One effective self-care practice is setting healthy boundaries. In a fast-paced world where people often feel overwhelmed by obligations, learning to say no is crucial for maintaining mental well-being. Whether it’s declining an invitation to an event or limiting work commitments, setting boundaries ensures you’re prioritizing your emotional needs. Recognizing your limits helps prevent burnout and allows time for self-reflection and relaxation.

Another beneficial practice is engaging in regular emotional check-ins. Taking a moment each day to check in with your feelings can help you better understand your emotional state and address any underlying issues before they become overwhelming. Whether through journaling, talking with a friend, or simply sitting quietly with your thoughts, these check-ins promote self-awareness and emotional clarity.

Additionally, practicing gratitude is a powerful tool for improving mental well-being. Reflecting on what you’re thankful for can shift your focus from stress and worry to positivity and appreciation. Taking time to express gratitude for small joys in life can boost mood and foster a sense of calm.

By incorporating these self-care practices into daily life, Bedford residents can strengthen their mental health and build a solid foundation for emotional well-being, particularly during Mental Health Awareness Month. Prioritize self-care and embrace mental wellness in May and beyond.

The post Prioritizing Mental Well-Being in Bedford: Self-Care Tips for Mental Health Awareness in May first appeared on The Bedford Tribune.

1. Plant Growth Observation: One of the simplest and most educational experiments is observing plant growth. We plant seeds (like sunflowers or beans) in small containers and track their progress over the weeks. It’s a great way to teach kids about how plants grow and the importance of water, sunlight, and healthy soil. You can even teach them to recycle old containers as planters!
2. DIY Bird Feeders: Creating a bird feeder from eco-friendly materials like pinecones, peanut butter, and bird seed is a fun and easy project. It not only teaches kids about wildlife but also encourages them to care for animals in their own backyard. Watching birds visit the feeder is a rewarding experience for children.
3. Water Filtration Experiment: Use common household items like gravel, sand, and cotton to create a simple water filtration system. This experiment teaches kids about the importance of clean water and how natural filtration works. It’s a wonderful way to discuss environmental conservation and the need for clean water.
4. Creating a Solar Oven: One of my favorite experiments, especially as the weather heats up, is building a simple solar oven. Using a pizza box, aluminum foil, plastic wrap, and black construction paper, you can create an oven that uses sunlight to heat and cook food. This hands-on project teaches kids about solar energy and its potential as an eco-friendly power source. We’ve used our solar oven to melt s’mores or heat up some small snacks, and the kids absolutely love it!

By doing these eco-friendly experiments, we can teach kids in Bedford not only about science but also about the importance of taking care of the planet—while having fun and learning together!

The post Fun and Eco-Friendly Science Experiments for Kids This May first appeared on The Bedford Tribune.

Speaker Series: Navigating Well-being in a Digital Age

Dr. Nicole Pucci, Clinical Psychologist, and Dr. Kelly Christian and Dr. Emily Lauster, of the Ethan D. Schafer Center for Learning Differences at Lawrence School, will discuss how to lessen the negative effects of screen time, as well as strategies to promote development, mental health, and social interactions.

Free, supervised children’s activities are available during the program — adults and children must register separately.
Wednesday, May 7, 6:30 p.m.
Solon Branch of Cuyahoga County Public Library

Music Therapy & More

Join us for a hands-on program designed to teach families how to use music to improve their child’s academic, motor, communication, and social skills as well as behavior.

This program is designed for families and their children (ages 0–6) who have concerns about development.
connectingforkids.org/music
Wednesday, May 21, 6:30 p.m.
Solon Branch of Cuyahoga County Public Library

About Connecting for Kids

Connecting for Kids provides resources, support, and community to families in Northeast Ohio who have concerns about their child.

We support families who have children with mental health concerns, developmental delays, and disabilities, as well as those facing major life changes.

Our offerings include programs, Resource Fairs, and a Family Resource Specialist (FRS) Program.
Programs include support groups for adults, presentations by professionals, and hands-on programs that caregivers attend with their child.

The FRS program offers a CFK staff member who meets with families and assists them in navigating resources.
All programs are offered free to families.

The post Connecting for Kids May Programs in Solon first appeared on The Bedford Tribune.

1. Start with a Plan: Grab your gloves, a trash bag, and maybe a buddy or two. Bedford has plenty of parks, trails, and sidewalks that could use a little TLC. You can take a walk along the scenic Tinkers Creek or jog around Bedford Reservation, keeping an eye out for litter along the way. Not only are you helping the environment, but you’re also getting some exercise – it’s like cleaning while staying fit!

2. Keep It Safe: Always be mindful of what you’re picking up! Avoid sharp objects or anything that looks potentially hazardous. If you find something dangerous, like broken glass or needles, it’s best to contact local authorities to safely dispose of it.

3. Make It a Group Activity: Gather your family, friends, or neighbors and make a fun challenge out of it. Who can pick up the most litter in 30 minutes? Or, if you’re feeling adventurous, try setting a goal to cover a specific route and clean up as you go.

4. Don’t Forget the Essentials: Stay hydrated and wear sturdy shoes. And of course, don’t forget the sunscreen while you’re out there!

Plogging is a great way to celebrate Earth Day, keep Bedford beautiful, and get your heart pumping. So, lace up those sneakers, grab a bag, and let’s plog our way to a cleaner, greener Bedford this spring!

The post Earth Day Fun and Fitness: Plog Your Way to a Cleaner Bedford first appeared on The Bedford Tribune.

1. A Pet-Friendly Easter: Easter celebrations can be a fun time for families, but it’s important to make sure your pets are safe during the festivities. Keep chocolate, candy, and other treats out of reach, as these can be toxic to pets. If you have an Easter egg hunt, be sure that plastic eggs and other small items are kept away from pets to prevent choking hazards. void using Easter grass in baskets, as it can be hazardous if ingested by pets and may cause intestinal blockages. Also, keep Easter flowers like lilies, which are toxic to cats, and other plants out of reach.
2. Flea and Tick Prevention: April marks the beginning of flea and tick season. These pests become more active as temperatures rise, so it’s essential to use flea and tick preventatives for your pets. Make sure to check your pet regularly for ticks, especially if they’ve been in grassy or wooded areas.
3. Spring Grooming: As the weather warms up, your pet may start shedding their winter coat. Regular brushing helps remove excess fur and reduces shedding around your home. It’s also a great opportunity to check for skin issues or parasites.
4. Outdoor Safety: If you’re spending more time outdoors with your pet, ensure they have plenty of shade and fresh water. Keep walks to cooler parts of the day to avoid the midday heat, and be mindful of hot pavement that can burn your pet’s paws.

By following these pet care tips for April, you can ensure a safe, healthy, and pet-friendly Easter while preparing your furry companions for the beautiful spring season.

The post April Pet Care Tips for Bedford: A Pet-Friendly Easter and Spring Health first appeared on The Bedford Tribune.

This month’s program features April Suva-Surovi, a dementia expert presenting “Keep Your Brain Sharp and Young.” Her talk will share simple, science-backed strategies to support cognitive health at any age.

Also speaking is Lisa Haley, whose presentation, “Surviving Life’s Surprises,” recounts her powerful journey of recovery after a rafting accident. Her story is a testament to faith, strength, and resilience, and will leave attendees feeling both moved and motivated.

Admission is $20 at the door, and gluten-free lunch options are available upon request. The RSVP deadline is Monday, April 14th, so don’t wait! To reserve your seat, call 216-706-9150 or email wcchagrin@gmail.com. Cancellations are accepted through the RSVP deadline.

Whether you’re looking for encouragement, education, or just a meaningful way to spend your lunch hour, this event is sure to be time well spent. Make plans now to attend—and bring a friend!

The post Don’t Miss Out: Chagrin Valley Lunch & Learn is Just Around the Corner! first appeared on The Bedford Tribune.

1. Spring-Themed Crafts: Easter provides the perfect backdrop for crafting. Whether it’s decorating Easter eggs, making flower crowns, or creating colorful spring-themed paintings, there are endless possibilities. I love setting up a crafting station with markers, stickers, and other supplies. Letting the kids choose their own designs or colors makes the activity even more personal and imaginative.
2. Outdoor Nature Art: With the weather finally warming up, we love taking art projects outdoors. Using materials like twigs, leaves, and flowers, we create natural art pieces, or sometimes even create simple mandalas on the ground. Nature provides endless inspiration and gives kids the chance to appreciate the outdoors while being creative.
3. Cooking Together: Another way to spark creativity is by getting the kids involved in the kitchen. We make homemade bunny-shaped cookies or colorful spring-themed cupcakes. They love decorating them with frosting and sprinkles, and it’s a great way to explore their artistic side while making a tasty treat.
4. Storytelling and Imaginative Play: Lastly, we incorporate imaginative play by creating stories. Whether we act them out or simply write them down, it allows the kids to create their own worlds and characters.

These simple activities not only make Easter and spring break fun but also nurture the creative skills that will benefit my kids year-round.

The post Encouraging Creativity in Kids During Easter and Spring Break first appeared on The Bedford Tribune.

Change can often feel intimidating or unsettling, but when approached with a positive mindset, it can lead to personal growth, greater resilience, and a renewed sense of purpose. Embracing change involves accepting that life’s seasons ebb and flow, and that growth often happens when we step outside our comfort zones.

One of the first steps in embracing change is practicing self-reflection. Take time this April to reflect on the changes in your life over the past year. What have you learned? What new opportunities have emerged? Self-reflection helps you gain perspective and identify areas where you may be ready to grow or make changes.

Another powerful practice is letting go. Often, we hold on to old patterns, beliefs, or routines that no longer serve us. Spring is the perfect time to let go of what no longer aligns with your values or goals. This could mean releasing negative thought patterns, letting go of clutter, or simply adopting a more flexible approach to your daily life.

Embracing change and renewal can be both freeing and transformative. As Bedford residents experience the new growth of spring, allow this season to inspire positive shifts in your emotional well-being, fostering a sense of renewal and openness to the future.

The post Embracing Change and Renewal for Mental Well-Being This April in Bedford first appeared on The Bedford Tribune.

Connecting for Kids has introduced a new website to help local families easily find inclusive summer programming for those 0-12 years. The site, inclusivesummer.com, includes adapted summer camps, sports, arts and recreational opportunities as well as programs addressing academics, speech-language, motor, social and executive function skills, among others.

This website is searchable by child’s age, region or program length. It even has a feature where users type in their zip code and indicate how far they are willing to travel for a program with search results shown visually on a Google map. An advanced search option allows families to search on more than one criterion, for example, westside programs for preschoolers.

“Connecting for Kids receives a large volume of calls each spring from parents and caregivers looking for ways to not only keep their child occupied over the summer but to keep up skills heading into the new school year,” said Sarah Rintamaki, Executive Director of Connecting for Kids. “By creating this website, Connecting for Kids has introduced a user-friendly experience, giving families information matched to their needs and offering direct links to provider websites and contacts.”

All of the programs on the website take place in June, July or August. Connecting for Kids staff will continue to verify and add new programs that are available this summer. Providers can share their updates with an online form. Please note that the site only takes submissions that welcome children ages 0-12 years with disabilities or mental health concerns.

Since families are busy, a how to use this site page explains all of the different ways families can search the site to find the resources and information they need.

“Some parents are just so overwhelmed with a new diagnosis or life circumstance that they don’t even know where to begin,” said Rintamaki.

For those families, Connecting for Kids offers free Ask Us sessions where individuals can schedule a 30- minute one-on-one session with a Connecting for Kids Family Resource Specialist to discuss their unique situation and get personalized summer options. Reserve a time on the website, email info@connectingforkids.org or call/text us at 440-570-5908.

About Connecting for Kids

Connecting for Kids provides resources, support and community to families in Northeast Ohio who have concerns about their child. We support families who have children with mental health concerns, developmental delays and disabilities as well as those facing major life changes. We offer programs, Resource Fairs and a Family Resource Specialist (FRS) Program. Programs include support groups for adults, presentations by professionals as well as hands-on programs that caregivers attend with their child. The FRS program offers a CFK staff member who meets with families and assists them in navigating resources. All programs are offered
free to families.

The post Connecting for Kids Introduces New, User-Friendly Website to Help Families Find Inclusive Summer Programs in Northeast Ohio first appeared on The Bedford Tribune.

Music Therapy & More

Join us for a hands-on program designed to teach families how to use music to improve their child’s academic, motor, communication and social skills as well as behavior. This program is designed for families and their children, ages 0 – 6 years, who have concerns about development. connectingforkids.org/music
Wednesday, April 16, 7:00 p.m.
Solon Branch of Cuyahoga County Public Library

Workshop: The Ugly Hour

Ochanya McRoberts-Wells, MEd, will discuss the ugly hour—that time before bed where chaos reigns and your little angel turns into a bedtime monster. She will provide you with tools to support a smoother bedtime and teach you nighttime rituals to establish predictability for the whole family.
Thursday, April 10, 6:00 p.m.
Virtual

About Connecting for Kids

Connecting for Kids provides resources, support, and community to families in Northeast Ohio who have concerns about their child. We support families who have children with mental health concerns, developmental delays, and disabilities as well as those facing major life changes. We offer programs, Resource Fairs, and a Family Resource Specialist (FRS) Program. Programs include support groups for adults, presentations by professionals, and hands-on programs that caregivers attend with their child. The FRS program offers a CFK staff member who meets with families and assists them in navigating resources. All programs are offered free to families.

The post Connecting for Kids April Programs in Solon & Virtual Opportunities first appeared on The Bedford Tribune.