UF IFAS SMARTCouples

UF IFAS SMARTCouples Specific programs include marriage prep classes, youth relationship education, and parenting and family skills programs for stepparents and blended families.

Strengthening Marriages and Relationship Training from UF IFAS
Learn More or Sign Up Here for Free Relationship and Parenting Education Courses: https://smartcouples.ifas.ufl.edu/classes/ UF IFAS Strengthening Marriages and Relationships Training (SMART) Couples, a project of the University of Florida’s Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences and UF-IFAS Extension, is a five-year projec

t working to strengthen marriages, relationships, and families among Florida residents across ethnicities and income levels. Through trained Extension agents and community partners, the project reaches out to married and remarried couples, engaged and dating couples, and youth to give them the knowledge and skills they need to improve their relationships and family functioning. Our services and resources address the social, emotional, and economic stability needs and well-being of individuals, couples, and youth, especially youth at risk, lower-income people, and veterans. The University of Florida welcomes your comments on our social media posts and encourages interaction among Gators around the world. We also encourage our community to foster respectful and vibrant online connections. Before you post, please consider the UF Core Values and review these UF Community Commenting Guidelines (“Guidelines”). We review all comments made and when necessary, we reserve the right to remove comments that are:

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Comments made by outside users are the opinions of the authors, not of the university. By posting a comment on our social media pages, you agree to follow the University of Florida Community Commenting Guidelines, host social media channel Terms of Service, Florida and federal law, and UF regulations and policies – including but not limited to the university’s Acceptable Use of Computing Resources Policy. Your comments may be removed if they are in violation of these Guidelines.

🌱 Looking for practical ways to guide children through challenging behaviors?The Positive Behavioral Management Skills c...
08/25/2026

🌱 Looking for practical ways to guide children through challenging behaviors?

The Positive Behavioral Management Skills class provides proven strategies for parents and teachers to set healthy boundaries, encourage positive behavior, and help children develop choice, responsibility, and accountability.

Learn how to respond to misbehavior, reinforce positive behaviors, strengthen relationships, and build skills that support children for the long term.

📚 Free and designed for both parents and teachers.

👉 Make the SMART choice and get started today at www.smartcouples.org. 🔗

💍 The wedding is one day. The marriage is the journey.After months of planning, excitement, and anticipation, it’s not u...
08/23/2026

💍 The wedding is one day. The marriage is the journey.

After months of planning, excitement, and anticipation, it’s not uncommon to feel a little let down once the wedding is over. Research suggests that focusing on the marriage—not just the wedding— may help couples enter this next chapter with greater confidence and connection.

✨ Think of your wedding as a beginning, not the finish line.

If you’re preparing for marriage, Before You Tie the Knot is a FREE, research-backed premarital class designed to help you build practical skills for a healthy relationship. 💗

📖 Read “Avoiding the Postwedding Blues” and explore more relationship resources on the SMART Couples website.

🔗 www.smartcouples.org

Military life can bring unique challenges for families and finding the right avenues of support is so important. 🫂Our SM...
08/22/2026

Military life can bring unique challenges for families and finding the right avenues of support is so important. 🫂

Our SMART Couples Military Couples’ Corner offers FREE resources, articles, and research covering topics like:

💙 Helping children cope with a parent’s deployment
💙 Staying connected during separation
💙 Supporting children through transitions
💙 Parenting and maintaining healthy family relationships
💙 Adjusting when a service member returns home

👉Explore these and other FREE relationship and family resources at www.smartcouples.org. 🔗

🤔Know a military family who could use these resources? Share this post with them!

💭 Have you ever thought about how you want your story to be remembered?Talking about the end of life can feel uncomforta...
08/19/2026

💭 Have you ever thought about how you want your story to be remembered?

Talking about the end of life can feel uncomfortable, but planning ahead can be an important way to care for yourself and the people you love. Our resource, "Writing Your Own Story" encourages us to think about our legacy, record the memories and experiences that have shaped us, and have meaningful conversations about our wishes for the future.

This resource explores ways to:
✨ Tell and preserve your life and family history
✨ Reflect on the legacy you want to leave
✨ Communicate your end-of-life wishes with loved ones
✨ Navigate difficult conversations with greater intention
✨ Strengthen relationships through forgiveness, gratitude, love, and closure

You don’t have to wait until a crisis to start these conversations. Sometimes, planning for the future is simply another way of showing the people we love that we care about them.

📖 Explore “Writing Your Own Story” and discover more relationship, family, and life-planning resources on the SMART Couples website: www.smartcouples.org

No matter where you are in your relationship, our UNITED – Marriage Enhancement Training, offers practical skills to hel...
08/16/2026

No matter where you are in your relationship, our UNITED – Marriage Enhancement Training, offers practical skills to help couples build and nurture their friendship, strengthen communication, manage conflict, and grow together.

✨ UNITED is FREE, and the benefits are priceless.

Ready to strengthen your relationship? Make the SMART choice and register today!

🔗 Visit www.smartcouples.org to learn more.

💰 Money can be stressful... but debt doesn’t have to become a relationship problem.Debt and financial disagreements can ...
08/14/2026

💰 Money can be stressful... but debt doesn’t have to become a relationship problem.

Debt and financial disagreements can put strain on a relationship, but couples can work together to build healthier financial habits. From creating a spending plan to setting shared goals and learning how to talk about money constructively, small steps can make a big difference.

💬 Ready to get on the same page about money? Check out “Why Debt Destroys Marriages and How to Fight Back” and explore more free relationship resource on our website 🔗 www.smartcouples.org

🖍️✨ Are you parenting with a highlighter or a permanent marker?Every child makes mistakes, but what if the moments we ch...
08/11/2026

🖍️✨ Are you parenting with a highlighter or a permanent marker?

Every child makes mistakes, but what if the moments we choose to highlight matter just as much as the moments we choose to correct?

Research shows that positive parenting helps children build confidence, strengthen relationships, and develop healthy behaviors. By noticing and encouraging what children are doing well, parents can help those positive behaviors grow over time.

Small changes in how we respond can make a lasting difference. Whether you're a new parent, a seasoned parent, or simply looking for fresh parenting ideas, this resource offers practical, evidence-based strategies you can start using today.

Explore this article and discover more free parenting and relationship resources at 👉 www.smartcouples.org

💍❤️ A strong marriage starts long before the wedding day.Whether you're dating, engaged, or simply thinking about the fu...
08/08/2026

💍❤️ A strong marriage starts long before the wedding day.

Whether you're dating, engaged, or simply thinking about the future, investing in your relationship now can help you build a healthier, stronger partnership for years to come.

Our Before You Tie the Knot course is a free, online, self-paced workshop designed to help singles and couples develop practical, real-world relationship skills.

You'll explore topics like:
💬 Healthy communication and conflict resolution
💵 Managing money as a team
👨‍👩‍👧 Positive parenting and family relationships
🌱 Building healthy lifestyle habits together
❤️ Strengthening trust, connection, and long-term relationship success

Start Before You Tie the Knot today and explore more free, evidence-based relationship resources at 👉 www.smartcouples.org

👶💚 There’s no perfect time to become a parent—but there are important conversations worth having first.Deciding whether ...
08/05/2026

👶💚 There’s no perfect time to become a parent—but there are important conversations worth having first.

Deciding whether to grow your family is one of the biggest decisions you'll make as a couple. Taking time to talk through your expectations, goals, and concerns can help you feel more prepared for whatever path you choose.

Our article "Questions to Ask as You Consider Parenthood: A Couples' Guide" highlights important topics to discuss, including:
💬 How parenthood may change your relationship
🏡 Balancing responsibilities at home, work, and with a future child
💵 Financial planning and lifestyle changes
🤝 Parenting values, communication, and supporting one another through the transition

There aren't "right" or "wrong" answers to these questions. The goal is to better understand each other, strengthen your communication, and make informed decisions together.

Explore this article and discover more free, evidence-based relationship resources at 👉 www.smartcouples.org

Making a decision about divorce is one of the biggest choices a couple can face. Before taking that step, it can be help...
08/03/2026

Making a decision about divorce is one of the biggest choices a couple can face. Before taking that step, it can be helpful to pause, gather information, and explore the resources available to strengthen your relationship.

Explore free resources and information on our website that include:
💬 Common challenges that lead couples to consider divorce
🤝 The importance of communication, support, and intentional effort
🌱 How relationships can grow and recover during difficult seasons
📚 Resources for couples looking to better understand their options

While every relationship is unique, many couples find that learning new skills and working together can help rebuild connection, trust, and commitment.

If you or someone you know is navigating a difficult season in marriage, explore this resource and discover more free, evidence-based relationship tools at 👉 www.smartcouples.org

Address

University Of Florida/IFAS Extension, Department Of Family, Youth And Community Sciences, 3028 McCarty Hall D
Gainesville, FL
32611

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