Talking to teens sometimes feels as if you need a special language, or a special touch. Here are some tips that might help conversations go more smoothly: 1 – Try to talk side-by-side, not face-to-face. Walk the dog or talk on the way to practice. Washing dishes or a trip to Starbucks are good places to [...]
Remember this is a process, not necessarily a one shot deal. 1. Introduce the topic in a casual way. It’s best to be side-by-side not face-to-face (driving, or in the kitchen, or while shopping) “Some parents have started talking about Beach Week. What are the kids at school (on your team) saying about it?” “You [...]
Middle and High School students want to party. In fact, many times when we ask them why they drink they report that there is nothing else to do, or they want to relax. Teen parties can be fun for teens, and still meet your considerations about being safe and sober. Resist your inclination to control [...]
Lots of our work is about stopping high risk behavior. But the data are encouraging. Most teens in Arlington, and the country, don’t drink, or smoke marijuana, or engage in sexual activity. They don’t engage in really risky behavior. And when we assume that they do, they sometimes feel like they might as well. We [...]