I participated in an Ambassador Program on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Anheuser-Busch’s Family Talk About Drinking program. I received a promotional item to thank me for my participation.

 

Last week I shared with you that I was I was recently selected to be a part of the Anheuser-Busch “Family Talk About Drinking” Ambassador Program through Mom Central. In my first post in the 3 part series, I talked about what aspects of underage drinking should parents and teens talk about, and how I personally make sure to have an open communication with my teens about underage drinking. This Week we are going to focus on information I found valuable as part of the FTAD program, and that was the How to “BE REAL” when communicating with your teen!

Be R-E-A-L:

Realize our children need to have a connection with us.

Examine our own assumptions and prejudices.

Always be aware of the other influences in our kids’ lives.

Listen, because all kids (especially teens!) have a deep need to be heard.

I have always believed the best approach for talking to my kids is having a strong connection with them and “being real”. I also don’t hold anything back and share all the mistakes I made as a teen. I want my kids to see that just because I am their mom they can still come and talk to me about any and every thing! I know my kid’s are going to make mistakes it’s a part of growing up! However, I want to at least prepare them and let them know that I am here for them. As I mom I feel very connected to each of my kids. I always know when something is going on or bothering them just by their body language! Every day when they come home from school, I engage with them just to make sure how their day went. Sometimes they try to say everything is fine but I can always tell different so it takes a little more time for them to open up but they always do.  As a parent, we’re the greatest influence on our teen’s choices. In fact, Parents have been the strongest influence on teens’ decisions to drink alcohol ages 13-17 for more than 20 years. The 2014 report shows a 27 percent increase in parents’ influence since 1991.

  MJ Corcoran:

MJ Corcoran has worked with parents for the past 20 years and has created a powerful parenting program that will help you make the changes to create more cooperation, connection, mutual respect, and fun in your family. In 2011, MJ collaborated with Anheuser-Busch to refresh and expand the Family Talk About Drinking guide to become a program that parents can turn to throughout the parenting process, no matter how old their kids may be

 

Giveaway Time!

Hopefully by now you have looked over the Parent’s Guide  and checked out to Anheuser-Busch Family Facebook page on how to talk to your teen about underage drinking and if you haven’t make sure to check out the Family Talk About Drinking guide today! Because I am giving one lucky reader a $25 e-gift card to help you jumpstart you own conversations prior to the prom, graduation or high school parties. You can use the Gift card to go out for Ice Cream, Lunch or any thing else that will break the ice and open up this important topic!  Just enter below and tell me How you “Keep it real” with your children!
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