What can parents do to keep their kids safe?
Set clear concise rules and consequences. Follow through and be consistent!
1. Set curfews and have clear consequences for breaking the rules.
2. Sign and follow the principals of the Party Line Pledge available through GLAD (Glastonbury Alcohol and Drug Council).
3. Get to know your child’s friends and their parents. Parents can provide a necessary support network for you and your child.
4. Base drug and alcohol messages on facts, not fear. Educate yourself on facts and current trends. Information is available from the Glastonbury Police Department Youth Unit (860)652-4280, the Substance Abuse Prevention Coordinator (860)652-7531 or online at: www.TheAntiDrug.com
- Look at the facts and circumstances, don’t just blindly trust
- Provide routine household chores for your children, this will help teach responsibility
- Listen and keep lines of communication open. If you need to, delay the discussion until you are calm
- Always call the host parent of a party that your teenager is invited to. Ask if they will be present, make sure that there will not be alcohol or other drugs allowed
- Serve as a positive role model. Teens imitate and are influenced by adult actions and behaviors. If you use alcohol, drink responsibly and in moderation. Don’t drink and drive
- The most important job you will ever have is to be a parent. Your child needs you to set rules and limits
- Eat Dinner together
Link to Connecticut Clearinghouse, a resource center for information about health issues.
Infoline 2-1-1
Parental Fatal Errors
- Trusting your teen without question instead of objectively looking at the facts of the incident
- Failing to provide your child with boundaries, guidelines and/or restrictions
- Not teaching your child responsibility & values
- Lack of open communication and dialogue with your teens
- Making the assumption that other parents have placed restrictions and guidelines on their children
- Being more concerned about a child’s social status or peer acceptance rather than having a child be mature and responsible
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