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Contact Information

Craig Wood, Ph.D
Acting Associate Dean & Director
UK Cooperative Extension Service

S-107 Ag. Science Center North Lexington, KY 40546-0091

+1 (859) 257-4302

craig.wood@uky.edu

Impacts

Contact Information

Craig Wood, Ph.D
Acting Associate Dean & Director
UK Cooperative Extension Service

S-107 Ag. Science Center North Lexington, KY 40546-0091

+1 (859) 257-4302

craig.wood@uky.edu




Fiscal Year:
Jul 1, 2024 - Jun 30, 2025


Success StoryCreating and Maintaining Family Traditions



Creating and Maintaining Family Traditions

Author: Joan Bowling

Planning Unit: Kenton County CES

Major Program: Family Development General

Plan of Work: 2021 Stages throughout the lifespan

Outcome: Initial Outcome

The Covid-19 pandemic has created a seismic shock to all families regardless of economic or societal circumstances. Abrupt school closures and the widespread threat of lost income, illness and death are negatively impacting families. The  crisis will not affect individuals equally, but will significantly alter how families interact with one another going forward and the long held traditions that bonded them together could fracture  In an effort to counteract the familial negative impacts the program "Creating and Maintaining Family Traditions" was taught virtually to 8 participants in October. Attendees learned how family traditions provide a sense of belonging in the family system, help maintain healthy relationships between members, and ways in which routines can become traditions. To counter the negative impact that the pandemic has had on family traditions during 2020, ways in which existing traditions can be preserved were identified and ideas on how to create new traditions were shared.  At the conclusion of the program participants came up with personal goals/strategies they would apply in their home to either create new memories/traditions or alter long standing traditions in a safe and socially distant way. As a result of the program two of the participants began to journal their memoirs to help curve the sadness and loneliness brought on by the pandemic as well as to share the journals with their grandchildren.  Another participant revealed she had a sense of dread going into the holiday season but was uplifted by the fresh ideas presented on creating new memories.  Five of the participants acknowledged as a result of attending the class they felt a stronger since of connection with their family after implementing their personal goals created in class. A follow up program will be offered in the next program year to continue growth and development of new familial bonds.






Stories by Joan Bowling


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about 11 days ago by Joan Bowling

According to researchers at the Princeton University Neuroscience Institute (The Journal of Neurosci... Read More


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The Center for Disease Control (CDC), states that many cases of food borne botulism occur as a resul... Read More


Stories by Kenton County CES


Middle School Communication and Leadership skills developing

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about 10 days ago by Diane Kelley

Youth leadership opportunities in 4-H clubs are a fundamental aspect of 4-H Youth programs. Partneri... Read More


Demonstrated achievement, communcation, and leadership

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about 3 months ago by Diane Kelley

The Kenton County 4-H recognition program mirrors the National 4-H and Kentucky 4-H models for recog... Read More