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The Call That Mattered More Than the Mistake
Last night we had a parent fall asleep during one of our online parenting classes. Per our policy, he was removed from the online classroom. That’s the part most people would focus on, but that’s not the part that stayed with me. This morning, when I walked into the office, I discovered that he had left us a voicemail. Not to complain, not to argue and not to make excuses. He called to apologize and then he asked if he could come back. That question matters more than people r

Abby Reed


Most Child Abuse Happens At Home: 690 Lubbock Co. Children Were Victims in 2025
This isn’t happening somewhere else. It’s happening here and most of the abuse is happening inside the home, by someone the child knows and depends on. Child abuse is preventable, but only if we’re willing to face what’s real.

Abby Reed


Talking to Your Child About Suicide: A Guide for Parents
Our local communities are hurting. When young lives are lost, it leaves parents searching for answers and wondering how to help their children make sense of something so heavy. One question we hear again and again here at Family Guidance and Outreach is: How do I talk to my child about suicide?

Abby Reed


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


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 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


How to Talk to Your Kids About Toxic Friendships
Most parents put a lot of energy into helping their kids make friends—but not nearly enough into helping them leave the ones they...

Abby Reed


How to Talk to Children About Tragedy: A Conversation with Experts
When disaster strikes, the emotional impact can be overwhelming. For children, the confusion, fear, and grief can be especially difficult to process. In the wake of the devastating Hill Country floods, Family Guidance and Outreach’s Education Specialist John Kirby had an in-depth conversation with Adriana McKinnon, Chief Program Officer of the Children’s Bereavement Center of South Texas, to discuss how caregivers can support children through unimaginable loss.

FGO Staff


How to Talk to Your Kids About Divorce
Kids don’t need every adult detail. They need honesty, safety, and room to feel what they feel. Here's how to talk to them about divorce in a way that helps them adjust, process, and stay emotionally secure.

Abby Reed


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


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


No Snoozing on Safety: The Real Talk on SIDS
Every year in the U.S., approximately 3,600 infants die from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) or other sleep-related causes. And while we don’t have all the answers, decades of research point to a few key steps that drastically reduce the risk.

John Kirby


How to Raise a Reader (Even If No One Else Is Trying)
Let’s be honest—encouraging reading in 2025 can feel like swimming upstream. You’ll hear people say, “No one reads books anymore,” and...

John Kirby


When Safe Isn’t Safe Enough: What Parents Deserve to Know About Youth Program Risks
When we send our kids to school, camp, practice, or after-school care, we trust that the adults in charge are keeping them safe. But too often, safety protocols are reactive instead of proactive.

Abby Reed


New Daytime Parenting Classes Now Available – Free & Court-Approved
At Family Guidance & Outreach, we’re expanding access to the resources families need—starting with your schedule. This summer, we’re offering free, live daytime parenting classes for the first time ever.

FGO Staff


Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD): Signs, Diagnosis, and Parenting Support
Learn how to recognize signs of FASDs in children, why early diagnosis matters, and where to find free online parenting classes and support.

John Kirby


How to Build Self-Esteem in Children: Expert Parenting Tips
Building self-esteem helps kids feel confident and resilient. Here are some expert tips on communication, independence, and more.

John Kirby
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