Talk Early And Often About Alcohol, Tobacco And Other Drugs. Even When It Gets Tough
   Parent Tip
Know! To Celebrate National Family Day


On September 28th, join families across the nation in celebrating National Family Day by having dinner with your children. According to extensive research, the more families dine together, the less likely their children are to smoke, drink or use other drugs. And we’re not talking gourmet meals with finely dressed children sitting around the dinner table. We’re talking parents and their children, sharing a meal and conversation together, whether it is meat and potatoes or Chinese take-out. The most important item on the menu is YOU!

 

Know! the Seven Secrets to Successful Family Dinners (CASA, 2009):

  1. Start the pattern of family dinners when children are young
  2. Involve your kids in menu planning and preparation
  3. Establish fun meal-time rituals, like lighting candles and telling stories
  4. Turn off the TV, and forbid texting and phone calls during dinner
  5. Talk about your day, ask about their day
  6. Keep the conversation positive and make sure everyone gets to speak
  7. Grab a board game to continue family time and keep the conversation going

 

For more information visit www.CASAFamilyDay.org.

 

Source: “The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse: The Importance of Family Dinners IV,” Columbia University, 2009.

 

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:

Drug-Free Action Alliance
6185 Huntley Road, Suite P
Columbus, Ohio 43229

With funding support from:
United Way of Central Ohio