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Building a Family Budget That Actually Works
Let’s be honest—money can be one of the hardest things for families to talk about. Between bills, groceries, and unexpected expenses, it can feel like your paycheck disappears before the month even begins. But the truth is this: a family budget isn’t about restriction—it’s about direction.

John Kirby


Parenting Teen Drivers: Deep Breaths, Patience, and Plenty of Practice
Let’s be honest: parenting teen drivers is NOT easy. That’s especially true today, when teens are learning from social media, juggling smartphones, and living in a fast-paced digital world that can make driving feel more like a distraction zone than a milestone.

John Kirby


Understanding Sibling Rivalry
If you’re raising more than one child, you’ve probably seen sibling rivalry in action—whether it’s a small squabble over toys or a full-blown argument at the dinner table. While it can be exhausting for parents, sibling rivalry is a natural part of growing up.

John Kirby


The Power of Positive Male Role Models
When it comes to raising children, there’s no question that fathers and male role models play a powerful, lasting role. From everyday...

John Kirby


Expectations vs. Reality in Parenting
When you first imagine parenthood, the vision is often wrapped in picture-perfect scenes: family dinners with laughter, a spotless living room, and children who say “please” and “thank you” without a reminder. But the reality? Parenting is messy, unpredictable, exhausting, and—at the same time—deeply rewarding.

John Kirby


Truancy in Texas: What Parents Need to Know
When it comes to school attendance, the words “truancy” and “absenteeism” often get mixed up, but in Texas, there are specific definitions and real consequences tied to each.

John Kirby


Parental Burnout: What It Is and How to Cope
Parenting is one of the most rewarding jobs in the world but it is also one of the hardest. Between sleepless nights, constant schedules, work-life balance, and the daily stress of raising kids, it’s no wonder so many parents find themselves running on empty.

John Kirby


Treading Water: Learning to Cope with Empty Nest Syndrome
Her father and I have done our job. So, then what gives us the right to be sad? Nothing. But we both are.

Margaret Kirby, J.D.


Helping Your Child Build Better Study Habits
Getting your child motivated to study isn’t always easy, especially when schoolwork feels overwhelming or when procrastination takes...

John Kirby


Helping Your Child Succeed in School
There’s no magic wand for school success, but there is a magic formula and it starts with you. If you want your child to shine, remember...

FGO Staff


Why Education Matters
Education is one of the most powerful tools we have to create lasting change: for individuals, families, and communities.

John Kirby


Helping Kids Break Bad Habits: A Parent’s Guide
Every parent knows how challenging it can be to help a child break a bad habit. Whether it’s nail-biting, thumb-sucking, interrupting, or something else, the process takes patience, consistency, and a lot of encouragement. The good news? With the right approach, you can guide your child toward healthier behaviors.

FGO Staff


Helping Your Child Become a Problem Solver
We all want our kids to grow up confident, capable, and ready to take on the world—and one of the best ways we can set them up for success is by teaching them how to solve problems.

John Kirby


Helping Kids Heal from Trauma
By the end of adolescence, around 75% of kids will have faced a traumatic event. Trauma isn’t rare — but how we help kids cope can make all the difference in their healing.
Kaitlyn Hammil


Celebrating Milestones: Why It Matters and How to Do It Well
When we think about celebrating milestones, we often picture big birthday parties or graduation ceremonies. But milestones are so much more than that. They’re the everyday achievements, growth moments, and challenges our kids overcome on their journey to becoming confident, capable people.

John Kirby


How to Talk to Your Kids About Racism, Discrimination, and Bias
Racism isn't something kids are born with. It’s something they learn. And if they’re old enough to notice skin color, they’re old enough to start learning about fairness, justice, and respect.

Abby Reed


How to Talk to Your Kids About Consent (At Every Age)
Consent isn’t just about sex. It’s about respecting boundaries, reading cues, and asking before touching, whether that’s a hug, a borrowed toy, or a kiss.

Abby Reed


How to Talk to Kids About Global Conflict
Here’s the good news: you don’t need to have all the answers. You just need to show up with calm, age-appropriate information and a safe space for questions.

Abby Reed


Move Together: The Power of Family Exercise
You don’t need a fancy routine or a pricey setup. Walking around your neighborhood, dancing in the living room, playing tag at the park: these all count. A good pair of sneakers and a willingness to move together is enough to start.

John Kirby


Talking to Kids About Juneteenth: A Guide for Parents
Juneteenth, parenting, family conversations, talking to kids about race, Black history, child development, teaching history, equity, justice, resilience, freedom, American history, cultural awareness, parenting tips, Family Guidance and Outreach

Abby Reed
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