Spring break is right around the corner! Soon, students everywhere will have more time to hang out with their friends, often leaving their parents to wonder how they can safeguard their teens from drinking and drug use during the time away from school.
The activities teens participate in during spring break can be fun and safe or they can be dangerous and sometimes even fatal. Whether your kids are attending a sleep over, house party or they are just hanging out around the house, you can help keep them safe from the temptations of drug and alcohol use.
How?
By talking early and often about the dangers of substance abuse! Studies show that children who talk with their parents about drug use are up to 50 percent less likely to use drugs and alcohol. As your teen prepares for their spring break fun, remind them to not consume alcohol and use drugs because of the dangers associated with such use.
Other ways parents can help keep their teens safe during spring break include:
1) Reinforcing expectations – being an upperclassman has its privileges but it also has responsibilities; reestablish the rules and the consequences for breaking them. While it may be ok to loosen the reins a bit, it needs to be clear that drinking and drug use remain unacceptable.
2) Make each moment count – teens only get one junior/senior year. Let them know that you don’t want them to miss out on things because of bad choices like drinking or drug use.
3) Help plan – know your child’s itinerary, including who they will be with and phone numbers where they can be contacted. Establish call-in times and give the option of calling at any time for help or advice, which includes picking them up if needed.
4) Providing safe alternatives – for those staying in town, parties abound during spring break. Plan chaperoned alcohol-free parties; suggest volunteering or other community activities to offer a safe and productive use of their free time.
It only takes a few minutes to talk to your kids about the dangers of drugs and alcohol and it only takes a few minutes for them to decide to say yes or no. Ultimately, your child does not want to disappoint you, so letting them know how you feel and discussing the risks of drug use can potentially affect their entire life. Establish a family policy together with your children to help guide them towards making the right decisions.
