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 (“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.

🍽️❤️ Family meals are about more than what’s on the plate!Between work, school, sports, and busy schedules, finding time...
10/21/2026

🍽️❤️ Family meals are about more than what’s on the plate!

Between work, school, sports, and busy schedules, finding time to sit down together can be a challenge. But even sharing a meal when you can creates opportunities to connect, communicate, and support one another. 🥰

Did you know family meals are associated with benefits for children, including:

📚 Stronger language and educational skills
🥗 Healthier eating habits
💬 Better family communication and connection
🌱 Positive social and emotional development

✨ Make mealtime count! Ask about everyone’s day, put away distractions, take turns listening, and invite kids to help plan or prepare the meal.

👉 Read “Benefits of Family Meals” and explore more free, evidence-based family and relationship resources at www.smartcouples.org

🎃👻 You’re my favorite boo!🧡Spooky season is even sweeter when you have someone to share it with. Whether you’re carving ...
10/18/2026

🎃👻 You’re my favorite boo!🧡

Spooky season is even sweeter when you have someone to share it with. Whether you’re carving pumpkins, visiting a haunted house, picking out costumes, or having a cozy Halloween movie night, make a little time for fun together this fall. 🍂🕸️

What’s your favorite spooky-season date idea? 🎃👇

🔗 Find free, evidence-based relationship resources and classes at www.smartcouples.org to try out with your boo.

💍 Don’t let the scary stuff in marriage catch you by surprise!👻❤️Money disagreements? Communication mix-ups? Different e...
10/16/2026

💍 Don’t let the scary stuff in marriage catch you by surprise!👻❤️

Money disagreements? Communication mix-ups? Different expectations for the future? These conversations may not be the spookiest part of the season, but they’re worth having before saying “I do!” 🍂

✨ Before You Tie the Knotis a FREE, online, self-paced course from SMART Couples designed to help singles and couples build practical relationship skills before marriage.

💬 Communicate and navigate conflict
💵 Manage money as a team
❤️ Build trust and connection
👨‍👩‍👧 Explore parenting and family relationships
🌱 Develop healthy habits for your future together

You don’t need a crystal ball to prepare for the future. 🔮 Taking time to build these skills now can help you create a stronger foundation for the years ahead.

📱 Learn at your own pace, on your own schedule, from wherever you are!

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

❤️💬 Could couples counseling help your relationship?Every couple faces challenges, but you don’t have to figure everythi...
10/13/2026

❤️💬 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:

💭 What happens during couples counseling?
🗣️ 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.

👉 Read “Should We Try Couples Counseling?”and explore more free, evidence-based relationship resources at www.smartcouples.org.

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

💭 Which type of dating couple are you?

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

Are you more like the...

🔥 Dramatic couple: Lots of ups and downs and uncertainty about the future.

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

👥 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.

👉 Read “Which 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. 💍❤️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. 💍❤️

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 “I do.”

Together, you’ll explore:

💬 Communication & conflict resolution
💰 Managing money
👨‍👩‍👧 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.

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

🍂 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

🍂 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. 🍁

🎃 Visit a pumpkin patch or fall festival
☕ Find a cozy coffee shop and try something new
🥧 Bake a seasonal dessert together
🍎 Go apple picking or visit a local farmers market
🚶‍♀️ Take a walk and enjoy the cooler weather
🎨 Try a fall craft or take a class together
🌅 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?

👉 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:

💭 Why are we moving in together?
💍 Are we thinking about marriage?
💰 How will we handle finances?
👨‍👩‍👧 How might this affect children or family life?
❤️ Are we making this decision intentionally or just “sliding” into it?

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

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

👩‍🏫👨‍👩‍👧 Struggling with behavior at home or in the classroom?When children or students are having a hard time, it can b...
09/27/2026

👩‍🏫👨‍👩‍👧 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
💡 Using positive strategies to encourage healthy behavior
🧩 Managing consequences effectively
🗣️ Resolving conflict and building responsibility

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

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

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

💻 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:

💬 Communication
❤️ Healthy relationships
🤝 Conflict resolution
💰 Money & relationships
👨‍👩‍👧 Parenting & family life
💍 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.

👉 Explore free online classes, articles, and relationship resources 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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