Prom and Graduation Season Proms, graduations and the parties surrounding them can be an exciting time for teens and parents that they usually can remember throughout their lives. But they can also be a time of heartbreak. There are all too often negative consequences, serious injuries, and even deaths. The good news is that parents and other adults can help keep teens safe by being informed and prepared. Keep the lines of communication open. Be sure to talk with your kids about underage drinking and the importance of making good decisions and be sure to be clear about your expectations. Following are some tips for both parents and teens. Safety Tips for Parents: Remember that you are the primary influence on your teen. Set clear rules about not drinking, and enforce consequences for breaking them. Offer to plan, host, and supervise a graduation party; assure parents the party will be alcohol-free. Require adult supervision at every celebration your teen attends. Know who will be driving your teen to and from the celebration. Remind your teen that, under any circumstance, you will be there to pick them up or help them, no questions asked. Don’t be afraid to ask your teen to “check in” while they are out. Get tips for talking to your teen . Safety Tips for Graduates and Teens Going to Prom: Never drink and drive! Do not get into a car with a driver who has been drinking. Remember you can always say “no” and do not have to do anything you do not want to do. If it doesn’t feel safe, it probably isn’t. Trust your instincts. Watch out for your friends and have them do the same for you. Never be afraid to call your parents or a trusted adult. More Prom safety tips Graduation and attending prom should be one of the most memorable times in your and your child’s lives. Talk with them and keep communication lines open to keep them and their friends safe.  Volunteer Opportunities There are a variety of volunteer opportunities at awesome nonprofits throughout Westchester and Putnam Counties. To view these opportunities, please check out Volunteer New York! Upcoming Events Weekly Spotlight Family Support Groups From our partners at Drug Crisis in Our Backyard, weekly Spotlight Family Support Groups, held virtually every Tuesday and Wednesday via Zoom. For more information click here. June 1st: K.N.O.W. 2 Prevent: Fourteen Talks by Age Fourteen Trying to convince a middle schooler to listen to you can be exasperating. Indeed, it can feel like the best option is not to talk! But keeping kids safe—and prepared for all the times to come when you can’t be the angel on their shoulder—is all about having the right conversations at the right time. Register now. June 2nd: Preparing Your Child for a Successful Transition to College This is an exciting and nervous time for many families as students are gearing up for high school graduation. Parents may be anxious about their child becoming an adult and leaving home for the first time, especially during the pandemic. If you or your graduate have questions about this major family milestone, join us for a virtual discussion on successfully letting go and helping your child emotionally prepare for life away from home. Register now. June 7th: Embracing Uncertainty Attempting to navigate these stressful times can be a strenuous endeavor families face. This webinar will focus on the effects of our current times and the resulting role that anxiety can play in the family. Parents will learn how to support teenagers through adaptive open communication skills. Plus, how resiliency in the home can be a key factor to helping adolescents thrive in uncertain times. Register now. June 16th: Virtual Overdose Prevention Training Naloxone is a prescription medicine that reverses an overdose by blocking heroin or other opioids in the nervous system for 30-90 minutes. Naloxone is administered by injection or intranasal. Following training, participants receive a kit by mail. Presented by our partners at Drug Crisis in Our Backyard. Register by email: ssal@drugcrisisinourbackyard.com June 22nd : The Parent Support Network™ –Yorktown Chapter Empowers and equips parents to better understand their children’s mental health needs, recognize warning signs when their children are struggling, and better understand and find resources. In partnership with our friends at The Youth Mental Health Project. Register now. Please visit the ASK calendar here for more upcoming events. www.allianceforsafekids.org |