Parenting and families : article
During Mental Health Awareness Month, two MU Extension specialists offer tips to help lighten the load for others.
Food insecurity is on the rise in Missouri, according to the newly released 2025 Missouri Hunger Atlas. Published every other year, the atlas provides local leaders, nonprofits and agencies with data they can use to guide resources and shape solutions.
A program helps incarcerated parents and their children develop life skills, improve communication, and strengthen family bonds through monthly visits and activities.
BLUE SPRINGS, Mo.–You're in the middle of a crowded grocery story and your 3-year-old grabs a candy bar from the shelf. You quietly tell him to put it back. He screams at the top of his lungs and throws himself on the floor. You feel that all eyes are on you and you want to become invisible.
BLUE SPRINGS, Mo.–Members of the baby boomer generation are starting to retire, but that doesn’t mean they are entering a carefree phase of life. Their kids may be all grown up, but boomers who still have a living parent are facing new responsibilities, notes a University of Missouri Extension…
Stay safe in extreme heat by hydrating, seeking shade, and watching for signs of cramps, exhaustion, or heat stroke.
Prepare your child for school with routines, checklists, and stress-reducing strategies. Build excitement and confidence for the new school year.
“Birth order and it’s effects on the person has been fascinating scientists and the general public for at least one hundred years,” says Janice Weddle, County Engagement Specialist in Youth Development for the University of Missouri Extension. There have been several studies to try to…
Child care shortages cost Missouri $1.15 billion annually through lost tax revenue, absenteeism, and limited workforce participation.
Child care shortages cost Missouri $869 million annually, straining businesses, tax revenue, and families while limiting workforce growth.
We know that eating to meet our nutritional needs promotes physical wellness. But consuming a meal should focus not just on the nutritional value but also the social and emotional value, writes MU Extension human development specialist Maria Calvert.
As summer comes to an end and plans for the school year unfold the children in your life might feel a wide range of emotions. It is our role as adults to help children identify those emotions.
Stories of rural families facing loss highlight mental health and suicide awareness in National Suicide Awareness Month.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – When the news has another tragic story about a child accidentally left in a hot car, parents might believe they could never make a mistake like that.
BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. – Children who get enough sleep are more likely to function better and are less prone to behavioral problems and moodiness. “That is why it is important for parents to start early and help their children develop good sleep habits,” said a University of Missouri Extension 4-H youth…
Halloween safety tips help families protect children while trick-or-treating. Learn costume, candy, and neighborhood precautions.
University of Missouri Extension has information and resources for individuals, families, caregivers and others.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – For five generations, the James O’Donnell Funeral Home has held the hands and hearts of grieving northeastern Missouri families as they said their goodbyes.Fifth-generation owner Jimmy O’Donnell says no time in history challenged him and other rural funeral directors more than the…
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The University of Missouri Psychological Services Clinic is offering teleservices to help adults and children cope with anxiety and stress related to COVID-19.
The clinic offers up to five brief sessions through videoconferencing or telephone, said Debora Bell, longtime director of…
COLUMBIA, Mo. – If it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it must be a duck.
Limit screen time at home to boost health, activity, and family connection for all ages.
CHILLICOTHE, Mo. – Halloween should be a fun time for dress-up, parties and yummy treats. Taking a few precautions before your kids head out the door can go a long way toward keeping them safe, said a University of Missouri Extension human development specialist.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The busy time of the year is upon us – prom, graduation, spring sports and end-of-school banquets. This flurry of activities can bring stress, especially in rural communities, where these activities may coincide with spring planting, says Jeremiah Terrell, a University of Missouri…
Strengthening Families helps preteens and parents build communication skills, reduce stress, and foster resilience for healthier youth and communities.
OZARK, Mo. — Teachers have children in the classroom for about seven hours a day, but what happens during the other 17 hours can make or break your child’s success in school.Attitude can make all the difference, says a University of Missouri Extension human development specialist.
University of Missouri Extension Wright County Engagement Specialist Janice Weddle and University of Missouri Extension Douglas County Engagement Specialist Dr.
BLUE SPRINGS, Mo.–Should parents let kids take their cellphones to school? A University of Missouri Extension 4-H youth development specialist looks at the pros and cons.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Agriculture-related incidents injure 33 children every day, and every three days a child dies from one, says University of Missouri Extension safety and health specialist Karen Funkenbusch.“Protecting our future generation needs to be a top priority!” she says.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Lawn mowing is often one of the first jobs young people have.It is also one of the most dangerous spring activities, says University of Missouri Extension health and safety specialist Karen Funkenbusch.
Help children sleep better with consistent bedtime routines, a calm environment, and healthy sleep habits for growth and focus.
Outdoor play boosts children’s physical, social, and cognitive skills while sparking curiosity and confidence.
Have you ever been paying a bill online, while trying to get dinner ready, while letting the dog out, all while asking your family about their day. Societal norms have told us multitasking makes us more efficient and allows us to get more done all at once. However, the opposite is true we get less…
CARTHAGE, Mo. – Everyone has the same 24 hours in a day. However, the way you use those hours can mean the difference between getting important things done and just doing tasks.
Warrensburg R6 Adventure Club provides children with stability, support, and a sense of belonging through holistic development and community engagement.