June 2011

601 South Street, Galion, Oh 44833. 419-468-7581

www.childcarechoices.org

Families Enjoying Exercise Together 5K

Saturday 5/21/11 ~ Kids Fun Run
The first place winners in their categories: Ben Altstadt, Nick McPherson, Kevin
Thomas, Rick Vanburen, Evan Heilinger, George Guins, Sam Altstadt, Laurie
Schroeder, Katy Hoffman, Suzanne Marinella, Liz Dolan.
Kids Fun Run ~ All children received medals: Eva Hadsell, Landon Sutter, Kohler
Fuller, Maya Collene, Austin Hoffman, Ashlee Hoffman, Lydia Schroeder, Dominic Here are the rated centers in our
Schroeder, Kegan Searls, Maddison Searls, Nicholas Orcena, Ben Orcena area:

Congradulations everyone! Thank you sponsors! Crawford County:

Sara Beegle-

Wee Care-

Marion County:

Epworth-

Richland County:

Assembly-

Little Blessings -

NCSC/OSU-M CDC

For more info about what a Step Up to

Quality rating means for your child, visit:

www.stepuptoquality.org
 May was provider appreciation
Thank you 5K Sponsors month...CCC told Family Care
Providers thank you by
All Import Automotive
purchasing each provider a gift
Graham Automall package from Avon and star
rated centers received cookies.
Cross Roads Thank you all providers for
Mid Ohio Sports taking care of our children !

Thomas Ray Attorney at Law

Word Search
A-1 Printing
G T Z I B T T H MJ WK V R Q
YMCA ~ Bucyrus Area, Galion, Morrow P N R H R U E O R B A O N A G
K X I C L X Q R WT R I WWY
K C B Y X D E E J E MS T L M
Don’t forget about our V C K Q A F U MK V L H N F L
wonderful resource the... V T X I U L X MB E K F WC T
A C Q E K S P U Q R I K Z J L
C P C G WMMS Q S S G P Z V
A G N I P MA C H T T G A B G
T H MG T J P I R B E A C H Z
I N U S I O N O WA C V T L V
O L V N Y G H L B MJ L H J I
N Y X N B S H P J S B N G MQ
H T C A R Y H Y L L X D C A U
Y L Y K E X MI C I N E X E O

Summer, beach, shorts, warm,

fishing, sun, camping, vacation,
swim, hot, towel, playing

Bucyrus Lions Park & Galion Heise Park

June, July, and August Word Scramble…
Planned activities geared toward toddler thru age 8
CHILDREN MUST BE ACCOMPLIED BY AN ADULT GNMCIAP
Call Justine Bruns @ CCC 4 info 419-468-7581
Summertime needs to be coordinated
Kids wait all year for summer vacation, but for divorced or separated families, summer vacations can become a complicated affair. Parents not only have to work
around each other's schedules, but may have to work around all the extracurricular school camps and activities that take place each summer. Planning in advance
can help reduce stress and ensure that both children's and parents' needs are being met.

It is extremely important that parents keep the lines of communication open so that schedules can be coordinated for opportunities for parents and children to
spend additional time together. Parents need to be creative. It could mean that extra time is another evening a week together or some long weekends together or
even a summer trip together.

If families plan ahead, it can also help with childcare issues. Communicating together in a positive manner teaches children that their parents love them and re-
spect them enough to put their needs first. In addition, there are other tips to help parents make sure that summer vacations are positive experiences for the chil-
dren and not just boring days sitting in front of the TV or video games. Follow some of these tips as you are planning for this summer:

» Plan ahead. Make sure each parent has uninterrupted time with the children and coordinate your schedules to make sure dates don't overlap. Before making
reservations or spending a lot of money on a vacation rental, clear the dates with the other parent.

» Remember other special summer events before planning, such as Father's Day weekend or special sports tournaments, etc. In addition, if your ex always has the
same two weeks off work during the summer, don't schedule your vacation during that time. Sometimes vacation schedules can be very limited, so it is important to
compromise.

» Ensure that your children can have ongoing contact with the parent not on the vacation. Older children can often keep contact themselves with cell phones and
Internet, but for younger children, build contact time into the routine of the vacation. This can help things go much more smoothly and even soothe homesick woes.

» Share travel plans with the other parent even if the court doesn't require it. This is not only important for safety reasons but helps parents and children feel more
connected while the child is away.

» Make sure you have permission to take the children out of state and get written permission when necessary.

» Remember what it's like to be a kid. They need down time to just relax, sleep late and hang out. Don't make the vacation so planned that there is no time for just
being a kid.

» Make sure you have the necessary health and insurance forms when travelling with your children. If you need to have written permission for medical treatment
for the children, be sure to pack it.

» When your child is with the other parent, keep yourself busy. Use this time to do the sorts of things you've never had time for like cleaning your garage or going
out with friends or reading a good book.

If your children spend the entire summer with you, it is impossible to be with them all the time. Let them have friends over or let them spend time with their peers.
Go the extra mile, like going to pick up the friends, and make it clear friends are welcome at your home. Look for alternatives to keep your child happy and busy
when you can't be with them.

Finally, just relax. Summertime can be a lazy, every-day time when you just hang out together doing things like picnics in the backyard, running through the
sprinkler or going for walks. Children will remember the memories of being with you long after they remember details of a fancy trip.

Mary Longo is County Director and Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences for Ohio State University Extension, Marion County.

Keep your eye on

Word Scramble Solution
our website
www.childcarechoices.org ...it’s
CAMPING
being updated. Let us know what
think of the changes?
 Professional Development & Community Events Calendar

June 2011
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1 2 3 4

5 6 7 8 9 10 11

12 13 14 15 16 17 18

Flag Day

19 20 21 22 23 24 25

Fathers Day First day of

SUMMER

26 27 28 29 30

ALL TRAININGS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE.

CHECK WWW.OPDN.ORG

FOR MORE CLASSES, TIMES, AND REGISTRATION INFORMATION