Holidays can bring forth so many emotions and whether those emotions are happy, stressful, or sad, they often seem magnified during the holidays. Several of our Extension colleagues from across the country have shared tips on reducing stress this holiday season. Here are three of my favorite ones, along with some links to additional resources: Give up perfection. Set realistic expectations for family events and learn to say no and/or accept help from others. University of...

The holiday season is upon us. This season is marked by twinkle lights bedecking all the houses and festive songs playing on all the radios. You can see Santas and stars, reindeer and wreaths everywhere you look. Here in the United States, these things are customary signs of the winter holidays. But these customs are far from universal. Holiday celebrations differ across cultures, backgrounds, and faith traditions, both here in the U.S. and abroad. And learning about these differences can be a...

The old saying it is better to give than to receive is something that has always resonated with me. I love to give gifts and I especially love giving an item that I have created by hand. Making gifts can be time consuming, and with the holidays are upon us, time is running short to create any handmade items this season. To help, we have compiled some simple, quick ideas of gifts you can make for family and friends that don’t take much time at all to create....

What’s your favorite holiday? Mine is Thanksgiving…hands down. I mean, how could it not be? It’s a simple celebration focused on good food, time with family, and the harvest. And if that wasn’t enough, it celebrates a powerful way to encourage good mental and physical health: Gratitude. The benefits of gratitude are well documented in the research. Practicing gratitude increases optimism and happiness while...

According to Feeding America, a national network of food banks, 1 in 7 people in our country rely on a local food bank to eat. This number very likely could include you or someone you know. Particularly after the wake of job loss and shortages following the pandemic, individuals and families need assistance today more than ever. Here in Central Illinois, many Heart of Illinois (HOI) food pantries and organizations are providing meals and food boxes...

I know as I enjoy the leaves changing colors and falling to the ground, I am also reminded of the busyness of this time of year. As with any busy time, it is common for people of all ages to experience stress. With all the factors that can lead to stress, it can sometimes be hard to pinpoint the exact cause of the stressor in our life or the lives of our family members. However, one thing is clear, it is important for all family members to have strategies to help cope with these stressors....

I love Halloween! The costumes, the decorations, the candy, the jokes (Why did the ghost starch his sheet? He wanted everyone scared stiff.) – it’s all great!  But this year, why not take some time out from the spooky tricks and sweet treats to include a little learning amongst all the mayhem? Try these scary STEM activities with your little goblins: Puking Pumpkin – Add a little extra mischief to your jack-o-lantern this year. After you’ve carved a spooky face in your pumpkin, mix about ½ c...

As the weather starts to cool off and thoughts turn to campfires, cool nights and holiday gatherings, it is a perfect time to gather your family or friends together and learn a bit more about each other. Here are some conversation starters to find some conversation starters to learn some great stories from your family and friends. What is one thing you hope people remember about you?  If you could learn one new skill, what would be it be? Where is one place you have traveled or lived that...

October 18-22 is Digital Citizenship Week! And if you’re anything like me, you might be wondering… umm…so what? Well, I think most of us would agree that it’s important to be good citizens IRL (that’s text speak for “in real life”). It’s important to be responsible, safe, and productive members of society. But often, our connected devices lure us into believing that, somehow, the internet isn’t real life. But it is!...

Each year, 4-H members across the nation celebrate National 4-H Week, joining 6 million other 4-H members of the country’s premiere youth development program. This year, the celebration runs Oct. 3 to 9. University of Illinois Extension 4-H wants to use the celebration to connect with former members. Nationally, there are 25 million Americans who share this unique alumni bond. “Illinois 4-H is proud of both current and alumni members,” said ...

Social distancing during the pandemic, though necessary, has caused social and emotional side effects that have been felt by all of us – perhaps especially by our young people. Programs from University of Illinois Extension and 4-H serving Fulton, Mason, Peoria, and Tazewell Counties have worked hard to combat these effects. Starting in October, 4-H will again be offering Connection Corner Kits filled with engaging activities to help families build connections and strengthen relationships....

I don’t know about things in your neck of the woods, but here in Central Illinois, the indications of autumn are everywhere! The shorter days are marked with bright blue skies and a crisp breeze, mums adorn doorsteps, and there’s pumpkin spice everything! In case these tell-tale signs don’t ring true for you, last week also marked the Autumnal Equinox, a date when the day and night have equal timeshare and meteorologists make it official. It’s...

If you or someone you know is in an emergency, call The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) or call 911 immediately. September is National Suicide Prevention Month. To prevent suicide, we must be able to talk about it openly, which can sometimes be challenging. A national poll from...

September 15 to October 15 is National Hispanic Heritage Month (HHM). For generations, the contributions and achievements of our Latin American communities have infused our culture and enriched our lives. This month, take time with your family to celebrate and learn more about Hispanic Heritage. Here are a few ideas to help you do just that. Read - Books are one of the best ways I know to be exposed to different cultures, enveloped by...

Allowing children to be engaged in nature has long been known to have physical and emotional benefts (Children and Nature Network, 2014), however, one area less commonly discussed is the benefit to young people academically. Dr. Ming Kuo, founder of the University of Illinois Landscape and Human Health Laboratory, describes six benefits to youth academically including improved attention, reduced...

“In case of emergency” is a phrase that we’re all familiar with. So familiar, in fact, that we sometimes just ignore it. That “emergency” seems so unlikely and far off – and we have stuff to deal with right now! But – as the past weeks and months have shown us – emergencies happen all the time. As I write this, there are wildfires blazing out west, folks have begun to wade through the devastation of Hurricane Ida in the south, and there’s a resurgence of the pandemic everywhere. There’s never...

Volunteering together can be a great way for families to spend time with each other.  Additionally, volunteering as a family has been shown to significantly impact the amount teens volunteers. America’s Promise found that 81% of teens who had one adult family member or role model who volunteered reported volunteering themselves (Child Trends, 2006). If volunteering is new to your family, be sure to take some time to discuss each other’s interests and what you might be interested in doing. Take...

The school year is here once again!  It can feel overwhelming to get all the school supplies ready and schedules organized, let alone take first day of school pictures, or any of the many traditions people have for going back to school!  However, it is important to take a moment and celebrate the little things – that your child is a year older and is changing and growing every day. One great way to celebrate the start of the school year and document how much they are changing is a “First Day of...

This week, the back-to-school shelves in every store I‘ve gone to look as though they’ve been ravaged. I’m struggling to keep up with my backyard garden harvests, and I just got notification that my favorite apple orchard will be opening for the season. And the children are “going to die of boredom!” The end of summer is upon us. As summer break draws to a close, it’s easy to get caught up in the stress of an impending school year – especially as COVID cases are on the rise again. But right...

National Ice Cream Day is Sunday, July 18! In 1984, President Ronald Reagan issued proclamation declaring that, on the third Sunday of July (National Ice Cream Month), we would recognize this creamy, cool, sweet treat!...