The holidays often include celebrating, get-togethers and extra activities – shopping, baking, cooking, and parties! During the hustle and bustle we can be tempted to bend the rules a bit here and there so we won’t miss out on any fun. While stretching bed time an extra half-hour to accommodate holiday fun is harmless, some rules should never be broken.
1. Drinking and driving.
Take a few moments to take (or renew) your No Drinking and Driving Pledge.
2. Texting while driving, or entering an address into your GPS app for directions could have disastrous results.
Take (or renew) your Pledge to NOT TEXT while driving – for the whole family.
This is a good time of the year to review your Family Policy regarding Drugs, Alcohol and Tobacco use.
Here are some ideas to reinforce a safe holiday season:
- Reinforce your expectations. Throughout their high school years, you’ve set rules and established the consequences for breaking them. Perhaps you’ve loosened up on a few rules, like curfew. But be clear—drinking or drug use remains unacceptable.
- Encourage your teens to make each moment count. Let your teens know you don’t want them to miss out on things because of bad choices, like drinking or drug use. One bad choice could change their lives forever.
- Provide safe alternatives. Parties abound during the holiday season. Consider chaperoned alcohol-free parties. For teens staying home during the winter break, consider implementing a schedule (maybe volunteering or other community activities) to help them plan a safe and productive break.
- Set a good example. Don’t let anyone convince you that it’s a good idea for teens to drink or use marijuana under your supervision. It sends the wrong message and may lead your teen to make other bad choices.
Don’t have a Family Policy? Click here to find out why your family should have one.
