MADD’s The Power of Parents (A must-read if you have children)
Make a difference! The risks associated with underage drinking are very sobering. Parental influences is the most important factor in keeping your children safer.
The Risks:
*Underage alcohol use kills more young people than all the illegal drugs combined.. makes ya think, huh?
*High school binge drinking is a major predictor of binge drinking in college and later on in life
*More than 40% of individuals who start drinking before the age of 13 (WOW), will develop alcohol abuse or alcohol dependence at some point in their lives.
*High school students who use alcohol or other substances are five times more likely than other students, to drop out of school or believe earning good grades is not important.
Solution: parents!
*74% of kids (8-17) said their parents are the leading influence on their decisions about drinking.
*Doing interventions as a family can reduce underage drinking and drunkenness by 30-60%
*When parents and kids are better connected, kids are less likely to drink or use other drugs
Some great tips on getting through to your teen:
*Communicate BEFORE a problem starts
*Discuss rules AND consequences
*Show you CARE
*Pay attention
*Share family activities
*Give and get respect
*Enforce Consequences consistently!
So, parents, it is up to the US!!! Take a stand, talk with your children, keep them informed, and let them know you are there for them if they need to talk!
Power of Parents, it is YOUR influence!!!
Some great links:
MADD Blog: http://maddparents.blogspot.com/
Safety Quiz: http://www.madd.org/parents/highschool-drinking2.html
SUPPORT MADD!! Support 21 Survey: http://support.madd.org
Become a fan of MADD on Facebook
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Follow them on Twitter
Disclosure:
“I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central on behalf of MADD. A donation was made to MADD in my name to thank me for taking the time to participate.”
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