As you and your child join the 4-H program, you’ll want to make the most of the experience. The success of your 4-H club and the kind of experience your child depends greatly upon your parental involvement. 4-H has so much to offer your child through educational programs, contests and special events. Through active participation in 4-H, your child will develop skills that will last a lifetime.

(Distributed 11/06/07) Thanksgiving offers families an opportunity to reflect on their many blessings. Youth, however, often take their blessings for granted. How can parents and educators teach young people an attitude of gratitude?

Between 1990 and 2000, the number of teens, age 12 to 19 soared to 32 million, an increase of nearly 4.5 million. By 2010, the teen population is supposed to peak at 35 million. Today’s teens live in a time of sweeping technological advances, relative affluence and a flattening divorce rate. Because of the rate of change in today’s society, teens change and develop quickly.

A spoonful of sugar may help the medicine go down, but it could take a little more for the homework to get done, according to the experts. LSU AgCenter associate Cheri Gioe says looking at the rewards and benefits can make homework time more productive.

Think you have fear of the unknown? Some of the most stressful times for children are moving from one classroom to another, according to LSU AgCenter child-care associate Cheri Gioe.

Tips for eating right and exercising for families.

It happens often when children receive a gift. The youngsters often are happier playing with the box than the present. Although amused at first, the gift-givers may soon suspect that their money was ill-spent.

Hurricanes Katrina and Rita have shown how strong Louisiana families can be. Parents and children faced with strains on time, money and emotions found ways to remain strong, healthy and happy.

Hurricane victims will be faced with the question this Thanksgiving, "What are you thankful for?" and some will find this question difficult to answer. The holiday will be a reminder of what’s been lost in floods and devastating winds.

Trying times, like these after hurricanes Katrina and Rita, can test family and community resiliency. Having our families and communities around us for support can go a long way in helping recover from disaster, emotionally as well as physically.