Parents Can Make a Difference!

Did you know…. 74% of kids (age8-17) said their parents are the leading influence on their decision 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 and do or use other drugs.

Seven Tips for getting through to your teen:
1. Communicate before a problem starts.
Have important discussions now, before there’s blaming, anger or punishments.
2. Discuss Rules and Consequences
Explain how you expect your son or daughter to act and why.
Tell your teen plainly that you don’t want him or her drinking.
Agree on consequences of broken rules.
3. Show You Care
Gently touch your teen on the arm or back to show affection.
Tell your teen you love them and want them to be safe and healthy.
4. Pay attention
Even when life gets hectic, take time out to listen to your teen.
Monitor where your teen is and what your teen is doing, constantly.
5. Share Family Activities
Have dinner together at least three times a week.
6. Give and Get Respect
When your teen talks to you, listen and reply respectfully.
Insist that your teen treat you with respect, too.
7. Enforce Consequences
If your teen breaks the rules, stay calm and enforce the consequences.

Information provided by Power of Parents, It’s your influence by MADD. For more information on influencing your teen please visit http://thepowerofparents.org.

Brought to you by the Van Buren County SAFE Coalition. For more information on the
coalition and their activities you may check them out online: http://www.vbsafecoalition.com or you may also call them at 319-293-6412.