Family and Consumer Sciences

Live Smart Ohio

Ohio State University Extension

Green is Our Theme

Before leaving for work on week-day mornings, my spouse quietly practices a daily family routine. He kisses our sleeping son on the forehead and says “I love you. Make today a green day.”  In our child’s elementary classroom, colors are used for a daily behavior chart. Green means “ready to learn” and it is the […]

WRITTEN BY: Patrice Powers-Barker, Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences, Lucas County

REVIEWED BY: Whitney Gherman, MSW, Educator, Marion County

PHOTO CREDITS:

  • Pixabay

REFERENCES:

  • Veritas. (2018). 3 Benefits of Family Routines and Rituals. American College of Pediatricians. https://www.acpeds.org/3-benefits-of-family-routines-and-rituals
  • Lobb, J. (2020) Flattening the Curve. Live Healthy Live Well. Ohio State University Extension, Family and Consumer Sciences. https://livehealthyosu.com/2020/03/16/flattening-the-curve/
  • The Importance of Family Routines. (2007). Caring for Your School-Age Child: Ages 5 to 12. American Academy of Pediatrics. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/family-life/family-dynamics/Pages/The-Importance-of-Family-Routines.aspx
  • Managing Stress for a Healthy Family. (2019). American Psychological Association. https://www.apa.org/helpcenter/managing-stress
  • Holmes, P. (2016). Helping Young Children Through Stressful Times. Ohio State University. https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/flm-fs-8-99-r07
  • How to Grow Peas – Part 1. (2016). Smart Gardening. Michigan State University Extension. https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/how_to_grow_peas

Social Media Mania or Madness?

With summer here and most schools out of session, many youth are left to fend for themselves during the day while their parents or caregivers are at work. My husband calls it “the summer of sloth” at our house, because our kids sit around and play on their phones and computers or watch television for […]

WRITTEN BY: Misty Harmon, Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences, Ohio State University Extension, Perry County, harmon.416@osu.edu

REVIEWED BY: Joseph Maiorano, Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences, Ohio State University Extension, Harrison County, maiorano.2@osu.edu

PHOTO CREDITS:

  • https://pixabay.com/photos/snapchat-social-media-smartphone-2480959/
  • https://pixabay.com/photos/texting-mobile-phones-hands-two-1490691/

SOURCES:

  • American Academy of Pediatrics, (2018). Children and Media Tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics. Found at: https://edubirdie.org/articles/children-and-media-tips/
  • Anderson, M. (2018). A Majority of Teens Have Experienced Some Form of Cyberbullying. Pew Research Center. Retrieved from: https://www.pewinternet.org/2018/09/27/a-majority-of-teens-have-experienced-some-form-of-cyberbullying/
  • Digital Responsibility, (2019). Health and Technology. Found at: http://www.digitalresponsibility.org/health-and-technology
  • Hurley, K. (2019). Digital Self-Harm: Why Are Teens Cyber Bullying Themselves? Remedy Health Media, LLC. Found at: https://www.psycom.net/digital-self-harm
  • Jiang, J. (2018). How Teens and Parents Navigate Screen Time and Device Distractions. Pew Research Center. Retrieved from: https://www.pewinternet.org/2018/08/22/how-teens-and-parents-navigate-screen-time-and-device-distractions/
  • Lobb, J. (2016). Time for a Technology Break? Live Healthy Live Well Blog. Retrieved from: https://livehealthyosu.com/tag/digital-detoxing/
  • Mir, E. and Novas, C. (2019). Social Media and Adolescents’ and Young Adults’ Mental Health. National Center for Health Research. Found at: http://www.center4research.org/social-media-affects-mental-health/
  • Shafer, L., (2017). Social Media and Teen Anxiety. Harvard Graduate School of Education. Retrieved from: https://www.gse.harvard.edu/news/uk/17/12/social-media-and-teen-anxiety
  • U.S. National Library of Medicine. (2018) Health Risks of an Inactive Lifestyle. MedlinePlus. Found at: https://medlineplus.gov/healthrisksofaninactivelifestyle.html

Daily Routines for Children

Routines offer a sense of security to children. Having predictability at certain points in each day gives them comfort and makes them feel safe. These feelings of safety and security can promote better behavior, increase social and emotional health, and reduce the risk of engaging in harmful activities. Check out the infographic below to read […]

WRITTEN BY: Joanna Fifner, Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences, fifner.2@osu.edu

REVIEWED BY: Jami Dellifield, Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences, dellifield.2@osu.edu

Are You a Helicopter Parent?

You’ve likely heard of “helicopter parenting”, a term used to describe the tendency of modern parents to hover over their children, crossing the line from being supportive and responsible into the territory of being imposing. “Imposing on my own child?” you might ask. Yes, if you’re a helicopter parent. Research suggests that heavy-handed parental involvement […]

WRITTEN BY: Joanna Fifner, Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Educator, Ohio State University

REVIEWED BY: Jami Dellifield, Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Educator, Ohio State University

SOURCES:

  • http://www.health.harvard.edu/parenting-issues/helicopter-parenting-when-too-much-help-is-no-help
  • http://news.fsu.edu/news/education-society/2016/06/28/helicopter-parents-hovering-may-effect-kids-transition-adulthood/
  • http://newsinfo.iu.edu/web/page/normal/6073.html

REFERENCES:

  • https://www.osu.edu/features/2016/parenting-research.html
  • http://counseling.uoregon.edu/Topics-Resources/Parents-Family/Helpful-Articles/Helicopter-Parents
  • http://newsinfo.iu.edu/web/page/normal/6073.html

Parents, Models in Finance

Parents play a critical role in shaping a child’s attitude, knowledge and behaviors regarding finances. At a very young age, many children tag alongside parents during activities that include a financial component, like shopping and going to the bank. As early as ages 3 and 4, they may even have awareness that money changes hands […]

WRITTEN BY: Joanna Fifner, Extension Educator, Ohio State University Extension, fifner.2@osu.edu

REVIEWED BY: Amanda Woods, M.Ed. Healthy Finances Program Specialist, Family and Consumer Sciences, Ohio State University Extension

SOURCES:

  • http://psychcentral.com/news/2010/05/27/modeling-behavior-for-children-has-long-lasting-effects/14139.html
  • https://www.extension.purdue.edu/providerparent/PDF%20Links/Modeling%20Behavior.pdf

REFERENCES:

  • http://www.consumerfinance.gov/money-as-you-grow/
  • http://livesmartohio.osu.edu/?s=kids+and+money
  • http://livesmartohio.osu.edu/?s=unit+pricing

Book Review: Born to Buy, by Juliet Schor

Concerned about the influence of consumerism on your family? Consider reading Born to Buy, a well-researched book focusing on the relationship between children and consumerism. I have read a couple of Schor’s books over the years, and have found them to be very enlightening. This particular book was first published in 2004, but is even […]

WRITTEN BY: Donna Green, Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences, Ohio State University Extension, Erie County

REVIEWED BY: Melissa Welker, Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences, Ohio State University Extension, Fulton County

SOURCES:

  • Schor, Juliet. (2004). Born to buy. New York, NY: Scribner.

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