Every fall, two seasons begin at the exact same time. One starts with Target commercials, pumpkin spice lattes, and college merch. The other has a name used by public health researchers: the Red Zone. Nobody prints that one on a vinyl sticker to put on an Owala bottle. The Red Zone refers to the first… Read more »
Every year, we fire up the grill, pop the cooler open, and watch the sky light up. It’s a good day. For a lot of families, it ends that way. For too many, it doesn’t. Fourth of July celebrations have turned into a peak season for impaired driving crashes. The biology of why it’s so… Read more »
Everything’s turning green for St. Patrick’s Day. Decorations. Shirts. Even bagels. It stands out as a vivid seasonal cue. It can also be a reminder for parents and caregivers to think about which “green lights” they want to set for the teens in their lives, and which ones they do not. Because let’s face it,… Read more »
We hear a lot about what teens are doing wrong. But that’s not the full story. When you look past the headlines and chatter, there’s another picture forming. It’s made up of everyday moments, small wins, and choices that rarely get noticed. And the research backs it up. The data are pointing to real, positive… Read more »
December is supposed to feel cozy, joyful, and magical. But for many families, the season also brings hidden risks for teens with more free time, holiday parties, older siblings and friends returning from college, and environments where alcohol is more accessible. None of this has to diminish the magic. There are also real reasons for… Read more »
If you’re a parent or caregiver, this is a night you’ll want to be aware of. Blackout Wednesday. Thanksgiving Eve. Drinksgiving. Blackout Eve. These are terms for the night before Thanksgiving. They might sound like a joke, but they’re not at all. Here’s the lowdown about what it is, why it’s dangerous, what teens are… Read more »
Do you know who loves Halloween as much as kids do? Teenagers. Even without trick-or-treating, Halloween has turned into one of the most popular social scenes for teens. But here’s where the scary part comes in: it’s also one of the riskiest nights of the year for teens when it comes to alcohol and drugs…. Read more »
Getting Alcohol is Easy for Many Teens. 84.3% of teens who drink say getting their hands on free alcohol is almost as easy as getting their hands on a pizza. Many teens access alcohol from their families, friends, or at other people’s homes, which makes underage drinking alarmingly easy. This accessibility poses significant risks, as… Read more »
Before your teen goes off to college, these are our top 6 most imperative topics to discuss to prevent horrible consequences of dangerous drinking.
Teens are social creatures by nature. Social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic might be especially difficult for them. Here are five ways that parents can help their older kids with the impact of the COVID-19 quarantine.