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Help Children Get Enough Sleep
(Posted on 1/23/2012)
“If you think one hour less sleep for kids shouldn’t make much difference, you will be interested to learn how it can impact them,” says Donna K. Donald, an ISU family life program specialist. Mrs. Donald talk about reasons kids need to get enough sleep and how much is needed for each age.

sistersfighting

Teach Healthy Ways to Handle Sibling Conflict
(Posted on 12/28/2011)
“Brothers and sisters spending too much time indoors this winter can result in sibling arguments and fights,” says Donna K. Donald, an ISU family life program specialist. Mrs. Donald offers some tips to help parents cope with sibling conflict.

Retirement: Secure Your Dreams
(Posted on 12/20/2011)
What you save or invest now, and how you save or invest it, directly affects the comfort and security you’ll experience in retirement.

Eco Family, Connecting Families to the Environment Virtual Conference
(Posted on 12/20/2011)
Beginning Thursday, January 5, a virtual conference for families will be held once a month through June. The Eco Family Conference will help families make attitude and behavior changes that will ultimately improve the environment, human health and family finances.

Prevention programs are helping communities in southern Iowa.
(Posted on 6/13/2011)
Learn how prevention programs are helping communities in southern Iowa. Powerful Tools for Caregivers is a program designed to empower family caregivers with valuable tools as they care for ill or aging family members. The Mentoring Program in Appanoose County matches mentors with youth needing a positive influence. Tobacco prevention in Monroe County encourages youth to learn about the negative effects of tobacco. Parents and youth ages 10-14 learn how to better communicate, along with the potential conflicts faced in the teen years. Parents with children under the age of three learn valuable parenting skills in the NEST program.

Understanding Design Elements and Art Principles
(Posted on 7/27/2010)
County Fair is coming soon and you will need to be able to explain Design Elements and Art Principles for your Exhibits.

News from Iowa State University Extension
Kids Learn Healthy Habits from Caring Adults
(Posted on 2/1/2012)
Adults need to adapt healthier lifestyles and be role models for kids if Iowa is going to be the healthiest state in the nation, says Ruth Litchfield, an Iowa State University associate professor and state nutrition extension specialist.
Science of Parenting: How to Parent Spirited Children
(Posted on 2/1/2012)
When it comes to temperament, some kids are as dependable as pickup trucks, while others are as touchy as high-end sports cars. This month’s Science of Parenting podcast from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach examines the “engine” that drives a child and how parents can manage spirited children.
Connect to Nature at February Virtual Eco Family Conference
(Posted on 1/25/2012)
“When we love the place where we live, we take better care of it,” said Kristi Cooper, a family life specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. She will discuss how to develop a sense of place and build communities that connect people with nature during the Virtual Eco Family Conference on Feb. 2.
Parent-Child Cell Phone Debate Continues
(Posted on 1/17/2012)
Parents can exert a measure of control over their child’s mobile phone use by limiting use, checking its contents and using it to monitor the whereabouts of their offspring. However, with a few exceptions, these activities by parents do not seem to impact patterns of cell phone use by teens, according to Iowa State University Extension and Outreach family life specialists.
Women: Register for Money Talk Online Class by Feb. 1
(Posted on 1/13/2012)
At some point in many women’s lives, they will have to make major financial decisions. Money Talk, an online class offered through Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, gives women the knowledge to make those decisions and improve their lives. The registration deadline is Feb. 1 and the class begins Feb. 6.
Science of Parenting: Using Technology to Help with Parenting
(Posted on 1/3/2012)
From podcasts to text messages and Skype, many parents are adding technology to their parenting toolkit. This month’s Science of Parenting podcast from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach takes a closer look at how parents can use information and communications technology for parenting.
Virtual Eco Family Conference Connects Families to the Environment
(Posted on 12/22/2011)
Iowa families throughout the state will be getting together — virtually — once a month from January through June for an Eco Family Conference from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. It’s an opportunity for families to improve the environment, reduce their carbon footprint and create community close to home.
Extension Offers Free Monthly Parenting Newsletter
(Posted on 12/16/2011)
Any parent, new or seasoned, may have questions regarding his or her children. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach offers a free monthly newsletter, Just in Time Parenting, with helpful information on parenting young ones.
Phone App Is Winter Preparedness Tool for Motorists
(Posted on 12/14/2011)
A new smartphone application from the North Dakota State University Extension Service will help motorists prepare for winter weather travels. And should they get stuck in winter weather, the app provides on-the-spot assistance.
Parents Can Help Kids Deal with Bullying
(Posted on 12/1/2011)
Relational aggression in children is another way of saying that kids can be mean to one another. Parents may not be able to stop this bullying, but they can help their children learn how to deal with the behavior, says Kimberly Greder, an extension specialist and associate professor of human development and family studies at Iowa State University.

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Staff

Donna Donald - Family Life Field Specialist
Phone: 641-446-4723
Fax: 641-446-6142
Email: ddonald@iastate.edu

Pat Jones - Growing Strong Families Parent Educator
Phone: 641-872-1755
Fax: 641-872-1648
Email: pajones@iastate.edu

Joyce Lash - Family Resource Management Field Specialist
Phone: 641-464-5003
Fax: 641-872-1648
Email: lash@iastate.edu

Barbara Anderson - Families Field Specialist - Food & Nutrition
Phone: (641)682-5491
Fax: (641)682-5148
Email:

Marilyn Jackson - BASICS grant coordinator/Nutrition Coalition
Phone:
Fax:
Email: jacksonm@iastate.edu

Resources from ISU Extension