Family and Personal Relationships      

Holiday Season 2009: Make Family Holidays Teen-Friendly
MANHATTAN, Kan. -- A teen's expectations for a family holiday can be vastly different than his or her parents’ expectations, but parents who are willing to be flexible -- and compromise -- can help to level some of the bumps in the road, said Elaine Johannes, Kansas State University Research and Extension youth development specialist.
11/18/2009


Holiday Season 2009: Family-Friendly Holiday Calls for Planning, Patience
In the holiday rush, parents can miss opportunities to build memories with their children and family.

Adults know that it can be easier to say ‘I'll do that,’ rather than encourage children to get involved in preparing foods and planning gatherings during the holidays, said Sandy Procter, Kansas State University Research and Extension nutrition specialist.


11/16/2009


 PUTTING FAMILY BEFORE TECHNOLOGY...

We’re heading into the holiday season and while most like to celebrate with family and friends, all of this socializing can create conflict. In an age of 60-inch flat screen TVs, iPods, cell phones, twittering and texting, face-to-face communication can be difficult. In addition, we all have an image in our minds of how the holidays are supposed to play out…especially adolescents trying to figure out who they are and what their role is in the family. On today’s Sound Living: putting technology second and family first during holiday gatherings.


11/12/2009


‘Keeping the Family Farming’ Workshops Set for January in Beloit, Hiawatha

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas State University and the Kansas Farm Analyst Program will offer Keeping the Family Farming Workshops for families who are working through the benefits and challenges of incorporating family members and others into a farm operation or passing the family farm business from one generation to the next.


11/12/2009


Holiday Season 2009: ‘Tis the Season to Trim Costs, Not Joy
Well advertised bargains are meant to tempt holiday shoppers, yet overspending can add stress now and in the future, when the bill comes, said Carol Young, Kansas State University Research and Extension financial management specialist.


11/6/2009


 PLANNING AND SERVING A HOLIDAY MEAL...

The menu for Thanksgiving…turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, dinner rolls, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie with whipped topping…is pretty standard. But, how do you prepare and serve such a large meal? On today’s Sound Living: taking a meal from the planning stage to the dinner table.


11/5/2009


Helping Celebrate Military Family Month
Every day, you may encounter a member of a Kansas military family. This person could be a member of your church, a student in your school, or your neighbor.
11/5/2009


 FOOD’S ROLE IN THE HOLIDAYS...

The holiday season is rapidly approaching. In addition to buying gifts, most families will also be buying and preparing traditional holiday foods…turkey, ham, breads, pies and that “special” dish everyone looks forward to. K-State Research and Extension nutrition educator Sandy Procter says food offers families a great opportunity to connect during holiday gatherings. On today’s Sound Living: the many roles food plays in the holidays.


10/29/2009


Marriage, From the Ground Up
To begin their marriage on stable ground, Sarah Rice and Shea McGinnity chose to blend soils from their childhood homes (for Sarah, from Kansas, and for Shea, from Minnesota) rather than light a traditional unity candle. There's more to their story, though . . .


10/16/2009


Tips Make Meeting People Easier
MINNEAPOLIS, Kan. – Managing work, family and community responsibilities doesn’t always leave much time for meeting new people or for nurturing friendships or a relationship, said Peg Condray, a Kansas State University Research and Extension agent in the Central Kansas Extension district.
10/8/2009


After Marriage, Dating Still Important
“Couples who stop dating after getting married miss opportunities to nurture – and strengthen – their relationship,” said Charlotte Shoup Olsen, Kansas State University Research and Extension family systems specialist.


10/1/2009


 STARTING A NEW RELATIONSHIP...

According to data collected by the U.S. government, there are nearly 96 million unmarried and single Americans. When you break that down, 61% have never been married, 24% are divorced and 15% are widowed. And, probably 100% of them are totally confused about dating. K-State family systems specialist Charlotte Shoup-Olsen says being emotionally prepared is one of the keys to dating successfully after a divorce or death of a spouse.


9/24/2009


Re-Think First Date?
MANHATTAN, Kan. – Dinner and a movie may sound like a great date, but it isn’t always the best choice for couples who want to get better acquainted, a Kansas State University specialist said.
9/24/2009


 DROPOUT PREVENTION IN KANSAS...

During the 2007-2008 school year, 3,641 Kansas students dropped out of school. That’s about 10 students per day or one every 2.5 hours. Kansas DropINs is a collaborative organization committed to seeing all children in Kansas graduate from high school ready for the next phase of life. On today’s Sound Living: K-State Research and Extension youth development specialist Elaine Johannes explains how Kansas DropINs will help Kansas youth get their high school diploma.


9/10/2009