The Power of Parents

This summer has been like no other in history due to the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic. Like every summer, however, most teens have less structure and more free time. This combination can often lead to risk-taking behavior.

Taking risks provides young people the opportunity to test their skills and abilities and discover who they are. But, some risks—such as vaping, experimenting with alcohol, trying marijuana, or drinking or texting while driving—may have harmful and long-lasting effects.

Research has shown that parents are a powerful influence in the lives of their teens. When parents take the time to be engaged with their kids and know their interests--what they are doing, who they are with, and where they are—they demonstrate that they care. In addition, talking regularly with kids about risks, setting clear expectations, and checking in on a regular basis, can reduce potential for harm.

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) recently sponsored a panel of leading academic researchers in parenting. These experts agreed that the expectations parents have for their teen’s behavior; the actions parents take to keep track of their teen; and the ways parents respond when their teen breaks the rules are important monitoring skills. When you ask your teen “Where will you be?” "Who will you be with?” “When will you be home?” you are expressing interest and concern about their safety. Your teen may balk, but rest assured, being an involved parent is a factor that protects kids of all ages

While summer might be coming to an end, these skills will last a lifetime and will likely lead to better relationships between parent and teen as well as set teens up to have healthier relationships of their own.

- Peg Sallade

Substance Use Prevention Coordinator

Town of Lynnfield/A Healthy Lynnfield