FREE TOOLS & TIPS FOR TALKING TO TEENS

It is not as hard as you think to find moments to talk to teens. Here is a fabulous resource that gives you scenarios of teachable moments from preschool through young adulthood. Keep this one in your proverbial back pocket! You may find yourself referring to it often.

http://www.timetotalk.org/Downloads/TTT_Talk_Kit.pdf

LAWRENCE PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES

The New Tradition Coalition volunteers were out in the Lawrence schools promoting our parent resources and signing parents up in the Lawrence Parent Safe Homes Directory. Here are Mini Kaur and Nancy Renfro at Lawrence High. We had a great response from all the parents who stopped by. Many took cards and brochures and signed up for the directory. We hope there were more things discussed than grades when the parents returned home! The best time to talk to teens about alcohol, drugs, sex and making risky decisions is early and often. Don't miss your opportunity to join the rest of the Lawrence families who have pledged to have a safe, supervised home for our kids. Print the form on the right and send it in or, email the information to thenewtraditioncoalition@gmail.com

How well do you know your teen's friends?

How well do you know your teen’s friends? Quiz yourself to find out!
Knowing who your teen hangs out with is a window into their world. It helps keep you in the loop and may keep your teenager out of trouble. Here's a quick quiz that will help you explore what you know about your teen's friendships, how to support the good ones, and how to manage the bad ones. Don't think you can keep up with your teen's ever-changing friendships? There are lots of things that parents and caring adults can do to support positive friendships. Here are a few tips to get you started:

* Meet the parents Meeting the parents of your teen's friends is a great way to know more about their world and can help you keep up with what's going on.

* Be sure your teen hangs out where there is adult supervision. You should also be the parent supervisor now and then ... you will get to know more about your teen's friends, their interests, and their likes and dislikes. They'll see that you're involved, and -- believe it or not -- it will give them a sense of security. Being a parent, not a pal, will give you a lot of information about your teen's friends!

* Are you not too keen on some of their friends and struggling with ways to bring it up? Don't ignore it.Understanding why your teen chooses certain friends, spending time and energy to support those healthy friendships, and watching out for unhealthy friendships are all things you can do.

Take a quiz ang get some tips on how to support healthy teen friendships. Click on: http://www.drugfree.org/teenbrain/tools/pickyourbattles/friendships.html

JASON WREN, DIED AT AGE 19

In light of the tragic death of Jason Wren, we want to do something to keep this from happening again. Our focus is parent education so, below is a link about facts on alcohol poisoning. The article teaches signs, symptoms and most importantly, what to do to help a person who has drunk too much. Young people in Lawrence need to know that although drinking underage is illegal, they need to call for help when a friend is in trouble. Jason lived here in Lawrence. He died this week after a night of binge drinking. Share this web site and flyer with your teens. It may help save a life. The Lawrence community grieves the loss of such a young life. Our condolences go out to his family and friends. http://www.collegedrinkingprevention.gov/OtherAlcoholInformation/factsAboutAlcoholPoisoning.aspx

http://www.collegedrinkingprevention.gov/OtherAlcoholInformation/FactsAboutAlcoholPoisoning.pdf

Meet Dave Schieffer, Coalition Member

Dave is the father of Michelle, a sophomore at Free State. Dave is always looking for ways to be more supportive and influential during his daughter’s sometimes volatile, never boring teen years. He learned of The New Tradition Coalition from the Free State newsletter, and excited about getting involved with this group.

Book Review by Dave Schieffer

In today’s increasingly complicated world, it’s often difficult for parents to connect with their daughters- and especially so for fathers. In Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters: 10 Secrets Every Father Should Know, the author, Meg Meeker, reveals that a young woman’s relationship with her father is far more important than we ever realized. To become a strong, confidant woman, a daughter needs her father’s attention, protection, courage, and wisdom.

$1000 SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITY

IT'S YOUR LIFE, so express it! And win a $1,000 scholarship!
The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) is sponsoring its third-annual arts contest that encourages Kansas youth to resist pressure and abstain from drinking alcohol until reaching the legal age limit of 21. Open this link for rules and details. Entries are due by April 30, 2009

http://www.sobrietyrocksks.net.

MOM TO PAY 2.5 MIL FOR UNDERAGE DRINKING PARTY

The judge found that the parent should have been in charge and supervised the teens in her own home.

http://cmif.pictco.org/default.asp?PageNum=609

PARENTS: A MUST READ

If you suspect or know your child is using or drinking, you can get rid of that pit in your stomach and take action. Pat yourself on the back. You've been paying attention. This link is full of great ways to take the next step. Parents are the antidrug. Go ahead and click:
http://timetoact.drugfree.org/