Parenting

Benefits of Family Meals

Varnessa McCray, Victor W. Harris, and Martie Gillen

Over the past 30 years obesity among children has increased. One way to help youth make healthy food choices is by creating healthy eating choices and habits at home, starting with family meals. When parents value family dinners, children are likely to view family dinners as important. Family meals can provide important examples to show children what foods are good to eat and how much of the good foods they should eat.

Parenting after a Natural Disaster

Donna Davis and Suzanna Smith

Family Reunification Following Foster Care

Rosalyn Monroe and Victor W. Harris

My Child Has a Mental Illness: Developing Parental Advocacy Skills

Tracy DeCubellis, Victor W. Harris, and Martie Gillen

Bedwetting

Heidi Liss Radunovich and Garret D. Evans

Are You a Highlighter or a Permanent Marker Parent?: Promoting Healthy Child Development by Highlighting Positive Behaviors

Madalyn Klein and Victor W. Harris

This publication takes a look at two different parenting styles, discusses their potential impacts on children’s development and behaviors, and lists helpful parenting strategies. Written by Madalyn Klein and Victor W. Harris, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, October 2024.

The Value of 4-H to Youth in Florida and Beyond

Keith G. Diem

To maximize the strengths of the 4-H Youth Development Program and to promote its value to the public and funding agencies, Extension staff must know the value of 4-H as it is perceived by others. Since parents are key stakeholders in the 4-H program because they approve of their children being members and they are taxpayers and voters, this descriptive survey research involving a randomly selected sample of parents of 4-H club members in Florida aimed to determine what value 4-H brings to youth members, what problems 4-H faces, and what other beliefs parents have about 4-H.

Breastfeeding Benefits and Resources: Benefits for Babies and Mothers

Diana Hazard Taft

You may have heard “breast is best,” but do you know why breastmilk is the best diet for babies? Did you know that breastfeeding benefits moms, too? This publication summarizes the known benefits of breastfeeding and is written for people from all educational backgrounds.

Strategies to Engage 4-H Parents

Julia S. Kelly

Parent engagement makes a significant impact on a 4-H club’s success in fostering the development of targeted life skills in youth participants. This new 4-page publication of the UF/IFAS 4-H Youth Development Program presents 13 concrete strategies for engaging with parents and also addresses some potential challenges with communicating with parents. Written by Julia S. Kelly.

Introduction to Youth Online Peer Support: A Guide for Parents and Caregivers

Angela Nielsen and Larry F. Forthun

The purpose of this publication is to inform the reader about online friendships between teens, mental health and suicidality in teens, ideas for supporting a teen whose online friend discloses thoughts of self-harm and suicide, and the importance of safety and self-care. Written by Angela Nielsen and Larry F. Forthun, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, January 2024.