


Presenting
on stage at the RiverCenter, May 16 & 17.


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Presenting
on stage at the RiverCenter, May 16 & 17.


By Linda Ligon, Family & Kids
The ability to overcome challenges, both big and small, is a skill you can teach your child from a very early age. Here are some tips on helping your child build the strength to deal with mistakes and persevere when faced with a challenge.
Teach your child how to take responsibility for a mistake, then recover from it. When kids are young, this means staying calm even though all sorts of mishaps may occur at once. Just discovered the new puppy chewed up your favorite shoes and, at that same moment, your 3-year old spilled his snack all over the floor? Stay calm and take a deep breath before reacting. Avoid expressing frustration by scolding your child and launching into a long, angry lecture about being more careful. Instead, say something like ‘Oops, looks like you spilled your snack. It’s Ok, let’s clean it up.’ Have your child help you clean up the mess. Ask him what he thinks he could do next time to avoid the same mistake (walking instead of running when carrying his snack to the table, etc.) and then give him a new snack.
Your child should feel safe at home to explore and learn and should not be afraid of being punished and shamed for making a mistake. When kids fear failure, anxiety often prevents them from trying anything new.
Model how to deal with failure through your behavior.
Your child is always watching the behavior of the adults around him and learning from what he sees. He can learn how to cope with failure by observing how you deal with your own mistakes. Demonstrate calmly owning a mistake and then finding a solution to overcome the challenge. The
puppy chewed your shoes because you left them where she could get them? Don’t get angry and yell at the puppy. Instead, let your child see you calmly take measures to prevent it from happening again, such as putting the rest of your shoes where the puppy can’t get them and putting the puppy in a crate when you are not at home.
We often are hesitant to share real world challenges with our kids. However, kids need to understand that the real world is full of challenges and sometimes a plan does not work out. Carefully choose a real life disappointment from your own life that you can share with your child. Explain how it made you feel and what you did to overcome the failure. For example, maybe you did not get the job you wanted on the first try, but you kept trying and ended up getting one that was even better. Discuss with your child how you were OK even though your plan did not work out because you used your coping skills and creativity to move forward and succeed the next time.
Sometimes it is OK not to intervene and let your child fail.
To develop the ability to cope with strong feelings of disappointment and move forward after a failure, your child needs to experience failure. Instead of ‘fixing’ the issue for him, ask your child to brainstorm what he can do to recover and then move forward towards his goal. Listen to him express his frustrations about the failure but then encourage him to turn his attention towards analyzing the situation to see what he could do better next time. It can be hard to watch your child fail. However, your child needs to develop critical thinking skills and the ability to manage strong emotions, as these are essential life skills that he needs to become a resilient, successful adult.





By Linda Ligon, Family & Kids
For many kids, changes in environment, like going to summer camp or going back to school after summer break, lead to catching an illness or two. Here are some ways you can help your child build a more robust immune system that is ready to fight!
Start building your baby’s immune system early Newborns have immature immune systems and thus are at risk of catching illnesses older children are able to fight off. When newborns breastfeed, antibodies are passed through the mother’s milk to build his immune system. If you choose not to breastfeed, ask your baby’s doctor which probiotic formula may be helpful for building your baby’s immune system. Probiotics help support the population of beneficial bacteria in the digestive system. These bacteria help fight off infections. Once your baby starts eating table food, offer him probiotic-rich foods such as plain yogurt, kefir, kimchi and fermented vegetables.
A nutritious diet helps support the immune system
Encourage your child to eat a nutritious diet, full of fresh fruit and vegetables that help support the immune system. If your child is
a picky eater, try introducing a new fruit or vegetable by serving it alongside a favorite food. If your child resists eating a new healthy food, keep trying to introduce it. It can take several attempts before your child is willing to try it. Vary the offering of fruits and vegetables each day and ask your kids for their input on which ones they would like to try.
If your child is a picky eater and you are considering giving her a multi-vitamin or other supplements, consult her pediatrician first. Some vitamins can be harmful if the dosage is over the recommended amount.
Vaccines help the immune system fight illnesses
A young child’s immune system is not as robust as that of an adult. Vaccines train your child’s immune system to recognize and fight off dangerous infections. Many of these infections have the potential to cause serious complications or may even become fatal. A list of recommended vaccines is published by the American Academy of Pediatrics.


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

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.
Earth Day is April 22. You can make a big difference for our planet even by making little changes.
• Pick out organic food choices. Did you know that eating organically supports the idea of eliminating toxins like herbicides and pesticides from the soil?
• Reuse your shopping bag. Investing in reusable shopping bags can decrease plastic pollution.
• Buy in bulk. Buying in bulk reduces the amount of plastic being used for packaging purposes, and your carbon footprint to make multiple grocery store trips.
• Buy local resources and seasonal foods. Buying locally actually decreases the use of fossil fuels, since less fuel, labor and packaging are needed to get the food from the grower to a local distributor.
Prevent food waste by preparing smaller portions, saving leftovers, and freezing anything you won’t eat by day three.
• Visit a zoo or aquarium. Zoos and aquariums support conservation and biodiversity by teaching people about how to preserve the environment and the animals in it.
• Instead of going to a theme park, spend the day at the beach or go hiking in the mountains. Pick up any trash you see along the way.
• Plant a tree in your yard. Trees provide oxygen for our planet and are important to conservation.
• Conserve by taking a shorter shower, running a quicker wash cycle; don’t let the water run while brushing your teeth and turn off lights that aren’t in use.
See how much you save on your utility bills compared to the previous month!













By Sal Woessner, Community Engagement Intern, Chattahoochee Valley Libraries
For homeschool families, co-ops, and classroom educators alike, The Mailbox Plus is a powerful tool for planning engaging, age-appropriate learning experiences. At Chattahoochee Valley Libraries, we’re proud to offer this comprehensive resource FREE with your Library card.
Designed for grades Pre-K through 6, The Mailbox Plus provides unlimited access to more than 53,000 printable worksheets, crafts, forms, songs, games, graphic organizers, patterns, clip art, and ready-to-use lesson plans. Whether you’re mapping out a full semester or pulling together a quick activity for tomorrow morning, this platform helps you teach with confidence and creativity.
Homeschool groups can use The Mailbox Plus to simplify weekly planning, supplement core curriculum, and add hands-on enrichment activities that keep students excited about learning. Planning a themed unit on weather? Looking for literacy centers that reinforce phonics skills? Need math practice that doesn’t feel
repetitive? You can easily search by grade level, subject, or topic to quickly find materials that fit a variety of learning styles and skill levels.
Co-ops and multi-age classrooms especially benefit from the flexibility The Mailbox Plus offers. With differentiated resources and adaptable lesson plans, you can meet students where they are while still working toward shared goals. Seasonal crafts, holiday activities, classroom forms, and creative writing prompts are all just a click away—perfect for adding variety throughout the year.
Best of all, your Library card gives you access at no cost. You can explore The Mailbox Plus anytime while you’re inside the library. Prefer to plan from home? Simply log in using your Library card number and PIN to unlock thousands of ready-to-print materials.
If you’re looking to save time, spark creativity, and support confident learners, The Mailbox Plus is ready to help—through your Chattahoochee Valley Libraries! Visit cvlga.org to get started today.






By Linda Ligon, Family & Kids
As parents, it is our job to prepare kids for life in the real world. Start preparing your child early by teaching her essential life skills she will need for daily life. Here are some of the life skills you want your child to know before she reaches high school.
Introduce your child to the concept of personal finance from an early age.
u Teach your child how to use price comparison to make wise purchases. When you grocery shop with your child, make bargain shopping a fun game.
u Assign your child an allowance and allow her to decide what to purchase with it. Walk older kids through the process of creating a monthly budget.
u Explain to your child the concept of saving money in an account that earns interest. Open a bank account for your child and help her deposit some of her allowance in it each month.
Many teens leave home without knowing how to perform basic cleaning tasks, such as dusting, washing dishes and mopping. Use a stepstool to help young kids reach the sink and help with dishes. Make it fun with some extra soapy, bubbly water. Use a chore rotation to put your child in charge of the different types of cleaning tasks that are age-appropriate. For young kids, make cleaning a game. For example, ask your preschooler to pick up her toys so you can vacuum and then ‘help’ vacuum the floor with her toy vacuum. When your child is ready, step back and let your child perform the task without your help.
When your child leaves home, the ability to sort and properly wash laundry and then fold and organize it in her closet will be invaluable skills. Once kids reach the
age of about 6 or 7, show them the process of cleaning clothes, from sorting the laundry by type and color to operating the washer and dryer. Explain how to measure detergent and where it goes in the washer. Allow your child to help with laundry and go through the process with supervision. If you have a preschooler, ask her to help her older siblings sort the clothes and make it into a fun game.
Teach your child to fold and organize the clean laundry. Show your child how folding sheets and towels helps fit them into the closet and keeps the closet tidy. Explain that keeping clothes hung in the closet or neatly folded in a drawer makes them easy to find and keeps them from getting wrinkled.
Ask your child to sort her clean clothes, fold them and put them away. A preschooler will need help organizing her clothes. However, allow older kids to decide how to organize their clothes in a dresser and closet. It may not be ideal at first, but the experience of using trial and error to improve it is a valuable learning opportunity.
Teach your child basic first aid concepts to treat minor injuries.
u Show your child how to treat a minor burn. Run cool water over the burn and cover it with nonstick gauze.
u Explain how to treat a small cut. Stop the bleeding by applying pressure. Then wash the cut and cover it with a sterile bandage.
u Sign your child up for a program that teaches kids CPR and how to help someone who is choking.
Explain to your child how to use your phone to call 911 for help in an emergency. Use a play phone to let them practice providing their name and address.






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
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
Thursday
Tuesday's Street Tacos & Burritos
Free kids meal with adult purchase; dine-in only
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
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.

30-April 3Open Studio. 10amNoon. Columbus Museum; 706-748-2562 ext. 6520
30-April 3 Spring Break Academy 2026. 9am-5pm. Ages 5-18. $215-$225. Springer Theatre Academy; 706-324-1100
31-April 3 Spring Break in the Garden. 10am-Noon. RSVP. Columbus Botanical Garden; 706-327-8400
1 Resilient Parenting Series. Families. 11am. Columbus Library; 706-243-2813
1 Spring Break Cinema: Rio (G). Families. 2pm. Columbus Library; 706-243-2813
2 Spring Break Cinema: Camp Rock (G). Families. 2pm. Columbus Library; 706-2432813
2 Simple Steps: If It Makes You Hoppy. Ages 2-5. 10am. South Columbus Library; 706-683-8805
3 Annual Teddy Bear Tea Party. Families. 10am. Columbus Library; 706-243-2813
3 Spring Break Cinema: The Goofy Movie (G). Families. 2pm. Columbus Library; 706243-2813
3-5 Clingstones Baseball Game. Times vary. Synovus Park; 706-268-9594
3-12 Spring Fling. Columbus Civic Center; civiccenter.columbusga.gov/
4 Artful Babies. 10:30am. Ages 6-24mo. 1327 Wynnton Rd; 706-748-2562 ext 6520
4 Drumline Live! 7:30pm. $53.50-$75.50. RiverCenter; 706-256-3612
4 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten Celebration. 11am. North Columbus Library; 706-748-2855
7 Little Sprouts. 10am & 2:30pm. $5-$7. Ages 3-5. Columbus Botanical Garden; 706327-8400
7 Artful Babies. 10:30am. Ages 6-24mo. 1327 Wynnton Rd; 706-748-2562 ext 6520
7 Every Day is Earth Day. Families. 3:30pm. South Columbus Library; 706-683-8805
7 Kid’s Art Studio. Ages 5-12. 4pm. Columbus Library; 706-243-2813
7 Music Under the Dome. 5-6:30pm. $8. Coca-Cola Space Science Center; 706-649-1486
8 MomCo of First Baptist Church. 6-7:30pm. First Baptist Church, Columbus; odonawhiddon@gmail.com
10-11
Columbus River Dragons Hockey Game. Times vary. Columbus Civic Center; 706-653-4460
11 3rd Annual Autism Family Fun Day. 10am-2pm. Woodruff Park; 706-604-6333
11 Spring Festival (Pine Mountain Days). 10am-4pm. Pine Mountain; 706-628-0010
11 Mini Makers. 10:30am. Ages 2-4. 1327 Wynnton Rd; 706-748-2562 ext 6520
11 Second Saturday Tours of Historic Westville. 11am. $8-$12. Historic Westville; 706221-9330
11 Smart Money for Kids 6-11. 11am. Mildred L. Terry Library; 706-243-2782
13 Family Fun Night: Playdough Bakery. 4pm. Columbus Library; 706-243-2813

14
Mini Makers. 10:30am. Ages 2-4. 1327 Wynnton Rd; 706-748-2562 ext 6520
14 After School Art Break. 2:30-4:30pm. Columbus Museum; 706-748-2562
14 Pony Bead Party. Ages 5-12. 4pm. Columbus Library; 706-243-2813
14 The Art of Etiquette: Polished & Poised. Teen. 6pm. Mildred L. Terry Library; 706243-2782
14-19 Clingstones Baseball Game. Times vary. Synovus Park; 706-268-9594
16 Columbus Lions Football Game. 7-10pm. Columbus Civic Center; 706-653-4460
17-18 Anne of Green Gables Musical. 7:30pm. Family Theatre; 706-431-3752
18 Earth Day Sprouts Spectacular! 11am. North Columbus Library; 706-748-2855
18 Family Saturday at the Museum. 10am-Noon. 1327 Wynnton Rd; 706-7482562 ext 6520
18 SFS Spring Fling Market. 11am-4pm. Midland Commons; 706-987-3723
18 CSO Open Rehearsal. 12:30pm. Free. All ages. RiverCenter; 706-323-5059
18 CSO: Three by Beethoven. 7:30pm. $28-$50. RiverCenter; 706-256-3612
18-19 Spring Fling Festival. 10-5pm. Free. Warm Springs; WarmSpringsGA.com
21 Simple Steps: Play. Ages 0-5. 10am. North Columbus Library; 706-748-2855
21 Kid’s Art Studio. Ages 5-12. 4pm. Columbus Library; 706-243-2813



22 Earth Day Celebration. Families. 4pm. Columbus Library; 706-243-2813
22 MomCo of First Baptist Church. 6-7:30pm. First Baptist Church, Columbus; odonawhiddon@gmail.com
23 Columbus Lions Football Game. 7-10pm. Columbus Civic Center; 706-653-4460
24-25 Anne of Green Gables Musical. 7:30pm. Family Theatre; 706-431-3752
25 Uno, Dos, Tres Crafts! Ages 4-8. 3pm. Mildred L. Terry Library; 706-243-2782
25 Spring Artisan Market. 10am-4pm. 200 Ridley Ave, LaGrange; 706-298-4523
25 Young Eagles Day. 8:30-11:30am. Weather permitting. RSVP. Ages 8-17. Flightways Columbus (KCSG); chapters.eaa. org/eaa677/youth-activities/young-eagles
25 MaFest26. 4pm-Mid. Liberty Theatre and Cultural Arts Center; facebook.com
26 Arts in the Park. Noon-5pm. Lakebottom Park; visitcolumbusga.org
26 Anne of Green Gables: The Musical. 2:30pm. Family Theatre; 706-431-3752
27 Symphony on the Sand. 7:30pm Robin Lake Beach, Callaway Gardens; 800225-5292
28 Pony Bead Party. Ages 5-12. 4pm. Columbus Library; 706-243-2813
28 Simple Steps: Play. Ages 0-5. 10am. North Columbus Library; 706-748-2855
28 Crafty Kids: Color Your Emotions with Watercolors. Ages 6-11. 3pm. South Columbus Library; 706-683-8805
28 YOGC Spring Concert. 7-9m. RiverCenter; 706-256-3614
28-30 Columbus Clingstone Baseball Game. Times vary. Synovus Park; 706268-9594
29 Seedling Storytime. 10-11am. $7. Columbus Botanical Garden; 706-327-8400
30 Columbus Lions Football Game. 7-10pm. Columbus Civic Center; 706-653-4460

THURSDAY
Simple Steps Storytime: Families. Ages 0-5. 10am. Columbus Library & South Columbus Library
Toddler Tales. 11am. Barnes & Noble, 5555 Whittlesey Blvd; 706-653-7880
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
MONDAY
Simple Steps Storytime: Babies & Toddlers. Ages 0-36 mo. 10am. Columbus Library; 706-243-2813
TUESDAY
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
Story Time with Grammy Trish. 11am. Columbus Bound Bookshop; 706-243-1034

Try Something New. Ages 6-11. 2pm. North Columbus Library; 706-748-2855
Spring Friday Night Concert Series. 7-10pm. Uptown Columbus/Broadway; alwaysuptown.com
SATURDAY
Market Days on Broadway. 9am-Noon. 1100 Broadway, Columbus; 706-596-0111
Columbus Library presents Story Time at the NIM. 10:30am. All ages. National Infantry Museum; 706-243-2813
Please call ahead to confirm event dates, times and age appropriateness, in case changes were made after the info was obtained.












We invite her to reconnect nature, while enjoying a sup team atmosphere that nur leadership, encouragement friendships that will last a li
• 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!












































By
In 2026, we’re a long way from our mother and grandmother’s “he-he-who” Lamaze-style birth preparation. The pregnancy and birth business has grown exponentially in the last fifty years becoming a multi-billion dollar industry supplying safety and educational gadgets, Pinterest-worthy nurseries, and a full calendar of gender reveal parties and baby showers. But with the latest trend and gadget just a click away, what does mama and baby really need?
In the 21st century, American families have the privilege of safe and convenient access to care. Benefiting from instant access to online registries and overnight deliveries of everything from diapers to dinner, we are still more disconnected than ever with the essential and continuous needs of the mother: physical, mental, and emotional support. Here are a few ideas of how you can support pregnant and postpartum moms in your circle:
• Snack basket or meal delivery prioritizing whole foods, especially protein and minerals
• Offer a walking date or prenatal yoga class to encourage regular rest and movement
• Be available for sibling care or take on household tasks like dishes or laundry
• Gift home cleaning service
• Check in for grocery pickups or deliveries when nearby
• Gift birth or postpartum doula services
• Encourage whole body healing through care providers like pelvic floor therapists and prenatal/postpartum massage.
• Be a safe space to talk about emotions and changes related to pregnancy, birth and postpartum
• Help establish clear boundaries for family and friends, specifically in the birth room and postpartum period.
• Give notes to offer regular encouragement, validation and reassurance.

• Research social or support circles for pregnancy or postpartum moms.
• Gift sessions with a mental health counselor to process relationship, body, and responsibility changes.
• Gift childbirth education classes
• Connect moms to support resources and channels in the community
• Suggest podcasts or books with positive birth information and support
• Only offer positive encouragement or anecdotes
Mothers and babies need supplies for health, safety, and happiness. Of course, the adorable infant outfit is so sweet on the hanger. The safety gadget promising to bring ease to a mother’s mind is topping the list as a must buy. But tangibles cannot do what physical, mental, and emotional support for mothers can. Giving moms confidence in this season through education, support, and preparation connects women with their own intuition and healing. Women who are supported long-term physically, mentally, and emotionally are better able to heal and confidently care for their baby. The strongest foundation for birth and postpartum is not what surrounds the baby—but who surrounds the mother.
The Wellness Womb located at the historic Ressmeyer Wellness Center in Midtown Columbus is providing families in Columbus and the surrounding area with invaluable resources, classes, and support during this transitional season. The Wellness Womb offers weekly prenatal and postpartum yoga classes, childbirth education workshops, full spectrum doula services and social and support circles and events. Other in-house services at the wellness center include massage therapy, lactation support, maternity, newborn and family photography and mental health therapy, making it a one-stop shop for whole person wellness in pregnancy, birth, and beyond. Visit TheWellnessWombColumbus.com for classes, events, and resources for education, support, and local resource connection.



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





