Would I have done this as a teenager?

I was in high school from 1985 to 1988. I went straight to college and spent 5 years earning that diploma.    I wish I could spill the beans on all those adventures during that time frame, but this isn’t going to be about what I did or didn’t do.  I can say that there is not one thing that surprises me when it comes to teenage life, temptations, challenges, disappointments, expectations, etc. I have been one of those people who, unfortunately, can say that I either saw it, did it, or came up with it.

I know. Bless me. Thankful for maturity (and protection) in so many ways.

I have teenagers. I know the road all too well. This knowledge can bring intense fear over a momma. BUT….I do know this…

Parents must know the “latest info and scoop” on what teens are doing, regarding alcohol, so they can talk to their kids about it. I can promise you that not talking about the “latest info and scoop” will push them in a negative direction when it comes to the choices they make.

These are two things that I’m aware of and you may be too, but thought I would use this platform to pass along in case you didn’t know.

Ok…the 1st in the “latest info and scoop” when it comes to teenage drinking involves gummy bears. Its not just candy anymore. Who knew, right?  Watch this news story, let your jaw hit the floor, anger and shock over come you and then come back and see the next “latest info and scoop.”

Now for the next piece of “latest info and scoop” when it comes to teenagers concealing their use of alcohol. As a woman, this scares the fire out of me.  Click here to watch this story out of Phoenix. And I highly doubt this is happening only in Phoenix. Take a deep breath and watch. I’m warning you on this one…hang on tight.

Well, there ya have it. It’s a lot to digest, but once you have let it settle on you….let this be a reminder that open conversation about the dangers of underage drinking can mean life or death. I know it may seem that we go on and on and on and on about some things, but do not let underage drinking become one that you grow weary of.

Stay informed as parents! Stay in conversation with your child! It is indeed hard growing up today. They need us!

Trying to stay on the right path with ya~

Please tell your kids…your kids friends…any kid who happens to listen to you!

I went to a party Mom,
I remembered what you said.
U told me not to drink,
Mom,So I drank soda instead.

I really felt proud inside, Mom,
The way you said I would.
I didn’t drink and drive, Mom,
Even though the others said I should.

I know I did the right thing, Mom,
I know you are always right.
Now the party is finally ending, Mom,
As everyone is driving out of sight.

As I got into my car, Mom,
I knew I’d get home in one piece.
Because of the way you raised me,
So responsible and sweet.

I started to drive away, Mom,
But as I pulled out into the road,
The other car didn’t see me, Mom,
And hit me like a load.:(

As I lay there on the pavement, Mom,
I hear the policeman say,
“The other guy is drunk,” Mom,
And now I’m the one who will pay.

I’m lying here dying, Mom….
I wish you’d get here soon.
How could this happen to me, Mom?
My life just burst like a balloon.

There is blood all around me, Mom,
And most of it is mine.
I hear the medic say, Mom,
I’ll die in a short time.

I just wanted to tell you, Mom,
I swear I didn’t drink.
It was the others, Mom.
The others didn’t think.

He was probably at the same party as I.
The only difference is, he drank
And I will die.
Why do people drink, Mom?
It can ruin your whole life.
I’m feeling sharp pains now.
Pains just like a knife.

The guy who hit me is walking, Mom,
And I don’t think it’s fair.
I’m lying here dying
And all he can do is stare.

Tell my brother not to cry, Mom.
Tell Daddy to be brave.
And when I go to heaven, Mom,
Put “GOOD BOY ” on my grave.

Someone should have told him, Mom,
Not to drink and drive.
If only they had told him, Mom,
I would still be alive.

My breath is getting shorter, Mom.
I’m becoming very scared.
Please don’t cry for me, Mom.
When I needed you, you were always there.

I have one last question, Mom.
Before I say good bye.
I didn’t drink and drive,
So why am I the one to die?

Someone has to tell our kids and their friends and their friends. Use your voice!

Trying to keep on the right path with ya~

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Why courage?

I have 3 boys. They range in age from 15 to 10. Having a freshman in high school and one in 8th grade puts me smack dab in the middle of “trying to find yourself.” But you know what? Do we ever find ourselves? I’m 41 and just as soon as I think I have, I realize I haven’t.  Maybe we are all just lost as goons.

Anyway, I’ve seen a trait in my 15 year old that I sometimes wonder “who are you?” when I listen to him talk or watch him make decisions.  Let me give you a couple of examples of my child who I also label an old soul……And, I’m proud of my old soul.

**He bought a “smart card” from a student at another school with his OWN MONEY. What?  He did this to be nice and help the girl out as a fundraiser for a rival school. He didn’t even know what the smart card was. He took his own $15.00 and helped a friend out. There are plenty of kids who would say NO WAY…not my money. He did this all without even asking me or talking to me about it. This is a grown up thing.

**He walked away from a sport (hopefully temporarily) realizing that he needs to focus on school, but also wanting to grow in knowledge about some things that are separate from school and is an extremely healthy environment for him to be in.

Bottom line with these two examples is this…He doesn’t care one flying flip what anyone thinks or says about “doing what he wants to do.”  Thankfully these are smart decisions, but he honestly walks in a confidence that I NEVER EVER EVER had at his age. Walking in courage and confidence at this age is key! If our kids can walk in confidence in smaller things I have a feeling they can walk in confidence with the bigger things.

One more time…If our kids can walk in confidence and courage in the smaller things, then they can walk in confidence and courage with the bigger things. It becomes normal and right and ok.

With each season of being a teen, the temptations and trials are bigger and bigger. If your teen walks with or without confidence or courage, begin now by encouraging them to do so. Push them, challenge them, and beg them to walk in confidence and courage when it seems impossible.

They need to succeed at this so when the stakes are high…they have the courage and confidence to do the hard thing REGARDLESS OF WHAT PEOPLE THINK.

Something to think about….

Seriously? High School? Mercy.

My oldest starts high school in one week.

*shaking head in disbelief*

I know people say things like “Wasn’t he just born yesterday? Where is the time going? Weren’t you just starting kindergarten?” as their kids get older, BUT….

1996 was just a couple of years ago right? Right? No. It wasn’t.

When I think about all the years that have gone by with my little big guy, my mind swirls in a million directions thinking of all that I have done well…all that I have just blown….all that I need to do in the 4 shorts years that are left at home. We all enter these new phases with our children with eyes wide open and a slightly faster heartbeat.  Some parenting phases are scary because we are entering into unknown territory or territory we simply can’t remember as a child because we were too  young.  However, this new season of high school with my oldest is not unfamiliar territory to me. I remember so much about high school. I completely “get it.” I get every bit of high school world.

And this is why my heart beats a little faster.

I’m sitting down with my freshman in a couple of days to have a great heart to heart talk about this school year. We are setting some goals. We are talking fears. We are talking change. We are talking truth. We are talking about his life.

Momma ain’t scared to lay it all out on the table.

My hope is that anyone with middle and high school age kids will do the same. DO NOT shy away from the hard stuff. Our facebook page has great resources when it comes to alcohol and drug use and tips for parents. Feel free to “like” us and check the page often.

Happy back to school! Whatever season you find yourself in with your kids, take it one step at a time. It’s really all we can do. Be honest with them and love them no matter what.

Trying to keep on the right path with ya~

Would you let your kids “sample” your drink?

This isn’t a post about drinking or not drinking when it comes to adults. I believe if you are over the age of 21 and are a responsible adult…that is your decision to make. I would never make that decision for you. This is about kids and drinking.

What I would like to throw out at you is this…

“Would you give your teenager a sip or a full sized drink in order for them to see what all the fuss is about?”

My personal feeling??? HECK NO!!!!

Why? Because they are kids. The law says 21 for multiple reasons….i.e. legal issues, developmental issues, safety, etc. And…what if your child just happens to like it? What if they are bent toward an addictive personality and that sip or drink led them down the wrong path?

I absolutely see no value whatsoever in giving a kid a sip or a drink so they can see just what its like.

So, if you have parents or grandparents who use or have used this tactic in order to steer kids away from alcohol…I say don’t go there.

The culture is different. The world is different. Kids are different. Don’t take that chance.

Of course…this is just my opinion and something you might want to think about too. I have absolutely NOTHING scientifically to back any of this up one way or the other. I’m just a mom to teenagers who thinks out loud.

Keeping on the right path with ya~

Preach preach preach

We have been working on something cool for our local high schools and I personally love this twist to our media campaign! We are putting signs in the outfields of our local high school baseball fields that say…

“Providing alcohol to youth is a crime!”

I love that we can get this word out in a fresh new way. Think about all the adults that will come across these 7 simple, yet powerful words?!

If you want a message to stick don’t we have to share in about 3 million different ways? The last thing we want is to be Charlie Brown’s teacher and a bunch “wha wha wha wha wha.”

I hope that whatever your love, passion, message, concern, hopes, and dreams are that you communicate it in clear words in many different ways.

Stop and think about what you are wanting to say.

Are you being heard?

Summer + free time = disaster?

As a momma, I’m more than thrilled with summer being here! I think I am equally sick of homework, studying, schedules, being a slave to the clock, etc. etc. etc.  IT GETS OLD!

So, here we are…..week 1 into summer and it has me thinking. My life is still made up of the same ole stuff….keeping up with kids schedules, making sure there is a balance between fun and down time, feed these monkeys because they eat all the time, and keeping all the family ducks in a row.  But…the teenagers? Different story. They have gone from 100mph to slamming on the breaks and are now moving at a much slower pace with not a lot on their agenda. Teenage bliss.

As parents I think we wonder about all this free time and what they are potentially up to. I think the world has us sitting in a place of constant fear and uncertainty when it comes to our kids. I mean there are all kinds of media and access to pretty much anything at the tip of their cute little fingers.

However, I’m a glass full kind of girl. Lets make a parenting promise to make sure we take care of all the potential downfalls that may come with summer freedom….here is my checklist. THIS IS EASY!

*No alcohol in the house!

*No prescription drugs within their reach!

*Make sure all tv’s, computers, phones with internet, etc. are protected and they do not have access to anything they want.

Easy enough right?  Summer should be fun for all of us. Lets do our part moms and dads!

Trying to keep on the right path with ya!