10 Resolutions for a Happy New Year!

2011 is days away, and you may be trying to decide your New Years resolution. For inspiration, see this wonderful email below from the Partnership for tips to start the new year off on a positive note. Happy New Year from all of us here at Holcomb and Start the Discussion!

For the coming New Year, resolve to talk more often with your family about healthy decisions and choices. Our research shows that kids who learn a lot about the dangers of drugs from their parents are up to 50 percent less likely to use than those who do not get those important messages at home.

The Partnership at Drugfree.org celebrates the positive influence of parents in the lives of their kids. Together, we can help you start the New Year with "10 Resolutions That Show Your Kids You Care."

10 Resolutions That Show Your Kids You Care:

1. Teach your children to trust you by seeing you as a role model.
   
2. Be patient, not just tolerant. Apologize when you make a mistake or do something you regret.
   
3. Ask teens what they need from you - and do whatever you can to meet those needs.
   
4. Listen to your teens, a lot. Avoid interrupting.
   
5. Teach your children about ethics, values and principles they can apply in choices and decision making.
   
6. Help them discover the feeling of gratitude, not just to say thank you.
   
7. Keep the promises you make. If you do not keep your word, acknowledge that. Help your teen understand the circumstances or choices that precipitated the change in your plans.
   
8. Answer your teen's questions and be consistent. When you notice behavioral changes in them, make yourself available and encourage them to talk about what is going on in their life.
   
9. Be understanding when they have a difficult time and let them know you will love them no matter what.
   
10. Be diligent. Have ongoing conversations with your kids about the risks of drugs and alcohol.
    

Best Wishes for a safe, happy and healthy New Year,

-- Your friends at The Partnership at Drugfree.org

What You Say and Do Matters to your Kids

As the holidays, a time of celebration (and some stress!), are quickly approaching, remember that you are your child's #1 role model...even if it sometimes feels like you are last on list. See this great article below from The Partnership at Drugfree.org about how important your actions are in modeling healthy behaviors:

Kids learn a lot from their parents, who are the number one influence in the lives of their children, and the way parents talk about and handle their own alcohol use affects their kids and teens. Parents’ “model behavior” may have a direct impact on the choices teens make for themselves about alcohol and or other drug use.

Sobering Fact: One in five parents acknowledges that sometimes they drink too much alcohol in front of their children or teen (21 percent of parents surveyed agree or agree strongly when asked the question, “I sometimes drink too much alcohol in front of my child or teen.” Source: PATS 2009, sponsored by MetLife Foundation.)

You might also be surprised to learn that only one-third of parents safeguard alcohol in their own homes, even though they have underage children living with them. (34 percent of parents agreed with statement, “I keep alcohol in a locked cabinet in my home.” Source: PATS 2009, sponsored by MetLife Foundation.)

What you do and what you say matters in the lives of your children and it’s important to think about how your drinking may influence your child’s attitudes about drug and alcohol use. Please remember that keeping your alcohol safely locked away in your home – and telling the parents of your child’s friends to do the same – can help prevent your child from engaging in risky behavior.

Parents have more influence over their child than friends, music, TV, the Internet and celebrities.

Kids who learn a lot about the risks of drugs and alcohol from their parents are up to 50% less likely to use than those who do not.

Help your teen stay safe and make healthy choices by:

• Talking and listening regularly

• Being directly involved in your child’s everyday world

• Making it clear that you do not want him or her drinking or using drugs

• Setting limits

Adult Chocolate Milk: "Re-taste Your Youth at 40 Proof"

Yes. Really.

Adult Chocolate Milk is the newest "adult" beverage on the market from the aptly named manufacturer Adult Beverage Company. Developed by one of the company's founders, the chocolate milk is the first flavor in a whole line of "throw back" beverages including Orange Cream, Limeade, and Fruit Punch. The chocolate milk is 40 proof in alcohol content and comes in 1 liter bottles.

The website features cartoon characters surrounding an angel-devil theme, and many references to "bringing back the good ol' days, one sip at a time".

Adult Chocolate Milk is not available in Pennsylvania yet, but it is available to order online. Keep your eye-out for this product turning up among adults, and especially underage drinkers.