Spring is an exciting time of year, especially for teens who are preparing to celebrate prom and graduation. Celebrating these milestones is pivotal for teenagers, as well as for their families and the wider community. It’s our job as parents and caring adults to make sure these celebrations are safe and healthy.
West River Valley Thrives is launching its annual lawn sign campaign to bring awareness to the issue of teen alcohol use and parent/community responsibility around this topic.
Each sign communicates, “I will keep my teen safe from underage drinking,” along with one of the following three messages:
(1) Parents Can Prevent Underage Drinking
(2) Delay The Drink Protect Teen Brains
(3) Let Your Teen Know They Can Always Call You
By sharing the responsibility of creating safe celebrations as a community, along with educating about the dangers of underage drinking, we can keep our kids safe. Newfane parent Gibbs Rehlen shares that, “By participating in this campaign, we are joining other families in a highly visible, community-wide reminder to show support for teens as they make healthy choices while celebrating an important rite of passage. We chose to put a sign in our yard because we care about Vermont youth, their lives, and the health of our overall community.”
Parents and community members can prepare their teens to face potential peer pressure and encourage them to make healthy decisions with a few simple steps. Start by talking to your teen. Open, two-way conversations about the harmful effects and negative consequences of underage alcohol use will help your child understand why you don’t want them to drink. For information to help support this conversation, visit ParentUP: Alcohol Facts. Also talk with your teen about strategies for dealing with peer pressure, as well as alternative, healthy activities. For more tips and advice on how to talk with teens about celebrating safely, we recommend this article from ParentUp: What’s Safe on Prom Night.
One of the most important things you can communicate to your teen is that you will help, without question, if they find themselves in an unsafe situation. Make sure your teen knows they can call you for a judgment-free ride, has a fully charged phone or access to one, and be available if they do call. You don’t need to be a parent to help! If you know a teen who might not have a safe person to call, offer to be that person.
Be in the know!
- Know your teen’s plan for post-prom and graduation festivities, and tell them to inform you if plans change.
- Know who your teen will be with, and ask to be introduced if you do not already know them.
- Know that you are one of the most influential role models for your teen. When parents avoid drinking alcohol in the lead-up to prom and other celebrations, their children will be more likely to choose to refuse alcohol use as well.
Let’s keep our teens and community safe this prom and graduation season. To display a free lawn sign in your yard, please email Sara Webb, wrvtengaged@gmail.com.