Community Organizations

Teen Tales: Stories About Parenting Teens

This is the place to share stories and discuss issues about raising teens. Please tell us your issues and stories, including some of the good times you have had with your teen.

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Parenting Tip of the Week

Talking to Parents - Drugs/Drinking

Looking for a way to initiate a conversation with another parent about teen drug or alcohol use? Try this: Last weekend my son was at a party where kids were drinking. He didn't drink any, but I was really upset that this happened at another friend's home. Do you think I should I talk to the friend's parents?

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REACH PARENTS WHERE THEY GET SUPPORT

Community organizations such as YMCAs, churches, synagogues, temples, community centers, faith communities and others are natural gathering places for parents - providing an excellent venue to bring parents together to swap stories, share advice and support each other during the ups and downs of raising teens.

E-MAIL
Start an e-mail "buzz" about the new resources available to parents through the "Shoulder to Shoulder" program. Send tips (select from list on the Web site) on parenting to 10 colleagues and ask them to pass along to 10 other friends with teens. Include the campaign Web site in the e-mail (www.shouldertoshoulderminnesota.org).

"THRIVING WITH YOUR TEEN PRESENTATION"
Use the PowerPoint presentation provided on this site to give a short noontime session on helpful hints for raising teens. Ask each attendee to come with a successful tip on raising a teenager to share with the group.

PARENT SUPPORT GROUP
Choose a set day each month to invite parents/ grandparents/caregivers of teens to attend an informal discussion on "tricks of the parenting trade" for successful teen/parent relationships. Post flyers around the organization to increase awareness of the meeting. Consider providing beverages and treats. Think about choosing a theme for each discussion (i.e., "tough talks," dating, prom night).

NEWSLETTER ARTICLE
Submit an article in your organization's newsletter, intranet or e-zine (online magazine). The tip sheets on the this site can be re-printed in a community newsletter, or you can use an existing article on parenting (available on the site). Submit different topics each month.

INVITE AN EXPERT
Post a request on this site for a parenting expert to speak to your local community group. The expert can give a brief presentation and provide helpful tips for parents and caregivers, as well as facilitate a discussion among the audience for parents to share advice with one another.

EXISTING ACTIVITIES
Use existing activities to bring parents together to learn more about the Shoulder to Shoulder campaign resources. Consider tapping into existing activities such as: stuffing campaign flyers in basketball or choir concert programs, staffing an information table at half time of a school or club sporting event, or holding a parent chat session while your faith organization youth group meets.

To ensure a successful program, a checklist follows.

PROGRAM CHECKLIST

Select date, time, location for appropriate activities
Note cards to record parents' tips generated at group sessions

MATERIALS AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD

You'll need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view the files marked "PDF." If you don't already have the program, you can download it for free here.

Tip Sheets – Sorted by Topic and Available as PDFs

Flyers.pdf Flyers.pdf Campaign Flyer (color)-PDF
Flyers bw.pdf Campaign Flyer (B&W)-PDF
INFO posters 11x17.pdf Campaign Posters (color-11X17)-PDF
INFO posters 8.5x11.pdf Campaign Posters (color-8.5X11)-PDF
INFO posters bw 11x17.pdf Campaign Posters (B&W-11X17)-PDF
INFO posters bw 8.5x11.pdf Campaign Posters (B&W-8.5X11)-PDF
Meeting poster 11x17.pdf Meeting Annct. Poster (color-11X17)-PDF
Meeting poster 8.5x11.pdf Meeting Annct. Poster (color-8.5X11)-PDF
Meeting poster bw 11x17.pdf Meeting Annct. Poster (B&W-11X17)-PDF
Meeting poster bw 8.5x11.pdf Meeting Annct. Poster (B&W-8.5X11)-PDF
RAISING TEENS.ppt Raising Teens-PowerPoint

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