Red Ribbon Week

Do you know what Red Ribbon Week is? Have your kids been coming home talking about it, or have you been seeing things around town? Red Ribbon week is an ideal way for people and communities to unite and take a stand against substance abuse. Grade school through high school will usually have themed weeks with activities throughout the week. This year Red Ribbon Week runs from October 23rd-October 31st. For more information on Red Ribbon Week, go to the website below:

http://www.nfp.org/default.asp?PageNum=582

It's Never to Early

Have you talked to your kids about alcohol? It is never to early to start the talk. Kids learn earlier and earlier about alcohol. As a parent you want to make sure you talk to them about it. Even if you think they aren't listening they really are. Kids are starting to drink in middle school so the sooner you talk to them about alcohol and the consequences the better off you are. To learn more click on the link below:

http://www.connectwithkids.com/tipsheet/2010/512_oct20/thisweek/101020_education.shtml

What will Teens do for Popularity?

For teenagers being popular means everything to some of them. To be popular teens will go to great limits to fit in and it includes a lot of peer pressure. Being popular leads to alcohol and drug use often times which then leads to many problems. Make sure you know where your kids are and who they are hanging out with. Make sure you are talking to your kids as well as listening to your kids. Help them to make friends but do it in the right way. For more information go to the following article:

http://www.connectwithkids.com/tipsheet/2010/510_oct6/thisweek/101006_popularity.shtml

Are Your Kids Struggling With Grades?

Are your kids being distracted by facebook, tv, or the phone? Are their grades slipping due to these distractions? When grades aren't good parents should definitely address the situation but don't push them. Kids like to rebel so if is overdone they will just not do their homework at all. This article provides some tips on how to meet in the middle! For more information read below:

http://www.connectwithkids.com/tipsheet/2010/508_sep22/thisweek/100922_grades.shtml

E-Cigarettes

Becoming very popular the E-cigarettes are in a lot of people hands especially the teenage population. With different flavors such as bubble gum and cookie dough they are quite appealing. Teenagers are starting younger and younger with cigarettes. You can't get cigarettes until 18 but E-cigarettes have no age limit which is why the kids tend to go for them as well. Starting in the 5th or 6th grade make sure you are having talks with your kids about cigarettes. They are very addicting and at such a young age it only takes one to make them want many more. For more information go to the article below:

http://www.connectwithkids.com/tipsheet/2010/508_sep22/thisweek/100922_cigarettes.shtml

Family Day Contest

You could win up to a $90 Dillon's gift card just for sending in what you did for Family Day. So start thinking now what your going to be cooking for that great family meal! :) Below are the details for the contest:

http://wellcommons.com/groups/wellness/news/2010/sep/21/livewell-lawrence-contest/

Family Day

Do you eat dinner with your family on a regular basis? If not you should definitely start trying to do it at least a few times a week. In 2001 the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse started Family Day- A Day to Eat Dinner With Your Children. Research finds that the more often families eat together the less likely kids are to smoke, drink, or do drugs. Today is a great day to start tonight bring the whole family around the dinner table to eat. For more information click on the link below:

http://wellcommons.com/groups/wellness/news/2010/sep/22/research-shows-eating-mea/