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Brandy Williams of Savannah, who lost her leg while texting & driving, poses with her team of therapists at Memorial Health University Medical Center.

No text is worth losing a life or limb over.

Just ask Brandy Williams. A year ago this month, Brandy, 21, of Savannah lost her left leg and suffered a stroke after her Chevy Malibu veered off the road and into a tree. She was texting a friend at the time of the wreck.

Brandy is the focus of my Savannah Morning News column this week. She hopes sharing her story will help you see that texting while driving is as dangerous as drinking and driving. Brandy’s story is definitely one worth sharing with any teen drivers you know or drivers who regularly text while at the wheel. Read Brandy’s story here.

Learn more about distracted driving dangers at www.distraction.gov.

Chances are you’ve considered, however briefly, becoming a foster family as a way to help allieviate Georgia’s foster children crisis and improve the lives of children.

And chances are you’ve thought of all kinds of reasons not to do so. But what if becoming a foster family came with huge amounts of support, a whole churchload of support to be exact? Would that make you more likely to consider taking in a foster child?

If so, then check out a local network called Faith to Foster, a coalition of Chatham County churches that serve families and children in foster care. The goal of Faith to Foster is to make foster parenting less challenging and more appealing to local families.

You’re invited to a Faith to Foster informational meeting, 6-7:30 PM May 7 at Southside Baptist Church, 5502 Skidaway Road, Savannah 31406. Child care will be provided if you call ahead to ministry director, 912-355-9555.

For more info on Faith to Foster including how you can help volunteer to aid local foster families or bring the program to your church, click here or email Faith to Foster ministry director Jenn Menn at jennifermenn@hotmail.com or call 912.925.5074.

Read more about Faith to Foster and the foster mom behind it - who along with her husband have fostered a total of 17 children (not all at once) since 2007 -  in my Savannah Morning News column this week here.

Even though your baby is just a newborn, chances are you’re already trying to figure out how to save for his or her college tuition. Then check out Path2College’s 2011 Newborn Sweepstakes.

The Path2College 529 Plan will award one child born in Georgia during 2011 with $5,529 toward his or her college savings. Parents, grandparents or guardians may go to www.Path2College529.com  until April 14, 2012 to enter for a chance to win a prize that will put them on the path toward a college education and a brighter future.

Visit www.Path2College529.com  for official rules and details. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited.

 The Sandbox Interactive Children’s Museum is offering a new program, “Parents 411”: Interactive Informational Workshops for new parents. “Parents 411” will be held every Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. at The Sandbox beginning March 27, 2012.

“Parents 411” is a series of 10 workshops designed to meet the needs of parents of young children, child care providers and grandparents. The program includes local experts who will lead interactive sessions designed to provide information, answer questions and address concerns of new parents.

Please call Caroline Rinehart at 843-842-7645 to sign up for the workshop/s.

The Sandbox, An Interactive Children’s Museum, 18A Pope Ave. (located behind St. Andrew’s By the Sea Methodist Church), Hilton Head Island, SC 29928, Tel: 843-842-7645 Email: crinehart@thesandbox.org

Congratulations Dr. Cara DeLeon, DMD Pediatric Dentist in Savannah. Dr. DeLeon recently completed her certification examinations and is now a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry!

Dr. DeLeon’s practice, Pediatric Dentistry of Savannah  is at 310 Eisenhower Drive No. 6. Tel: 912-349-4021. It’s an honor to have become a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry so early in her career.

The Mission of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry is to verify to the public and to the health professionals that a pediatric dentist has successfully completed both an advanced educational program accredited by the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation and a voluntary examination process designed to validate the knowledge, application and performance requisite to the delivery of exceptional care in pediatric dentistry. The American Board of Pediatric Dentistry is the only certifying Board recognized by the American Dental Association for the specialty of pediatric dentistry.

Pediatric Dentistry of Savannah, 310 Eisenhower Dr. Building #6 Savannah, 31406 tel: 912-349-4021 email: Drcara@pds-kids.com , www.pediatricdentistryofsavannah.com Pediatric Dentistry of Savannah is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

Check out these two classes happening at Just for Baby & More, Savannah

Cloth Diapering Basics
Saturday January 28th
10am-12pm
or
Saturday March 10th
10am-12pm
Come learn cloth diapering 101! Kelli Brown will teach the class and she is sure to load you up on all the information for you to make an informed decision if cloth diapering is right for your family! She will teach you how to cloth diaper and how to take care of your diapers!
This class is FREE but you need to RSVP: casey@justforbaby.net or 912-355-4455

Breastfeeding Basics
Saturday January 28th
1pm -3pm
or
Saturday March 24th
10am – 12pm
Come learn the basics of breastfeeding. This class is taught by Lactation Consultant Sarah Brunson MS, RLS, IBCL. Sarah will share the information about breastfeeding techniques including; positioning, what to expect from yourself and your baby and she will be prepared to answer all of your questions!
$10 per person/ $15 per couple
If you are interested in joining, please email casey@justforbaby.net  or call (912) 355-4455

“Like” Just for Baby & More on Facebook here to stay connected and informed about deals and special events like this.

Just for Baby & More has friendly and knowledgeable staff who would love to show you our variety of products and help you find the perfect items for your family; Sunday Closed. 912.355.4455. Located at 7701 Waters Ave., Savannah, 31406, http://www.justforbaby.net/start.php 

You’re invited to the first Mama Time Webinar. The topic is ”Bullying Intervention Strategies for Parents”.

While the Webinar is specifically for parents of children with special needs, all mothers can benefit from hearing about this topic. The webinar is free and is scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday night Jan. 17 & 18! Recordings will be available for those that can’t listen that evening, but you must register for the event to listen to the recordings. Click here for more information

Mama Time, , based in Savannah, provides workshops and retreats for all mothers and expectant mothers needing some time to rest, relax, play and grow. Visit www.mamatime.net  to learn more about their other upcoming workshops and events!

Upcoming Mama Time events include:

A Jan 14 2012 retreat for Special Needs Mothers called Grieving Losses/Identifying Gifts. Details here.

A Feb 4 Autism Mama Retreat. Details here.

Mama Time, www.mamatime.net/, email information@mamatime.net Mama Time is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

We love this!

Mama Time - which provides workshops and retreats for all mothers and expectant mothers needing some time to rest, relax, play and grow – is encouraging local families to go “unplugged” for just a day during the holidays. Go unplugged for a day and you will be entered to win $100 gift card.

No TV, No Internet and no cell phones. Spend a day during this joyous holiday season doing something simple with your family and tell Mama Time about it! Submit a blog telling Mama Time about your unplugged day and a picture of you and your family by Jan. 1, 2012 and the Mama Time Team will select their favorite story to showcase on their blog here. The winner receives a $100 gift certificate to do something fun with your family.

Although only one $100 prize will be awarded, the folks at Mama Time believe that any families that take on this challenge will find the memories they will create during that simple day will make them winners as well! Email your blogs to mamatimechallange@mamatime.net  with your name and contact information.

Read more about the Unplugged for a Day Challenge for the Holiday season here.

At Mama Time, the belief is that self-care is an essential ingredient for our health and the health of our children and families

Mama Time also provides specialized workshops for :
Mothers with Children on the Autism Spectrum and Other Types of Special Needs
Military Mothers
Expectant and New Mothers
Mothers and Babies
Mothers and Daughters
Adoptive Mothers
Mothers living with Fibromylagia, Arthritis, Migraines or Other Chronic Medical Conditions
Recovering Mothers
Single Mothers
Mothers living with Depression, Anxiety or other Psychiatric Conditions
Mothers with a History of Trauma or Abuse

Workshops and Retreat topics and locations are added regularly so visit the Mama Time site often and join the Mama Time contact list and facebook page for workshop notifications

Staff at Mama Time look forward to meeting you at a Mama Time event soon. Upcoming events include:

A Jan 14 2012 retreat for Special Needs Mothers called Grieving Losses/Identifying Gifts. Details here.

A Feb 4 Autism Mama Retreat. Details here.

Mama Time, www.mamatime.net/, email information@mamatime.net  Mama Time is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser  

Telfair BirthPlace at St. Joseph’s/Candler now offers online birth classes and tours.

So you can take birth classes while at your home, or wherever you are, online.

Find everything you need to know about giving birth, how the Telfair BirthPlace at St. Joseph’s/Candler works and more at www.sjchs.org/TelfairBirthPlace .

Along with the online birth classes, you can take a video tour of the Telfair BirthPlace & get familiar with their rooms. And when the new parents head home, they can go back to the Telfair BirthPlace site and get nearly every baby question answered in the online “Oh, Baby’s Home” book.

Other features:

• Information about Telfair BirthPlace lactation services.

• Contact Telfair BirthPlace First Steps program that provides ongoing help to new families.

• Learn about Telfair BirthPlace Special Care neonatal nursery.

We love this! A debate on issues that matter to moms.

The Junior League of Savannah invites you to attend a debate on women and children’s issues between Savannah’s mayoral candidates: Floyd Adams, Ellis Cook, James Dewberry, Jeff Felser, Edna Jackson, and Regina Thomas. The debate will be on Tues. Oct. 18 at the Coastal Georgia Center, 305 Fahm Street. Doors open at 5:30pm.

This event is sponsored by the Chatham-Savannah Youth Futures Authority, Healthy Savannah, The Junior League of Savannah, Savannah-Chatham Family Violence Council, and Voices for Georgia’s Children. The debate, moderated by Mary Willoughby, will feature candidate discussion from 6-7:30 PM of pre-submitted questions, followed by individual questions from the floor. At 7:30 candidates will be available for press interviews and meet and greet with attendees.

Something Special Magazine is a lifestyle magazine for all created by a special needs parent.

This magazine brings hope, inspiration and resources for the special needs parent, while taking care of the “parent” in the special needs parent. For families that don’t directly have a special needs child in their life, chances are- they know someone that does.

By educating yourself on life with a special needs child, you are more able to teach your children about differences and disabilities.

Something Special is free both online and in print. The magazine’s advertisers keep the information coming to you.

Find one of Something Special’s 5,500 copies at over 125 locations in Georgia, or simply log on to www.somethingspecialmagazine.com .

This publication started out locally by a real “southern mama” of five children, one of whom has autism. Log on today and please enter your favorite special needs dad for Something Special’s Fabulous Father’s Day giveaway. Enter as many times as you wish! Grand prize is a family four pack of Atlanta Braves tickets for a game in July against the Pirates and VIP batting practice seats. Winners will be announced on Something Special Magazine on Facebook June 18 at 8pm.

Make sure you visit and “Like” Something Special Magazine on Facebook by clicking here for updates, places to visit, and some words of wisdom.

Below is a guest post by Jane Madison, an early childhood education expert and pre-K teacher at Saint Peter the Apostle School on Wilmington Island.

As the school year comes to an end, parents often want ideas for activities during the summer to help their child maintain the skills learned in school. It is also important for parents to know the abilities young children need to be successful in school, and what to work toward.
The goals and activities discussed here are geared toward children finishing a pre-kindergarten program, but all of the activities are useful and fun and can be adapted for younger or older children. Remember, children learn naturally through play.
Children entering kindergarten are expected to identify some letters of the alphabet by name. They should be able to recognize all of the letters in their first name, and also be able to tell you how to spell it. Many children can write their name, but have no idea what the letters are called. Some children can spell their name, but don’t recognize it in print. We want them to be able to do both. To help your child learn how to spell his name, make up a song to the tune of BINGO or Wheels on the Bus, substituting the letters of your child’s name. Then point to the written letters as you sing it.
The pre-kindergarten student at this time of year should be able to hear beginning sounds of words and identify words that start with the same sound, such as ball and bike. (Alliteration)
They should also be able to hear rhyming sounds, and tell you two or three words that rhyme together. Nonsense words DO count in this activity.
In Math, students should be able to count objects to 12 or more, recognize numerals to 10 or more, name shapes and make simple patterns.
Also it is important to help your child to work independently. He should be able to put together a puzzle without talking to you, set a place setting at the table without getting distracted, draw a picture, or write his name without constantly looking to you for approval. A child this age should be able to follow a two step direction without loosing focus. An example of this is, “Go get your bathing suit and come to my room.”

Below is a list of games and activities you can do with your child to help him continue to maintain the skills he has learned in school this year. Only play these games for 10 or 15 minutes each day. If your child wants to play longer you may do so, but you want your child to love learning and have fun while doing it!
Please, please, please read and discuss books with your child everyday, limit TV, DVD’s, and video games and play cards or board games in which people interact with each other, not a screen.

Rhyming and Alliteration
(These games can be played to pass the time when you are someplace you have to wait, or when you’re in the car.)
• Name something that rhymes with_____. , chair, desk, sign, whatever you see
• Tell me a word that starts with the same sound as ____.
• I see two things that start with “b”. Make the b sound, bat and ball
• Name people in the family who have names that start with the same sound
• I’m thinking of something that swims that starts with the “f” sound( make sound) and rhymes with wish, (fish)

 To read the rest of this post in its entirety, click here.

Are you pregnant or new mother?

Are you feeling alone, sad, overwhelmed or angry?

The Mary Telfair Women’s Hospital at St. Joseph’s/Candler and Mental Health America bring you a free line to help you deal with those feelings. Left untreated, postpartum depression can become debilitating.

Contact the Confidential Project Healthy Moms Warmline at 1-800-933-9896 ext. 234 or PHMhelp@mhageorgia.org  .

When you call or email the Project Healthy Moms Warmline, please leave a message, and an experienced registered nurse will respond as soon as possible. She will be able to provide peer support and encouragement and to suggest appropriate resources.

Read my article about local moms dealing with postpartum depression here. A big thank you to the moms who were generous enough to share their experiences with PPD.

What is postpartum depression and anxiety?

• Irrational, intrusive thoughts that seem like they are set on repeat. You may ask, ‘Why did I have that thought?’
• Anxiety is prevalent, including worries or obsession about the baby’s health
• Feeling all the time that you are doing everything wrong
• Depression, characterized by intense sadness, anxiety or despair.
• Tearfulness, insomnia, fatigue, appetite disturbance

The line is not for emergencies. It is considered a postpartum emergency if you are afraid you are going to hurt yourself or your child.

What can you expect when you call?
• The first call you will leave a message and Joanne will get back to you within 24 – 48 hours.
• A mother who has been through postpartum depression and anxiety and survived.
• To begin to understand that you are not alone and that there is help.
• Honest support about the good and the bad parts of being a parent.
• Joanne will have a resource list of local counselors should you want one.

Are you looking for a public school that provides elementary and middle school-aged children in
Chatham County with a rigorous, content-rich, educational program that develops academic potential and personal character?

Then take time to attend an information session about the newest proposed charter school in Savannah: The Savannah Classical Academy: A Challenge Foundation Academy. The information session, which is open to the public, will be 4 PM Sat. Jan. 29 at the Caraway Café, 202 E. Broughton St.

Contact: Barbara Grimm at 912-484-6581 for more details or visit the school’s website at www.sca.teamcfa.org

For more information on local schoools, including schools open houses and info on the admissions process for lottery-funded (free) pre-K, visit the SouthernMamas Savannah-Chatham School Guide by clicking here.

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is asking parents to inspect and secure TVs, furniture and appliances in child-proofing efforts. On average, one child dies every two weeks due to tipovers.

Between 2000 and 2008, CPSC staff received reports of nearly 200 tipover related deaths involving children 8 and younger. Nearly all of these fatalities (93%) involved children 5 and younger.

More than 16,000 children five years old and younger were treated in emergency rooms because of injuries associated with TVs, furniture, and appliance tipovers according to CPSC staff’s most recent estimates from 2006. To read more and to learn how to prevent tip-overs, click here.

This year, the CPSC is intensifying its outreach efforts by partnering with numerous organizations, including clinics and second-hand stores, to disseminate a two minute PSA including a powerful testimonial of a parent who lost her two-year-old in a TV tipover incident and a poster. In addition, consumers will be able to stream a 20 second version of the PSA through October 23, 2010 by texting TVFALL to 878787.

You’re invited to view a Savannah art show that addresses the experience of making art amongst the chaos of raising young children.

Works by four artist-mothers will be showcased in Four Squared, an exhibition that will be at the City of Savannah’s Gallery S.P.A.C.E. 9 W. Henry St. Sept. 17-Oct. 29, in conjunction with film screening and parent-child ceramics workshop.

The experience of being a mother is what the artists describe as “the push and pull of motherhood, domesticity and creativity.”

The exhibition showcases work by four Savannah artists – Ashley Waldvogel, Atsuko Smith, Linette Dubois and Melinda Schawel.

In conjunction with the exhibition, a special film screening of Who Does She Think She Is? will be presented on Thursday, October 28 at 7 p.m. The film raises important questions about how art is valued in our culture. A discussion with the artists will follow.

A parent-child handbuilding ceramics workshop will also be offered in conjunction with the show. The workshop will meet four consecutive Saturdays beginning October 2 from 9:30-11 AM. Cost:$50. Space is limited and advance registration is required.

S.P.A.C.E. Gallery, 9 W. Henry St. Gallery hours are 9 AM-5 PM Monday through Friday. Free off-street parking is available. For information, contact 912-651-6783 or visit www.savannahga.gov/arts.

Below is a guest post by Dana Livingston is a writer for a culinary arts website where you can browse schools and the latest trends in the culinary arena.

You’ve tried every possible activity to keep your kids and their friends entertained. They are sick of movies and bored with board games. They’ve outgrown dolls and the desire to play dress up. Even riding around on the back of your Great Dane has lost its appeal. And yet, you aren’t quite ready to send them off to the park or the mall on their own to get into who knows what kind of mischief. If you’ve run out of ideas for ways to keep your children occupied when they have play dates, then perhaps a little time in the kitchen should be on your menu. There are plenty of reasons why a cooking play date is just the thing to keep your kids occupied for the afternoon.

1. They’ll learn a new skill. The ability to prepare food and a basic knowledge of nutrition is essential to life. And while kids may be reticent to help around the house when they see it as a chore, turning cooking into a fun activity that they can perform with their friends will make it appear infinitely more inviting. They’re going to have to learn to cook eventually, so why not start them young by making it fun?

2. Making food is multi-functional. We all know that cooking is a way to fulfill our need for nutrition while creating the variety that we crave. However, there’s a lot more to having your kids help you cook. It is not only a way to engage idle hands and minds, it can also serve as an outlet for creativity, a way to save money (make personalized pizzas at home instead of going to a restaurant), and an avenue of success that will improve your child’s confidence in their abilities.

3. You’re there to supervise. Sure, you could let them run around the neighborhood like wild banshees or lock themselves in their bedroom with an Xbox for hours on end, but wouldn’t you rather keep an eye on them? Although allowing them access to the stove and microwave could be dangerous if they were left unattended, getting involved in teaching them new recipes will offer you a built-in excuse for close proximity.

4. It’s a positive way to interact with your kids. All parents want to feel like they are imparting useful knowledge to their children. And kids, whether they admit it or not, are eager to learn anything and everything they can. Get them involved in every step of the process, from choosing recipes to shopping at the market, measuring and mixing ingredients, and getting creative with the plating. Don’t forget to let them do it for themselves, even if they make mistakes, and encourage them try new things and make a dish their own.

5. Everyone needs friends, including you. Cooking is not only a good way for you to interact with your kids and for your kids to interact with their peers. It can also be a great way for you to get in touch with other moms. If you make it a play date for both kids and parents, you may make a new friend and squeeze in a little adult conversation on the side.

Dana Livingston is a writer for a culinary arts website where you can browse schools and the latest trends in the culinary arena.

My Monday newspaper column on moms losing the baby weight - which many SouthernMamas readers contributed to – focuses on the trend of celeb moms who quickly drop the baby weight. Then take a lot of criticism for doing so.

Bravo star Bethenny Frankel of The Real Housewives of New York recently came under fire after she lost 30 pounds of baby weight three weeks after giving birth. Read the column here. (A big thank-you to the SouthernMamas readers who shared their takes for the article)

In response, a Savannah mom emailed me about a Pregnancy & Body Image Survey her grown daughter is working as part of her doctorate in psychology at Berkeley. The study is looking at postpartum moms, body image, and exposure to postpartum celebrities in the media. It is online, anonymous, and takes about 20-30 minutes to complete. Anyone who does it can be entered in a drawing for $20 gift cards to Target. The survey is online now through July 31. Feel free to forward this to anyone who might be interested!

Any new moms who have had their FIRST child in the last 12 months can do the survey. Click here to take the survey.

Below is a guest post by Jane Madison, an early childhood education expert and pre-K teacher at Saint Peter the Apostle School on Wilmington Island:

Many parents wonder how to prepare their child for preschool. The answer is,simply, by doing anything that helps your child develop emotionally, cognitively, and physically.

Research shows there are certain times when the brain is becoming wired for specific skills at an optimum level. The development of social and emotional intelligences, motor and vision skills, thinking and reasoning skills and even the foundation skills needed for reading begin at the moment your child is born.

This article will focus on language development. Sound discrimination and vocabulary development, which are two indicators of reading success, begin developing at birth, with the optimum opportunity being 0-24 months. The greatest enhancement of these two skills occurs from 2-7years for sound discrimination and 2-5 years for vocabulary development. (To view the complete chart, go to www.pamschiller.com.

Children learn sounds by hearing them, and develop language by being spoken to. Talk to your child about everything that is going on around you all day long. When he asks questions, answer him. When he asks the same question over and over again try to rephrase your answer, so he hears different vocabulary. Turn the tables on him by saying,”You tell me what it is?” Have conversations with your child and resist the temptation to answer for him when he seems stuck. Forming the words in his mind and then saying them takes time, and letting him go through this process will seal the new vocabulary in his mind.

Also, it is important to stay on top of any infections or fluid build-up in the ears. Children who cannot hear sounds cannot learn them!
Read to your child 15 to 20 minutes every day. This can be at more than one session, but gradually build time as your child learns to sit still longer. Reading helps develop vocabulary, comprehension and gives you and your child more opportunities to converse.

Talking to and reading with your child is an easy way to help him develop some of the skills he will need for school success.

Jane Madison graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in Early Childhood Education. She has been teaching pre-school in Savannah for over 20 years. In addition to teaching, she has worked as a consultant training teachers working in the Georgia State Funded Pre-Kindergarten program as well as presenting workshops at local, state and national Early Childhood conferences. Jane is currently teaching pre-kindergarten at Saint Peter the Apostle School on Wilmington Island. She is married and the mother of two grown children.