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When we think of safety and children, young children come to mind. But teens also face dangers as they become increasingly independent.
Keeping our kids safe during the teen years is an important issue. This is a phase when youth may experiment in many types of risky behavior, from speeding cars, to drugs and alcohol. Unfortunately, all too often the results are tragic. One way of ensuring their safety is by setting a few ground rules so that as parents we know where they are and whom they are with says Dr. Miriam Kaufman, pediatrician and author of "Helping Your Teen Overcome Depression". “I think it’s very reasonable in a family to have an expectation, a clear expectation that if the teenager is going to be out after a certain period of time, that they will call home and tell you. And I think that before the situation happens, you set out what the consequences will be for not making that phone call home.”
Margie McArthur of the safety advocacy group “Block Parents” adds that teens can find themselves in trouble situations such as being “out on a bad date or stuck with a drunk driver and have no way to get home safely. There can be bullying problems with groups of other young people, so they need to know that there are places they can turn to for safety.”
McArthur adds that raves and parties that get out of control can pose a threat to teens. “One of the real issues that parents and teens have to deal with can be house parties that get out of hand. Teens will be left at home when the parents go away for the weekend, and suddenly everyone realizes that they’re home alone and decide to go there for a party. It can get out of hand. They should not tell anyone that they’re home alone for the weekend and just keep it to themselves. And if things do start to get out of hand, call the police and they’ll be there to break up the party.”
Finally, since so many teen deaths and injuries are directly attributed to drinking and driving, Kaufman says “that there should also be a clear expectation that they will not come home stoned or drunk, and that while you understand that they might experiment with some stuff, what’s very important is their own safety. The one non-negotiable thing is that they do not get into a car with someone who has been drinking, and who is then going to be the driver. I think that’s really the key thing. You have to think about “what can kill your kid?” and try to avoid that if you can.”
Adapted from The Parent Report Radio Show. Any advice or information contained herein should never be a substitute for professional and/or medical advice, diagnosis and treatment. For more information please review Terms of Service.
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