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Talk Early And Often About Alcohol, Tobacco And Other Drugs. Even When It Gets Tough |
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Know! To Set A Curfew For Your Tween |
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| With each passing year, children want and expect a little more freedom with how and where they spend their extra hours. Yes it’s a school night, but what’s the big deal with allowing them a bit more free time with friends after their homework is done? Well, according to a recent study, time matters. The later youth are out on school nights, the more likely drugs and alcohol will come into play. Of the 12 to 17-year-olds who came home after 8 pm, 29% say the time was used to drink alcohol, smoke marijuana or use other drugs. And after 10 pm, a whopping 50% say that substance use occurred. Curfew Guidelines: Be Reasonable: For tweens, around the 7 pm mark is reasonable on school nights (and no later than 9pm on weekends). Combat Complaints: Explain your reasoning, but be firm. Let your child know it is not up for negotiation. Allow Exceptions: An occasional “late night” due to a special event like a school play, family gathering or extra-curricular activity is OK, if approved in advance. Enforce Consequences: If your tween chooses not to keep curfew, use the time-equals-time trick: 20 minutes late this time = 20 minutes earlier curfew next time. National Survey of American Attitudes on Substance Abuse XIII: Teens and Parents (CASA) Aug.08 Online Article: O’Donnell, Jennifer: Tween Parenting: Should Teens Have Curfews?
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Talking regularly with kids reduces their risk of using alcohol, tobacco and other drugs. Know! urges you to encourage other parents to joining Know! by taking the Parent and Caregiver Pledge. For more information log on to www.HelpThemKnow.com or call 1-866-999-KNOW. Know! is a program of: |
