As the end of summer draws near and schools supplies pop up in local stores, parents and kids alike start focusing on the new school year. While the new year brings a level of excitement and anticipation, parents wonder on how to make the new school year successful for their children. All parents...

We all know someone who is providing care for someone else. They may be caring for an older parent, a disabled adult child, or a spouse suffering from a traumatic injury or chronic illness. Even parents raising children are considered caregivers. Caregivers give of themselves without expecting...

Recently a woman in one of my programs asked me about a diagnosis that her husband had received - Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI).  According to the Alzheimer's Association website, MCI "causes cognitive changes that are serious enough to be noticed by the individuals experiencing them or to other...

The gifts, the wrapping, the parties…oh my! Seemingly endless holiday demands can put additional stress on our time and resources. For most people, the holiday season is the busiest time of year with extra of everything – social demands, work projects, family obligations, and holiday to-do lists. I...

How times have changed - when I was a kid there were no requirements about car seats.  (Yes, I know how old that makes me sound - maybe I am writing this from my rocking chair!).  Hopefully, I can give some tips on how to make it easier to get children to not fight their car seats.Make being in a...

Happy March Everyone!  This month the Family Life Team is going to focus our blogging efforts on brain health.  Brain health is one of my favorite topics to teach about or talk about. I like learning both about keeping our brains healthy as well as understanding more about Alzheimer's and the...

It seems that lately, my Facebook feed is just blowing up with pictures of babies! I currently have many friends, family and colleagues that are having babies – and I am so excited for them and this amazing time in their lives. This has inspired me to do a little digging in my files and to share...

For most children, biting is usually short-lived and does not become a habit. Nevertheless, it is usually a big deal for everyone - the child bitten, the adults present, and the parents. (If you have ever been bitten, you know that it HURTS!)  Continued biting is one of the reasons that...

What is a family night in?  It's doing something together at home that everyone in the family can enjoy.  Busy families have to intentionally plan some relaxed time together.  Family night in doesn't have to be a major event.  In fact, simple things are often the most fun and relaxing.Here are some...

From the time you are born, you start to age. Everyone on this earth is aging. The word "aging" is associated with positive words like "wisdom", "timeless", "experienced". But it also generates as many or more negative words and visuals. Why is there such a negative perception of aging or getting...

Now I know that this title and the picture have already made some of you move on to something else.  But for those of you who are still with me.....Don't want to pass along your arithmophobia (fear of math - it's a real thing!) to your children?  First of all, understand that math includes more...

The Week of the Young Child is an annual celebration sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) to shed light on the needs of young children (birth through age 8) and their families.  In support, the Family Files blog articles for April will focus on issues...

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...