TIPS FOR PARENTS OF TEENS

LET YOUR CHILDREN KNOW WHERE YOU STAND

• Give your teen a clear message about your disapproval of underage alcohol use.
• Give your teen a clear message about your disapproval of marijuana use.
• Don't allow alcohol or tobacco to be available to teens in your home.
• Be a role model. Show your child it doesn't take a drink to relax or to have fun.
• Don't accept underage drinking as a rite of passage-discuss the bad things that can happen.

CHILDREN NEED CLEAR STANDARDS AND CONSISTENT BOUNDARIES

• Establish a curfew and enforce it. Wait up for your children and give them a hug and a kiss.
• Set clear rules and consequences. Be sure your children know what they are.
• Set consequences or limits that relate to the activity and enforce them.
• Negative consequences might be loss of TV time, computer privileges, time with friends, evening activities, shopping privileges, telephone time, cell phone possession, driving privileges.
• Give positive consequences for following rules: thank you, praise, expanded privileges, treats.

DON'T BE AFRAID TO CHECK UP ON YOUR CHILD. IT'S YOUR RIGHT AND RESPONSIBILITY

• Closely monitor your teen's academic performance.
• Get to know your children's friends. Monitor changes in friends and in behavior.
• When your children go out - know who, what, where and when.
• Call other parents when your children make plans to confirm that adults will be present. You can also call to verify after-the-fact (remember "trust then verify").
• Buy a home alcohol testing kit (www.alcopro.com) and let your children know.
• When your teens want to go to a concert or other drug-likely event, agree that they will provide a urine sample the next morning (call TurnAround 410-819-5900 to arrange for drug tests).
• Monitor your teens' television and Internet viewing, and restrict the music CDs they purchase.

CHILDREN NEED LOVE AND CONNECTIONS

• Eat dinner together as often as possible.
• Involve your children in family decision-making (about activities, rules, vacations) and in family responsibilities.
• Remember to give positive consequences: thank you, praise, expanded privileges, treats.

THERE IS SUPPORT FOR PARENTS

• If you suspect your teen is using drugs, don't wait. Call TurnAround -- free, confidential drug screening and assessment for adolescents 410-819-5900.
• Join the Safe Homes program -- families with children in 6th - 12th grade who pledge to supervise all teen gatherings and to prohibit underage alcohol and tobacco use. Call 410-819-8067.
• If you will be away from home for the evening or overnight, tell your teen's friends' parents and ask the neighbors and/or the police to watch your home. Tell your teen the house is being watched.
• Contact Talbot Prevention Office, Talbot Partnership Office, and Talbot Parent Education Office for books, videos, education classes, and someone to talk to -- all located at 410-819-8067, upstairs in the Bank of America building at 8 Goldsborough Street, Easton, info@talbotpartnership.org.