If you make only one New Year's Resolution this year, let it be that you will promise to take time to talk with your teens.  Many times, parents pull back from their teens just  when our kids most need our support and guidance. Your teen may act like you don't matter but research shows that the number one reason kids don't use alcohol or drugs is concern about their parents' disapproval.

The Partnership for a Drug-Free America asks you to promise to take the time to talk with your kids now by Making the Time to Talk Promise. 

Not sure what to say?  Check out these resources:

Building a Strong Parent-Child Connection

5.  Your mother-in-law keeps telling you your nine month old should be walking by now (her children did!) and you want to set her straight.

4.  Your child loves bugs (or wants to learn to sew) and you don't have a clue.    

3.  You know you should talk with your middle schooler about alcohol but you're not sure what to say. 

2.  Your teen is totally stressed out and you want to help. 

Check out our Tip Sheets with facts and statistics about Suburban Ramsey County kids as well as simple things parents and other caring adults can do to make a difference in the lives of kids.  Please share these widely with people you think would be interested. 

Creating Caring Relationships with Children and Young People

Worried about Under-age Drinking?

Nurturing "Sparks" in Children and Young People

Worried about Marijuana Use? 

Free and Fun Things to Do with Kids

We are asking people in all of the settings where children and young people spend their time to think about ways they can be intentional about welcoming, supporting, encouraging and valuing kids. 

There are lots of things you can do to celebrate kids. 

All relationships experience challenging times and relationships between caring adults and children and young people are no exception.  We’ve gathered some tips to help you navigate some of the common challenges you might experience.

Any open-ended question, asked with genuine curiosity, can get a conversation started.  The secret is simply to make a point to connect.  Kids want to be heard by adults in their lives.  Remember, this is not an interview. You’re getting to know them.  Listen and let them lead the conversation in the direction that interests them. 

Experiment with when and where kids are most receptive to talking.  Not all conversations need to happen sitting face to face, just talking.  Sometimes the best conversations happen in the car, while involved in an activity, while walking, on the telephone, etc.  For best results, try to be available and make time for kids when they want or need to talk or just be with you. 

Create safety.  As you get to know each other, kids might tell you things they don’t feel comfortable talking about with anyone else.  Unless, they are in trouble, try to keep private conversations between the two of you. 

September 6-12 is national Suicide Prevention Week.  In recognition of this, we’re sharing the story of a girl named Sarah who, just over a year ago, took her life through suicide. 

In his grief and concern that no other parent ever experience what he experienced, her father shared their story in the hope that other parents will see the subtle signs and get the help they need for their child.

He shared, “Depression is a disease that some can hide.  Making the diagnosis is difficult for an untrained parent….Moodiness is normal.  Where is the line between moodiness and despair so deep that one takes one’s own life?  We lived with Sarah everyday.  We had dinner as a family almost every night.  We told her we loved her every day, several times a day.  Again, where is the line between moodiness and despair so deep that one takes one’s own life?  We didn’t see it.  Please, oh please don’t miss the signs.  Kids aren’t going to light them up like those on the side of the road.”     

In a letter to his daughter, he wrote:

Early in 2009, How are the Children? staff interviewed young people, ages 12-22, about their interactions with adults.  One of the questions we asked was, “What do you wish adults knew about how you’d like them to interact with you?”

Here’s what they told us: