Family and Consumer Sciences

Live Smart Ohio

Ohio State University Extension

Hi-Ho, Hi-Ho, It’s Off to School They Go

It seems like just yesterday that I was sending my kids off to their first day of preschool. Fast forward to now, I have a college senior, a college freshman, and a high school freshman. Where did all those years go? How are my little kids young adults or teens now? How can I be […]

WRITTEN BY: Misty Harmon, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, Ohio State University Extension, Perry County, harmon.417@osu.edu

REVIEWED BY: Lorrissa Dunfee, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, Ohio State University Extension, Belmont County, dunfee.54@osu.edu

PHOTO CREDITS:

  • https://pixabay.com/en/classroom-school-education-learning-2093744/
  • https://pixabay.com/en/school-education-learning-converse-909381/

SOURCES:

  • National Center for Education Statistics (2018). Fast Facts: Back to School Statistics. Retrieved at: https://nces.ed.gov/fastfacts/display.asp?id=372
  • Harmon, M. (2018). Mindful Parenting: Enjoy Every Moment. Live Smart Ohio. Available at http://livesmartohio.osu.edu/mind-and-body/harmon-416osu-edu/mindful-parenting-enjoy-every-moment/
  • Great Schools Staff (2018). 11 tips for adjusting to a new school. Retrieved at: https://www.greatschools.org/gk/articles/adjusting-to-new-school/
  • Coburn, K. (2018). Letting go: tips for parents of new college students. Found at: https://www.greatschools.org/gk/articles/letting-go-new-college-students/
  • Garey, J. (2018). Preparing for College Emotionally, Not Just Academically. Available at: https://childmind.org/article/preparing-for-college-emotionally-not-just-academically/

Relaxing During Summer Adventures

Now that summer is upon us we are excited to get out and travel to our favorite places or make new adventures with family or friends. The weather is nice out, which makes you feel like you are ready to get out and make a difference. Although vacations can be very fun and relaxing, they […]

WRITTEN BY: Guest Author: Katie Wagner, Summer Intern, Ohio Statue University Extension, Washington County

REVIEWED BY: Amanda Bohlen, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, Ohio State University Extension, Washington County

SOURCES:

  • Crumpton, W. R. (2018, April 11). Start planning now for a stress-free summer vacation | HealthCalling. Retrieved June 14, 2018, from https://www.stjhs.org/healthcalling/2018/april/start-planning-now-for-a-stress-free-summer-vaca/
  • Maros, M. (2016, October 31). 7 Tips for a Stress-Free Summer Vacation. Retrieved June 14, 2018, from https://peacefulmindpeacefullife.org/7-tips-for-a-stress-free-summer-vacation/

Keeping Holidays Expectations in Check

The holiday season is upon us. What does that mean for you? Are you looking forward to special events and traditions of the season? Are you stressed just thinking about all the preparations? What happens when our visions of sugar plums turn to ruined candy, or the beautiful decorations we had planned just don’t turn […]

WRITTEN BY: Shannon Carter, Extension Educator, Family & Consumer Sciences, Ohio State University Extension, Fairfield County.

REVIEWED BY: Amy Meehan, MPH, Healthy People Program Specialist

SOURCES:

  • Managing Expectations. 2017. American Psychological Association. Retrieved from: http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/holiday-stress-managing-expectations.aspx.
  • Holiday Resource Center. 2017. American Psychological Association. Retrieved from: http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/holiday-stress.aspx

Creating “Margin” in Your Life

Do you find yourself often rushing from one activity or event to another? Is your schedule so full that a little “hiccup” in the day creates a tragic loss of unrecoverable time and the rest of the day falls apart like a line of dominoes? Perhaps you could use a little margin in your life. […]

WRITTEN BY: Shannon Carter, Extension Educator, Family & Consumer Sciences, Ohio State University Extension, Fairfield County

REVIEWED BY: Melinda Hill, Extension Educator, Family & Consumer Sciences, Ohio State University Extension, Wayne County

SOURCES:

  • American Psychological Association, “Research-based strategies for better balance.” July/August 2016, Vol 47, No. 7. http://www.apa.org/monitor/2016/07-08/sidebar-balance.aspx
  • Li, Qing. Effect of forest bathing trips on human immune function. Environ Health Prev Med. 2010 January; 15(1): 9–17. Published online 2009 March 25. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2793341/
  • Swenson, R. 2004. Margin: Restoring Emotional, Physical, Financial, and Time Reserves to Overloaded Lives. NavPress, Colorado. http://www.richardswenson.com/margin/

Thank you

When I was a kid, my mom would remind me to say “Thank you” when someone gave me a gift or did something for me. Now, as a mother, I remind my own kids to say “Thank you” for those same reasons. For some people it is simple and easy to show gratitude and appreciation, […]

WRITTEN BY: Misty Harmon, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, Ohio State University Extension, Perry County, harmon.417@osu.edu

REVIEWED BY: Jami Dellifield, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, Ohio State University Extension, Hardin County, dellifield.2@osu.edu

PHOTO CREDITS:

  • https://pixabay.com/en/thankful-thanks-grateful-thank-you-1081614/

SOURCES:

  • http://ucdmc.ucdavis.edu/welcome/features/2015-2016/11/20151125_gratitude.html
  • http://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2012/08/health-benefits.aspx
  • http://news.uga.edu/releases/print/research-links-gratitude-positive-marital-outcomes-1015/
  • https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/tips_for_keeping_a_gratitude_journal/
  • https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/ten_ways_to_become_more_grateful1/

Managing Summer Stress

Summer is here with its warm weather and sunny days. Our schedules are filling up with picnics, barbecues and swimming pool parties. Summer also means that the kids are out of school and that can add family stress. Stress can take a significant toll on your health and it’s very important you notice when you […]

WRITTEN BY: Amanda Bohlen, Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences, Washington County.

REVIEWED BY: Name, Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences, County.

REFERENCES:

  • http://drdavewalsh.com/posts/165.
  • https://www.mottchildren.org/posts/your-child/kids-and-digital-media

Need Assistance?

If you are having issues logging into the site, need assistance with updates, or need to request an alternate format please send an email to the EHE Service Desk at servicedesk@ehe.osu.edu stating the nature of your issue and we will assist you. Thank you.

Follow us!

Are you a Live Smart Ohio Author? Log in here!