It's severe weather season here in the Midwest. All families need a plan for what to do in the case of an emergency or natural disaster. Be Prepared Preparation for any emergency or disaster is key. First, you need to look at what could affect your family home. Illinois is prone to many weather-...

I recently ran into a former colleague who told me that she had retired from the job at which she and I had worked together.  She "hated, absolutely hated" retirement so went back to work doing virtually the same thing, but at a different organization.  Although I can't say for sure, I wonder if...

When parents possess six protective factors, the risk for abuse and neglect diminish.  These factors are: Nurturing and attachment Knowledge of parenting and of child and youth development Parental resilience Social connections Concrete supports for parents Social and emotional...

For many years, I have held workshops for caregivers and just recently hosted a webinar on caregiving for U of I Extension staff. Based on the interactions with participants, I get the feeling that these caregivers are not only searching for information, but also support and validation of what they...

"The name of the restaurant is on the tip of my tongue and it is just not coming to me." Does this sound familiar? Everyone experiences trouble now and again recalling information when needed. It is most often proper nouns like the name of a person or place. Usually the more anxious you are in...

Rituals are an important part of life.  Think of the pleasant rituals from your childhood.  They generally make us feel loved, warm, and safe.  Set aside a night in February to start a monthly "family night in" ritual with your family.  What is a family night in?  It's doing something together at...

Minimizing the impact of change on your child Change happens. Some changes are big, such as getting married or divorced, moving or birth of a new baby. Other changes may be smaller, but still can add up over time. Whether changes are life changing or minor inconveniences, they can cause stress....

Despite the title, I am not going to talk about the latest video game or Monster High doll!  According to authors Jo Robinson and Jean Coppock-Staeheli in their book Unplug the Christmas Machine, as early as the age of four or five kids can lose the ability to be delighted by the sights...

  You may have noticed that all of the Family Files blog entries this month have been about brain health and memory in honor of Brain Awareness Week. We have emphasized that exercise, a healthy diet, good sleep, socialization and stress management are all major contributors for a healthy brain....

View infographic here.Parents have many resources when it comes to developing, growing, nurturing, and cultivating empathy in their children. Empathy is the foundation for developing good relationships, for loving well, and...

Recently my four siblings, their spouses, and I got together for our annual sibs weekend. (I'd post a picture of us, but at least one of my sisters would, shall we say, object STRONGLY.) I can always count on my siblings for a lot of laughter, gentle ribbing, and reminiscing and this led me to...

Obesity rates - we hear about them all the time and yes, Americans of all ages are fat.  (Sorry, but I want to make a point, and obesity always sounds so much nicer than fat.)For children ages 2-19, 17% of children are considered to be obese (see, being nice again!).  The good news is that there...

Recently I came across an article in one of the local papers titled "No support behind brain games." I have to say that my first instinct was one of panic. I currently facilitate monthly Wits Fitness brain exercise classes in four different locations and many others by request. What will my class...

Many things can happen spontaneously during a family meal - We share family stories We support one another by offering help for concerns or struggles We share family values and expectations We problem solve But many families feel they are just too busy to make time for mealtime.  So, if...

Coloring – It's not just for kids! The benefits of coloring were first recognized by Carl Jung back in the early 20th century. Recently we have seen a rise in the availability and popularity of adult coloring books. Adult coloring books often have more...

It seems like we pay a lot of attention to encouraging children to read, but what about writing?  Supporting children's writing begins early, even with children who are one year old.  Ideas to encourage those toddlers: Provide non-toxic writing, painting and drawing materials Talk to children...

  Everywhere around us, we see people constantly checking their smartphones. You might wonder "what could be so important that would have people tied so closely to those little devices?" Are they checking texts from friends? Facebook or Instagram updates? Work e-mails? I have become accustomed to...

Every child is an artist.  The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.  - Pablo PicassoI know what you're thinking!  Isn't Art Appreciation what freshman college students take?  Why should we be considering this for young children?  Art can be fun!  There are two ways to enjoy...

Overwork and over scheduling take a toll on families and relationships as we find less time together, especially to just hang out.  Taking a break to spend some relaxed time together as a family can be a way to reconnect.  A family night in is doing something together at home that everyone in the...

First, let's start with a little history about the program. In doing some research I found that the word LIFE, in Vial of Life, stands for Lifesaving Information for Emergenci