mental health and education. I found her insights on the evolving landscape of mental health both enlightening and inspiring, and I hope you will, too.
Why do you believe mental health is important in schools?
There’s a strong connection between how students do academically and socially. When I first started teaching, 23 years ago, in Atlanta Public Schools, it was more about toughing it out, having perseverance, and no crying. We now know that that type of language sometimes harms the mental health of our students. Schools have developed different curricula and hire faculty who have balance between healthy academics and social awareness. These faculty understand that your mental health is tied to how well or how bad you may do in the classroom. If we claim to teach the whole child, educators must be wellrounded. I think of girls in particular who tend to be really strong A-type personalities and straight A students, it worries me that they can’t make a mistake because it impacts their mental health. It strains their mental health when they’re constantly striving for perfection. We know that no one is perfect and we now know that failing can sometimes make students stronger.
Can you continue to comment on the evolution that you’ve seen in your 23 years of being an educator?
In a positive way, educational professionals have figured out that we do need to focus on
mental well-being, not just in high school. In the past, you would have your first health class in middle school. However, we now realize that you have to start early and make kids feel strong in who they are, resilient and able to talk about their feelings in a way that others can understand. Nowadays parents look for a socio-emotional curriculum in schools. There’s been an evolution from emotions just being on the periphery to being interwoven in a way that is impactful to the students. It’s actually really complicated when you think about trying to grow a leader who is well-rounded, does well academically, recognizes their strengths/areas of growth and is self-assured even though they might not be good at something.
What do you see conscientious parents doing to address their children’s mental health?
My biggest piece of advice to parents whose kids are going into middle school, is to hold them close. When they get older, parents tend to let go a little bit because they’re more mature. They want to give them more responsibility. Middle school can be a hot mess! When I say hold them close, I mean, talk to them, and ask questions. These questions are to keep communication open and understand that you are a trusted person. I see conscientious parents striking a balance with social media. Social media plays a huge part in our kid’s lives and their mental wellness today. People say things online that send kids over the edge, and it happens so quickly that parents don’t see it coming. A healthy balance means understanding that social media is out there, but also protecting time to run, play outside, hike, invite friends over or sit with family at the dinner table. Conscientious parents raise their children to appropriately react and be resilient in situations that arise.
How do you encourage open-ended conversations among students?
We had a mix it-up day in the cafeteria where we put conversation starter cards on the tables. We then randomly place kids at different tables, partnering kids that
normally would not talk to each other. I think that helps with a healthy banter. It also helps kids understand that they can talk to people who are different, and they might actually learn something. You don’t have to be their best friend, but there is a way to be encouraging, nice and kind, which creates a kind culture. When the culture is not one of inclusivity and kindness, mental health problems arise which creates kids who don’t feel they belong. The other thing we do is have morning circles where kids are able to talk about their feelings or what happened over the weekend. Lastly, we have monthly character words, discussions about these words in class and lots of assigned books around feelings.
Do you have any closing comments regarding mental health in schools?
The one thing I wish I could get rid of is a gendered understanding of what mental health looks like, that girls look like this, and boys look like this, because it doesn’t always fly. When we look at it in this way, for example girls cry and boys don’t, we miss the kids who are struggling. Therefore, I try to not do that. It’s easy to fall back on because society does this in a lot of ways. I propose that we just look for all the signs in all kids if they are struggling and then care for then accordingly. Additionally, parents shouldn’t be so afraid of mental health or the school labeling their kid that we shy away from the real conversation which can make everything for better for the kid. Currently, schools have a lot of responsibility and mental health has become part of that responsibility, but we [school administrators] are not the experts so we are striving for that partnership with parents because we are all working towards the well-being of the kids 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.
Fun Page
The USA has won a medal in every Olympic sport but three. They are handball, badminton and table tennis.
Game Day Word Search
Find these words:
TICKET
HOTDOG
VICTORY
NOISE PLAY
GAME
BLEACHERS
APPLAUSE
TEAM
CHEERS
Sports Word Scramble
Can you unscramble these words?
Fun Fact So Funny!
What did the receiver say to the football? Catch you later!
What do you call a pig that plays basketball? A ball hog
Where do sports teams buy their new uniforms? New Jersey
Why did the golfer wear two pairs of pants? In case he got a hole in one
REMOVE, REORGANIZE & REFRESH
The Simple Way to Keep Your Kids Stuff from Taking Over
by Rebecca Hastings
How is it that such tiny humans can have so much stuff? From clothes in a host of sizes to toys that fill buckets, bins and closets, it can feel like your kids’ stuff is starting to take over your house. With so much stuff, it is no surprise that kids’ rooms can get pretty messy, even if your child is great about putting things away.
The reality is, your kids are constantly changing. Whether it’s a growth spurt that requires a new size of clothing or a change in interest that deems last season’s hot toy uninteresting, the changes kids go through carry over into their belongings. This can leave parents with clothing in multiple sizes, toys in varied stages of play, and all the other things kids need like bedding, décor and school things. No matter how much stuff you kids have, it is possible to get a handle on it so it doesn’t take over. The trick is to think about the three R’s.
What Are the Three R’s?
With three kids I felt like my modest ranch-style home was being overrun with stuff. Whether you have one kid or ten, kid’s stuff has a way of multiplying and overtaking even the most organized home. That’s why the three R’s come in handy.
They create a simple way to remember how to keep things under control.
REMOVE
Most of the time parents focus on keeping things tidy. This makes sense on a daily or weekly basis. Put the books on the bookshelf, get the toys in the bin and hopefully get the laundry put away. These are great goals. But how do you handle all the things that keep coming into the space? To keep things in check, you must be willing to remove items.
Removing items has a few different parts. Each one is important and has a place in keeping kids’ belongings under control.
■ Remove clothing, toys and other items they have outgrown Some examples include:
> Clothing that is too small. If you are saving things for a younger sibling take the time to sort the clothing, keeping only what is worth keeping, storing and labeling it for easy access later.
> Toys that are too young for them. This one can be tricky, but you can often look at your child’s toys and see what this means. If a toy is developmentally
young for them AND they no longer have interest in it, it is a good sign to get rid of the item. If you are not sure, gather the items in a box and put it somewhere they can’t see it. If they don’t ask for any of the items for a month, it’s a good sign you can get rid of them without any guilt.
> Other items you may need to get rid of include bedding that is too small for their bed and old nursery or bedroom décor that is no longer age-appropriate. Books are one exception to this as children will often go back to books that seem too young because they are favorites. You can get rid of books, but do so thoughtfully.
■ Remove anything that your child no longer needs or uses. The more thorough you can be, the better.
■ Remove anything that is broken, stained or in need of repair (that you won't actually repair). Be honest. It may feel hard at the moment, but you don’t need useless items taking up space in your home.
REORGANIZE
Going through everything may feel exhausting, but once you’ve done that, you can begin to reorganize what’s left. Many people make the mistake of starting with organization, only to discover they are spinning their wheels organizing things they don’t even need. Remember, the goal is to keep your kids’ belongings from overtaking your home (and your sanity!)
It is tempting to go online and find the best organizing solutions, but start with what you have. You can always fill in the gaps later. Consider using storage solutions around the house such as bins, baskets or shelves to keep things tidy. Then make a list of what you still need. Always organize before you buy new storage solutions.
REFRESH
Now that you have all of the belongings in order, everything could use a bit of a refresh. Consider doing this in kids’ rooms, playrooms and family rooms. Follow
these steps to make the process easy and distraction free:
■ Dust and wipe. Start by dusting all surfaces. Then wipe down surfaces with a damp cloth or foam sponge like a Magic Eraser to remove dirt or grime.
■ Vacuum or sweep. Be sure to get corners, around heat sources and under furniture. Deep-cleaning carpets or area rugs with a service or a carpet cleaner is also helpful.
■ Wash bedding. This can contribute to a fresh and clean atmosphere in your room. Replace worn pillows or sheets. If pillows are yellowed, wash them as directed or replace them.
■ Clean windows inside and out. This will allow more natural light to enter and brighten up the space. Don’t just clean the glass. Be sure to clean the sills, tracks, trim and screens so things are fresh and clean. Also, wipe down blinds or shades to remove any dust or dirt and make sure they are in working order. Remove curtains and wash as directed.
■ Check and rotate mattress. This helps to maintain its shape and comfort
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
over time and improves longevity. Be sure to follow directions for your specific mattress as some types do not get flipped. Also, check to see if the mattress needs replacement. A quality mattress is important for sleep and overall wellness, even for kids.
■ Evaluate the layout of the room. Is everything working well? Do you notice any gaps or things that are not functional? Consider rearranging furniture or creating zones for a new look and improved functionality.
Keeping Things from Overtaking Your Home is a Process
It would be great if you only had to go through this process once, but this is an ongoing process as long as you have kids. Different ages and stages require different things. As you do this more often, it will get easier. As kids get older, include them in the process. Try to remove, reorganize and refresh routinely so your home feels more peaceful for everyone. VP
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
In the THICK OF IT
In the Flow of Time
It’s the biggest cliché a parent hears. And, I’m really sorry, but I’m going to repeat it another time because as much as hearing it makes me, too, roll my eyes—there’s a reason these words have been echoing in parents’ ears since the dawn of civilization (or, so it seems).
It flies by.
Listen, I know, I know—you’re probably tired of hearing those words. Or maybe you’re in the thick of it and just don’t believe they’re true. Maybe this season isn’t an enjoyable parenting era for you overall (hello, potty training), and so you feel guilty because you’re not currently mad or sad to hear that it does, in fact, fly by.
But hear me out. Just last month I swear I was engineering train track routes for him, both of us sitting cross-legged on the ground, with all the time in the world to design a new way each day for that little blue train to explore the living room.
And somehow today I am walking him through his college registration, making excuses to go to the supermarket again so I can wave hello to him as he stocks produce, and wiping away a tear when I walk through the living room without having to step over wooden train tracks.
It’s really only when we look back that we realize just how quickly those 18 years pass. Really only in retrospect that we see the whole of the story, and, like one big living mural, the moments flash across our mind’s memories and we try to grasp them, to hold on to them even as life’s flow moves us always onward.
Is it possible to freeze time? Is it really helpful to constantly remind a parent that the days of their childrens’ youth fly by?
I think it is.
Because no, of course we can’t freeze time. But by being mindful of the preciousness of it, the fleeting-ness of it, the everflowing passage of it, we learn to lean a little closer, with gratitude and intentional presence, into time’s temporary gifts.
I know how hard parenthood can be. I know that not all moments as a parent are enjoyable, and that it can feel like a slap in the face when someone tells you otherwise. Please don’t feel guilty if you wish, some days, to speed up time. You’re human and you’re doing a hard thing.
But I also know that this year I watched my son walk across a stage wearing a cap and gown to that familiar song, and that just yesterday he took his first clumsy step across the living room while we clapped and cheered (and likened him to a drunken Jack Sparrow).
It really does fly by. So maybe—just maybe—I can encourage you, fellow parents, to pause every now and then. Sit for a few
by Natalie Downey
quiet minutes and listen, with gratitude, to their little chatter. Hold them a little longer when they run to you with a boo-boo. Feel their warm hand in yours as you walk them into their first day of school. Even—dare I say—savor it. Because time is a fastmoving current, and we’re lucky to drift alongside our children for only a short while.
He texts me, “That mushroom drink you like is on sale, you should come get some.” I slip into my sandals and grab my keys. These days will fly by, too, I know. So, for now, I’ll go wave to him across the supermarket, happy for the excuse, stopping just for a minute to admire the man he’s becoming and remember that time is a gift.
I don’t want to miss it. 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.
