Barrington Police Department Topics of Concern to Youth & Their Families

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Important message regarding Underage Drinking - Listen

What can parents do ?

• Communication with your teens about the dangers of under aged drinking.
• 1 out of 5, 8 th Graders will try drugs. Tell them how it effects them in a harmful way, depression, impaired driving, addiction.
• You can view the web site www.TheAntiDrug.com to view drugs or call 1-800-788-2800.
• If your teens don't hear about the ill effects of alcohol or drugs from you, they will hear it from their friends.
• Give your teens clear messages....No to alcohol and drugs. Set your expectations high and tell them of the consequences if they are caught.
• Set limits for your children as to where they can go and with whom.
• Say to your teen.....I love you, but you got to know that I am your parent and not one of your friends, so there will be limitations.
• Remember that you are your teen's most important role model. Be aware of what messages you are sending them if you let them drink or use pot as a "Right to Passage ."
• Alcohol is the most widely used drug among teens in the USA.

Parenting for Prevention

Take the Test:

How well do you communicate and know your teens. Please take a few seconds to read the below statements and circle the numbers that honestly do to see if you are a Hand-On, Hands Off or Half Hearted parent. This survey came from the Dr. John Underwood of the American Athletics Institute.

Here's the list:

• Monitor your teen's TV watching.
• Monitor their internet use, Face-book account'(s) and emails.
• Know what CDs/music they listen to on their I Pods. What are the lyrics?
• Know where your teens are after school.
• Expect to be told the truth and that you are told the truth about where your teens are really going.
• You are aware of your teen's academic performance.
• Impose curfews that are followed.
• Communicate that you would be extremely upset if your teenager drank alcohol or smoked pot.
• Eat dinner with your teen 6 to 7 times per week.
• Turn off the TV during dinner.
• Assign your teen regular chores.
• Be present or have another adult present when your teen comes home from school.
• Have Family activities together at least twice a week, like washing their car, renting a DVD movie or bowling.
• Ask who their friends are and ask to meet them at your house.

You're a HANDS ON parent if you do 10 or more of the above items... You're a HANDS OFF parent if you do 5 or less of the above 14... and you're a HALF HEARTED parent if you do 6 to 9 of the 14 criteria.

Additional Topics of Concern to youth and their families

- SLEEPOVERS

- CURFEWS

- CHOICES