UF IFAS SMARTCouples

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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 project 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 (β€œGuidelines”). We review all comments made and when necessary, we reserve the right to remove comments that are:

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β€οΈπŸ’¬ Could couples counseling help your relationship?Every couple faces challenges, but you don’t have to figure everythi...
10/13/2026

β€οΈπŸ’¬ Could couples counseling help your relationship?

Every couple faces challenges, but you don’t have to figure everything out on your own. Sometimes, having support from a trained professional can help you understand each other better, work through conflict, and build healthier communication habits. 🀝

If you’ve ever wondered whether counseling might be right for you, here are a few things to consider:

πŸ’­ What happens during couples counseling?
πŸ—£οΈ How do we find the right therapist?
❀️ Can counseling really help us reconnect?
🌱 What if we need support navigating a difficult decision?

Seeking help isn’t a sign of failure. It can be a meaningful step toward understanding your relationship and deciding how to move forward.

πŸ‘‰ Read β€œShould We Try Couples Counseling?”and explore more free, evidence-based relationship resources at www.smartcouples.org.

πŸ’­ Which type of dating couple are you?Every relationship is different, but research has identified 4 common patterns amo...
10/08/2026

πŸ’­ Which type of dating couple are you?

Every relationship is different, but research has identified 4 common patterns among young dating couples. πŸ‘€

Are you more like the...

πŸ”₯ Dramatic couple: Lots of ups and downs and uncertainty about the future.

⚑ Conflict-ridden couple: Strong feelings, but also plenty of disagreements.

πŸ‘₯ Socially involved couple: A shared social life and a friendship-based connection.

❀️ Partner-focused couple: Strong commitment, shared interests, and high relationship satisfaction.

Of course, no relationship fits perfectly into a box. But taking a closer look at your patterns can be a helpful way to think about your own relationship.

πŸ‘‰ Read β€œWhich One of the 4 Types of Young Dating Couples Are You?” and explore more free, evidence-based relationship resources at www.smartcouples.org

If marriage is part of your future, fall can be a great time to start preparing for the life you’ll build together. πŸ’β€οΈB...
10/05/2026

If marriage is part of your future, fall can be a great time to start preparing for the life you’ll build together. πŸ’β€οΈ

Before You Tie the Knot is a FREE, online, self-paced premarital preparation class from SMART Couples designed to help couples talk through the things that matter before saying β€œI do.”

Together, you’ll explore:

πŸ’¬ Communication & conflict resolution
πŸ’° Managing money
πŸ‘¨β€πŸ‘©β€πŸ‘§ Family & parenting
🀝 Trust, commitment & connection
🌱 Healthy relationship habits

You don’t have to wait until you’re engaged or planning a wedding to start building a strong foundation.

🍁 Take some time this fall to prepare for what comes next.

πŸ‘‰ Explore Before You Tie the Knot and more free, evidence-based relationship resources at www.smartcouples.org

πŸ‚ Fall is a great time to try something new together!If you’re dating, skip the usual dinner-and-a-movie routine and mak...
10/03/2026

πŸ‚ Fall is a great time to try something new together!

If you’re dating, skip the usual dinner-and-a-movie routine and make some fall memories together. 🍁

πŸŽƒ Visit a pumpkin patch or fall festival
β˜• Find a cozy coffee shop and try something new
πŸ₯§ Bake a seasonal dessert together
🍎 Go apple picking or visit a local farmers market
πŸšΆβ€β™€οΈ Take a walk and enjoy the cooler weather
🎨 Try a fall craft or take a class together
πŸŒ… Pack a picnic and watch the sunset
🎬 Have a cozy movie night with your favorite fall snacks

You don’t have to spend a lot of money or plan anything complicated. Sometimes the best dates are simply about trying something new and making time for each other. 🧑

🍁 What new fall date are you going to try?

πŸ‘‰ Find more free, evidence-based relationship resources at www.smartcouples.org

🏠 Thinking about moving in together?Moving in with your partner is a big step, and it can be easy to make the decision b...
09/30/2026

🏠 Thinking about moving in together?

Moving in with your partner is a big step, and it can be easy to make the decision based on convenience, finances, or simply because it feels like the natural next step. ❀️

Before you start combining leases, belongings, pets, and routines, take some time to talk it through together:

πŸ’­ Why are we moving in together?
πŸ’ Are we thinking about marriage?
πŸ’° How will we handle finances?
πŸ‘¨β€πŸ‘©β€πŸ‘§ How might this affect children or family life?
❀️ Are we making this decision intentionally or just β€œsliding” into it?

The SMART Couples article β€œSome Things to Consider Before Moving in Together” explores these questions and what relationship research can tell us about cohabitation.

πŸ‘‰ Read the article and find more free, evidence-based relationship resources at www.smartcouples.org.

πŸ‘©β€πŸ«πŸ‘¨β€πŸ‘©β€πŸ‘§ Struggling with behavior at home or in the classroom?When children or students are having a hard time, it can b...
09/27/2026

πŸ‘©β€πŸ«πŸ‘¨β€πŸ‘©β€πŸ‘§ Struggling with behavior at home or in the classroom?

When children or students are having a hard time, it can be easy to get stuck in cycles of frustration, conflict, and punishment.

Positive Behavioral Management Skills (PBMS) from SMART Couples helps parents and teachers learn practical strategies for managing behavior while building stronger, more trusting relationships. ❀️

The program covers topics like:

🌱 Understanding different types of misbehavior
🀝 Building warmth, connection, and consistency
πŸ’‘ Using positive strategies to encourage healthy behavior
🧩 Managing consequences effectively
πŸ—£οΈ Resolving conflict and building responsibility

PBMS is available as a FREE online resource through SMART Couples.

πŸ‘‰ Learn more and explore additional free, evidence-based resources at www.smartcouples.org.

πŸ’» A better relationship built through learning could be just a few clicks away...Looking for something useful to learn o...
09/25/2026

πŸ’» A better relationship built through learning could be just a few clicks away...

Looking for something useful to learn online? SMART Couples offers FREE, evidence-based relationship education you can explore from wherever you are.

Learn at your own pace about topics like:

πŸ’¬ Communication
❀️ Healthy relationships
🀝 Conflict resolution
πŸ’° Money & relationships
πŸ‘¨β€πŸ‘©β€πŸ‘§ Parenting & family life
πŸ’ Marriage & premarital preparation
🌱 And more

Whether you're working on your relationship, preparing for marriage, navigating parenting, or simply interested in learning new skills, there are resources for you.

🧠 Learn. Reflect. Practice. Grow.

πŸ‘‰ Explore free online classes, articles, and relationship resources at www.smartcouples.org

πŸ’— Whether you're newly dating, years into marriage, or simply looking for ways to strengthen your relationship, the skil...
09/22/2026

πŸ’— Whether you're newly dating, years into marriage, or simply looking for ways to strengthen your relationship, the skills you build today can stay with you for a lifetime. You don't have to wait until there's a problem to learn how to communicate better, navigate conflict, build trust, or invest in your relationship. πŸ€”

UNITED: Marriage Enhancement Training is a FREE, online workshop designed to help couples build practical skills for stronger, healthier relationships.

Across 15 workshops, you'll explore topics including:

πŸ’¬ Effective communication & self-disclosure
🀝 Trust, commitment & connection
🧩 Conflict resolution & healing
❀️ Love, affection & intimacy
🎯 Managing expectations & setting boundaries
πŸ’° Financial goals & managing money together
🌱 Healthy lifestyles & work-life balance
🧠 Mental health, mindfulness & stress
πŸ‘¨β€πŸ‘©β€πŸ‘§ Positive parenting & family relationships

✨ And the best part? It's FREE, online, and designed to fit into your schedule.

πŸ‘‰ Explore this class and more free, evidence-based relationship resources at www.smartcouples.org.

πŸ’­ Have you ever stopped to wonder, β€œCould my behavior be hurting my partner?”Abuse isn’t always physical. 🚩 Controlling ...
09/20/2026

πŸ’­ Have you ever stopped to wonder, β€œCould my behavior be hurting my partner?”

Abuse isn’t always physical. 🚩 Controlling behavior, threats, intimidation, isolation, humiliation, financial control, and sexual coercion can all be signs of an unhealthy or abusive relationship.

The SMART Couples article "Am I Being Abusive?”offers questions to help you recognize potentially harmful behaviors and patterns.

Taking an honest look at our own behavior can be difficult, but recognizing a problem is an important first step toward accountability and change. ❀️

πŸ‘‰ Read the article and explore free, evidence-based relationship resources at www.smartcouples.org.

A healthy, lasting marriage doesn’t just happen. It takes communication, teamwork, intention, and a willingness to keep ...
09/17/2026

A healthy, lasting marriage doesn’t just happen. It takes communication, teamwork, intention, and a willingness to keep learning together. ❀️

πŸ“– That's why our free online handbook, The SMART Couples Florida Marriage Handbook: Keys to a Successful Marriage, gives couples practical information and activities to work through together from the comfort of their own home! 🏑

Whether you’re newly married, have been together for years, or are blending a family, there are ideas and activities you can explore together.

πŸ“₯ The SMART Couples Florida Marriage Handbook is available as a FREE PDF in English and Spanish on our website πŸ”—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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